No Shame in Our Game

Summer is supposed to be the magical season, and most of us are already behind on it by day three. We get into the "am I a bad mom" spiral that did not exist when we were kids, the '90s summer trend and what it is actually asking of us, and the wider pressure to go and do that hits whether you have kids or not. We talk about how much freedom is the right amount of freedom for young kids, the case...

We sat down with Jiemi Gao, founder of Nori, to talk about shame, belonging, and what it actually takes to feel like you fit somewhere. Jiemi moved from Hangzhou, China to Canada at 12, spent months working through ESL workbooks on her own, and eventually realized the language gap was only part of what she was carrying. We got into why strangers can sometimes hold space better than the people clos...

Sara's been carrying shame about being lazy since she was a kid waking up to chore lists on the kitchen table every summer morning. In this episode, she and Lacey get into where that shame actually came from, what it did to her body when it went unchecked, and how she secretly loved a week on the couch with a heating pad and a bag of saltines. They work through the difference between actual lazine...

This one got big in the best way. We started with Lacey's shame story about being called "too dramatic" as a kid — and somewhere along the way, we landed on silk robes, talk show beds, and the power of living your life out loud. Turns out, when you're told your feelings are too much, you learn to shrink. And when you shrink long enough, you start to believe the universe doesn't want big things for...

We're starting something new on No Shame in Our Game. Sara turns the mic around and Lacey becomes the guest, and we're kicking off with the word Lacey uses to beat herself up that she hasn't done nearly as much work on as the other one: dramatic . Big feelings, where they come from, what it costs to spend years making yourself smaller so other people are more comfortable. We went two episodes on t...

In this episode, we're diving deep into one of our favorite Practical Hug tools: Good, Better, Best . This framework is all about giving yourself a menu of options instead of one impossible "perfect" standard — and then actually celebrating whichever version you accomplish. We talk about the mindset shift that makes "the bare minimum" a foundation instead of a failure, how Lacey learned this tool...

Heads up: Joyful Support Movement is now Practical Hug (aka the Practical Hug Network for our podcasts ). In this episode, we share one of our favorite tools: Joyful Support Steps . It’s a simple way to offer support that’s honest, human, and actually helpful. Sara shares what it was like to host their first in-person Joy Circle, and we walk through the three parts of the tool: Story : what’s real...

We dive into one of the most fundamental tools we have—our breath. Joined by expert guest and dear friend Theresa, we explore the science behind breath work and how intentional breathing can help us regulate our nervous system, calm down when we're overwhelmed, and respond as our best selves. Whether you're skeptical about "woo woo" practices or already have a meditation routine, Theresa bridges t...

In this episode of No Shame in Our Game , Sara and Lacey do a different kind of “Year Wrapped.” Instead of focusing on goals you did or didn’t hit, they look at the invisible work that got carried all year long—laundry, meals, naps, school emails, dog walks, caregiving, and everything in between. They also walk through the Joyful Support “Wrapped” for 2025 and talk honestly about how they want the...

Sara and Lacey are back with Part 2 of the holiday Q&A series, tackling your real questions about the practical side of the holidays. From overflowing toy rooms to holiday decoration overwhelm, from setting boundaries with family to hiding presents from snooping kids—we're covering the stuff that actually comes up when you're trying to navigate the season. No fluff, just practical tools and pe...

The holidays are coming, and Sara and Lacey are getting real about what that actually means. In Part 1 of our holiday Q&A series, we're ditching the picture-perfect expectations and talking about the mindset shifts that can help you navigate the season. From gift-giving pressure to the artifice of forced traditions, we're covering authenticity, boundaries, and why "should" is a four-letter wor...

What if asking for help wasn't shameful—it was celebrated? Discover how this nonprofit is changing the way women support each other. In this episode, hosts Lacey and Sara sit down with Brittinie Tran, President of Hot Mess Express, to talk about the nonprofit that's helping women across the country through cleaning and organizing—with zero judgment. They also announce an exciting new partnership:...

Welcome to No Shame in Our Game: Where self-help meets community support. This is the podcast that doesn't care about the right step, just your next step. Not sure how to start a budget? Need help with home systems? Wondering about etiquette or boundaries? We're Sara and Lacey, your loving aunties who care about how your life feels, not how it looks. We're co-founders of the Joyful Support Movemen...

Welcome to No Shame in Our Game! We are evolving from No Shame in the Home Game, and putting it on steroids (in a good way, not like a roid rage way). We're expanding from home management questions to being your resource for anything in life where you're not sure where to turn. Not sure how to set up a laundry system? Ask us. Not sure how to start a family budget? Ask us. Not sure about the etique...

In this Q&A mini-episode, we tackle one of the most common friction points in households everywhere: how to effectively ask family members to do things. We explore the foundations of clear communication around home tasks without creating tension or resentment. We dive into: Why being specific about tasks is crucial for successful follow-through How to shift language from "I need you to" to "Th...

Welcome to another episode of No Shame in the Home Game ! We're tackling that all-too-familiar question: "Where do I even start?" when facing home challenges. Join Lacey and Sara as they demystify the starting point dilemma using a real-life kitchen table example. With compassion and practical wisdom, they share their detective-inspired approach to noticing patterns without judgment, creating simp...

Summary Cleaning isn’t just about making things look pretty; it’s all about how your space feels! Lacey and Sara dive into the overwhelming world of cleaning products and tackle the big question: what is cleaning, anyway? With so many products claiming to be the magic solution—from natural options to high-tech concoctions—it's easy to feel lost in the cleaning aisle. The hosts break it down into t...

Q&A Mini-Episode: Bathtub Cleaning In this joy-filled mini-episode of No Shame in the Home Game, Sara and Lacey dive into the nitty-gritty of bathtub cleaning with their signature blend of practical wisdom and light-hearted conversation. This episode exemplifies our mission at the Joyful Support Movement: making life's necessary tasks easier so you have more room for joy! Episode Highlights: S...

The inaugural episode of Joy Moments elucidates the profound significance of small moments shared among individuals, which, as we contend, create ripples of joy that can transcend the mundane. Sara and I, Lacey, embark on this journey to explore the concept of joy, not as an exclusive focus on positivity but as an essential counterbalance to life's inevitable challenges, which we refer to metaphor...

Season 3 Wrap-Up is here, and we’re diving into all the juicy bits from our latest adventures! We’ve spent this season exploring how to balance home life and personal growth while keeping things light and fun. Lacey and Sara reflect on the ups and downs, the laughs, and the serious moments that shaped our journey. We’ll also be chatting about our fabulous participants, like Amy, who taught us that...

Cleaning walls and baseboards might not sound like the most riveting topic on the planet, but let us tell you, Lacey and Sara dive deep into this surprisingly fascinating world in our latest Q&A episode! You know how it goes, one moment you’re giggling about baby kicks, and the next, you’re knee-deep in discussions about the dirt lurking on your walls. Yes, walls can be dirty! Who knew? We exp...

Amy shares her journey of grappling with her recent ADHD diagnosis and the challenges that come with it, particularly in managing food-related tasks. She recounts her struggles with meal preparation, grocery shopping, and even self-care, often feeling overwhelmed by the sheer volume of decisions and the pressure to maintain a clean, organized kitchen. Enter Corie, an executive functioning coach, w...

Lacey and Sara reconnect with Alex, a beloved guest from season one, to catch up on her life changes over the past year. They dive into the joys and challenges of parenting, with Alex sharing her experience of welcoming her fourth daughter, Willie, and how her family dynamics have evolved. The conversation highlights the importance of adapting routines to suit different life seasons, as Alex discu...

Summary Amy's journey continues as she navigates the complexities of meal planning while managing her newly diagnosed ADHD. This episode delves into the importance of establishing a functional kitchen and creating routines that ease the burden of daily tasks. Lacey and Sarah explore how small changes, like moving the garbage can closer or using visual prompts for food organization, can lead to sig...

Takeaways: Martha Stewart's influence on home aesthetics creates unrealistic expectations that can induce shame. The podcast emphasizes the importance of feeling good in your home over mere appearance. Comparisons to Martha Stewart often lead to anxiety about personal home standards and perfectionism. Lacey and Sara discuss how authenticity can be perceived differently based on one's upbringing. T...