Chill Like a Mother Podcast

Send us a text As moms, we often feel overwhelmed by the constant pressure to be perfect, both within ourselves and from society. In this week's episode with Michelle Coels from One Tough Mama Fitness and The Lift Society in Calgary, AB, we share how putting yourself first isn't selfish; it's non-fucking-negotiable in motherhood. Trusting your instincts and making choices can be challenging, espec...

Send us a text Ready to transform your anxiety into calm? This week, as we continue to focus on anxiety and the mind-body connection, we have something special for you. Kayla (that's me) has created an art as therapy emotional regulation exercise crafted especially for overthinking mothers. Forget about the hustle and bustle of life and tap into the power of mind-body awareness. Grab your art supp...

Send us a text This continues last week's episode; Kelsey and Kayla discuss emotional regulation strategies when anxiety screams at you.  Ah Ha Moments: - When you are aware of your body, you can easier and quicker regulate - Mind-Body awareness is key - Distraction-free time is one way you can achieve this About Kelcey: I used to be an anxious, people-pleasing, burnt-out perfectionist, and then I...

Send us a text Many moms these days are feeling overwhelmed, burnt out, and anxious. Uncover the root cause of your struggles and get off the anxiety struggle bus.  Listen to this episode and gain insight into identifying the underlying factors of burnout, anxiety, and overwhelm and how to heal from them. Kelcey shares insights on how hypnotherapy can help reprogram your subconscious mind, how to...

Send us a text In this episode, we talk about the pressure moms feel when they're told they only have 18 summers with their kids and how it adds to their already overwhelming responsibilities.  Ah Ha Moments: - This is a toxic time message that really only we (women) hear - The patriarchy and capitalism strike again, these messages shape what people expect from us and limit your potential. - Takin...

Send us a text Are you feeling overwhelmed and burnt out as a mom? You're not alone. Burnout can look different for everyone, but it often involves feeling numb, absent, and physically drained. In this episode, Mariah Vargo shares her personal story of burnout and how she overcame the toxic time messages women receive about caregiving, work and home life.  Kayla and Mariah share some of their best...

Send us a text Join Jessica Dunn and Kayla in exploring the timely issue of being the default parent and how it affects women in their daily lives. As a recovering default parent herself, Jessica helps individuals and families by sharing personal stories and insights on how to let go of the internal pressure and reduce physical and mental clutter. She provides practical tips for identifying priori...

Send us a text “I lay there, staring at my son on the night of his seventh birthday, taking in all the features of his face - all the ways he is the same and the ways he has changed. Motherhood is always wanting the next phase to come, not really understanding what you're leaving behind.” This episode talks about the bittersweet journey of parenthood. From the joys of watching our children grow an...

Send us a text Join guest Jessica Dunn and host Kayla Huszar in exploring the benefits and challenges of living with less in the context of parenting and neurodivergence. They share personal stories and insights about how minimizing material possessions and reducing waste can increase mental clarity, creativity, and capacity. They also discuss how living with less can positively impact the sensory...

Send us a text Do you feel weighed down by clutter? Jessica Dunn, a realtor in Regina and a busy mom of two, had a life-altering moment one busy evening while trying to make supper. She realized there was no decent food in the fridge and started purging the expired food. She wondered why she was living like this when her kids were watching her dispose of all this food (and money). Why was she spen...

Send us a text Have you ever wondered why music can trigger a profound emotional response? What if these same tunes could help heal and restore your mental well-being? Join us for this genuine and inspiring episode where we explore the profound power of music with the one and only Jennifer Buchanan, a seasoned music therapist who opens up about her personal struggle with postpartum depression and...

Send us a text Ever found yourself answering the question "How are you?" with the automaton response of "fine" or "busy", not truly acknowledging your feelings? In this raw and candid discussion, I reflect on my personal journey through a challenging postpartum period, revealing the transformative power of naming our emotions and speaking our truth. Join me as I take you through that vulnerable mo...

Send us a text Mal Schmitz and Kayla meet again to discuss perfectionism in motherhood. I used to aspire to be the perfect Pinterest mom, but the realities of parenthood shattered that dream. In this episode, we candidly explore the pressure of perfectionism in parenting, sharing our own experiences and the guilt that often comes with setting unrealistic expectations for ourselves. We all face soc...

Send us a text Ever felt like an unprepared pioneer venturing into the wild terrain of pregnancy and parenting? Well, you're not alone. Special guest, Mal Schmidt, a mother, wife and high school teacher, joins us to debunk the unrealistic expectations we often form. Drawing from her diverse experiences, we unravel the myths propagated by family tales and glossy media narratives. Highlights: How be...

Send us a text What if unlocking your inner wisdom was as simple as tapping into your creativity? What if you could use the arts to heal, understand, and express your experiences as a mother? Step into a judgment-free zone with me, a social worker and maternal expressive arts therapist, as we explore these possibilities. We'll first delve into my credo, a guiding beacon that shapes my practice. I'...

Send us a text Being the person who sets the tone in your house can be heavy. When you are tired and grumpy, your kids will often mirror that back to you, maybe making you feel like you can't and shouldn't have feelings because you are so busy managing everyone else's feelings and emotional states that you don't have time for your own.  This episode serves as a reminder for moms, where the remarka...