Mama Knows Nada

Carmelita was 20 years old, living her best life in LA when she discovered she was pregnant. Although she was scared at the idea of missing out on her dreams, she continued her education and never slowed down. Now a mother of two, Carm reveals her dreams are coming true, they just look different. She shares her journey, discusses how grace and patience get her through, what it's like to be a s...

Israel-based self-taught carpenter Hila Shia is a woman of many talents. From hospitality to woodwork to speaking multiple languages, there's not much she can't conquer. She used this tenacity to tackle motherhood and all its unforeseen nuances. Hila shares her journey, from having a baby in her late 30s to breastfeeding struggles to sharing how she just needed to return to her first baby,...

As Analiza Wolf highlights, being a woman is awesome, but can be complicated in leadership roles, especially as a woman of color. She shares her road to leadership; from being stereotyped in the military, to spearheading her way to CEO. Analiza discusses how she tackled the boardroom, even if the role was daunting, and why her kids helped her stay motivated. We also delve into some dynamic situati...

We've met this lady before, but this time Lauren returns to share her fourth-trimester experience as a mama. In addition to discussing how her work as a functional nutritionist helped her prepare for pregnancy, birth, and postpartum, we chat about her choices and why certain environments + weren't practitioners, were not ideal for her. Then, get into the realities of life, detailing how bo...

Holographic Memory Resolution and Hypnosis: what are these therapies and how can they support a healing journey? This is what I delve into with Lenora Edwards, Certified Hypnotist, Board Certified Coach, and Trauma Healing Practitioner. Her own struggles led her to seek support from an HMR practitioner, inspiring her to learn more about the process and become a specialist as well. We discuss the p...

ESE. 504. IEP. What does it all mean? I ask educator and advocate Meagan Avitable, founder of Time to Talk IEPs, all about resources and misconceptions surrounding exceptional student education (ESE), or what was called Special Education. Meagan shares her journey from classroom teacher to student/parent advocate, identifies when parents should have concerns and how asking questions can be your be...

When Led received his son's Autism diagnosis he had a lot of emotions. From feeling overwhelmed to isolated, Led endeavored to find a way to support his son and help him grow. But it wasn't until he leaned in to his own talent--and Jake's obsession--that Led found any progress. At the risk of looking foolish, he crafted stories and books, which took him on a journey he never anticipate...

We finish our chat about parenting without our partners, why reframing situations in our brains is a must and how we want to be different from our parents. Sometimes, the seemingly most unfortunate of circumstances the best opportunity for personal growth. Find more Nada:  Website:⁠ https://mamaknowsnada.com/⁠ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mama.knows.nada/ Facebook:⁠ ⁠⁠https://www.facebook....

Well, this took an unexpected turn. Our pre-interview discussion was so good, I hit record and it kept going. Meagan joins us again to share her life with Lyme disease. From diagnosis to treatment, Meagan shares her choices and why she did things holistically. She also discusses how this chronic illness set her on a healing path, only for her to come to a head with this realization: I'm not br...

Danielle Brooks was intrigued by bees and sought out a hive of her own to learn more about this vital insect. What started as a one-hive passion project now has Danielle buzzing from neighborhoods throughout St. Augustine to harvest her hyper-local honey for her business, Honey Truck Co. These nectars are nothing short of a dedicated labor of love, crafted by Danielle...and a few bees. While Honey...

Speech and language, it begins in utero and development continues well into elementary school. But when can issues arise and what the red flags for speech and language delays? I discuss what to watch for and how to promote language with Lenora Edwards of Better Speech, a virtual platform designed to pair clients with experienced Speech and Language pathologists to achieve their goals. Lenora share...

From producing cabarets to making music, Meagan was always a performer. And becoming a mom changed her entertainment path. After trying mommy and me music classes, she stumbled upon Music Together after moving to Florida and she was hooked. It was the next level class based in research and child development. After a few years, she became the center director in Ponte Vedra, but it wasn't without hi...

Perhaps being aggressive isn't always the best thing. Our intense workout routines--and lifestyles--may be harming our muscles, ligaments and fascia more than we realize. So...WTF is fascia? I discuss this, plus how acupuncture and fascia treatments are essential to wellness and health with Sabrina Taj-Taj of Taj-Taj Acupuncture in St. Augustine, Florida. She shares the fundamentals of fascia, why...

Because of her own trials and hurdles, Meagan began sharing her motherhood journey and people tuned in.  Other moms found solace in her honesty and Meagan shared options plus her own experience to support other moms with their own frustrations, becoming the ultimate hype-woman. What she has found is many mamas want the same things: to be heard and validated.   In addition, her struggles...

Handling the invisible load. Multitasking. Juggling. To say motherhood is a balancing act is an understatement. As in many other families, the pandemic left a glaring mark on Shanna and the role she had in her nuclear unit. There was a shift in what she wanted and needed, both personally and professionally. Unable--and unwilling--to continue to carry the load, Shanna pivoted, becoming a life coach...

The loss of life is nothing short of devasting. It can't be fathomed nor surmised with words. Plainly put, there is a pain that is inexplicable. Pregnancy and infant loss is a focus of October Awareness and one I can't leave out.  Rachelle was living the California Dream. Married in her earlyish 20s, she and her husband decided to wait to start their family. Yet, when they were ready, they fa...

Many families struggle with conception. Often, these emotional times are left undiscussed and couples are left reeling with emotions, without answers...and without a child they so desperately desire.  So I dig in. What can we do to promote our fertility? What impacts our ability to conceive? What misconceptions have we been told? Do we actually have any control?! These are the questions I tac...

For many diagnosis, therapies are required. Parent's may not know where to turn or what to ask for when their has special needs. Brooks Rehabilitation has been serving the Northeast Florida region for 50 years and specializes in therapies not only for the differently abled population, but also any individual experiencing trauma and in need of rehab.   I discuss the variety of therapeutic...

In this part of our discussion, Jimmy dives deeper into his experience with Autism; from the diagnosis and what he recommends for other parents to do if they suspect their child may be on the spectrum. He details the importance of support groups and breaks down misconceptions from others as well as him own. We delve into proper terminology and how being just a LITTLE more inclusive goes an incredi...

This conversation was so, so beautiful, and I love getting the true dad view.  I was literally crying. Watching his wife become a mother, Jimmy shares his journey, heart and soul, all the joys and shock, beautiful and surprising.    From his wife's postpartum struggles to his son's ASD diagnosis to looking for early warning signs in his daughter, Jimmy holds nothing back. What he wi...

Every parent needs a break and we all deserve a little treat from time to time. Yet, as parents, finding the time and resources can prove to be a dream.  Lindsay, a BCBA (Board certified Behavior Analyst) noticed a common theme with the families she worked with: caregivers never got a break. So, she decided to change this and offer a little self-care delivery. enter the pampered parent, a sub...

Breathe through it. Easier said than done in life and parenthood, but especially, delivering that little bundle of joy. Yoga has become ever popular in general, and increasingly so for pregnant and postpartum women. I asked Christina from Fit Mamas Tribe in St. Augustine about the perks of yoga for women who are expecting or have recently given birth. To her, the benefits go beyond breath and phys...

Just call her Trauma. From her own conception to her daughters, Hillary explains how much of her existence is rooted in trauma. Her role as a single mom was by choice, yet, as an athlete her whole life, the post partum body was triggering unknown fears: How could she protect her daughter if she couldn't? Her infatuation for fitness was further nurtured by working with personal trainers and realizi...

TRIGGER WARNING: MENTAL HEALTH, SUICICIDE, POSTPARTUM ANXIETY + DEPRESSION are discussed in this podcast.  Our collective mental health took a sharp turn south, but it was a long time coming. Functional therapist Arielle says the pandemic exacerbated what was already a silent issue.  Now, she wants to take a full-scope approach to supporting in people and their mental health, incorporati...

From an easy, healthy pregnancy to a preemie baby, Meagan's planned C-section took a surprise turn--300 miles from home. When her early arrival wouldn't put on weight, doctors were quick and steadfast on the formula route. But nothing changed. In this episode, Meagan shares her journey, how she threw the recommendations in the trash and trusted her intuition. What's more, her experiences inspired...