Mama Says Namaste Podcast

Ah, codependency - is it clearly identified, or a buzzword we can't quite grasp? Nathan and I are pretty much together 24/7 and definitely weigh in with each other on making decisions. Yet how do you tow the line from just being connected to an unhealthy codependency?  We break it down in this week's podcast, not to trivialize or negate the true complexity of this, but to simply open the door to e...

This week we're getting to the core of what "namaste" really means to us, as well as how we put the "om" in hOMe. This is a frequently visited page on our website, as some, especially in the West, are still new to these concepts.  What do these words mean to you? We'll share about the symbol breakdown of the word "om", my definition of "namaste", as well as sharing about a fascinating experiment,...

With all of the shifts in education over the past year, many of you are re-evaluating what it looks like in your home. We believe a growth mindset is the most important aspect here, and that is a family approach. So how do we live as unschooling parents? How do you parent unschoolers - or ANY kids - with a growth mindset who continues to embrace learning throughout their life? Check out the podcas...

Ashley talks with yogi Tatyana Souza on parenting, yoga, and the importance of mindfulness as a parent. She shares insights into how to set clear boundaries and make it happen, and why it's so important. Watch the full video on YouTube, listen to the podcast wherever you tune in to podcasts, and/or check out the corresponding blog post at www. MamaSaysNamaste.com/podcast-tatyana-souza-mindfulness...

I've talked often about how we can use our words to communicate, but it takes way more to truly connect. It's knowing our personality styles and how to speak to each other in a way where everyone is heard...and it's in the nonverbal cues that speak so loudly.  We go over five nonverbal cues this week that are like shifting from song lyrics to a full musical performance. It's more than simply words...

Do you have a full life...or a busy one? Sometimes we wear our "busy" as a badge of honor; yet is that really the life you want to live? Is that the excuse you want to give? Sometimes there IS a season for being busy and really hustling hard. But the term "busy" vs. having a full life...there is a different mindset around these. 

Do you adjust to the world or do you demand that the world adjust to you? Crazy enough, everyone isn't just sitting around waiting to cater to your needs. And, unfortunately, drama doesn't always make an appointment to show up in our lives. So how do you deal with it? When do you flow and adapt, and when do you stand your ground?

What do you do when you have a dream that is out of reach, or you feel like your life isn't quite where you want it to be? What do you do when you see all this opportunity out there, but it seems way too insurmountable to tackle because of the life you're already living in?  How do you handle pursuing your dreams when you have a mountain of responsibility at your door? How do you move forward? Do...

Change is inevitable in our lives…yet it can be scary and overwhelming. How are you navigating change? In your home, your work…your life? Sometimes we're navigating change that is unwanted or unexpected, like the weather or, let's say, 2020 as a whole.   But then again, sometimes the changes are those aches and pains of unrest, resentment, frustration and more, and they will continue to pester us...

Are you recognizing that what you thought marriage would be...isn't what is happening in your home? Are you avoiding - or starting to face - that there are some cracks in your marriage that are starting to look a bit more like a chasm?  Nathan and Ashley address how to handle these realizations: We don't talk anymore. We don't touch anymore. We don't date anymore.  We address the big scary aspects...

Money gets you...what? Happiness? Sunshine all the time? Stress and more responsibility and obligation than you need or want? What, really, is the deeper desire behind money that would help you truly be happy? We dig into this once again on the podcast as we look at our purpose for money and hash out some amazing money quotes to help you reframe your perspective about what it can do for you.  Get...

How do you navigate the muddy post-covid waters of the educational world? How has homeschooling become like religion, nuanced and personal while also trying to be labeled and identified? We hash out three big questions about unschooling and share a bit more about why de-schooling is so, so important.  If you're concerned about socialization, how to lead your child's educational journey, or if you'...

This is the final in our series, "The Birds and the Bees: Navigating Powerful Conversations for Lasting Legacies with Our Children".  I'm back with another interview with Moon Daughters founder Jessica Connelly, and it's another jam-packed session with insights for  everyone.  Even if you don't have children, these past two episodes with Jessica are important for us all.  Get all the scoop in the...

This is the second in a 3-part series on sex and sexuality...and this isn't just for parents broaching the subject with their kids! This is a powerful interview with Jessica Connelly of Moon Daughters, and she really breaks down the scientific backing around our physical and intuitive connection to our natural world.  We dig deep into claiming our own inner power, and how we need to lay the ground...

Oh yes, we're going there. Have you had "The Talk" with your kids...or are you dreading the inevitable? This is the series for you. We're introducing a 3-part series on the birds and the bees over the next 3 weeks.  This week, Nathan and I share our perspective as well as the resources and insights that may help you navigate these conversations (mind you, that's plural) that you'll have with your...

This week's episode is a special guest interview with author and speaker Michael Arterberry. Not only is it in podcast form, but the video interview has also been compiled into a full blog post. So video, audio and written text are covered!  Hear his story of overcoming, as well as how he instills a growth mindset and empowers people across the country to "shake off the dirt" and be encouraged abo...

Do you do a word of the year? Maybe it's a phrase or mantra. Or maybe, you're feeling all the pressure to have that perfect word of the year and you have no clue! Is it even important to have? I"ll say this - your mantra, phrase or word of the year is not the dealbreaker for success in life. Yet having a clear intention for what you want to focus on can be a powerful game-changer for your life.  H...

Feeling in a bit of a funk lately? Are you questioning if there is any end in sight? Well there are life seasons just as much as there are seasons in nature. Way back on episode we discussed this topic, and we addressed how we can have seasons even within a single day! We break down how relevant seasons are to daily recovery, in your life, and even in your relationships.  What season are you in? D...

Have you had the discussion with your children yet? Do they know the wonderful truth about Santa? This week we tackle this question, and share about a sweet little book we used to discuss this with our girls.  And the biggie? It's not just a one and done conversation. None of these elements of growing up are. So we keep the door open, and it's beautiful what all can happen.  Listen to the podcast,...

On the podcast this week, and even more in-depth in the corresponding blog post, we lay out 14 creative celebration ideas to honor the loved ones in your life. Complete with links and insights beyond the traditional gift, check out some out-of-the-box ideas to take gift-giving a whole new route...and get inspired about creating a spirit of giving...beyond under the Christmas tree. You definitely w...

You know those people, and I swear they come out in droves during the holidays! It's the ones you try to avoid, the people you can discuss certain things with, and the time when the holidays rear every obligatory head.  With this already being the year of complete upheaval, why not approach it a bit differently? Dig into our four steps to navigate around toxic behavior and take control of YOUR out...

Author Gemma Hartley caused quite a stir with a Vanity Fair article about the "emotional labor" a woman goes through in running a household that goes way beyond the errands list. This week, Nathan and Ashley dig into the four critical components to carrying the emotional labor load  together for the family, and working together toward a common goal. From their perspectives of having experienced bo...

This week I have a special guest interview (both video and on the podcast) with Jodi Chaffee, host of the Family Culture Movement podcast. This interview is jam-packed with awesome insights into things like false boundaries (vs. true ones) and finite vs infinite players in life...as well as how to navigate the holidays when you've created a culture in your home that may differ from who you're spen...

I invite you to enjoy a little behind the scenes of a week of mishaps, bad weather and even worse internet, and shocking changes and big events.  And, along the way, a few ways our "confirmation bias" has helped us out. You can even check out our video and a sneak peek of the biggies we talk about on the podcast here: www. MamaSaysNamaste.com/podcast-hurricane

What is the distinction between feeling good and feeling fulfilled? Oftentimes our pursuit of feeling good can miss that very big element of fulfillment that we're all ultimately seeking in life.   True fulfillment isn't external - it's an inward-looking process. We share four anchors for finding fulfillment, as well as a perfect kid analogy for mindset and expectations. Get the full show notes an...