The LYLAS Podcast

Send us Fan Mail Going back to school can be a “yuck,” especially after the fun and lapse in schedules/routines, but it can be emotionally tough too! Kiddos meeting new friends, transitioning to different schools, maybe even college… but for mommas, this process can also be a bit rough (think first day of kindergarten, last day of high school, college move-in day).  So how do we all get through th...

Send us Fan Mail With Jen’s latest passing around the sun, the notion of “leveling-up” was added to the mix! Instead of “aging” or “getting older,” #levelingup means (to us) continued growth with constant change and competing demands… that's the game of life! So how do we rise to the occasion as time passes? Listen in! Please be sure to checkout our website for previous episodes, our psych-ap...

Send us Fan Mail Yes, “meditation and mindfulness” seem to be the latest buzz words, BUT they have been around as practices for over 2,000 years! Why? Because they work!!!! In this episode, Jen shares how meditation has helped her escape the ferris wheel of hell and helped with calming reactions.  Sarah also shares how mindfulness practice assists in grounding and best yet, YOU are already doing t...

Send us Fan Mail Sex! Yep. We went there… how to talk about sex with your kiddos and what’s normative for you and your partner? Our special guest, Michelle Leach, Licensed Professional Counselor Associate, MEd, MS, LPCA (specializing in sex therapy),  hit it all and provided a ton of helpful tips for communication and help should you need it. Be sure to check out her website and instagram and ours...

Send us Fan Mail Multiple Sclerosis, aka MS, is a progressive disease that disrupts communication between the brain and body.  Niki Stevens was a healthy, highly active student in college when she received this life altering diagnosis. Her story of perseverance, choosing to live life on her terms, and the struggles to fight “the darkness” are beautifully shared in this inspiring reflection of what...

Send us Fan Mail Sometimes, the hardest decisions are the most needed.  Divorce is tough, but so is staying in an unhappy or unhealthy relationship.  If kids are involved this can be tricky, but not impossible, take it from your two besties from divorced parents and Sarah who's been through a divorce and shares her story on this episode!  If you happen to have young kiddos, remember to have d...

Send us Fan Mail “The risk of exposure to trauma has been part of the human condition since we evolved as a species ( Matthew Friedman, MD, PhD, National Center for PTSD).”  Yep.  That’s a hard but truthful way to start this discussion.  Just like with addiction, there is hope. This episode is heavy, hopefully validating, and informative.   Our website is PACKED full of resources for this one, so...

Send us Fan Mail Addiction knows no boundaries.  At some point in our lives every single person will love an addict or be one themselves.  We all know someone whose life has been disrupted or ended because of its deadly force..   This episode focuses on the hard truths of addiction. We talk about how it affects the addict and their family and friends;  as well as the hopefulness that can come from...

Send us Fan Mail Heart disease is the leading cause of death of women in the United States. Knowing the risk factors, signs/symptoms, and taking preventative action are all necessary to avoid becoming a statistic. The American Heart Association is the best place to go for all things heart related, including how to join our guest, JulieThomm, in advocating for healthier hearts in your community! Do...

Send us Fan Mail Welcome to the rabbit hole! Our mind is truly powerful… especially when we treat thoughts and feelings as facts! THOUGHTS and FEELINGS are NOT facts!  Want to get out of the negative thought loops running through your mind? Start by listening to this episode!  Remember to check out our webpage for some awesome resources on this topic!!!  www.thelylaspodcast.com And also:  Awarenes...

Send us Fan Mail Ladies! Mamas! Question for you, who’s taking care of you?!  Midlife brings so many new experiences to our mind and body. Given the mental load we carry as women, taking care of ourselves often takes the back burner. The old saying is true, “you can pour from an empty cup!”  In this week’s episode we break down what our bodies are telling us and when it’s time to seek help. Mammog...

Send us Fan Mail Ladies! Mamas! Question for you, who’s taking care of you?!  Midlife brings so many new experiences to our mind and body. Given the mental load we carry as women, taking care of ourselves often takes the back burner. The old saying is true, “you can pour from an empty cup!”  In this week’s episode we break down what our bodies are telling us and when it’s time to seek help. Mammog...

Send us Fan Mail Seasonal changes often trigger changes in our lives. Taking the time to reflect on this process and what our current needs are.  It’s a natural time to make plans, change goals, and celebrate your accomplishments! Even if you haven’t checked off all your goals, acknowledging the successes along the way helps keep us motivated to reach those big/scary goals!  Want more?! Checkout o...

Send us Fan Mail Reminiscing about the good ol ‘ days can be so much fun! Life is full of endless layers and being able to pull the onion back at times can really pull at all your heartstrings. This episode is a playful, yet thoughtful reminder of what it means to come home. Be sure to checkout our website too: www.thelylaspodcast.com New episodes every Monday! Share with others! #countryroads #ho...

Send us Fan Mail Living is a process, and self-reflection is a valuable tool for personal growth and overall health.  Doing this effectively is aided by taking a nonjudgmental stance toward yourself. Being accountable can be motivating. Holding yourself accountable and without judgment is an art.  In this episode, we take a look at our progress towards the personal goals we set for ourselves. Maki...

Send us Fan Mail Summer is coming, but that also brings the possible stress of planning family vacations… Let’s begin by reframing our own expectations and challenging the “keeping up with the Joneses” thoughts.  Also, like nearly everything else, the first place to start is with you, your partner, and whoever else this may involve (kiddos, pets, friends, etc…)! Need a review of the tips? Checkout...

Send us Fan Mail  Whether you’re breathing a sigh of relief or feeling anxious about having kids home all summer, the end of the school year brings up all kinds of emotions for kids and adults. If you’re a fellow educator like Jen, you may be counting down the days left in the school year, but if your child is hitting a stride and you’re concerned they may fall behind; Jen provides some tips for n...

Send us Fan Mail Talk about transitions! At no point is it easy to have end-of-life decisions with someone, but this is one of those cases where “ripping off the Band-Aid,” may be the most helpful first step. Second, practicing good self-care. Other valuable tips include educating yourself on the needs of the situation and resources in your area.   This one, you will for sure want to checkout our...

Send us Fan Mail Talk about transitions! At no point is it easy to have end-of-life decisions with someone, but this is one of those cases where “ripping off the Band-Aid,” may be the most helpful first step. Second, practicing good self-care. Other valuable tips include educating yourself on the needs of the situation and resources in your area.  Want more? Listen to this episode and checkout our...

Send us Fan Mail As George Michael (and Sarah) said, “You gotta have faith.”  Add that to the list of things that seemed easier in our youth! In this week’s episode, we talk religion, the good, the fun, and the yucks!  Fun fact: Sarah and Jen’s friendship thrived through the church. As teens, they were extremely involved in youth groups. Their faith is probably what helped them survive their teen...

Send us Fan Mail Humans thrive in routine. Rituals, daily habits, routines–whatever you want to call them, are essential to everyday functioning and mental wellness.  These practices are what bring us back to ourselves and make life predictable.  Predictability reduces anxiety. It’s that simple.  Kids and adults alike benefit from routines/rituals. In this episode, Jen and Sarah break down their n...

Send us Fan Mail Whether you have or haven’t, you’ve thought about it. Botox is everywhere and so much more accessible in this day and age. We mid-life mamas are the prime target, and if you haven’t had it, you probably feel as though you are one of the last who hasn’t. Whether you have or you haven’t, we hope that YOU think you’re beautiful and KNOW that “YOU  are entirely up to YOU” (to quote th...

Send us Fan Mail Diet culture has been a big part of our lives for so many of us mid-life mamas. Like it or lump it, it’s been in our faces since we were old enough to read. Low fat, Low carb, No carb, Vegan, Carb cycling, Intermittent fasting, Keto, Whole30, Plant-based, I mean, what haven’t we been exposed to?! We grew up watching MTV Spring Break with rock-hard bodies, 90’s pencil-thin model st...

Send us Fan Mail It turns out mama was right. Again. Friendships change over time; some evolve, while others run their course. We can all agree that the sign of a true friendship is the ability to pick right up where you’ve left off, whether it’s been a week, month, or year(s).  We can also agree that when friendships end, it can be one of the most challenging transitions we experience in adult li...

Send us Fan Mail It is a gift to serve as an additional parent in a child’s life and a challenge… keeping it authentic here, lol!  Sarah comes to some unexpected revelations during this episode.   Also, if you have some tips or shared experiences, help a sister by contacting us on our webpage!  Resources are on there too! www.thelylaspodcast.com #thelylaspodcast #stepmom #help #notminebutmine #big...