American Mothers: Mom to Mom Podcast

Adoption is often spoken about as a beautiful fairy tale, but the reality is a deeply complex landscape where profound grief and immense love walk hand-in-hand. In this powerful episode, we sit down with Ashley Mitchell—a birth mother in an open adoption, co-founder of Adoption Rights, and a trusted, influential voice in the adoption space for nearly two decades. Ashley strips away the sugarcoatin...

As America celebrates its historic 250th anniversary this Fourth of July, how do we teach our children to love their country without getting caught up in the noise of modern politics? In this special holiday episode, we sit down with Elizabeth Peace—an Air Force veteran, active-duty Marine wife, public affairs strategist, and 2026 South Carolina Mother of the Year(R). Elizabeth shares her unique "...

Episode Summary: As mothers, we are hardwired to give, serve, and pour into others—but how good are we at receiving? In this special roundtable episode, Deanne is joined by Charity Haderlie, National Chair of the Mom to Mom program, to discuss a beautiful question: Have you found your soul mom? Together, they break down the barriers that keep us from accepting help, share how to open our hearts to...

Episode Summary: We wear the title of "Mom" with so much pride, but who are we when we step outside of it? In this episode, Deanne sits down with the newly named 2026 National Mother of the Year, Dr. Kenae Black. Dr. Black shares her passionate heart for helping mothers show up for themselves, open their hearts to community, and find emotional soundness in an unprecedented world. From her powerful...

The Shift—Resilience and the Reality of Motherhood "It’s not about being perfect; it’s about showing up through the changes." In the final part of our series, Deanne Taylor looks at the wisdom shared by the 2026 Mothers of the Year to talk about the steady strength it takes to keep going. From helping our kids find their footing to discovering the "beautiful busy" of our own daily lives, this epis...

"Love is the safety net that lets our children truly thrive." In Part 2 of our special series, Deanne Taylor explores the "Emotional Bond"—the heartbeat that keeps a family steady. Curating the best insights from the 2026 Mother of the Year video interviews and written philosophies, this episode dives into how a mother’s consistent presence creates the security a child needs to grow.. How does a m...

"We aren't just teaching our kids what to do ; we are teaching them who to be ." In this kickoff episode, Deanne Taylor curates the most powerful moments from the 2026 Mother of the Year video interviews. After diving into the stories of 36 incredible women from across the country, Deanne has selected 12 "Soul Moms" to help us explore the foundation of intentional parenting. How do we actually rai...

With over 60% of mothers reporting they feel isolated, the need for genuine connection has never been greater. In this episode of Mom to Mom , we explore how to find your "soul mom" and build a support system that spans the country. Joining us is Kim Vogt, the 2022 Nebraska Mother of the Year® and Chair of the 2026 American Mothers National Convention. Kim recounts her surprising journey to being...

How do we help our children separate what is actually happening from the meaning they are making of it? In Part 2 of our conversation with Alan Smith, we dive into the practical side of "context." Alan shares why he chooses to replace the word "mistake" with "learning consequences" and how giving our children the space to make choices—even ones that don't work out—is the only way to build true wis...

Most of us live our lives based on the meaning and emotions we’ve attached to our past, often without realizing those 'stories' aren't the whole truth. Today, Deanne is joined by Alan Smith, who shares how he learned to separate the difficult events of his life—including childhood trauma and the loss of his son—from the narrative he was telling himself about them. Alan introduces a life-changing f...

In this deeply moving episode, Deanne Taylor sits down with Shantel Dudley , the 2025 Minnesota Mother of the Year(R), to discuss a journey that defines the word resilience. Shantel opens up about a childhood marked by neglect and abuse, and the pivotal moment in her 20s when she decided the cycle stopped with her. How does a woman who stood by the graves of six of her children and survived a trau...

In a "grief-illiterate" world, how do we support those walking the path of child loss? Today, Deanne sits down with Monica Charette, a mother who has turned her personal tragedy into a beacon of hope for others. Monica shares the heart behind the ShineOnCass Foundation and her podcast, Holding the Light, which she hosts with her son, Colby. This conversation is for anyone navigating grief or for t...

In this special solo episode, Deanne Taylor opens her heart and her history to share the "treasures" gathered from 55 years in the trenches of motherhood. From raising eight children to welcoming six great-grandchildren, Deanne has seen parenting trends come and go, but she has found that one thing remains constant: the power of connection. Whether you are building on a beautiful family legacy or...

In this final wrap-up of 2025, we are revisiting the voices that taught us how to be resilient when life gets messy and how to stay connected when the world feels loud. From the science of 'survival emotions' to the art of preserving family legacies and navigating digital boundaries, this episode is a toolkit for the modern mom. Join us for Mom to Mom: Best of 2025 (Part 2) Resilience, Connection,...

Welcome to a very special mid-year review! In this episode, we're hitting rewind to revisit the most inspiring, insightful, and foundational moments from the first half of the Mom to Mom Podcast’s fourth season. Join your host, Deanne Taylor, as we celebrate the powerful legacy of American Mothers Inc., hear from incredible Mompreneurs who use their maternal skills to change the business world, an...

Struggling with stress? You're not alone! In this episode, Tamara K Anderson joins Deanne Taylor to share the ultimate guide to reducing stress, featuring expert wellness habits and practical holiday survival secrets for busy mothers. Learn the 4 Key Habits—from expert Dr. Michael Olpin, Director of the Weber State Stress Relief Center—covering Exercise, Nutrition, Stress Management (including Gra...

Host Deanne Taylor sits down with Marcy Bursac, adoptive mother and founder of the non-profit The Forgotten Adoption Option, whose journey began not with a plan, but with a life-changing trip to an orphanage in Europe. From that moment of seeing a profound need, Marcy's life was rerouted to a mission of love and advocacy. Marcy shares her deeply personal story—including the emotional breaking poin...

Do you feel like you're constantly chasing a calm you can't quite catch? You're not alone. It's time to stop trying to control the uncontrollable and drop the mask of "perfect parenting." In a world that feels more erratic every day, the pressure on mothers to be the steady anchor for their families is immense—and frankly, exhausting. Join us this week as we talk with Joslynn Jarrett-Skelton and g...

The Parenting Perspective and Path to Mastery In our concluding episode, Susan Major provides a clear, actionable roadmap for processing and putting emotions into perspective. She walks us through practical techniques to deal with the energy of emotion consciously and logically, making emotional success a tangible goal. But more importantly, Susan brings her insights to the&nbs...

In this powerful second episode, Susan Major shifts the focus to the conscious mind and its essential role in emotional intelligence. If the subconscious mind sends the information (as discussed in Episode 112), the conscious mind is the one that needs to process it. Susan teaches us the difference between feeling the surge of energy that comes with an emotion, and&nb...

Episode 112: The Subconscious Signal Dive into the foundational episode of our series with Susan Major, who defines emotion as "energy in motion." In this episode, we explore the often-misunderstood role of the subconscious mind. Susan explains how this deep part of our brain acts as an early warning system, constantly collecting, processing, and delivering vital informati...

In a world where technology is constantly evolving, it's no surprise that families are looking for guidance on how to navigate the digital landscape. In this episode, Deanne Taylor is joined by special guest Taylor Whitson to discuss why "tech is top of mind for families." Taylor breaks down the importance of creating family tech agreements, a proactive approach to setting clear expectations and b...

In this episode, host Deanne Taylor sits down with  Lynn Taylor , a former US Air Force pilot who flew the A-10 Thunderbolt II, to discuss the profound impact of being an encourager. From his time in the cockpit to his life as a mentor, Lynn shares powerful insights on how we can all learn to lift up those around us. We explore the vital difference between encouraging the effort and just prai...

Join host Deanne Taylor on this special episode of the Mom to Mom podcast as we feature the incredible story of Ruby Kim, the winner of the American Mothers National 5th Grade Essay Contest. Ruby’s moving essay, "What My Mother Means to Me," captured the hearts of the judges, and you'll hear her read it on the show. She'll be joined by Ruby and her mother, Sanghee, along with Jenny Cullumber, the...

In this heartfelt episode, host Deanne, with a background as a sign language interpreter, sits down with Cherise Davis, a mother whose life has been profoundly shaped by her adult deaf son. They delve into the challenges faced by the deaf and hard-of-hearing community, offering invaluable insights and personal experiences. Cherise shares the critical importance of effective communication and how i...