Mom Com

Mom Com. Its Not You. Its Motherhood.

A podcast for moms who are navigating the beautiful, messy, overwhelming reality of motherhood—and want a place to feel heard, supported, and understood.

Play

Open in

20 episodes
Avg 47 min
English

Episodes 20

Newest Oldest Longest

All20 Unplayed20 In progress0 Played0

June 23 · 49 min
It's Not You. It's Scarlet by Red Drop.
Your daughter’s first period can arrive with a whisper or with a full-on crisis and most of us were never taught how to make that moment feel calm. We’re joined by Dana Roberts and Monica Williams, the founders of Scarlet by Red Drop, a brand rethinking menstrual health for girls with first period kits, education, and products designed for younger bodies (not scaled-down adult solutions). Dana takes us back to her fifth-grade classroom, where she became the “North Star” for students who were grossly unprepared, including one heartbreaking moment when a girl asked, “Am I dying?” That story explains why period preparedness has to be practical, discreet, and kind. Monica shares the other side of the problem: even as a physician, she struggled to have the first period talk without making it sound like a lifelong condition. We get honest about generational gaps, stigma, and why so many caretakers default to awkward warnings instead of body literacy and confidence. The conversation goes full circle as we talk motherhood, entrepreneurship, and how raising daughters can collide with our own changing seasons of womanhood. We also dig into the business reality behind purpose-driven products: the Red Drop name, the Ulta Accelerator, the “yes, but rebrand” moment that led to Scarlet, and the surprisingly high costs of branding and focus groups. We wrap with ideas for what’s next, including school partnerships and other ways to make menstruation more visible, normal, and less scary for Gen Alpha and teens. If this resonates, subscribe, share with a mom who needs it, and leave a review so more families find the conversation. What do you wish someone had told you before your first period? The content of this podcast is intended for informational and entertainment purposes only. We are not licensed therapists, doctors, or medical professionals, and we do not provide medical or mental health advice. Any opinions expressed are based on personal experience. Listeners should consult with a qualified healthcare provider or licensed professional for advice regarding their individual needs, diagnoses, or treatment.
- Transcript
- Chapters
June 16 · 56 min
It's Not You. It's Good Girl, Bad Mom.
Motherhood can be the greatest love you’ve ever known and the most relentless workload you’ve ever carried, and pretending otherwise is where so much of the guilt starts. We sit down with therapist and author Dr. Danielle Dowling to talk about the truths moms whisper to themselves in the dark: resentment, overwhelm, identity whiplash, and the fear that admitting any of it means you’re a “bad mom.” Her book Good Girl, Bad Mom put language to what so many women feel but can’t name, and that language alone can be a nervous system exhale. We dig into Danielle’s framework for why modern motherhood feels like too much: the motherhood setup. It’s the collision of the motherhood fantasy (it should be effortless and fulfilling), good girl conditioning (be agreeable, impressive, low maintenance), and the invisible labor or mental load of anticipating, planning, executing, and following up on everything that keeps a family running. We also talk about how constant accessibility, social media comparison, and intensified parenting expectations crank the pressure up even higher, so moms end up performing instead of actually living. Then we get practical. Danielle shares realistic tools for maternal mental health, including “slivers of self-care” that take minutes, not weekends away, plus simple language swaps and her favorite grounding question: “What do I need today that I’m pretending that I don’t?” We also touch on bigger change, including her proposed Mother Load Wage Act, and why “better is better” beats perfection every time. If you felt seen reading this, you’ll feel even less alone listening. Subscribe, share this with a mom who needs it, and leave a review so more women can find honest conversations about motherhood. The content of this podcast is intended for informational and entertainment purposes only. We are not licensed therapists, doctors, or medical professionals, and we do not provide medical or mental health advice. Any opinions expressed are based on personal experience. Listeners should consult with a qualified healthcare provider or licensed professional for advice regarding their individual needs, diagnoses, or treatment.
- Transcript
- Chapters
June 9 · 1 hr 3 min
It's Not You. Its the Wellness Culture.
Wellness advice for moms has gotten louder, stricter, and honestly more stressful than helpful. We sit down with functional nutritionist Katie Monaco (The Fab Foodie) for a calmer, more realistic take on hormone health, stress, and motherhood because the goal isn’t to “do wellness right,” it’s to feel better and stay sane while raising kids. Katie shares her personal health story, including years of being dismissed by traditional care after coming off birth control and losing her cycle, and how that experience shaped her root-cause approach. We talk about toxic load in real life and why you don’t need to replace every product in your house tomorrow. If you only do two things, Katie keeps it simple: clean water and clean air. We get practical about water filters, shower filters, HEPA air purifiers, and daily detox habits that support your body’s natural elimination pathways without turning your day into a checklist. We also dig into gut health as the foundation for hormone balance, then shift into perimenopause and menopause, where stress and sleep often drive symptoms more than any single supplement. Katie explains the adrenal backup-generator concept, why burnout makes the transition harder, and why HRT and “bioidentical hormones” should not be a guessing game. She breaks down why tests like the DUTCH test can matter, especially for understanding estrogen metabolism before adding hormones. If you want steady energy, fewer crashes, and a wellness plan that fits real mom life, press play. Subscribe, share this with a mom friend, and leave a review with the one habit you’re committing to this week. The content of this podcast is intended for informational and entertainment purposes only. We are not licensed therapists, doctors, or medical professionals, and we do not provide medical or mental health advice. Any opinions expressed are based on personal experience. Listeners should consult with a qualified healthcare provider or licensed professional for advice regarding their individual needs, diagnoses, or treatment.
- Transcript
- Chapters
June 2 · 54 min
It's Not You. We are Brave Together.
Motherhood can feel like you’re carrying a backpack no one else can see, especially when your child is neurodivergent and the world keeps telling you it’s “normal” to be drowning. We sit down with Susanna Peace Lovell, Life Coach, author, co-host of the Brave Together Podcast and a Connection Circle leader for We Are Brave Together, a supportive community for mothers raising children with disabilities. Susanna shares her journey raising her daughter Arizona through severe food allergies, sensory challenges, autism spectrum disorder, ADHD, and anxiety, plus the reality of doing so as a single mom. We talk about postpartum anxiety and depression, the burnout that comes from constant appointments and vigilance, and the sharp sting of judgment from people who don’t understand. Nicole and Shannon bring their own lived experience too: chasing evaluations, paying for therapies, fighting for school support, and trying to regulate your own nervous system while you teach your kids to regulate theirs. We also dig into practical, human resets that actually work: self-compassion as a daily practice, finding tiny “snippets of joy,” letting a creative project or the ocean calm your body, and leaning on one friend who gets it without fixing you. Susanna’s book, Suddenly Brave Together, is a powerful collection of letters from moms who have walked this road to moms who are just stepping into it, and her We Are Brave Together connection circles are proof that support groups can be life-changing. If you’ve been navigating autism, ADHD, sensory processing disorder, anxiety, caregiver burnout, or advocacy fatigue, you’ll feel seen here. Subscribe for more honest motherhood conversations, share this with a mom who needs an exhale, and leave a review so more parents can find this kind of support. The content of this podcast is intended for informational and entertainment purposes only. We are not licensed therapists, doctors, or medical professionals, and we do not provide medical or mental health advice. Any opinions expressed are based on personal experience. Listeners should consult with a qualified healthcare provider or licensed professional for advice regarding their individual needs, diagnoses, or treatment.
- Transcript
- Chapters
May 26 · 1 hr 9 min
It's Not You. It's Their Hormones.
Your sweet kid didn’t disappear. Their brain is getting a hormone upgrade with messy wiring in the middle, and it can look like mood swings, sudden tears, sarcastic comments, and big emotional outbursts aimed straight at you. We sit down with nurse practitioner Keaton Mims to make preteen hormones make sense, from what’s happening in the hypothalamus and pituitary gland to why puberty hormones can collide with serotonin and dopamine in a way that throws off regulation for a while. When you understand the biology, it gets easier to stop taking it personally and start responding with skill. We also talk about how early, factual puberty education changes everything. Keaton shares her work with Girlology and why kids do better when they learn the science of body changes, periods, reproduction, and body boundaries before shame and embarrassment take over. We get into practical preparation (yes, the period kit), plus how a shared baseline helps you keep the door open for future questions instead of competing with friends, rumors, and the internet. Then we get real about parenting in the moment: how to validate feelings without excusing cruelty, how to teach kids to name emotions and find coping tools that actually fit them, and how to handle bullying, body comments, and the wide range of “normal” timing in puberty. Our biggest takeaway stays simple: connection matters more than getting it perfect, and kids need us to be their parents, not their peers. If you’re raising a preteen or you can see it coming, subscribe, share this with a friend who needs it, and leave a review so more parents can find the support. The content of this podcast is intended for informational and entertainment purposes only. We are not licensed therapists, doctors, or medical professionals, and we do not provide medical or mental health advice. Any opinions expressed are based on personal experience. Listeners should consult with a qualified healthcare provider or licensed professional for advice regarding their individual needs, diagnoses, or treatment.
- Transcript
- Chapters
May 19 · 21 min
It's Not You. Its Lonely.
Motherhood can feel lonely, but we refuse to pretend it’s just a “phase” or a mindset problem. We’re Nicole and Shannon, and we dig into why parenting today can be one of the most isolating seasons of life, even when you’re surrounded by kids, partners, and people who love you. The hard truth is that so much of what we’re carrying is structural: families live farther apart, support systems are thinner, and the mental load keeps growing. We get personal about what happens when you don’t have built-in family help, when trusting others with your children feels complicated, and when your kids’ schedules start colliding in ways that make you wish you could clone yourself. From travel baseball and theater to the constant planning of pickups and drop-offs, we talk about how “doing it all” becomes the default, and how that default can quietly break you down. We also zoom out to the bigger forces that make modern motherhood harder: dual-income survival, expensive childcare, weak maternity leave in the United States, and parenting that feels hyperanalyzed through social media comparison. Along the way, we laugh about craving simpler times, landlines, and the kind of neighborhood village that used to feel normal. If you’ve ever thought, “Where’s the village?”, you’re not alone. Subscribe, share this with a mom who needs it, and leave a review so more parents can find this community. What part of motherhood has felt the loneliest for you lately? The content of this podcast is intended for informational and entertainment purposes only. We are not licensed therapists, doctors, or medical professionals, and we do not provide medical or mental health advice. Any opinions expressed are based on personal experience. Listeners should consult with a qualified healthcare provider or licensed professional for advice regarding their individual needs, diagnoses, or treatment.
- Transcript
- Chapters
May 12 · 32 min
It's Not You. It's Summertime Craziness.
Summer is supposed to feel lighter, but if you’re a working parent it can feel like a full-time puzzle with missing pieces. School ends, your job doesn’t, and suddenly you’re expected to cover full workdays with camps that run for three hours, cost more every year, and require registration months in advance. We’re Nicole and Shannon, and we’re saying the quiet part out loud: the summer camp system often doesn’t match how families actually live now. We dig into the real “summer childcare gap,” from juggling multiple kids with different ages and interests to building color-coded spreadsheets just to track drop-offs, pickups, lunches, and supply lists. We talk about the stress of paying for camps that don’t work, the frustration of no refunds, and why this patchwork approach is especially hard for kids who need routine and consistency, including neurodivergent kids who struggle with constant change. Then we follow the fears that pop up when school structure disappears: sleepaway camp worries, our hard lines on sleepovers, and even beach anxiety like riptides and sharks. We keep it honest about how modern information and social pressure can amplify fear, and why trusting your gut matters even when “everyone else” seems more relaxed. You’ll also hear practical ideas we’re trying right now, like building in age-appropriate independence, using technology thoughtfully, and filling coverage gaps with a teen helper when camp hours don’t add up. If you’re staring down summer and thinking, “How are we supposed to do this?” you’re not alone. Subscribe, share with a fellow parent, and leave a review, then tell us what your summer plan looks like and what’s stressing you out most. The content of this podcast is intended for informational and entertainment purposes only. We are not licensed therapists, doctors, or medical professionals, and we do not provide medical or mental health advice. Any opinions expressed are based on personal experience. Listeners should consult with a qualified healthcare provider or licensed professional for advice regarding their individual needs, diagnoses, or treatment.
- Transcript
- Chapters
May 5 · 33 min
It's Not You. It's Mother's Day.
Mother’s Day is supposed to feel like a celebration, but for a lot of us it lands more like a stress test. We’re pulling the filter off and talking about the real emotional mix that shows up: love and pride, plus exhaustion, pressure, guilt, and sometimes resentment. Not because we don’t adore our kids, but because motherhood is relentless and one Sunday in May doesn’t erase the daily mental load. We dig into why this holiday can be so complicated, especially if you don’t have a relationship with your own mom, if you’re grieving, if you’re a single mom doing it all without backup, or if becoming a mom is something you want deeply but hasn’t happened. We also call out the “picture perfect” Mother’s Day posts that can make you feel like you’re doing it wrong, when the truth is most moms just want to feel seen and supported in a way that’s actually practical. We share what moms repeatedly say they want most: unprompted hugs, “I love you,” genuine effort, and help that doesn’t require more managing. We talk about the gratitude struggle with kids, why appreciation can take time to come full circle, and why clear communication matters more than hints. The core takeaway we keep coming back to is simple: Mother’s Day is for you, so define it, say it out loud, and ditch the guilt. Two things can be true. Subscribe to Momcom, share this with a mom who needs to hear it, and leave a review if it resonated. What would make you feel genuinely appreciated this Mother’s Day? The content of this podcast is intended for informational and entertainment purposes only. We are not licensed therapists, doctors, or medical professionals, and we do not provide medical or mental health advice. Any opinions expressed are based on personal experience. Listeners should consult with a qualified healthcare provider or licensed professional for advice regarding their individual needs, diagnoses, or treatment.
- Transcript
- Chapters
April 28 · 45 min
It's Not You. It's Their Anxiety.
Your kid melts down at drop-off, refuses the birthday party, or panics over something that seems “small” to everyone else and you’re left wondering if you’re failing. We’re Nicole and Shannon, and we’re sharing what anxiety has looked like inside our own homes, including the moments that humbled us and the progress that only a parent can measure. We talk about why anxiety is often a nervous system safety alarm, not misbehavior, and why that one reframe can change how you respond in real time. We break down common types of childhood anxiety parents run into: separation anxiety that doesn’t fade, social anxiety that blocks friendships and school events, performance anxiety that stops kids from trying, and generalized anxiety that lives in nonstop “what if” questions. We also get into health and medical anxiety, sensory overload, and the way parenting stress can amplify the whole cycle. Along the way, we share stories from daycare to camps to school struggles, plus the very real tension between protecting our kids and helping them build independence. You’ll hear practical regulation tools we actually use, including tapping, humming for vagus nerve calming, and cold-water resets, plus simple language that validates feelings while still moving forward. If you’re trying to help your child feel safe in their body while also keeping your own calm, this conversation is for you. Subscribe, share with a parent who needs it, and leave a review so more families can find Momcom. The content of this podcast is intended for informational and entertainment purposes only. We are not licensed therapists, doctors, or medical professionals, and we do not provide medical or mental health advice. Any opinions expressed are based on personal experience. Listeners should consult with a qualified healthcare provider or licensed professional for advice regarding their individual needs, diagnoses, or treatment.
- Transcript
- Chapters
April 21 · 32 min
Work Smarter Not Harder
One day you are on the track you planned for years. The next day motherhood, COVID, or a company decision you cannot control forces a hard question: what actually matters, and who are you without the title you worked so hard to earn? We open up about the “one correct path” mindset we were raised with, the grind culture that rewards overwork, and the strange whiplash of being told to return to offices even after remote work proved effective. From there we go personal. Shannon shares what it looks like to grow up in survival mode, hustling early to keep life afloat, and how that shapes the way you chase money and security as an adult. Nicole shares the moment becoming a mom rewired everything, from attempting a nanny share to reshaping work around the kids all while being an entrepreneur. Along the way we talk about U.S. maternity leave reality, self-employment with zero safety net, commuting and childcare logistics, and the mindset shift that helps us keep moving when the plan breaks. We also get into rebuilding through consulting, entrepreneurship, and creative work, plus why “work smarter not harder” applies to everything from career decisions to how our kids learn with modern tools. If you are a working mom navigating burnout, career change, layoffs, remote work, or the pull between ambition and family life, this conversation is for you. Subscribe to Momcom, share this with a mom who needs it, and leave a review with the biggest career rule you are ready to unlearn. The content of this podcast is intended for informational and entertainment purposes only. We are not licensed therapists, doctors, or medical professionals, and we do not provide medical or mental health advice. Any opinions expressed are based on personal experience. Listeners should consult with a qualified healthcare provider or licensed professional for advice regarding their individual needs, diagnoses, or treatment.
- Transcript
- Chapters
April 14 · 1 hr 13 min
It's Not You. It's ADHD.
If you’ve ever thought, “Why am I saying the same thing for the tenth time and still getting nowhere?” you’re not alone and you’re not failing. We sit down with Hanna Forrest, a child ADHD behavior specialist, parent trainer, and a mom with ADHD, to name what’s really happening underneath the chaos: executive function gaps, working memory overload, sensory stress, time blindness, and a whole lot of shame that kids quietly carry home after holding it together all day. Hanna shares the perspective many of us never got at diagnosis. ADHD isn’t laziness, defiance, or a lack of caring. It’s a brain-based developmental difference that can leave kids up to a few years behind emotionally, even when they’re bright and capable. We talk medication in a grounded way, why “just medicate” is not the only path, and how nutrition, sleep, blood sugar, and targeted labs can be part of a real ADHD support plan when it fits your family. Then we get practical. We cover why yelling from downstairs doesn’t work, how fewer words can improve follow-through, and why a simple touch can help the brain switch gears. We dig into ADHD paralysis, breaking big tasks into smaller steps, building routines without constant prompting, and how to think about dopamine, screens, and healthier “hits” like movement and outdoor time. You’ll leave with tiny, doable shifts that protect your child’s self-worth and protect your nervous system too. If this helps, subscribe so you don’t miss part two, share it with a friend who needs hope today, and leave a review with the one strategy you’re trying first. The content of this podcast is intended for informational and entertainment purposes only. We are not licensed therapists, doctors, or medical professionals, and we do not provide medical or mental health advice. Any opinions expressed are based on personal experience. Listeners should consult with a qualified healthcare provider or licensed professional for advice regarding their individual needs, diagnoses, or treatment.
- Transcript
- Chapters
April 7 · 53 min
It's Not You. It's Breaking The Cycle.
Nicole didn’t just “grow up fast” she learned how to survive. From a childhood shaped by instability, addiction, and adult-sized responsibility, she became fiercely independent, resourceful, and determined to build a different life. That drive helped her work, graduate early, and take care of herself as a teen, but it also laid down a nervous-system blueprint that motherhood would later challenge in ways she never expected. We talk through the mindset shift from “I never want kids” to building a stable marriage and becoming a mom, then the part people rarely say out loud: how having adorable kids can still feel activating when your body remembers chaos. Nicole shares what it’s like when noise, sleep deprivation, and constant needs trigger old survival mode, plus the pressure of navigating diagnoses and fighting to give your kids every tool for a healthy childhood. We also get practical and real about coping. We touch on antidepressants, why drinking can quietly become a default in mom life, and the moment Nicole decided to stop so her kids wouldn’t grow up with the same patterns. A major turning point is EMDR therapy and doing the work to reprocess painful memories, soften triggers, and learn how to go with the flow instead of white-knuckling every day. We end with a reminder we both need: this hard season is temporary, and protecting your kids can also mean finally healing yourself. If this hits home, subscribe, share with a friend who needs the honesty, and leave a review so more moms can find Momcom. The content of this podcast is intended for informational and entertainment purposes only. We are not licensed therapists, doctors, or medical professionals, and we do not provide medical or mental health advice. Any opinions expressed are based on personal experience. Listeners should consult with a qualified healthcare provider or licensed professional for advice regarding their individual needs, diagnoses, or treatment.
- Transcript
- Chapters
March 31 · 56 min
It's Not You. It's Shannon.
Nicole turns the mic toward, Shannon, and it gets real fast. We go back to the small-town kid who thought her older brothers were the coolest, held an eighth-grade triple jump record, and learned early what it looks like when a single mom is in full survival mode. We talk about the kind of childhood you don’t fully remember until someone asks the right question and how family, neighbors, and grandparents quietly formed a village that feels rare now. Then we jump to motherhood, where expectations get demolished. I share what labor felt like with Lucy and Thomas, the shock of postpartum intensity, and that protective, panicky feeling that makes daycare drop-off feel impossible. We also unpack the hard stages that don’t get posted online: battling with little people you love more than anything, trying to regulate your own emotions, and carrying mom guilt when you yell or forget the million tiny details schools expect you to track. We also talk about identity, creativity, and why joy counts. I finally admit I’ve always loved interior design, from rearranging my childhood bedroom to putting my “stamp” on every home, and how sharing that passion helped me feel like me again. We end with our rapid-fire segment for a laugh, including thrifting wins, unread email chaos, and the story of me getting into the wrong car. If you’ve ever thought, “What is wrong with me?” we’re here to say it's not you, it's motherhood. Subscribe to Mom Com, share this with a mom friend who needs a breath, and leave a review with the part that hit you hardest. The content of this podcast is intended for informational and entertainment purposes only. We are not licensed therapists, doctors, or medical professionals, and we do not provide medical or mental health advice. Any opinions expressed are based on personal experience. Listeners should consult with a qualified healthcare provider or licensed professional for advice regarding their individual needs, diagnoses, or treatment.
- Transcript
- Chapters
March 24 · 45 min
A Mother’s Worst Fear and the Hope That Followed
One minute you’re packing a tiny backpack for the first day of preschool. The next minute you’re hearing the words “oncology floor” and trying to understand how your child can look perfectly fine while something life-threatening is happening inside their body. That’s the reality our friend Katie Holifield lived when her son Hunter was diagnosed at age three with a Wilms tumor, a form of pediatric kidney cancer that showed up without warning. We walk through the day everything changed, the pediatrician visit that uncovered a mass, and the rapid-fire hospital decisions that followed. Katie shares what it’s like to face surgery, staging uncertainty, and a long treatment plan that included 28 weeks of chemotherapy and seven days of radiation. We also talk about the parts people don’t always see: the “fever means go now” rule, keeping a bag by the door, the way trauma lingers even after remission, and how scan season can bring anxiety roaring back. What makes Katie’s story land so deeply is what she built from it. Hunter’s Heroes brings practical support and real joy into hospital rooms and family centers through need-based donations and kid-led fundraisers like a Fourth of July lemonade stand. If you’re navigating childhood cancer, parenting through crisis, or simply trying to live with more purpose and empathy, this conversation offers both honesty and hope. Subscribe, share this with a friend who needs it, and leave a review with your biggest takeaway. The content of this podcast is intended for informational and entertainment purposes only. We are not licensed therapists, doctors, or medical professionals, and we do not provide medical or mental health advice. Any opinions expressed are based on personal experience. Listeners should consult with a qualified healthcare provider or licensed professional for advice regarding their individual needs, diagnoses, or treatment.
- Transcript
- Chapters
March 17 · 30 min
Motherhood Myths that Fuel Mom Guilt
Motherhood has a way of turning made-up rules into daily proof that we’re “doing it wrong.” We’re Nicole and Shannon, and we’re calling out the myths that trigger mom guilt, perfectionism, and that heavy feeling you carry to bed at night. If you’ve ever looked at your dinner, your messy house, your short patience, or your morning chaos and thought, why can’t I get this right, you’re our person. We talk through the big lies we’re handed: that good moms always have it together, that loving your kids should feel fulfilling 24/7, and that other moms are doing it better. We get honest about how social media comparison warps your perception, why “kid-approved menus” can make you question perfectly normal choices, and what’s really happening when you’re trying your best and still feel like you’re failing. We also unpack how survival mode and your own childhood can shape your nervous system, your energy, and the way you experience parenting stress. Then we get practical about the myth that asking for help means you’re failing. We name the mental load, the real barriers (including kids who won’t go with anyone else), and why support has to be realistic to be useful. Our takeaways are simple and repeatable: catch the myth when shame shows up, replace perfection with presence, and laugh at the lies so they stop controlling you. If this conversation makes you feel seen, subscribe to Momcom, share it with a mom friend who needs the reminder, and leave a review so more parents can find our little village. Which myth do you want to unlearn first? The content of this podcast is intended for informational and entertainment purposes only. We are not licensed therapists, doctors, or medical professionals, and we do not provide medical or mental health advice. Any opinions expressed are based on personal experience. Listeners should consult with a qualified healthcare provider or licensed professional for advice regarding their individual needs, diagnoses, or treatment.
- Transcript
- Chapters
March 10 · 48 min
It's Not You. It's The Reinvention.
What if the right outfit could help you hear your own voice again? We sit down with Renee Smith, founder of Subtle and Sass, whose journey from childhood pageants to two inclusive boutiques reveals how style can be a catalyst for self-worth, community, and real change. Renee opens up about the years she buried her creative dream, the loneliness of early motherhood, and the moment a simple dress helped her remember who she was. That spark led to styling sessions that felt like soul work, a leap away from an unsafe marriage, and a series of pivots that turned a pandemic setback into a purpose-driven business. You’ll hear how Renee navigated fear with gratitude, built a size-inclusive shopping experience where friends of every body can try on together, and chose brick-and-mortar intimacy over easy scale because she craved face-to-face transformation. She shares the “mirror moment” that marked the start of true self-love, the breathwork and nature rituals that quiet anxiety, and the power of visualization to turn ideas into action. We also dive into SWELL—short for soul wellness—Renee’s circles for meditation and journaling that help women process hard topics like fear, boundaries, and reinvention. This conversation is a guide for anyone who feels stuck or stretched thin. Expect practical takeaways: why saying no is a vital self-care habit, how to separate thoughts from judgment in the mirror, and ways to model courage and entrepreneurship for your kids. From style boxes and closet edits to clothing rentals and community events, Renee shows how a boutique can be an entry point to healing, connection, and the kind of confidence that makes you magnetic. If this story gave you a nudge, subscribe, leave a review, and share it with someone who needs the reminder that starting over is a beginning. Your voice matters—and it’s time to turn it up. The content of this podcast is intended for informational and entertainment purposes only. We are not licensed therapists, doctors, or medical professionals, and we do not provide medical or mental health advice. Any opinions expressed are based on personal experience. Listeners should consult with a qualified healthcare provider or licensed professional for advice regarding their individual needs, diagnoses, or treatment.
- Transcript
- Chapters
March 3 · 1 hr 12 min
It's Not You. It's the Connection.
Feeling lonely while your calendar stays full is a quiet heartbreak many of us carry. We sat down with therapist and community builder Heather J. Carlson to name why modern friendship feels so hard and to share a simple, once‑a‑month framework that rebuilds real connection without adding another job to your plate. Heather traces her post‑pandemic turning point from caregiver and primary parent to burned‑out “spark,” the natural inviter who holds everyone’s social life together. Her first step wasn’t a program; it was a personal experiment: mix close friends with acquaintances, meet monthly for a year, share meals, and close with a meaningful ritual. That practice became a blueprint for small circles that outlast the pilot year, complete with off‑grid retreats, guided topics that skip small talk, and micro‑habits—10‑minute calls, voice memo check‑ins, and stamped note cards that keep warmth alive between gatherings. We unpack five forces shaping adult friendship today—proximity, convenience, life stage, diverging growth, and investment imbalance—and show how each one quietly pulls at our bonds. The reframe is liberating: you’re not failing; you’re navigating a fractured social landscape where community no longer does the glue work for us. With Heather’s triad—intention, attention, repetition—you can create a circle that distributes effort, honors different seasons, and builds belonging through steady, human rituals. If you’ve ever thought, I’m tired of planning, or wondered why a once‑easy bond faded, this conversation offers language, tools, and permission. Expect practical steps to gather eight to ten women, a structure that makes showing up easier, and ideas for closing the year with reflection that deepens roots. Say yes to one small action today—send a voice memo, block a date, or mail a note—and watch your village begin to take shape. Loved this conversation? Subscribe, share it with a friend, and leave a quick review to help more women find their circle. The content of this podcast is intended for informational and entertainment purposes only. We are not licensed therapists, doctors, or medical professionals, and we do not provide medical or mental health advice. Any opinions expressed are based on personal experience. Listeners should consult with a qualified healthcare provider or licensed professional for advice regarding their individual needs, diagnoses, or treatment.
- Transcript
- Chapters
February 24 · 56 min
It's Not You. It's the Nervous System.
Ever feel like your home swings from calm to chaos in seconds and you’re the common denominator? We brought in occupational therapist and healer Nicole Ramsey to flip that belief on its head and show how the nervous system—yours and your child’s—drives what we see as “behavior.” Nicole breaks down primitive reflexes in the brainstem, why an unsteady foundation shows up as clumsiness, tantrums, and anxiety, and how reflex integration builds the neural highways that support coordination, attention, and emotional regulation. We go deep on MNRI (Masgutova Neurosensorimotor Reflex Integration) and fascia work, connecting the dots to the vagus nerve and constant threat signals that keep families stuck in fight-or-flight. The remedies are deeply human and immediately usable: 20‑second hugs that release oxytocin, slow walks that reset bilateral rhythm, and breathing with longer exhales to cue safety. Timing matters—use them before the spiral—so your baseline shifts toward resilience. Along the way, Nicole reframes shame with science: epigenetic research suggests emotional trauma can echo across seven generations. If your child melts down at home, that may mean you’ve built a safe place where old stress finally surfaces and can be released. We also talk about culture and fit: how long seated days and fast outcomes clash with development, why real neuroplastic change takes steady practice (often six months for durable rewiring), and how to navigate insurance and access. Can’t find local support? Nicole shares options for intensives and parent training so healing touch comes from the people kids trust most. The throughline is co-regulation: a family shares one nervous system, and kids rarely out-regulate the caregiver. When we steady ourselves, we raise the ceiling for everyone. If you’re craving fewer power struggles, more connection, and tools that work when it’s hard, this conversation will meet you where you are. Listen, share with a friend who needs relief, and if it helps, leave a quick review so more parents can find it. The content of this podcast is intended for informational and entertainment purposes only. We are not licensed therapists, doctors, or medical professionals, and we do not provide medical or mental health advice. Any opinions expressed are based on personal experience. Listeners should consult with a qualified healthcare provider or licensed professional for advice regarding their individual needs, diagnoses, or treatment.
- Transcript
- Chapters
February 17 · 34 min
It's Not You. You're Pouring from an Empty Cup.
Ever feel like your home is a pinball machine and you’re the ball? We crack open what it’s like to run on empty while juggling work, kids, screens, school drama, and the relentless noise that seems baked into modern family life. From winter stress and emotional eating to the dopamine drip of YouTube shorts and dueling TVs, we get honest about the sensory overload that makes focus—and patience—feel impossible. We explore the invisible labor nobody sees but everyone relies on: laundry that never ends, forms that appear out of thin air, school theme days you miss because bandwidth is gone, and dinners that somehow land on the table anyway. We also wade into the money piece—holiday trinkets that end up as trash, gift bags we wish we could ban, and the tough choices around therapy and support when insurance falls short. If you’ve ever wondered why your temper spikes at the sound of an iPad or why you’re furious at a snow day without snow, you’re not alone. Amid the chaos, we reach for what actually helps. A therapist who’s covered by insurance and good enough to keep. The relief of a perfectly placed rage-text that moves the storm from your head to a screen. Small, durable boundaries: one TV at a time, headphones as default, self-serve snacks, and a dinner rotation that doesn’t audition for a cooking show. We trade perfection for progress, choosing one meaningful step a day over impossible routines. And we admit the paradox we all live with: craving quiet while missing them the moment the house goes still. If your cup feels dry, come sit with us. You’ll leave with validation, a few workable ideas, and permission to do less on purpose. Subscribe, share with a friend who needs a laugh and a breather, and leave a review with your best “cup-filling” tip—we’re collecting the ones that actually work. The content of this podcast is intended for informational and entertainment purposes only. We are not licensed therapists, doctors, or medical professionals, and we do not provide medical or mental health advice. Any opinions expressed are based on personal experience. Listeners should consult with a qualified healthcare provider or licensed professional for advice regarding their individual needs, diagnoses, or treatment.
- Transcript
- Chapters
February 10 · 26 min
It's Not You. It's the Mental Load.
Ever feel like your brain is running a subway map while everyone else rides a single track? We open up about the invisible mental load that keeps households moving—packing lunches, tracking therapy appointments, remembering teacher names, and absorbing the emotions in every room—then get honest about what it costs when the lights go out and the cortisol clock flips on at 3 a.m. From nerves and box breathing to a night of calling the police after hearing voices, we admit how thin our margins can get when partners travel and sleep fractures. That leads us to the heart of the conversation: why “always be emotionally regulated” is an impossible bar, and how rupture-and-repair can raise stronger, kinder kids than a forced smile ever could. We share how apologizing to our children challenged old norms, why some friends pushed back, and how modeling ownership doesn’t mean excusing behavior. The practical layer is where it gets useful. We talk about the difference between “helping” and true ownership, how to hand off bedtime or sports sign-ups without hovering, and why tolerating a few wrong blueberries may be the price of long-term relief. We also name the extra layers many families carry—ADHD, ARFID, sensory needs—that turn mealtimes and transitions into strategic operations. Community becomes a lifeline: clear asks, shared calendars, and letting a friend handle pickup when you’re tapped out. We close with a doable challenge: remove one task from your plate for a week and see what space it creates for rest, joy, or simply a full breath. Perfect parenting isn’t the goal; sustainable parenting is. If this resonated, follow the show, share it with a friend who needs permission to let go, and leave a review with the one task you’re releasing this week. The content of this podcast is intended for informational and entertainment purposes only. We are not licensed therapists, doctors, or medical professionals, and we do not provide medical or mental health advice. Any opinions expressed are based on personal experience. Listeners should consult with a qualified healthcare provider or licensed professional for advice regarding their individual needs, diagnoses, or treatment.
- Transcript
- Chapters

Showing 1–20 of 20 episodes