Mom Essentials

Join me as I sit down with Aaron Huey, an expert on parenting teens through crises. Aaron shares his personal journey from struggle to enlightenment and offers invaluable insights into addressing mental health, addiction, and the challenges of parenting. Discover how understanding brain chemistry can revolutionize your approach to parenting, and why everyday actions like family dinners and knowing...

Explore the science of parenting with a focus on brain health and development in this newest episode. I dive deep with Dr. Rebecca Jackson, a celebrated expert in brain optimization, discussing practical strategies for parents. Discover how understanding the brain enhances parenting, tips for emotional regulation, and insights into children's attention spans. Plus, learn about the impact of sensor...

Parenting has gotten more challenging with sceens. There are power battles, fears of what your kids will find, and confusion on how to approach the technology conversation.  Thankfully, today's guest Kathy Van Benthuysen is here to help! We dive into how to approach this conversation, why using fear isn't the best approach, and the things to be aware of when it comes to devices and our children. ...

PTSD. Most have heard about it, but do you really know what it is?  David Bonanno, a Connecticut psychologist and PTSD survivor who has been helping people since 1993, shares his unique perspective on PTSD, offering invaluable insights that are sure to enlighten our listeners.  From discussing the latest trends to uncovering the secrets behind the truth of PTSD, this episode is packed with thought...

There's not much that "one size fits all" applies to, not pantyhose and definitely not parenting! DJ Stutz, an Early Childhood Specialist with more than 20 years of teaching experience, parenting coach, and public speaker, shares numerous nuggets for approaching parenting in a more proactive way. Because if we are being honest, each child is different and unique and requires a different set of too...

Trust is something that doesn't always come easily, but is built on a series of conversations.  Today's guest, Darryl Stickel, a PhD in Business from Duke University and wrote his doctoral thesis on building trust in hostile environments, joins me to talk about how to build it within our homes.  He shares tips on how to get your kids to understand that we have the best intentions at heart and diss...

As parents, one of our main missions is to raise some really good humans. But that can be easier said than done. Between the guilt, overwhelm, and worry, it can be challenging. Thankfully on today's episode, Hunter Clarke-Fields, Mindfulness Mentor, Mindful Parenting Podcast Host, Global Speaker, Number 1 Bestselling Author of "Raising Good Humans" and "Raising Good Humans Every Day" (Aug 1, 2023)...

How do you navigate co-parenting? This is a struggle that many parents face, but on this episode, I am joined by Aurisha Smolarski licensed marriage and family therapist and author of Cooperative Co-Parenting for Secure Kids: The Attachment Theory Guide to Raising Kids in Two Homes.   We cover tips on how to heal yourself while nurturing your kids through divorce, clues that your child needs more...

A lot of moms can find themselves faced with this question when it comes to their marriage. They are at a crossroads, fearful of what choice to make. As my guest, Melissa Greller, shares both choices are hard… you just need to decide what "hard" is the right choice for you and your family. We tackle the big question if you should stay for the kids, why self-care is so important, how to see the sit...

You're having a new baby! This is an exciting time as you expand your family. And it can also bring up some mixed emotions, for both you and your other child(ren). I am joined by Robyn Mckeefrey, author of "Mommy Went to the Hospital to Bring Home a New Baby", who shares some great insights on bringing a new baby home. We talk about how to prepare the siblings, giving ourselves grace as moms durin...

Those dishes are piling up and they are stressing you out, mama. You might be thinking those dirty plates are a reflection of you as a mom, but this episode's guest, Rachel Marie Martin, will tell you to embrace that sink as a sign of normalcy; something to be celebrated! Rachel, the author of "Mom Enough Inspiring Letters from the Wonderfully Exhausting but Totally Normal Days of Motherhood" and...

"You have cancer." No-one wants to hear these words for themselves or a loved one. But what do you do when you are a mom and cancer has entered your life? I am joined by Cancer Doula, Stephanie Miller, on this episode to talk about emotional support and healing from a personal and professional space. We go through all different situations on how cancer may affect your family and tips on how to han...

We have grown up in a culture that is constantly pushing the "new" diet, but we all know those really don't work. But sometimes we need to work really hard to change the thoughts we have around food, what's good, what's healthy, and what's not. On this episode, I am joined by Beth Basham, a dietitian and coach of nearly 20 years specializing in helping women break free of guilt and shame around fo...

Sometimes it can feel we get lost in the label of "mom" as if that is the only identity we have. But mama, you have so much to offer! It's time to find your passions, your goals… your Everest! And to help with that I am joined by Jenn Drummond, mom of 7, successful business owner, world record holder, and author. We talk about how to find your identity out of motherhood, why support is essential (...

When items can be bought with the click of a button, how do we teach our kids about responsible money habits? In this episode, Mari Collins, creator of Ketshop, joins me to share how her app can help teach kids healthy money habits and take away parenting stress of finding unwanted charges (like 700 popsicles!) on their credit cards. Habits begin at a young age and we dive into the importance of i...

We want our kids to trust us enough to seek us out when they are going through something difficult, but will they? In this episode, Eric Daddario, national speaker, shares 3 steps every parent should take in order to build and nurture trust with our kids. We also cover the important topic of how to guide our children to make better choices in life, especially when we are not around. Find out more...

Do you know what your love language is? Everyone in your family has one and understanding it can drastically change your relationships. In this episode, Paul Zolman, whose childhood experience was anything but love, shares how knowing the different love languages and practicing them each day can change the way you interact, communicate, and build relationships with those around you.  Plus, hear ab...

This episode's guest, Alicia DeVore, didn't always have a green thumb. But through motherhood, she found that gardening was the outlet she had been looking for! Tune in to this episode to find out how you can create your own garden anywhere (yes, really!) and grow joy for yourself and for your kids. We dig into the emotional benefits of gardening, how to keep it going all year long, and how this c...

Stress may be something we can't totally ever get rid of, but there are a lot of things we can do to understand, process, and express it.  In this episode, I am joined by Leah Brown, a licensed counselor and certified coach specializing in anxiety trauma, stress, and burnout.  We dig into how to identify what is trauma, the effects of stress, coping skills to reduce it, and most importantly, how i...

A sneeze comes on suddenly or you cough a little too hard and OOPS! While a lot of women think this is a problem they just have to live with, today's guest Mallory Willis, debunks that! As a Pelvic Floor PT, Mallory, shares alternatives to help you get to the root cause and heal your pelvic floor naturally without jumping right into surgery. We also chat about what could be causing more issues, wh...

"I am not the mom I thought I was going to be." Have you ever thought this? If so, you need to tune into this episode! My guest, Emily Edlynn, a clinical psychologist with an academic background and has aimed to infuse science and common sense into the landscape of parenting guidance with her blog and now newly released book "Autonomy-Supportive Parenting: Reduce Parental Burnout and Raise Compete...

Family size is a personal choice for everyone. Some people have a home with multiple kids, while others may be an only-child family. Whether it was by choice or not, Rebecca Greene, author of "One and Done: The Guide to Raising a Happy and Thriving Only Child" joins me to discuss the dynamics of this type of family. We dive into the stereotypes and judgments these families face, how to prepare for...

The world of parenting has added a new challenge in the past few decades; technology! It can feel like a constant power struggle trying to enforce boundaries are rules around devices with your kids. But as my guest, Dr. Gwenyth Jackaway, shares in this episode being the "technology police" doesn't have to be so scary. We cover the importance of finding a balance, how to talk to your kids about how...

Do you ever lose your cool or get annoyed at your kids' behavior? We've all been there! On this episode, we dive into the root cause of some behaviors and what it really means.  Pam Thompson, Certified Parent Coach, joins me on this episode to talk about the 4 messages our kids need to hear.  She walks us through the main framework she uses with moms and dads so they can learn how to build wisdom...

Motherhood comes with a lot of expectations! Some are from external sources, while others are ones that we create internally. While Johnny Sanders is a dad, he is a huge advocate for moms! He is a Licensed Professional Counselor in Oklahoma and Texas and the owner of the Christian Counseling practice, Truth & Grace Counseling. Johnny is also a host of the podcast Faithfully Engaged.  In this episo...