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3 in 30 Takeaways for Moms

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A podcast with 3 actionable takeaways in every 30-minute episode because you are a busy mom with a full schedule and an even fuller brain. Listen in to feel encouraged and inspired, as we learn together how to overcome overwhelm and find more peace and magic in motherhood.

Hosted by Rachel Nielson, a mother, teacher, and writer.

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#502
Monday · 35 min
502: 3 Principles that Carried Me Through a Really Difficult Summer
A few weeks ago, I wasn't sure I was going to open enrollment for my Self-Assured Motherhood Program this year. Of all the work I do, SAM is where I feel like I'm making the biggest difference, but I honestly didn't know if I had it in me. My brother-in-law Logan died unexpectedly this summer, at 44 years old, and I spent most of the season at my sister's house doing dishes, walking the dog, and sitting with her in her sadness. I barely worked at all, which was exactly how it needed to be. But when my kids went back to school and I thought about gearing myself up for another enrollment period for SAM, everything in me said no. In the middle of that much loss, it was honestly hard to remember why any of my work even matters. What changed my mind was a journaling session. As I wrote about my summer, I could see that the SAM principles had been holding me up in my deep grief, and I hadn't noticed it happening while it was happening. That's what today's episode is about, because these principles aren't only useful in the seasons when you have the energy to become a little more intentional or a little more confident. The longer you practice them, they become what you default to when you're going through really difficult times. Today I'm walking through the first three principles of the SAM framework and how each one showed up for me during an excruciating summer. In this episode, you'll hear: 💜 What was taped to the wall behind my sister's desk since 2022, and how it ended up in Logan's obituary 💜 The one thing I never did, not once, in a whole month of caring for a grieving family 💜 Why I canceled a signed contract on our house in late July These experiences are deeply personal to me, but I really do believe they're universal in application, because when you know yourself and honor your needs, you can better love and support your people. That's the whole heart of SAM, and I'd love to spend this year walking through it with a new group of women. For full show notes, including takeaways, click here. *** Announcements: ✨ Enrollment for the Self-Assured Motherhood program is open through Tuesday, September 22nd, and it only opens once a year. Classes start October 1st. All the details are at 3in30podcast.com/sam. ✨ Still deciding? Join me for a free preview class on Tuesday, September 15th or Friday, September 18th at 10:30 a.m. MT. Sign up at 3in30podcast.com/freeclass, and I'll send the replay if you can't make it live. ✨ Logan's full life sketch is on my sister's blog Related Episodes: 484: In Memory of Logan McKenna: A Conversation with my Beloved Brother-in-Law 448: Join Our Team! A Word from our SAM Sisters 316: Considering the SAM Program? You MUST listen to this. Episode Sponsors: BetterHelp: 3 in 30 Takeaways for Moms is sponsored by BetterHelp. Go to betterhelp.com/3in30 to get 10% off your first month of online therapy. Quince: Make your summer wardrobe feel easier. Go to Quince.com/3in30 for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns. Now available in Canada, too. Zenni: Go to zenni.com/podcast and use code PODCAST15 for fifteen percent off your first order, plus free shipping on all US orders over sixty five dollars. Rebel: Brand names you actually want in home, baby, and outdoor at up to 70% off. Go to fromrebel.com. Let's Connect! Join me on Instagram! Get weekly-ish emails with BTS of my life Find Your Magic in Motherhood: Free 3-Day Email Course ***
#501
September 7 · 38 min
501: How to Thrive, Not Just Survive, Your Kids' Extracurricular Activities // Meesha Slade
The sign-ups have started coming in. Fall sports, piano, dance, school plays – it's a lot. And while we know we want our kids to be involved in things so they can thrive, too often we're left burned out and... not thriving. It's easy to assume the problem is the number of activities, and that the fix is to cut something. And sometimes it is. But a lot of the time, the schedule isn't actually the thing making us feel resentful or burned out or exhausted, and cutting out activites won't necessarily touch what's really going on. This week's guest is Meesha Slade, a mom of three busy kids, and she goes underneath the scheduling question, to the question I think we are actually asking, which is, "How do I do this in a way that doesn't cost me myself?" In this episode, you'll hear: 🚗 The brain dump Meesha did while sitting outside her son's TaeKwonDo class, and what showed up on the page that helped her resentment start to lift 🚗 The two hours Meesha spent stewing in a Scout room, and the boundary she set that night that has held ever since 🚗 Why Meesha's daughter was willing to join the swim team but refused to compete in a single meet for three years, and why Meesha decided to accept it This episode isn't going to tell you the right number of activities for your family, because there isn't one. Instead, you'll walk away with more confidence to know what's best for your family during this season so that each person in your family can thrive, including you. For full show notes, including takeaways, click here. *** Announcements: If this episode has you thinking that you'd like to get clearer on what actually matters to you, I'm teaching a free class called How to Show Up More Like the Mom You Want to Be Every Day (Give or Take a Few), offered twice: Tuesday, September 15th and Friday, September 18th, both at 10:30 am MST. In one hour, I'll walk you through the same kind of exercise that helped Meesha see her values on paper. Save your spot at 3in30podcast.com/freeclass. Related Episodes: 494: Voice Your Values // The Back-to-School Check-In for Moms #1 473: Three Things That Help Me Stay Sane During Busy, Overwhelming Seasons 375: 3 Ways Voicing Your Values will Help Lighten your Mental Load // Rachel Nielson on the Happy Mom Summit Episode Sponsors: Quince: Make your summer wardrobe feel easier. Go to Quince.com/3in30 for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns. Now available in Canada, too. Zenni: Go to zenni.com/podcast and use code PODCAST15 for fifteen percent off your first order, plus free shipping on all US orders over sixty five dollars. Rebel: Brand names you actually want in home, baby, and outdoor at up to 70% off. Go to fromrebel.com. Let's Connect! Join me on Instagram! Get weekly-ish emails with BTS of my life Find Your Magic in Motherhood: Free 3-Day Email Course ***
#500
August 31 · 37 min
500: Habits for Moms Who Are Bad at Habits (Like Me!) // Monica Packer
Consistency has never come easily to me. I'm a scattered creative, I have ADHD, and I have struggled with routines and habits for pretty much my whole life. For years I assumed that meant something was wrong with me, and I felt like it was my fault that I couldn't stay consistent with anything. But this week's guest, Monica Packer, has changed how I feel about habit-building. Monica hosts the podcast About Progress, she recently wrote the book Sticky Habits, and she's one of my best friends in real life. She has spent a decade teaching women to build habits in a way that is compassionate and realistic for busy moms. She gave me a new definition of consistency in this conversation, and it is the first one that has ever made habit-building feel possible for someone like me. In this episode, you'll learn: 🫶 The research on invisible labor that explains why habit advice written for men keeps failing you 🫶 Why our insistence on doing it perfectly is the very thing keeping us from staying consistent 🫶 What Monica did to make the habit of going to bed at a good time stick, even though she hates it If you've been feeling the pull to reset all of your routines and create a bunch of new habits this back-to-school season, I hope this episode can help you do so in a way that's supportive and compassionate. For full show notes, including takeaways, click here. *** Announcements: ✨ Sign-ups just opened for a brand new free masterclass I'm teaching: How to Show Up More Like the Mom You Want to Be Every Day (give or take a few 😉). I'll be teaching one tool, not a fancy system or a huge overhaul. I'm teaching it live on Tuesday, September 15th and Friday, September 18th, both at 10:30 a.m. MT. Save your spot here! ✨ Monica's book, Sticky Habits: A Woman's Guide to Reclaim Happiness, Ditch Perfectionism, and Create Habits That Last, comes out September 8th. If you pre-order at stickyhabitsbook.com, then you're invited to the virtual launch party on September 8th, which I am co-hosting. Come join! Related Episodes: 267: How to Stop Procrastinating in the New Year // Monica Packer 214: Simple Tips to Create New Habits in the New Year // BJ Fogg 269: How to Create a Morning Routine that will Last // Sara Dean Episode Sponsors: Quince: Make your summer wardrobe feel easier. Go to Quince.com/3in30 for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns. Now available in Canada, too. K12 Powered Schools: See how K12 Powered Schools can help unlock your child's full potential. Enroll online today at K12.com/3in30. Zenni: Go to zenni.com/podcast and use code PODCAST15 for fifteen percent off your first order, plus free shipping on all US orders over sixty five dollars. Let's Connect! Join me on Instagram! Get weekly-ish emails with BTS of my life Find Your Magic in Motherhood: Free 3-Day Email Course ***
#499
August 28 · 12 min
499: Support Their Struggles // The Back-to-School Check-In for Moms #6
My instinct, when one of my kids is struggling, is to solve it, save them from it, or to worry about it so intensely that the worrying becomes consuming. These instincts are natural because I love my kids so much, and I hate to see them in pain. But they also don't work, at least not very effectively. Our children need to experience hard things in order to grow, and the most useful thing I can do, as their mom, is to walk beside them, listen to their big emotions, and help them find resources. It doesn't come as instinctually because it's a slower process, but it's what they really need when they're going through something hard. This is the sixth and final episode in my back-to-school check-in series for moms, six short episodes walking you through the six principles of self-assured motherhood, each one with a concrete way to assess how you're actually doing. Today's principle is Support Their Struggles, and I picked that verb over solve, or save, or shame, because supporting means being with your child in the hard thing rather than lifting them out of it. In this episode, you'll hear: 🤍 The list I have moms make in my program that helps them know where to start in supporting their children 🤍 What happened when I first started to suspect one of my kids had ADHD, and how I worked through the overwhelm of getting started 🤍 The green, yellow, and red descriptions for this principle, so you can name where you actually are right now without turning it into one more thing you're failing at Whatever your child is carrying, you can be a steady presence beside them without picking it up and carrying it yourself, and that steadiness will mean more to them than any solution you could hand over. This is slow work; it's hard work, and it matters so much. For full show notes, including takeaways, click here. *** Announcements: Take the free self-assured motherhood quiz at 3in30podcast.com/quiz to see how you're doing across all six principles, and you'll get a discount code when enrollment opens on September 14th. Related Episodes: 420: How to Best Support a Neurodivergent Child // Kim Gameroz 448: Join Our Team! A Word from our SAM Sisters 399: When Your Teen Struggles with Friends // Brooke Romney Episode Sponsors: Quince: Make your summer wardrobe feel easier. Go to Quince.com/3in30 for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns. Now available in Canada, too. K12 Powered Schools: See how K12 Powered Schools can help unlock your child's full potential. Enroll online today at K12.com/3in30. Zenni: Go to zenni.com/podcast and use code PODCAST15 for fifteen percent off your first order, plus free shipping on all US orders over sixty five dollars. Let's Connect! Join me on Instagram! Get weekly-ish emails with BTS of my life Find Your Magic in Motherhood: Free 3-Day Email Course ***
#498
August 26 · 15 min
498: Gather the Good // The Back-to-School Check-In for Moms #5
What you look for, you will find. I have believed that about motherhood for a long time now, long enough that I built a whole journal around the idea, and I have heard from hundreds of mothers who have had the same experience. They weren't finding more good because their children had suddenly changed. They were finding more good because they had started looking for it. That is the whole heart of today's principle, and I love teaching it because it is such a happy way to parent. It makes you feel like a good mom. It reminds you that your kids are awesome, even on the days they are hard. And it gives you hope that all of this work you are doing is worth it, and that it is working. This is the fifth episode in my back-to-school check-in series for moms, six short episodes walking you through the six principles of Self-Assured Motherhood, each one with a concrete way to assess how you're actually doing. Today's principle is Gather the Good, and we're talking about it specifically in the context of noticing and calling out the good in our children. When you start naming the good out loud, something lovely begins to happen. Your child starts to believe that story about who they are, and then they start behaving in ways that support it, which gives you more good to notice, which gives them more reason to believe it. It's a beautiful cycle, and it can start with one sentence said within earshot at the dinner table. In this episode, you'll hear: ✨ The two sentences I say out loud about my kids when I know they can hear me, and why I'm not doing it to get them to behave ✨ Why the child who is hardest to praise is usually the one who needs it most, and what to do when that's the season you're in ✨ The green, yellow, and red descriptions for this principle, so you can figure out where you actually are right now, before the school year gets loud There is so much good happening in your home already, and I hope this is the school year you get to spend more of your energy finding it. For full show notes, including takeaways, click here. *** Announcements: ✨ Want to know how you're really doing across all six principles of self-assured motherhood? Take my free quiz. You'll get a clear picture of where you're thriving and where you could use some support, and you'll be added to the info list for my Self-Assured Motherhood program, which opens for enrollment on September 14th with a special discount for quiz-takers. ✨ If you're looking for a concrete daily practice for this principle, the Flecks of Gold Journal is the perfect tool to help. Related Episodes: 447: What Parents in Disney Movies Got Wrong 304: Motherhood is hard. This helps. 158: Creating Golden Moments with Teenagers // Saren Eyre Loosli of Power of Families Episode Sponsors: Quince: Make your summer wardrobe feel easier. Go to Quince.com/3in30 for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns. Now available in Canada, too. K12 Powered Schools: See how K12 Powered Schools can help unlock your child's full potential. Enroll online today at K12.com/3in30. Zenni: Go to zenni.com/podcast and use code PODCAST15 for fifteen percent off your first order, plus free shipping on all US orders over sixty five dollars. Let's Connect! Join me on Instagram! Get weekly-ish emails with BTS of my life Find Your Magic in Motherhood: Free 3-Day Email Course ***
#497
August 24 · 15 min
497: Sanctify Your Soul-Care // The Back-to-School Check-In for Moms #4
I have a confession. Of the six principles I teach in Self-Assured Motherhood, soul-care is the one where I'm still not where I want to be. I've taken good care of my mind and my spirit over the years, but when work gets busy, the first things to go are exercise, sleep, and eating well, and I'm starting to feel the cost of that in my body as I get older. I say soul-care rather than self-care on purpose. Self-care has gotten a bad rap over the last few years, and I understand why. It has come to sound like bubble baths and expensive skin care, which can be an overwhelming (and not always helpful) thing to hand a woman who is truly worn out and struggling. A soul is body, mind, and spirit together, and caring for all three is a much bigger and more useful thing to talk about. This is day four of the Back-to-School Check-In for Moms, a six-part series walking through each principle of the Self-Assured Motherhood framework, one short episode at a time. Caring for your soul can be bubble baths, but it can also be eating regular meals, and scheduling your mammogram. It can be learning something interesting, and it can be making sure to schedule a much needed nap. Soul-care is how we make sure we have the energy and bandwidth we need to take care of those we love and thrive in our lives. In this episode you'll hear: 🤍 The story of 33 men trapped underground for 69 days, and the warning the mountain had been giving for months before anyone stopped to listen 🤍 A question one of my SAM students asks about childcare that will change the way the phrase "self-care" sounds to you 🤍 The green, yellow, red assessment for this principle, and the color I had to give myself If something in you has been asking for attention for a while now, I hope this short episode will give you permission to listen. You deserve to be taken care of, just like everyone else in your life. For full show notes, including takeaways, click here. *** Announcements: Take the free Self-Assured Motherhood quiz at 3in30podcast.com/quiz to see how you're doing across all six principles. Quiz-takers get a discount when enrollment opens on September 14th. Related Episodes: 438: How Soul-Care Can Help You Enjoy Motherhood More: Real Stories from Moms Like You // SAM Sisters 441: The 4 Types of Self-Care Every Mom Needs // Mia Hemstad 320: Making Space for Self-Care: It Might Not Be As Hard As You Think // Dr. Nicole Sparks Episode Sponsors: AirDoctor: Head to AirDoctorPro.com and use promo code 3IN30 to get $250 off select AirDoctor air purifiers, including the 3500, 4000, and 5500 models. Quince: Make your summer wardrobe feel easier. Go to Quince.com/3in30 for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns. Now available in Canada, too. K12 Powered Schools: See how K12 Powered Schools can help unlock your child's full potential. Enroll online today at K12.com/3in30. Zenni: Go to zenni.com/podcast and use code PODCAST15 for fifteen percent off your first order, plus free shipping on all US orders over sixty five dollars. Let's Connect! Join me on Instagram! Get weekly-ish emails with BTS of my life Find Your Magic in Motherhood: Free 3-Day Email Course ***
#496
August 21 · 13 min
496: Balance Your Boundaries // The Back-to-School Check-In for Moms #3
After years and years of therapy, I have gotten pretty good at setting boundaries with almost everyone in my life. My weakest area, by far, is my own children. I'm a softie, and it is very difficult for me to let my kids be unhappy and not immediately try to resolve it. That instinct comes from something real, because connection with my children is one of my true strengths and I lean into it on purpose, but it can tip over into permissiveness pretty easily. And since I work from home, the line between when I'm mom and when I'm working has stayed blurry for years, which means I have been frustrated with my kids for interrupting me when I was never clear or consistent with them in the first place about when they could and could not come in. This is the third episode in my back-to-school check-in series for moms, six short episodes walking you through the six principles of self-assured motherhood, each one with a concrete way to assess how you're actually doing. Today's principle is Balance Your Boundaries, and because boundaries have become such a buzzword, I want to take us back to a simple definition of what they are and what they are not. Boundaries are what you will do to honor your needs, not what you expect other people to do. Which means the whole thing gets a lot simpler, because it stops depending on anyone else cooperating. In this episode, you'll hear: 💜 A recording I made by accident that I decided to play for you, even though it is not my finest moment as a mom 💜 The image a counselor gave me years ago that I come back to every single time I feel guilty about holding a limit 💜 The sign I'm putting on my office door to help me, and what I'll do the first time on of my kids ignores it Being unboundaried can feel like the loving choice, but it so rarely is. I hope this school year is the one where your boundaries start to feel like an act of love, because that is exactly what they are. For full show notes, including takeaways, click here. *** Announcements: Want to know how you're really doing across all six principles of self-assured motherhood? Take the free interactive quiz at 3in30podcast.com/quiz. You'll get a clear picture of where you're thriving and where you could use more support, and you'll be added to the info list for my Self-Assured Motherhood program, which opens for enrollment on September 14th with a special discount for quiz-takers. Related Episodes: 445: How to Set Boundaries without Damaging Relationships // Rachel on Happy Mom Summit 437: Boundaries and Emotional Resilience in Motherhood // Dr. Jen Riday 251: How to Set Boundaries with your Children // Stacey Collins Episode Sponsors: Quince: Make your summer wardrobe feel easier. Go to Quince.com/3in30 for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns. Now available in Canada, too. K12 Powered Schools: See how K12 Powered Schools can help unlock your child's full potential. Enroll online today at K12.com/3in30. Zenni: Go to zenni.com/podcast and use code PODCAST15 for fifteen percent off your first order, plus free shipping on all US orders over sixty five dollars. Let's Connect! Join me on Instagram! Get weekly-ish emails with BTS of my life Find Your Magic in Motherhood: Free 3-Day Email Course ***
#495
August 19 · 15 min
495: Celebrate Your Strengths // The Back-to-School Check-In for Moms #2
I have spent so much time, energy, and money over the years trying to get good at the things I am simply not good at. Routines are my big one. I am not great at keeping our home organized and running on any kind of rhythm, and there have been whole seasons where I decided that fixing that about myself was the most important work I could possibly be doing. Now, there's nothing wrong with striving to be better, and I am fully on board with growth, but we all have a finite amount of energy, and every hour I spend hyper-focusing on a weakness is an hour I don't get to spend magnifying the things that make me who I am. This is the second episode in my back-to-school check-in series for moms, six short episodes walking you through the six principles of self-assured motherhood, each one with a concrete way to assess how you're actually doing. Today's principle is Celebrate Your Strengths, and I love teaching about this because I love giving every woman permission to acknowledge and celebrate her innate gifts and strengths. When you stop trying to be a well-rounded version of everyone else and start leaning into what you naturally do well, your growth in that area becomes exponential, your joy goes up, and your family gets the very best of you instead of a watered-down imitation of somebody else's mothering. In this episode, you'll hear: 💛 The Olympic gymnast who competed in exactly one event, and why his coaches wanted it that way 💛 A question about baseball from a Harvard Business Review article that I share with every woman in my Self-Assured Motherhood program 💛 The answer one of my kids gave in the car one summer that made me so grateful I had leaned into my strength that day instead of apologizing for everything I'm not You have gifts that nobody else can bring to your family in quite the way you can, and I hope this school year is the one where you spend your energy magnifying those, rather than apologizing for all the rest. For full show notes, including takeaways, click here. *** Announcements: Want to know how you're doing across all six principles of self-assured motherhood? Take the free interactive quiz at 3in30podcast.com/quiz. You'll get a clear picture of where you're thriving and where you could use more support, and you'll be added to the info list for my Self-Assured Motherhood program, which opens for enrollment on September 14th with a special discount for quiz-takers. Related Episodes: 436: Embrace the Mom You Are—Not the One You Think You Should Be // Julie Bastedo 315: A Word from our SAM Sisters 314: How to Feel like Yourself in Motherhood // Aleisha McKean Episode Sponsors: Quince: Make your summer wardrobe feel easier. Go to Quince.com/3in30 for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns. Now available in Canada, too. K12 Powered Schools: See how K12 Powered Schools can help unlock your child's full potential. Enroll online today at K12.com/3in30. Zenni: Go to zenni.com/podcast and use code PODCAST15 for fifteen percent off your first order, plus free shipping on all US orders over sixty five dollars. Let's Connect! Join me on Instagram! Get weekly-ish emails with BTS of my life Find Your Magic in Motherhood: Free 3-Day Email Course ***
#494
August 17 · 17 min
494: Voice Your Values // The Back-to-School Check-In for Moms #1
It's back-to-school season, and our kids are about to be assessed on their reading, their math, and their writing. But what if we gave ourselves an assessment for how we're doing as moms? (And I don't mean a test involving balancing equations... I would rather not know my score for that. 😬) Instead, we can assess ourselves on our emotional wellbeing, because that affects everything about motherhood. And so I've created a mini series to give us exactly that.In this mini series, there will be six short episodes that walk you through each of my six principles of Self-Assured Motherhood. These are the six areas that make the biggest difference in your joy, your peace, and your emotional wellbeing, and knowing where you stand in each one shows you where you're already doing well and where you could use more support. Today, we are starting with my first principle: Voice Your Values. This is my favorite principle in the framework, and the one I put first because everything else rests on it. In this episode you'll hear: ✨ The two dictionary definitions of "values," and which definition we're talking about here. ✨ The five cards my husband handed me during a values activity at a couples retreat, because they explained a dream of his that had been a mystery to me for years. ✨ The green, yellow, and red definitions I read straight from my workbook, so you can figure out which one describes you right now. You can take my free self-assessment to see exactly where you stand in all six areas — go to 3in30podcast.com/quiz or click the link in the show notes. As you head into the back-to-school season with your kids, I hope you'll take some time to assess where you're at in your own growth and happiness. These six principles are a great place to start. For full show notes, including takeaways, click here. *** Announcements: Enrollment for the Self-Assured Motherhood Program opens September 14th. Take our Quiz and you will be added to the info list, so you will hear first when the doors open. Related Episodes: 375: 3 Ways Voicing Your Values will Help Lighten your Mental Load // Rachel Nielson on the Happy Mom Summit 388: What a Spaghetti Dinner Taught Me About Teaching // 3 Reasons the SAM Program REALLY Works 389: I'm a Seasoned Mom. Is SAM for me? // Wanda Opitz, SAM Alumni Podcast Sponsors: Quince: Make your summer wardrobe feel easier. Go to Quince.com/3in30 for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns. Now available in Canada, too. K12 Powered Schools: See how K12 Powered Schools can help unlock your child's full potential. Enroll online today at K12.com/3in30. Zenni: Go to zenni.com/podcast and use code PODCAST15 for fifteen percent off your first order, plus free shipping on all US orders over sixty five dollars. Let's Connect! Join me on Instagram! Get weekly-ish emails with BTS of my life Find Your Magic in Motherhood: Free 3-Day Email Course ***
#493
August 10 · 43 min
493: How to Calm Your Nervous System in 60 Seconds (And Other Small, Practical Pauses) // Layne Burkette
I have never been much of a meditator. Sitting cross-legged on my bedroom floor, waiting for my brain to go quiet, has never once worked for me. I'm too in my head, too cerebral, too prone to just thinking harder instead of actually feeling calmer. So when I recorded this episode, I wasn't expecting to walk away from it more relaxed than I've felt in weeks. But that's exactly what happened.This week's guest is Layne Burkette, a licensed therapist who specializes in somatic and nervous system work.If you're heading into back-to-school season already feeling the overwhelm creep in, this conversation will give you real tools, not one more thing to add to your plate. In this episode, you'll hear: 🌿 A sixty-second practice you can do standing at the sink, in the carpool line, or anywhere else your day already has you 🌿 The one sentence that reframes everything about why you snap before you even realize you're upset 🌿 The moment Layne had me try something I've avoided my entire life (and why it actually worked) For full show notes, including takeaways, click here. *** Announcements: FREE RESET: Feel Calm in Minutes by accessing Layne's quick nervous system resets. Related Episodes: 129: Rethinking Meditation as a Busy Mom // Dr. Leah Weiss 483: Types of Support that Every Mom Needs 407: A Two-Minute Daily Practice to Transform Your Mental Health Episode Sponsors: AirDoctor: Head to AirDoctorPro.com and use promo code 3IN30 to get $250 off select AirDoctor air purifiers, including the 3500, 4000, and 5500 models. Quince: Make your summer wardrobe feel easier. Go to Quince.com/3in30 for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns. Now available in Canada, too. K12 Powered Schools: See how K12 Powered Schools can help unlock your child's full potential. Enroll online today at K12.com/3in30. Zenni: Go to zenni.com/podcast and use code PODCAST15 for fifteen percent off your first order, plus free shipping on all US orders over sixty five dollars. Let's Connect! Join me on Instagram! Get weekly-ish emails with BTS of my life Find Your Magic in Motherhood: Free 3-Day Email Course ***
#492
August 3 · 38 min
492: Why Abby Is Done Fighting Over Screen Time (and Other Back-to-School Shifts) // 3 in 30 Team
If the back-to-school season is already creeping up on you (the supply lists, the new routines, the mental math of who needs to be where and when), you are not the only mom feeling that low hum of stress. Every year it sneaks up faster than I expect it to, and every year I tell myself this is the year I'll feel ready. And... I never quite do. (Maybe you can relate! 😆) So today I'm handing the mic to three of my favorite people to talk this through with: Abby, our Finance Director, Emily, our Marketing Director, and Christy, our Operations Director. Each of them is going to walk us through how one of their core values is shaping a real decision or mindset shift they're making this back-to-school season. These aren't Pinterest-perfect systems, but they are an honest look at what's actually working for them right now. Whatever season of motherhood you're in, however many kids or what ages, there's a good chance one of their stories will feel a little like your own, and might just help you lead this season with more intention and a lot more peace. Some of what you'll hear includes: 🍎 Why Abby decided she's done fighting her kids over Chromebooks, and what she's trying instead 🍎 The "black trash bag energy" Emily admits she brings to every new school year (and why she's doing something different this time) 🍎 The line Christy's mom used on her as a kid that she still thinks about decades later For full show notes, including takeaways, click here. *** Announcements: If this conversation has you wondering what your own core values actually are, our Self-Assured Motherhood quiz is a great place to start. It only takes a couple of minutes and gives you a real starting point for where to focus your energy this season. Take it at 3in30podcast.com/quiz. Related Episodes: 478: What Every Mom of a Teenager Needs to Hear // Emily Ricks 449: 3 Simple Strategies to Prevent After-School Meltdowns // Alyssa Blask Campbell 306: Creating Back-to-School Routines for a Smooth Transition // Mika Perry Podcast Sponsors: BetterHelp: 3 in 30 Takeaways for Moms is sponsored by BetterHelp. Go to betterhelp.com/3in30 to get 10% off your first month of online therapy. Quince: Make your summer wardrobe feel easier. Go to Quince.com/3in30 for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns. Now available in Canada, too. K12 Powered Schools: See how K12 Powered Schools can help unlock your child's full potential. Enroll online today at K12.com/3in30. Zenni: Go to zenni.com/podcast and use code PODCAST15 for fifteen percent off your first order, plus free shipping on all US orders over sixty five dollars. Let's Connect! Join me on Instagram! Get weekly-ish emails with BTS of my life Find Your Magic in Motherhood: Free 3-Day Email Course ***
#491
July 27 · 30 min
491: How to Change Someone's Life (Without Even Realizing It)
With back-to-school season right around the corner, I keep thinking about a moment from my own high school years – a moment so small I barely registered it at the time. I noticed a kid sitting alone, stuck out my hand, and said hi. That was it. What I didn't know was that it would change his life, and honestly, mine too. This is a re-air of one of my favorite episodes from the archives, originally recorded as an interview I did on the podcast Becoming for Teens. I'm bringing it back now because our schools need more kids brave enough to look up, reach out, and make someone feel like they belong. And the truth is, so do our communities. You'll come away from this one thinking about: 💜 The letter Brian wrote me at graduation, and what he said about that first handshake 💜 Why the kindest thing you can do might feel awkward or forced at first (and why that's okay) 💜 The small but specific things teens (and moms!) can do to make someone feel seen This episode is worth listening to with your kids on a family night, in the car, or anytime when they're a captive audience. I think it'll spark a conversation you'll both remember. For full show notes, including takeaways, click here. *** Announcement: Take the free Self-Assured Motherhood Quiz — it walks you through six key areas of motherhood and shows you where you're already doing well and where you could use a little more support. It takes about three minutes. Related Episodes: 445: How to Set Boundaries without Damaging Relationships // Rachel on Happy Mom Summit 429: How Ordinary Moms Can Make a Difference // Sharon McMahon 419: 3 Things Moms of Children with Disabilities Want You to Know // Katie Blackburn Episode Sponsors: AirDoctor: Head to AirDoctorPro.com and use promo code 3IN30 to get $250 off select AirDoctor air purifiers, including the 3500, 4000, and 5500 models. Quince: Make your summer wardrobe feel easier. Go to Quince.com/3in30 for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns. Now available in Canada, too. Fodzyme (KiwiBiosciences): We're so excited to partner with Fodzyme and offer you 30% off your first order when you go to ICanEatAgain.com/3IN30. Finally, you can enjoy your favorite foods without the pain. K12 Powered Schools: See how K12 Powered Schools can help unlock your child's full potential. Enroll online today at K12.com/3in30. Let's Connect! Join me on Instagram! Get weekly-ish emails with BTS of my life Find Your Magic in Motherhood: Free 3-Day Email Course ***
#490
July 20 · 37 min
490: 3 Things to Remember When Parenting is Difficult
Lately, my kids have been watching a lot of TV. More than I'd like to admit. And for a while, I let myself spiral about it. What kind of mom lets her kids zone out on screens all day? What is that doing to them? But then I caught myself, because I've learned that there's a difference between self-confronting and shame-spiraling. And, once I stopped the shame-spiral, I reminded myself that our family is going through a hard time right now, and if some extra screens are going to support us through it, that's not the end of the world. What our home needs most right now is compassion. My kids need an extra dose of compassion, and so do I. That's what gets us through hard times. This week's episode is a recording from a small group coaching call I did back in 2019, with about twenty women who were in the thick of hard seasons with their kids. We talk about how to support your kids through struggles, and how you can support yourself, too. In this episode, you'll hear: 💜 What one woman in the group said about being grateful she had a really hard firstborn 💜 Why one mom realized that worrying about what her in-laws thought of her parenting was actually getting in the way of what her kids needed most 💜 The concept of "shark music," and how the soundtrack playing in your head during your kid's meltdown might be making everything harder than it has to be If you or your kids are in a hard season right now, I hope this episode can give you some support. For full show notes, including takeaways, click here. *** Announcements: Wondering where to start on your journey to Self-Assured Motherhood? We created a free three-minute assessment at 3in30podcast.com/quiz that shows you exactly where you are across all six principles, including Support Their Struggles, the principle at the heart of this episode. Related Episodes: 357: Tips for Staying Calm During Your Big Kid's Big Meltdowns // Cheryl Cardall 440: Tools for Parenting a "Spicy" Child // Mary Van Geffen 449: 3 Simple Strategies to Prevent After-School Meltdowns // Alyssa Blask Campbell Episode Sponsors: BetterHelp: 3 in 30 Takeaways for Moms is sponsored by BetterHelp. Go to betterhelp.com/3in30 to get 10% off your first month of online therapy. Quince: Make your summer wardrobe feel easier. Go to Quince.com/3in30 for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns. Now available in Canada, too. Fodzyme (KiwiBiosciences): We're so excited to partner with Fodzyme and offer you 30% off your first order when you go to ICanEatAgain.com/3IN30. Finally, you can enjoy your favorite foods without the pain. K12 Powered Schools: See how K12 Powered Schools can help unlock your child's full potential. Enroll online today at K12.com/3in30. Let's Connect! Join me on Instagram! Get weekly-ish emails with BTS of my life Find Your Magic in Motherhood: Free 3-Day Email Course ***
#489
July 13 · 45 min
489: How My Mom Helped Me Know Myself
Grief has been close to my family lately, and in the weeks since losing my brother-in-law Logan, I've found myself returning again and again to the memories that hold the people we love, long after they're no longer here. This July 14th marks twenty-three years since my mother passed away from breast cancer. I was nineteen years old. And this episode (one of the most personal I've ever recorded) is my tribute to her. My mom had a gift for seeing strengths in her children before they could see them in themselves — and for my mom, helping me find my voice, quite literally, was one of the most loving things she ever did for me. This episode is a musical tribute because music is where she first showed me who I was. In it, you'll hear about 🎵 The nights my mom stayed up late making eight gorgeous costumes for me, and how those long hours spent together shaped me 🎵 What she said to me on the morning of July 14th, just a few hours before she passed 🎵 How my mom intentionally helped me see my strengths when I was an insecure seventh grade girl This episode is about grief, yes, but it's also a celebration. It's a celebration of how my mom helped me find myself, and how her love is still shaping me today. For full show notes, including takeaways, click here. *** Announcements: One of the greatest gifts my mom gave me was helping me know my own strengths. If you're wondering how well you're doing at knowing and celebrating yours, we have a free three-minute quiz waiting for you at 3in30podcast.com/quiz — it will give you a visual snapshot of where you're thriving in your self-assured motherhood journey and where there might be a little room to grow. Related Episodes: 390: Living with Grief without Losing Yourself // Shelby Quinlan 472: When the World Feels Heavy, Try This // Shannan Martin 104: How to Move Through Grief towards Joy // Anna Packard Episode Sponsors: AirDoctor: Head to AirDoctorPro.com and use promo code 3IN30 to get $300, plus a three-year warranty. Quince: Make your summer wardrobe feel easier. Go to Quince.com/3in30 for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns. Now available in Canada, too. Fodzyme (KiwiBiosciences): We're so excited to partner with Fodzyme and offer you 30% off your first order when you go to ICanEatAgain.com/3IN30. Finally, you can enjoy your favorite foods without the pain. K12 Powered Schools: See how K12 Powered Schools can help unlock your child's full potential. Enroll online today at K12.com/3in30. Let's Connect! Join me on Instagram! Get weekly-ish emails with BTS of my life Find Your Magic in Motherhood: Free 3-Day Email Course ***
#488
July 6 · 39 min
488: A Letter to My Body (and Two Other Essays I Wrote in Recovery)
I have been a writer my whole life. Long before this podcast existed, writing was how I made sense of my hardest seasons, how I figured out what I actually thought and felt, and how I slowly found my way through pain I didn't know how to carry any other way. Some of that writing happened in therapy. And some of the most important pages I ever filled were written during my recovery from an eating disorder.In this episode, I share three of those pieces: an essay I posted on my personal blog, a narrative therapy piece my counselor guided me through, and a letter I wrote to my own body. Together, they trace a journey from desperation to hope to something that finally, finally felt like peace. In this episode, you'll hear me share: ✍️ What my counselor asked me to write that cracked something open in me, and why I think anyone doing hard inner work should try it ✍️ The running path conversation that changed everything ✍️ The letter to my body I was sure would come out angry — and what came out instead This is soul care in its most honest, vulnerable form. I hope something in this episode gives you permission to honor your own needs and do deep, healing soul-care. Note: This episode contains references to faith and prayer as part of my personal healing journey. For full show notes, click here. *** Announcements: ⁉️ Curious how well you're honoring your own needs as a mom? Take my free three-minute assessment at 3in30podcast.com/quiz. Related Episodes: 480: How to Stop Letting Your Body Image Steal Your Summer // Dr. Lexie Kite 481: What to Do When Your Child Says "I'm Fat" // Steph Wood 302: How to Heal Your Relationship with Food // Natalie Shay Episode Sponsors: BetterHelp: 3 in 30 Takeaways for Moms is sponsored by BetterHelp. Go to betterhelp.com/3in30 to get 10% off your first month of online therapy. Quince: Make your summer wardrobe feel easier. Go to Quince.com/3in30 for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns. Now available in Canada, too. Fodzyme (KiwiBiosciences): We're so excited to partner with Fodzyme and offer you 30% off your first order when you go to ICanEatAgain.com/3IN30. Finally, you can enjoy your favorite foods without the pain. K12 Powered Schools: See how K12 Powered Schools can help unlock your child's full potential. Enroll online today at K12.com/3in30. Let's Connect! Join me on Instagram! Get weekly-ish emails with BTS of my life Find Your Magic in Motherhood: Free 3-Day Email Course ***
#487
June 29 · 37 min
487: How to Raise Patriotic Kids When It Feels Complicated // Sharon McMahon
I'm a word person. (Occupational hazard of spending years as an English teacher, I suppose.) I notice when words shift — when something that used to feel simple and clear starts carrying extra weight, or gets claimed by one group of people until the rest of us feel uncertain about whether we're still allowed to use it the way we always meant to. That's what's happened, at least in my experience, to the word "patriotic." And more than my own discomfort, I started to feel genuinely unsure how to teach my kids how to be patriotic in a country that often feels so divided by partisan politics. That question is exactly what brought Sharon McMahon back to 3 in 30. Sharon is known as America's Government Teacher and is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Small and the Mighty and her new children's book, We Are Mighty. This conversation will give you language and a framework for the patriotism conversations you've been wanting to have with your kids, but haven't quite known how to start. 🇺🇸 Why loving your country and criticizing your country are not opposites 🇺🇸 Why narrating your small acts of service out loud shapes how your child understands what it means to love their neighbors — and their country 🇺🇸 Why getting your child to the polls just three times in a row may be one of the most lasting things you ever do for democracy With the 4th of July coming up this week, and especially this year as we celebrate the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, we hope you find this conversation helpful. For full show notes, including takeaways, click here. *** Related Episodes: 429: How Ordinary Moms Can Make a Difference // Sharon McMahon 392: How to Have Grace-Filled Political Conversations with Family & Friends // Sarah Stewart Holland & Beth Silvers of Pantsuit Politics 031: Three Easy Ways to Teach Children the True Meaning of Patriotic Holidays // Brittany Richman and Andrea Reeve, The American Moms Episode Sponsors: Knix Teen: It's not just underwear; it's giving our girls the confidence they deserve. Go to KnixTeen.com and use code 3IN30 for 15 percent off. Let's Connect! Join me on Instagram! Get weekly-ish emails with BTS of my life Find Your Magic in Motherhood: Free 3-Day Email Course ***
#486
June 22 · 35 min
486: Let Go of the "Shoulds" That Don't Fit Your Family // Amy Marie Hann
For years, I had a vision in my head of the kind of mom I was going to be. I would be present and patient. I would have snacks ready after school and summers full of creative activities. When I finally became a mom, I struggled to match the realities of the daily motherhood grind and the ideal images of motherhood I had in my head. This week's guest is Amy Marie Hann, author of Master the Mundane. I asked Amy Marie to come on the show because of a Substack article of hers I read all about letting go of "shoulds." Amy Marie shares three big things she finally let go of and what opened up for her once she did. ✨ The difference between liking the idea of something and actually wanting to do it, and how to tell which one you're dealing with ✨ What changed when Amy Marie stopped trying to be the house all the kids wanted to be at ✨ How Amy Marie found a way to work that didn't require choosing between two extremes If you've ever felt like you're forcing yourself into "shoulds" that don't quite match your reality, this one's for you. For full show notes, including takeaways, click here. *** Announcements: If this episode has you thinking about your own "shoulds," my course Motherhood Decluttered walks you through how to figure out what to keep and what to let go of — in a way that fits your life. Use code SUMMER through the end of June to get a 10% discount. Related Episodes: 463: How to Let Go of Mom Guilt 473: How to Get Through a Busy Season 354: Letting Go of Heavy Expectations of Yourself // Sneak Peek from the Declutter Your Motherhood Audio Course Episode Sponsors: First Day: For a limited time only, our listeners are getting an insane deal. Use code 3IN30 to get up to 57% Off at FirstDay.com. Knix Teen: It's not just underwear; it's giving our girls the confidence they deserve. Go to KnixTeen.com and use code 3IN30 for 15 percent off. Quince: Head to Quince.com/3in30 for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns Fodzyme (Kiwi Biosciences): We're so excited to partner with FODZYME and offer you 30% off your first order when you go to icaneatagain.com/3in30.com. Let's Connect! Join me on Instagram! Get weekly-ish emails with BTS of my life Find Your Magic in Motherhood: Free 3-Day Email Course ***
#485
June 15 · 38 min
485: The Resentment that Moms Don't Talk About // JoAnn Crohn
I have a friend named Laney who genuinely does not experience mom guilt. Not because she's a perfect mom, but because she's decided her kids are lucky to have her — and she means it! I used to laugh when she said things like that. But, now, after working for years on myself (I've come so far!), I understand that what I was struggling with wasn't only guilt over my shortcomings as a mom, but it was also guilt over the resentment I felt for everything I was carrying that led me to not enjoy my motherhood very much. The guilt was coming at me from every direction! If any of that sounds familiar, this episode is going to feel like a very welcome exhale. This week's guest is JoAnn Crohn, certified life coach and author of The Best Mom is a Happy Mom. She helps moms go from martyr to model, and this conversation is full of honest, practical tools for getting there. ✨ Why JoAnn's husband didn't even realize the imbalance until they did this one exercise together ✨ The "guilt equation" from a psychologist that will completely change how you think about your own expectations ✨ The thing JoAnn's therapist said that cut through all the noise and told her exactly what being a good mom actually requires If you've ever felt like the mental load of your family's life is sitting entirely on your shoulders, and if you've ever felt the guilt coming from every side, this episode is for you. For full show notes, including takeaways, click here. *** Related Episodes: 445: How to Set Boundaries without Damaging Relationships // Rachel on Happy Mom Summit 436: Embrace the Mom You Are—Not the One You Think You Should Be // Julie Bastedo 270: Simplifying Mom-Life // Chanelle Neilson Episode Sponsors: Tushy Bidet: For a limited time, our listeners get 10% off their first bidet order when you go to HelloTUSHY.com and use promo code 3in30. First Day: For a limited time only, our listeners are getting an insane deal. Use code 3IN30 to get up to 57% Off at FirstDay.com. Knix Teen: It's not just underwear; it's giving our girls the confidence they deserve. Go to KnixTeen.com and use code 3IN30 for 15 percent off. Air Doctor: Head to AirDoctorPro.com and use promo code 3IN30 to get $250 off select AirDoctor air purifiers, including the 3500, 4000, and 5500 models. Quince: Head to Quince.com/3in30 for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns Fodzyme: We're so excited to partner with FODZYME and offer you 30% off your first order when you go to icaneatagain.com/3in30.com. Let's Connect! Join me on Instagram! Get weekly-ish emails with BTS of my life Find Your Magic in Motherhood: Free 3-Day Email Course ***
#484
June 8 · 37 min
484: In Memory of Logan McKenna: A Conversation with my Beloved Brother-in-Law
I am recording the intro to this episode during one of the saddest weeks of my life. My beloved brother-in-law, Logan McKenna, died unexpectedly last Sunday morning. He was only 44 years old, and we are simply shattered by this loss. As soon as I got the call, I got into my car and started driving to Utah to be with my sister and her two teenage children. And as I was driving, trying to wrap my mind around the immensity of this loss, I thought, "I am so glad that Logan agreed to be a guest on my podcast a year ago so that we can have his goodness and wisdom recorded forevermore." This episode originally aired in February of 2025, where Logan talked about how to support a loved one who's struggling with mental illness. I decided to re-air it today as a tribute to him, so everyone who listens will get a taste of just how good he was — and will understand just how much he will be missed. The world has lost one of the most special souls who ever lived. I will be clinging to his memory and his legacy this week and always.
#481
June 1 · 34 min
483: Types of Support that Every Mom Needs
I've spent a lot of time thinking about what the word "self-assured" actually means in the context of motherhood. And I think somewhere along the way, a lot of us accidentally absorbed this idea that being self-assured means being self-sufficient — that if we were really emotionally healthy or mature or confident, we would just… handle everything on our own. But what I observed at my SAM Retreat last month completely reframed that for me. The women who seemed most grounded and alive and resilient weren't the ones who never needed support. They were the ones who knew how to seek it, receive it, and offer it to others. In this episode, I'm sharing three takeaways from the retreat, and I hope you walk away feeling more convinced than ever that thriving in motherhood was never meant to be a solo endeavor. 💜 The nature phenomenon I learned about that made me almost tear up (and I'm not a crier!) 💜 Why "just think more positively" wasn't working — and what my nervous system actually needed instead 💜 How I turned a financially impossible dream into the best event I've ever hosted (hint: I didn't do it alone) So here's to letting other people in. Here's to asking for what we need, receiving what's offered, and growing stronger because of the roots we share. For full show notes, including takeaways, click here. *** Mary Oliver Poem Retreat Sponsors & Resources: 🌿 Life Balance Be You with Layne Burkette — somatic therapy and nervous system support Instagram: @lifebalancebeyou Free Nervous System Starter Kit: lifebalancebeyou.systeme.io/3in30 ✈️ Amber on Points — learn how to travel your family for free using credit card points Instagram: @amberonpoints Free Guide to Traveling on Points: amberonpoints.kit.com/b781d78672 🎞️ Isbell Family Films — beautifully edited family films from your everyday iPhone footage Instagram: @isbellfamilyfilms Website: isbellfamilyfilms.com Use code 3IN30 for 30% off — their best deal of the year 🎵 Pep & Perk — uplifting children's music that teaches emotional resilience and confidence Instagram: @pepandperk Stream their new single Rainy Days: platoon.lnk.to/rainy-days-feat-peabodTP Episode Sponsors: BetterHelp: 3 in 30 Takeaways for Moms is sponsored by BetterHelp. Go to betterhelp.com/3in30 to get 10% off your first month of online therapy. Quince: Head to Quince.com/3in30 for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns Fodzyme: We're so excited to partner with FODZYME and offer you 30% off your first order when you go to icaneatagain.com/3in30.com. Related Episodes: 433: Making Friends as a Mom: Why It's Hard—and How to Do It Anyway // Dr. Marisa G. Franco 448: Join Our Team! A Word from our SAM Sisters 453: How to Travel for FREE with Your Family (Really!) // Amber Paul Let's Connect! Join me on Instagram! Get weekly-ish emails with BTS of my life Find Your Magic in Motherhood: Free 3-Day Email Course ***

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