Mother Plus Podcast

Send us Fan Mail Join Stacey in this mini episode as she remembers why she started this podcast in the first place, how it came to be, and what it felt like to lose herself in motherhood, and then find herself again.  In it, she reads a piece that she wrote for the live stage show, Listen To Your Mother called "Remembering Her."  Join Stacey in remembering:  Saturday night karaoke and th...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, we cover: How being on a "success treadmill" caused Autumn to hit rock bottom with her health—and how she flipped the switch to get out of that stress state prior to motherhood.  Autumn's pursuit of wellness—not just being fit but feeling good— and desiring a schedule that worked for her led to the creation of Paleovalley, a company that nourishes f...

Send us Fan Mail The after-school transition to being with our kids again can be all-consuming, even when we are practicing good self-care.  How can we be OK when our kids aren't OK? Having healthy boundaries between their crises and our crises is easier said than done.  The more sensitive and emotional we are, the harder it can be to shift between alone time/work time and parenting time.  Ou...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, we cover: Why it's important to keep our back-to-school expectations and ambitions in check.  Parenting can still be a full time job even when your kids are in school—don't underestimate the workload in managing a family calendar and daily transitions.  Carrying our children's back-to-school emotional burdens is a heavy weight—give yourself grace an...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, we cover: Information overload: there are two different kinds—the active, intentional information we seek out (online courses, podcasts) and the mindless stimuli that bombards us daily (social media notifications, message alerts, etc) The internet can be an accelerant for the addiction to learning: with digital courses, influencers, podcasts, and workshops at our...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, we cover: When you finally claim something for yourself after years of telling yourself there was something wrong with you The “got myself back moment”: finding your creative outlet and feeling attractive while doing it The guilt around doing something for yourself that doesn’t make money Find your "plus" as soon as you can because you’re going to need t...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, we cover: When being an empty nester isn’t sad: How Lisa embraces her new found freedom When you continue your creative pursuits while doing ALL the activities, it’s a quick road to burnout Slow down and take a breath and teach your kids to be bored in a world where “activities” are an all-encompassing portion of their life The unconventional decision to become a...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, we cover: How bullying for teenage girls can be subtle and insidious: It may look more like relational or indirect aggression than traditional bullying, but that doesn't make it any less serious.  Social media has acted as an accelerant for social problems amongst adolescence: externalizing their public identities makes it harder to be authentic and empatheti...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, we cover: The reality of pregnancy discrimination and the damaging narrative that "having babies means you aren't serious about your career." What it looks like to be a mother + writer, and how having kids can actually enhance our creative process. Balancing the good and bad of modern motherhood: more honest, candid conversations paired with unreali...

Send us Fan Mail In today’s episode, we talk about: Getting out of the box of what you think your business and life "should" look like, and step into your own space.  Stop thinking about "balance" and start thinking about "flow" to avoid guilt and overwhelm.  How to overcome limiting beliefs by getting quiet and re-examining your thoughts.  Are you avoiding certain ta...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, we cover: Why do we judge moms for using childcare? Accepting the type of mother we are, even if we are different from other moms, and find people who understand and support you.  The mother needs to be as happy as her kids: changing the definition of "selfishness" to be "filling" self and caring for self.  It's important to acknowledge an...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, we cover: What happens when you feel like you're a "different kind of mom?"Our guest Laura shares that early on, she knew she needed more—more time away, more of her own interests.  Learn about Mothers and More—a national club Laura was a part of whose focus was simple: Mom needs to be happy, whatever that looks like.  Why we need to have real conve...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, we cover: Why we are nostalgia junkies and have an obsession with all things 1980s and 90s... We are drawn to music, movies, TV shows, and books from our past now because they bring us comfort and remind us of a simpler time.  Bringing our own childhoods into our lives with our children is a way to light us up and make "play" more fun.  Ideas to bring ou...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, we talk about: Getting curious and becoming an observer: Start noticing how you feel when you enter a space, then ask yourself "How do I WANT to feel in here?" Starting from a place of gratitude and appreciation—what do you love about the rooms in your home? How motherhood changes our spaces, and how we can take small steps and get the whole family invol...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, we cover: Why this mom went from a successful career to becoming a stay-at-home mom Working moms cannot have it all: how society sets us up for failure to juggle careers and our families. Having a flexible career and balanced work-family life should not feel like an unachievable utopia . . . but it does.  Delegation is everything: get your family on board so you c...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, we cover: Raising kids in the 1980s vs. now--was it easier and less high-pressure to be a mom then?  The importance of raising independent children who don’t think the world revolves around them.  How Barb and Suzanne teamed up to get their MD/doctorate degrees while raising young kids.  Identifying your values and priorities and remembering you cannot do it all:...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, we talk about: You don’t have to be a “real writer” to learn how to present yourself in writing in your own words.  How to write like you talk and use your authentic voice to reach your target audience. Overcome impostor syndrome by remembering the value of your own voice--nobody else is exactly like you, with your skill set and life experiences.  It’s okay to pur...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, we discuss: Encanto as a metaphor for moms giving themselves permission to take care of their needs. Louisa represents the pressure we feel every day as moms to do everything for our families and still take care of ourselves.  Isabella is a metaphor for perfectionism and expectations.  Bruno represents our tendency to repress our intuition, especially if it makes...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, we talk about: Writing during early motherhood as an avenue for creativity and connection The birth of Listen to Your Mother and the creation of an unparalleled community. The beauty of using your strengths to follow your ease, instead of your joy. The impact of positive psychology on Ann’s life and career. “I am not an expert, but I have something to share.”: the...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, we talk: Why is *everything* a special occasion, and how did we get here?  What happens if you don’t find joy in going over the top on all the things?  Handing our kids the reins to take ownership of some of these special occasions. Let them be bored: why we struggle to tolerate the ordinary and mundane.  Being unapologetic about your family values and giving your...

Send us Fan Mail This episode covers: Timid vs. reckless: not asking for what you’re worth can create a reckless lifestyle   Mohawks and couch hopping: Putting on a tough exterior so that people respect you  Hitting rock bottom before finding a path that honors you When the “crazy artist life” meets motherhood When you follow your dreams for your career, you reduce mom guilt because aren’t pulled...

Send us Fan Mail What is Listen To Your Mother, and how does it link Stace & Steph? LTYM brings a realness to motherhood that gives women permission to express ALL of it: the good, the bad, and the ugly? What is the value of moms sharing their stories about motherhood?   How can YOU get involved in sharing your stories or connecting with LTYM? In this Stace + Steph episode, Stacey interviews S...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, we talk about: The undeniable impact of pandemic parenting on our mental health Remembering to help yourself when you’re a constant “helper” Don’t underestimate the toll of the postpartum period and early childhood parenting Stop making excuses: you deserve a break and the benefits are huge! How to give yourself a “momcation” and work within your limits In this ep...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, we cover: What happens when your dream doesn’t look the way you envisioned it? Finding a balance between drive/ambition and allowing space and grace for your own sanity, pace, and challenges in your path. Make your list of “Why I shouldn’t do the thing” and then figure out what’s actually true.  Shift your mindset from perfectionism to acceptance: “I’m pursuing my...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, we talk about how to: Get curious about what you desire, and follow your curiosity like breadcrumbs Ask yourself: what is holding me back from doing what I want to do? Question your thoughts; interrupt the process; rewire Why feminine energy is so revolutionary and why honoring ourselves is not "woo-woo" Your new motto; "I Matter." Start where...