Badass Moms Club

**This week's episode is a replay of my second ever released episode!**I wanted to replay my International Women's Day episode from last March as I think it's one of the best & most important episodes ever!In celebration of International Women's Day, Jessica dives into what makes women so awesome, some stories of amazing women through history, women in her life that are incredible, how we can empower ourselves and the women around us to be the best we can be and things women need to do better at.Please note, the giveaway mentioned in the episode is NOT applicable anymore.

Join me in this weeks' episode where my guest, Kristin Cary, shares her journey of finding out she was pregnant and then 6 months into her pregnancy, discovering that her then-husband was addicted to pornography and had cheated on her. I am so grateful that Kristin came on the show to share her story of betrayal, healing, growth and resilience. Kristin is a force but she had to go through and grow through so many different things to get to where she is today. If this is something you have been through or are going through, you can always reach out to Kristin as she now works with women who have been going through/have gone through sexual betrayals of their own. If you wish to connect with Kristin in regards to the episode or chat about these topics further, please feel free to reach out to her through her social media, website or listen to her podcast:Website: living-truth.orgEmail: kristinc@living-truth.org or michaelc@living-truth.orgFacebook: Living Truth 61Podcast: Living Truth PodcastAs always, please come join me in the Badass Moms Club Facebook group!

Join me in this weeks' episode where my guests, Sara and Misasha from the Dear White Women podcast, share their journeys of raising biracial children and the differences in raising white-presenting kids versus black-presenting kids. Sara is a life coach and works in positive psychology and well-being. Sara is 1/2 Japanese 1/2 white and is raising 2 girls who present as white. Misasha is an attorney and is 1/2 Japanese and 1/2 white and is raising 2 boys who present as black. I am so grateful that Sara Misahsa came on the show to open the dialogue on race, racism, raising biracial children, white privilege and more. This discussion is SO critical, regardless of what race(s) you and your children are. I know I learned so much through this episode and I'm hoping you can take a thing or two from it as well! If you wish to connect with Sara Misasha in regards to the episode or chat about these topics further, please feel free to reach out to them through their social media, website or listen to their podcast: Dear White Women Podcast: www.dearwhitewomen.comFacebook: Dear White Women podcastWebsite: www.dearwhitewomen.com As always, please come join me in the Badass Moms Club Facebook group!

Join me in this week's episode where my guest, Robin Legat, shares her journey of how roller derby was the catalyst to changing her whole life! Yes, you read that right - roller derby!Robin lives in California, is a fitness coach, gym owner, an athletic aging specialist as well as the host of the Seasoned Athlete Podcast. Robin and I chat about -why training for performance over physical looks is important, how parents can get their kids involved in their activities and what parents struggle with the most when it comes to athletics...and of course, how roller derby sparked it all!If you wish to connect with Robin in regards to the episode or to chat about her services, please feel free to reach out to her through her social media or website:Website: seasonedathelete.meInstagram: robinlegatFacebook: Robin LegatAs always, please come join me in the Badass Moms Club Facebook group!

** Trigger Warning ** This episode discusses the topic of suicide.Join me in this week's episode where my guest, Tessa Stuckey, shares her journey into motherhood, having 4 kids in less than 4 years, and what sparked her to write a book on our youth's mental health. Tessa is a mom of 4 boys, a licensed therapist, author, wife and lives in Houston, Texas. I am so grateful that Tessa shared her story and professional experience with us. Tessa opens the dialogue on the 6 cultural pressures affecting our youth today and how we, as parents, can help mitigate the effects of these. The 6 cultural pressures Tessa discusses are: 1. Suicide as a Glorified Option 2. Immediate Gratification3. Lack of Personal Connections4. Attention Seeking5. Social Media6. PressureThis conversation is SO important as it's a reminder that we need to be thinking ahead and ensuring our current actions aren't going to negatively affect our children when they are older. It's also eye-opening to be reminded that suicide is a real aspect of our youths' lives but it is something that we can help prevent. If you wish to connect with Tessa in regards to the episode or to chat about her book, please feel free to reach out to her through her social media or website:Tessa's Book: For The Sake Of Our YouthInstagram: themomtherapistFacebook: Tessa Stuckey LPCWebsite: www.tessastuckey.comAs always, please come join me in the Badass Moms Club Facebook group!

Join me in this week's episode where my guest, Cayla Ranice, shares what it's like being a woman who does not want children nor wants to get married. Listen as Cayla talks about why she doesn't want to have kids or get married, common misconceptions and reactions towards women who don't want kids and the societal pressures put on women around marriage and children. Cayla is a Holistic Nutrition Practioner who specializes in plant-based nutrition and habit-based change. Cayla lives in Nova Scotia with her partner Attila and is also a badass mom to her cat Kote. I am so grateful that Cayla shared her story with us. Cayla's story is one we should all take note of and reflect on to see if we have any biases or thoughts around people who opt not to get married or have children. It's important that we, as a society, are inclusive and value everyone, regardless of these two decisions! If you wish to connect with Cayla in regards to the episode or to chat about her holistic nutrition practice, please feel free to reach out to her through her social media or website:Website: www.caylaranice.com Facebook: Cayla RaniceFacebook Group: Simply Balanced with Cayla RaniceInstagram: caylaraniceAs always, please come join me on Facebook in the Badass Moms Club group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/2807530312827365And don't forget to subscribe, rate & review!Sending you lots of love badass moms!

**Trigger Warning** This episode discusses domestic violence.Join me in this week's episode where my guest, Angela Accomando, shares her journey through domestic violence and how she turned her life story into one of healing, self-love and a passion for changing laws. Angela is an advocate for domestic violence, transformational coach for female entrepreneurs, mom to 4 kids, happily married and lives in New York. I am so grateful that Angela has shared her story with us at it's really a story of resilliance, strength and tangible change and impact on this world. Angela shows us that we are stronger than we give ourselves credit for and that we can truly do anything that we want. If you wish to connect with Angela in regards to the episode or to chat about her transformational coaching practice, please feel free to reach out to her through her social media or website:Facebook: Angela AccomandoInstagram: angelaaccomandoWebsite: www.angelaaccomando.comYou can purchase the book You Can Heal Your Life by Louise Hay which was referenced in the show.As always, please come join me on Facebook in the Badass Moms Club group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/2807530312827365And don't for get to subscribe, rate & review!Sending you lots of love badass moms!

Welcome to 2021 badass moms! I am so excited about 2021 as there are SO many amazing episodes coming your way. Today's episode is all about the secret to happiness....sounds amazing, right?!I have badass mom, Naphtali Roberts, on the show! Naphtali is a creative success coach, licensed marriage & family therapist, mom to 3 kids, and wife to a creative entrepreneur. We chat all about: - what women are generally taught when it comes to "success" and "being successful" - how society communicates with women & how women are taught to communicate- the difference in how we communicate with our daughters vs sons - time optimization & why it's better than time management- increasing our happiness by limiting our choices- how to go about limiting your choices - Naphtali's journey to stop eating healthy- being diagnosed with Hashimotos Disease- disordered eating patterns she had while trying to be "healthy"- her biggest tips for momsAs always, make sure you check out Naphtali on social media as well as her podcast: Instagram: naphtalivrobertsPodcast: The Thriving Creative PodcastAnd make sure to come join me on Instagram and in the new Facebook group:Instagram: @_badassmomsclubFacebook Group: Badass Moms Club

2020 was one helluva year. It was good. It was bad. It was fun. It was stressful. It really was everything packed into 1 year!Today's episode is a recap of my 2020! Everything from Esmé, to my business, the podcast, becoming an author, 5 years with Emmanuel, my social media break and more. Buckle up and put your headphones in to hear what 2020 brought for me and what 2021 is looking like!As always, don't forget to subscribe, rate & review so you never miss an episode and help me out! And come join me on Instagram: @_badassmomsclub. PSSTTTTTT - before you go, I have a special announcement to make. Badass Moms Club podcast is looking for a co-host!! SO EXCITING. Want to join me every week behind the mic normalizing motherhood? If so, please email me so we can chat: jessica@jessicahessels.com

Welcome to the Christmas Eve Eve episode with badass, weird mom Chelsie Washington! Chelsie lives in Dallas, Texas with her husband and her son, Wade, who is 4. Chelsie is an academic advisor as well as a podcaster! She is the host of the Weird Mom Podcast. On today's episode, Chelsie and I chat about: Identity as people and mothersHow did Chelsie learn more about herselfMom guilt around trying to work on herselfHow she gets out of a bad moodMeditationHow she was parented vs how she parents nowAs always, make sure you head on over to Chelsie's social media and podcast: Weird Mom Podcast: https://weirdmompodcast.com/Instagram: weirdmompodFacebook: Chelsie WashingtonLastly, don't forget to come join me on Instagram @_badassmomsclub

Welcome to a VERY special Christmas episode with the lovely Amanda Gurman. You may remember Amanda from episode 12 where she shared her journey into motherhood & the postpartum rage she experienced. If you haven't heard that episode, pop back over there to listen! Since then, Amanda has started her own podcast called Honest as a Mother!Amanda and I joined forces to bring you a COVID Christmas chat in hopes of bringing some joy your way!In today's episode we chat about: Recap on COVID and how things are goingAmanda talks about her decision of not sending her son, Connor, to schoolAre we doing Christmas with our families?Who does the cooking in our homes?Moms at the parkMental health during covid and ChristmasWould You RatherAs always, pop on over to Amanda's social media and podcast to see all the amazing content she puts out for moms:Instagram: honest.as.a.mother_Facebook: Amanda GurmanPodcast: Honest As A MotherAnd make sure you subscribe, rate & review and come join me on Instagram: _badassmomsclubLastly, the doors are wide open on the Badass Moms Club Facebook group! If you're looking for a safe space to ask questions, vent, share stories and feel loved, come join us on FB: https://www.facebook.com/groups/2807530312827365 Have a lovely Christmas / holiday season!

Today's episode features badass mom Eva Klein. Eva is married & has 3 kids: 9, 7 and 20 months. Eva is also a certified infant & child sleep consultant and the owner of My Sleeping Baby. Eva's mission is to help exhausted parents get their little ones sleeping so the whole family is well-rested.In today's episode we chat about: - proper sleep processes to set baby up for success: environment, schedule/routine, nutrition- what is sleep training?- is CIO the only method or are there other methods?- finding the happy medium: creating a plan that is realistic and works for your baby & you- the importance of wake windows- how to navigate naps - why sleep is so important for the baby and the family- kids room sharingEva has been kind enough to provide us with her Free Sleep Guide for download so any parents who are struggling right now, please download here: https://mysleepingbaby.ac-page.com/sleep-guide-landing-pageWebsite: https://mysleepingbaby.com/Instagram: mysleepingbabyFacebook: My Sleeping Baby Community** Badass Moms Club Facebook Group is NOW open so come join me over there: https://www.facebook.com/groups/2807530312827365

Did you envision motherhood one way and it somehow has turned out quite different than you expected? Yeah, me too!In this episode, I compare what I thought motherhood was going to be like, who I was going to be as a mom and how it actually all turned out.Put your headphones in and get ready to hear all about:- how pre-pregnancy & pregnancy are a lot like being in college/university - what I thought I would do in motherhood: cloth diapers, hand-me-downs, processed food, homemade food, sleeping arrangements, - what I did stick to: no screen time for Esmé, me being a working mom, time to myself- what type of mom I am- a story about the time I hooked up a diaper sprayer to the toilet As always, please take a few minutes to subscribe, rate & review and come on over to @_badassmomsclub on IG to keep the conversation going!

Today's episode is all about those unplanned pregnancies!The reality is there is a lot of stigma and shame around unplanned pregnancies and I just want to open the dialogue on this topic while helping moms with some helpful tips if they are going through an unplanned pregnancy. Some topics we will cover today are: - how we found out we were pregnant- my initial thoughts & feelings when we first found out- how I processed everything- what an unplanned pregnancy means and does not mean - how you can process an unplanned pregnancy- why we need to stop asking moms if their pregnancy was unplannedPlease don't forget to subscribe so you never miss an episode and rate & review so I can see how much you're loving the podcast! As always, come join me on Instagram to keep the conversation going @_badassmomsclub

Today's episode features badass mom Cachet Prescott. Cachet thrives on helping others move from where they are to where they want to be by helping them shift their thoughts, perspectives, habits, words and actions. On her podcast, All Things (Un)learned, Cachet focuses on helping others use unlearning as a powerful tool for personal growth and transformation, and she shares the personal unlearning journeys of people from all walks of life. On the family side, Cachet and her family are a military family who live in Perry, GA. Cachet has been married to her husband for 14 years, and they have three daughters [Triple S - Sarai (12), Saren (9) and Saige (6)].In today's episode we chat about: - what is unlearning - why it's important- how it applies to motherhood: unlearning the "shoulds" & minimizing the mom guilt- resistance to unlearning: ego- tips for unlearning motherhood- understanding your core values - her own journey through unlearning Podcast: All Things Unlearned - https://cachetprescott.com/podcast/ Podcast Instagram: allthingsunlearnedInstagram: cachetprescottAs always, come join me on Instagram so we can continue the conversation over there: _badassmomsclub

When I was 24 I decided to enter a bikini fitness competition! Are you ready to hear all about my journey?!Check here for a quick overview of what I chat about:- why did I want to compete?- what my training schedule and food intake looked like- binge eating & how I punished myself- our New York trip- the last month of prep- the last week of prep- the spray tan - competition day!- reverse dieting, hair loss & the loss of my periodWas it all worth it? Do I regret doing it? Would I do it again? You'll have to listen to find out!Self-Love Club Volume Volume 2 for purchase here.Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_badassmomsclub/

Welcome back badass moms! Today's episode features badass mom Jessica Temple. Jessica is a wife to her amazing husband and a mom to two little boys, Benji (4) and Alex (2). Jessica is on the show today to share her journey of raising two special needs boys. Benji has autism, ADHD & sensory processing disorder and Alex had a perinatal stroke. We are going to chat all about:- getting diagnosis for both kids- advocating for our kids in the healthcare system- disciplining a child with autism- autism does not equal bad parenting- what not to say to a special needs child/parent- how to respond to people who say inappropriate things about your child- therapies the boys did - challenges and best parts - balancing having two children with special needs- advice for other parentsJessica is SUCH a badass mom and I am so grateful that she came on the show to share her journey. As always, I highly recommend you check out Jessica's social media, podcast and website so you can see more of what she is up to and connect with another badass mom like yourself: https://midstofchaospod.com/https://www.facebook.com/Midstofchaospodhttps://www.instagram.com/midstofchaospod/Email: fubarpod@gmail.com As always, I would greatly appreciate if you subscribed, rated & reviewed the podcast and come join me on Instagram so we can connect as well: @_badassmomsclub

Hey badass moms! Ok, so you might be wondering if we are doing a math lesson today but don't worry, I am not qualified to teach math in any regard! So....what's with the title of the episode? Well, today's episode is a rant. There are (once again) things I am noticing in the motherhood community and I feel the need to speak up about them: mom shaming, the divide between moms who parent their kids differently than other moms and the lack of overall community. There is a common theme of mom shaming taking place when a mom notices that another mom parents their child differently. So in this episode I'm going to rant a little about these topics as well as drive home the fact that just because someone parents their child differently than you or I, it doesn't mean they are wrong. There are millions of ways to parent just like there are many ways to combine numbers together to get the same total at the end. Thanks for joining me on this little rant and as always, make sure you hit subscribe and come join me on Instagram: _badassmomsclub

Today's episode features badass mom Brit McQuarrie. Brit holds a special place in my heart as she is my life coach and part of the reason the Badass Moms Club podcast exists in the first place! Brit & got connected back in January when I was feeling lost in my life and I am SO grateful that she was there to help me through finding my voice and peace in my own life. On today's episode we chat about: - mom guilt- trying to balance being a mom and an entrepreneur- feeling like a failure at both - learning how to do both - prioritizing what's important - time optimization & how to get your to-do list done- ask for help- letting go of what's not a priority - meditation / intentional thought - a great strategy for meditation- our brains don't know the difference between reality and what we're thinking about- her journey to overcoming her fear of blood testsBooks referenced today by Dr. Joe Dispenza: You Are The Placebo and Becoming SupernaturalAs always, make sure you check out Brit's social media and PLEASE please please reach out to her if you are also feeling like you need coaching in your life!IG: britmcquarriewww.britmcquarrie.comFB group - I am LimitlessLastly, come join me on IG so we can be friends there: _badassmomsclub

Hey hey hey badass moms! Welcome back for another amazing episode. Today's episode features badass mom Jenny Elliott. Jenny is mom to Cameron (2.5 years old), married to her husband for 7 years, and she works in a Fortune 500 company in the Accounting & Finance department. Jenny is passionate about traveling and is the host of the Career Mom Podcast! On today's episode we talk all things careers + motherhood. We discuss: - what it was like having 12 weeks of maternity leave & then putting her 12 month old baby in daycare and going back to work- the hardest parts of going back to work: the mom guilt, heartache for leaving baby at daycare, going to a job where she didn't know what it meant anymore/why it was a priority, second-guessing everything, pumping, & transitioning jobs- going through an identity crisis when her baby was born & when COVID-19 began- comparing herself to others and to her pre-baby self- tips to get through all of thisRegardless if you're a career mom or not, this episode has something for you! Jenny gives amazing insight into the thoughts, feelings and worries of being a career mom while providing tips for getting through it all. As always, I encourage you to check Jenny out on social media and to listen to her podcast:Instagram: careermompodcastFacebook Group: Career MomPodcast: Career Mom PodcastAnd if you haven't already, please subscribe, rate & review the podcast and come hang with me on Instagram: _badassmomsclub

Today's episode features badass mom Keikilani, but she goes by Lani. Lani is a mom of 6 kids (3 biological and 3 adopted) and has been married for 14 years. Aside from being a badass mom, Lani is also a strategy and clarity coach for moms who are building their own business. Lani and I discuss SO many amazing things today that include: - the decision to foster/adopt- fostering - the process it took- turning down their first two foster opportunities- what it was like when they did say yes to their first kids- what it was like having the bio mom in the picture when fostering- neglect in the foster system- adopting their foster children- integrating the 3 adopted kids into their current family- running a house with 6 kids - biggest struggles through all of thisPhew. That is a lot but honestly, Lani shared so much amazing information that I couldn't leave anything out! I am so grateful that Lani took the time to share her journey and also give us insight into the world of fostering & adoption. I have no doubt that you are going to absolutely love Lani because she is truly a badass mom. As always, I encourage you to check out her social media and websites for all her goodies! Lani's Links:Personal: Blog: https://allmygoodthings.comInstagram: https://instagram.com/allmygoodthingsblogFREE Adoption & Foster Care Resource: https://allmygoodthings.com/adoption Article "Stop saying, "I don't know how you do it"https://allmygoodthings.com/2019/10/please-stop-telling-me-i-dont-know-how-you-do-it/ Coaching:https://lanijackson.com - FREE Strategy & Priorities Guidebook https://lanijackson.com/work-with-me/ - book a FREE "mini" Brain Bursthttps://instagram.com/lanijacksoncoachingAnd if we're not already IG friends, please come join me over there: _badassmomsclub

Welcome back badass moms! I am SO excited to be back on the podcast with you. Season 1 was absolutely incredible and I cannot wait to share all the amazing guests & solo episodes I have lined up for this season.To kick things off, I have the very handsome Emmanuel back on the show today as we are chatting about our first year of parenthood. For those of you that don't know who Emmanuel is, he is my boyfriend of five years and Esmé's father. Today we are chatting about:- what was great & what we didn't like about our first year of parenthood- things we would have done differently- things we've learned- social media and parenting - comparing yourself to others & mental health This episode is amazing and such a great way to kick off Season 2!As always, I would love if you could subscribe, rate & review the podcast. And if you haven't already, please come join me on Instagram so we can keep the conversation going: _badassmomsclub

Buckle up badass moms because this is the LAST guest episode of Season 1 and it's awe-maze-ing (seriously though, it's everything I would ever want to say...said by an amazing woman!). Today's episode features badass mom Kayla McCaul. Kayla lives in Portland, Oregon with her two daughters (8 & 4 years old) and husband. Her and her husband have been pivoting in careers for about five years now as they find what works best for them. At the time of recording this episode Kayla wasn't able to share her latest news (as you'll hear at the end of the episode) but I am super excited to announce that she is officially a licensed real estate agent in her town! Go mama!Kayla & I chat about SO many amazing things that are common themes you hear me talk about. We chat about: - transitioning from being the primary caretaker to working full-time and husband taking over more - the ups & downs of that - lessons learned from going from a business owner to working under a company again - the mom guilt that came with going back to work full-time- how her autoimmune disease was worse when she was at home with her girls- tips for having a life outside motherhood- how she overcame the mom guilt from going back to work- fostering emotional awareness in our childrenI am so jazzed to cap off our guest series in Season 1 with Kayla. Kayla is awesome (as you can hear!). As always, venture over to her Instagram to see what she has been up to as of late (and check out her adorable family). Furthermore, if you live in Portland and need a real estate agent, message Kayla!Instagram: lifeas.kaymReal Estate website: https://www.bhgre.com/Better-Homes-and-Gardens-Real-Estate-Realty-Partners-3892c/Kayla-McCaul-7510563aAs always, come hangout on my Instagram: jeshessels and don't forget to subscribe so you never miss an episode!If you're interested in the Badass Moms Inner Circle, please head on over to the website to apply: https://www.jessicahessels.com/inner-circle

As we wrap up Season 1 I wanted to say a huge THANK YOU to you. Yes YOU. You have made this journey SO incredible and I could not be more thankful that you have come along for the ride. I have learned so much about podcasting, myself, you and motherhood. I can't wait to Season 2 to come out!!Please come join me on Instagram so we can stay in touch while I take a break!Instagram: jeshessels

Today's episode features badass mom Punam Saxena. Punam has a Masters Degree in Education and is a mother to four kids who are 4.5 years apart and are now grown-up. While the kids were growing up, Punam was a stay-at-home mom and she volunteered in the kids' school. After the kids grew up and went off to college, Punam launched a podcast called edu-Me which is all about empowering parents to become partners in their child's education. In today's episode we are discussing: - bridging the gap between school/education and parents - advocating for our kids in the school system- building relationships with the teachers- how to support your kids through their school journey- quality time vs quality- life with 4 kids within 4.5 yearsAs always, pop on over to Punam's podcast and social media so you can connect with her!Instagram: theedumeFacebook: Punam Verma Saxena Website: https://www.edu-me.net/Lastly, come join the conversation on my Instagram (jeshessels) and don't forget to hit the Subscribe button here so you never miss an episode.

Today's episode is the ultimate parenting handbook to get you through your pregnancy and first year of baby's life! It's what everyone has ever wanted. Get ready, buckle up because I'm about to drop some awesome information on you.

Trigger Warning: This episode contains conversations on sensitive topics such as abuse, infidelity & miscarriage. Today's episode features a badass mom who has requested to stay anonymous due to the sensitive nature of the conversation. Even though this mom wants to stay anonymous, this conversation is amazing nonetheless and you will quickly learn how strong and badass this mom is!In this episode we will discuss:1. What it was like having a baby at 20 years old & the hardships that came with that2. Being in an abusive relationship & the infidelity that took place3. How this mom left the relationship & healed herself 4. Finding love again & becoming a step-mom5. Having a baby at 35 years old & the differences & similarities to having a baby at 20. This episode is full of ups and downs but ultimately leaves you on a high note as this mom gives her advice for other women in similar situations and gives us hope that there is a bright future after abuse. If you are experiencing abuse or know someone who is, please reach out to the local women's shelter in your area for assistance. Please also know that you are not alone & in no way, shape or form is the abuse your fault. As always, please take a moment to subscribe so you don't miss an episode and rate/review so I can see your thoughts!Please also come join me on Instagram so we can keep the conversation going: jeshessels

This episode actually has no advice on whether you should send your kids back to school or do distanced learning. Why is that? Because the only person/people who know what is best for you & your family or what your options are is you and your family. Not me. Not your neighbour. Not your mom. Not the school board. You & your family. I know this decision has to be made relatively soon as September is right around the corner but I just want to say, whatever decision you do make, it is the right decision. Also, if you don't really have an options due to work or other circumstances, that's okay too!The unfortunate part is there are going to be people who judge you either way. There will be people who judge you for sending your kids to school & there will be people who judge you for doing distanced learning. There will be people who will feel that your decision is wrong and will judge you no matter what. Since there is no way to avoid this, try your best to stand by your decision and know it is the best decision you could make. But give yourself the grace and space and trust in yourself that you are making the best decision possible. Times are unprecedented right now. For the first time in our lives parents are having to make a huge decision on what risks were willing to take based on our physical health, mental health & financially...all at once. If need be, talk it out with your family, friend or someone else that you trust. Get their opinion or have them just listen but remember, ultimately, your decision is the best one there is! You do need to feel guilty or like a bad mom at all!So, like I said before, there is no one right answer here and there is no wrong answer at all. Trust yourself mama! You got this.

I'm a bit nervous to talk about this but I feel like it needs to be discussed so it can be normalized. As someone who consumes marijuana, I feel like there is still so much stigma around it and those who consume it. In today’s episode I want to talk about:1. Marijuana;2. Why people consume it;3. What types of people consume it; and4. How there shouldn’t be any stigma attached to being a marijuana consumer. So, lets talk about marijuana itself and the two main components of it: THC and CBD THC = is the main component in weed that gets you high CBD = does not get you high but still boasts many benefitsMarijuana can be consumed in many forms: smoking, vaping, eating, drinking & extracts Why would someone consume marijuana? The reasons differ from person to person and can range from recreational, to medical to spiritual. And the benefits of consuming THC or CBD cannabis range from reducing nausea, pain management and help with chronic pain, reduce headaches and menstrual cramps, muscle spasms, relaxation, increased awareness, increased libido, aid in meditation, anxiety, depression, ADHD and more. So why is there so much stigma around consuming marijuana as a mom? People still widely view marijuana as a drug and drugs are bad People think that if a mom indulges or consumes marijuana, she is high all the time and cant be a good parent People think it’s a bad example for their kids So these reasons make it taboo still for a mom to consume marijuana but yet its socially acceptable for moms to drink wine. Wine o’clock is a very real thing and it's almost a right of passageway into becoming a mom. But in the same way a mom who drinks wine isn't always drunk and she's not always drinking, a mom who consumes marijuana is not always smoking and is not always high. We wouldn’t shame a mom for having a glass or two or three of wine. We wouldn’t shame a mom who says she likes to have a bath to unwind. Or have half a cake after a hard day. We don’t shame moms for these things yet we still do it for moms who consume weed.And I just really want to break down the barriers of this by sharing my own story. I would love to see motherhood culture normalize moms consuming marijuana in the same way we have normalized and encouraged moms to drink.As always, I would love to continue this conversation over on Instagram or email. Instagram: jeshesselsWebsite: www.jessicahessels.comDISCLAIMER- As mentioned in the podcast, these views and ideas are solely my own and are not intended to provide parenting advice or suggestions on the use of substances while parenting. Child safety is paramount and it is a parents responsibility to ensure the safety and wellbeing of their child. Children are required to have a sober care provider at all times. If you have questions regarding substance use while caring for children, please connect with your local child welfare agency.

Hey mama - you are not alone!I know motherhood can feel & be REALLY lonely at many points. I know we can feel like we're the only one's going through what we're going through. But let me tell you - you are not alone, you really are not. So many moms are going through what you're going through.So many moms feel the same way as you do.Some many moms are thinking what you're thinking.You are not alone. It takes a village.It takes a village to support a mom. And guess what?!There is a whole community of moms who wants to surround you. There is a whole community of moms who want to support you, empower you, let you know you're doing an amazing job. You got this mama, you really do. And just know deep down inside that you are not alone.As always, I'm sending you a big virtual hug & lots of love. If you want to feel a little less alone, come join me on Instagram where we can support each other - jeshessels

I am so excited about today's episode as I have two wonderful guests on the show, Brenda and Kristi, who go by the hilarious yet awesome name "Disorderly Blondes".Brenda lives in Pembroke Pines, Florida. She is a wife to Lawrence and a mother to Dylan (17) and Oliver (11). Dylan is on the autism spectrum and Oliver has a genetic duplication. Brenda also works as a freelancer in design, is a writer and the host of the Disorderly Blondes podcast with Kristi.Kristi lives in Jupiter, Florida. She is married to Tim and a mother to JR (15) and Jackson (13). JR is on the autism spectrum and Jackson is neurotypical. Kristi also is a writer and the host of the Disorderly Blondes podcast with Brenda. This episode is FULL of gold nuggets as we discuss:1. What it's like being a mom to special needs children;2. How they processed the autism diagnosis;3. What treatments & therapies they tried;4. Their biggest struggles as parents;5. What they wish people would stop saying to them;6. How they cope with the demands of being a special needs parent;7. What they love about being moms, and8. Advice for other parents in similar situations as them. This episode is both educational and funny as Brenda and Kristi take us on the ups and downs of being a mom to special needs children (and how wine is involved). I highly encourage you to check them out on social media & head on over to their podcast to learn more!Instagram: disorderlyblondesFacebook: Disorderly Blondes Autism PodcastPodcast/website: https://disorderlyblondes.com/Etsy: https://www.etsy.com/shop/DisorderlyBlondesAs always, if you liked this episode please take a quick moment to subscribe, rate & review - it really means the world to me!And make sure to come join me on Instagram where more conversations are happening: jeshessels

Today's episode is a little different than our usual Simple Saturday's and that's because I need to hold myself accountable. I talk a lot about doing the things that make us feel fulfilled, fill our cup and make us happy so that we can, in return, be better & more present moms. I am here today to tell you that I have not being doing those things. In fact, I've been treating myself like an a**hole. I have been the biggest jerk to myself. For the past couple months I have been eating terribly, I have been on social media for hours everyday and I haven't been meditating or journaling. I have not been doing anything for self-care and in fact, I have been doing the opposite. This is really getting to me. I haven't been sleeping properly, I'm always tired, my mind races a lot, I'm constantly distracted & can't focus. But I made a decision to stop! I jumpstarted this by doing a 60-hour water fast in order to hit the reset button. Beyond that, I have committed myself to the following: 20 minutes of movement, maximum of 2 hours on social media and reading of 15-20 pages of a personal development book everyday.I wanted to share this with you because I know it's easy to talk-the-talk but it is harder to walk-the-walk. I have fallbacks and slip-ups as well but the important piece is that I always get back up and get back into the swing of things. And let me tell you, I already feel SO much better!So, if you've also been feeling unfulfilled and like you've fallen off a bit, then I encourage you to join me in these coming weeks of picking 1-3 things that you know will make you feel happy & fulfilled. Then start implementing them TODAY!Join me on Instagram so we can chat & hold each other accountable: jeshessels

Today's episode is one for the books as I have dad, Gareth Nock, on the show. Gareth is quite an incredible man but he isn't afraid to tell it like it is. Gareth is originally from the UK but now lives in Toronto. Gareth works in the fitness industry, is a podcaster and is also a husband and dad to his cute three year old. Today's episode is full of gold nuggets! We discuss:1. How dads need to step up, get more involved in all of the journey and be vulnerable2. How dads need to advocate for themselves3. Dads are not babysitters - they are parents4. Parenting is a 24/7 job - not a full-time job5. Dads need to own their life and take responsibility 6. How we should be asking for consent from our children for hugs and kissesBuckle up because this episode is not only amazing but also really honest and vulnerable. As always, go follow Gareth on Instagram at: gareth_nock_fitness And definitely check out his new podcast called We As Difference Makers, Start Talking

Hey mama! Are you and your partner feeling a little bit (or a lot) disconnected lately? Or maybe you two are doing great but you want to connect more. Either way - I hear you! Today's episode is all about connecting more with your partner in an easy way. Enter...The 5 Love Languages. The 5 Love Languages is a book written by Gary Chapman. Chapman explains that there are 5 ways to express and receive love: words of affirmation, physical touch, acts of service, quality time & receiving gifts. According to Chapman, we all have a top love language and a secondary love language. These are the ways in which we like to receive love. This is really important stuff mama because if you or your partner are not receiving love in the way in which you prefer, you may end up feeling unloved, disconnected, like something is wrong in your relationship and more. So, what do we do? First step is to find out what you and your partner's love languages are! If you don't have time to read the book, you can pop on over to the website and take the short quiz: https://www.5lovelanguages.com/quizzes/After finding out your love languages, have an open conversation with your partner about the ways in which you both like to have your love tank filled based on your love language. Then....do it! And do it regularly. The more often we can fill our partners love tank...the more connected and loved they will feel - and vice versa!You will be amazed at how fast you can see your relationship become stronger, more connected and more loving overall.And to all the single mamas out there, you can still do this! Your love tank also needs to be filled so knowing your love language is important so that you can have your love tank filled by friends, family, or yourself!Make sure you come join me on Instagram and let me know what your love language is!My Instagram is: jeshessels

Welcome back badass moms! I am so excited to have you here for this gold-nugget, super juicy, amazing episode with the lovely Tamra Andress. Tamra is from Virginia Beach and she is a fellow passionista, mompreneur, host of the Fit in Faith podcast, a mom of 2 beautiful children and wife to her lucky husband of 8 years!In today's episode, Tamra and I dive into fostering emotional awareness in kids, mom guilt, taking on too much, finding alignment in our lives, communication strategies for couples, why we all need therapy and to cap the episode off, Tamra talks about her faith-based journey with God. You will quickly hear how amazing Tamra is as she takes us through some hardships in her life as well as shares mom-hacks we can all use!As always, you can check Tamra out here:Instagram: tamra.andressFacebook: Tamra Leigh AndressWebsite: https://tamraandress.com/Podcast: Fit in FaithIf you haven't already, come join me on Instagram so we can continue the conversation: jeshessels

If you're anything like me, you may find yourself stuffing yourself into clothes that's a teeny tiny bit too small. We do this because we don't want to admit that we've gained weight, or we think that by buying a bigger size means we have somehow failed ourselves, or if we buy a bigger size we'll become comfy and not want to lose the weight we've put on. I'm here to tell you today - buy & wear the clothes that fits you. You will feel 100x better. You won't feel gross. Or like your jeans are coming undone all the time. It's ok to have gained weight. It's ok to need a bigger size. It doesn't mean anything at all! All it means is that your body is in a season where it needs a different size than what's in your closet. And you shouldn't punish yourself for that by wearing clothes that are too small and make you feel worse.So, buy the size that fits you. Rock the clothes knowing you look amazing. And feel great!

Let's be honest here - motherhood is not all rainbows and sunshine. There are aspects of it that are sad, maddening, heartbreaking and that I hate. That is why this week's episode is 20 things I hate about motherhood. My hopes in sharing these things is that you will feel a little less shitty for hating aspects of your motherhood journey too. We all have aspects we don't like so we might as well be open and honest about them!In this episode I share things like my belly pouch, pregnancy, knowing there is no "off" switch to being a mom, having little quality time with Emmanuel, feeling chronically tired and losing what feels like 3/4 of my hair. I would love it if you popped on over to my Instagram and shared what things you hate about motherhood...this way we can all feel better! As always, my Instagram is jeshessels

Just a quick reminder that YOU are crushing motherhood!

Apparently a lot of you really want to know how E & I met and started dating because this episode comes highly requested! Well, wait no further as this episode will go through how we met, the 1.5 year journey from meeting to dating, the ups and downs along the way, the reservations we had about dating and how E officially asked me out. To cap the episode off, I chat about the most asked question: are we ever getting married? I share my thoughts on marriage, whether or not we will get married and how not being married brings a lot of judgment. Buckle up because this episode has lots of highs and lows and ends with me crying. As always, please rate & review if you liked this episode and come hangout with me on Instagram: jeshessels

O the struggles of being a parent...you're the mom, you're the authority figure, you're the one responsible for these small humans but getting them to listen to you is a full-time job!Getting our kids to listen to us can be such a power struggle. It can result in the kids throwing tantrums, ignoring us, or blatantly doing exactly what we told them not to do. We become frustrated, annoyed and sometimes we give up or give in. So how the heck do we get them to do what we say? We have to give them choice & autonomy to make their own decisions! Yes, let them decide. Kids want to feel like they are making their own decisions (I mean, don't we all?). Kids want to feel like they have options (I mean, don't we all?). Kids want to feel heard (I mean, don't we all?). Kids want to feel as if their voice and opinion matters (I mean, don't we all?). Kids want choices & the autonomy to decide.So, next time you go to say "no", "don't do that", "you can't do that", "you must do this", rephrase your words to give them a choice. Instead of: "Bedtime is 8pm and you must be go to bed then".Say this: "You can go to bed any time you like as long as it's before 8". Now they have choice and can make their own decision!Trust me, kids really want to feel heard, respected & that their opinion is valuable. Giving them the options to make their own decisions is a great way to do this. As always, make sure you hit subscribe and come check out the Badass Moms Club on Instagram: jeshessels

Join me on today's episode where guest, Alesia Galati, tells her full story (for the very first time!) of growing up in a cult with her mom and siblings. Alesia and I chat about how they ended up in the cult, what the cult was like, things that took place there, how she managed to leave, life after the cult and her healing process. This episode is full of ups and downs as Alesia shares the good and bad of the cult and how much it has impacted her as an adult. As you will hear from the episode, Alesia is such a wonderful woman and her story is full of empowering lessons that remind us that our past does not have to be our future. I am so grateful that Alesia picked the Badass Moms Club to share her full story for the first time. Alesia also has a podcast with her sister where they chat about cults. Her podcast is called Two Sisters and a Cult (pssttt...you need to check it out!!). Speaking of podcasts, Alesia is also a podcast producer and helps other aspiring podcasters to launch their own podcast!Instagram for podcast production: alesia.galatiInstagram for Two Sisters and a Cult: twosisterscultFacebook: Alesia GalatiListen to Two Sisters and a Calt: https://www.twosisterscult.com/Are you an aspiring podcaster? Check out Alesia's podcast program here: http://alesiagalati.com/launch-your-podcast-group/Want to connect with me on Instagram: jeshessels

Releasing your mom guilt is actually a lot easier than you think! Before we dive into my top strategy for this, it's important to know that there are two types of mom guilt:1. The first type of mom guilt is valid guilt. This is informative & constructive as its signals to us that we're behaving in a way that is out of alignment with our values or intentions.When we are experiencing valid guilt it's important to lean into this and listen to it.So for example, if you value minimal TV watching you may experience valid guilt if your child has watched a lot of TV. The validity of this guilt is that watching excessive TV is out of alignment with your values so those two things are butting heads. At this point, the way to release the mom guilt would be at to act in a way that is aligned with your values, which means not letting your child watch as much TV again.2. The second type of mom guilt is unfounded guilt. This guilt arises from perfectionism or any number of unrealistic measurements or standard we've internalized. These expectations lead us to feeling unfounded guilt about any number of things.So using the TV example again, unfounded guilt would occur if your mom comments on how much your child watches TV and that makes you feel guilty because you feel like you are being a bad mom, even though watching TV doesn't go against your values.Generally speaking, unfounded guilt comes from outside sources such as friends, family, social media, doctors, society and so forth. Even when we feel like the mom guilt has come from ourselves internally, when we look further at the root causes of the mom guilt it most likely is still coming from an outside source that we have masked as an internal source.The great news is the majority of mom guilt is unfounded!So, how do we release unfounded mom guilt? Get clear on what you value as a mom, as a woman, as a family and in your life as a whole.When you're not clear on what you value & what's important to you, you end up living your life partially based on how you think you should be living it & partially based on how those around (friends, family, society, media) you think you should be living it.When you are super clear on what's important to you, how you want your life to look like & what you value it is so much easier to quiet the noise around you and not internalize other people's opinions!

Today's episode is a meditation / breathe work activityThis activity is really beneficial for slowing your heart rate down, reducing stress, allowing you take 10 minutes to yourself and beyond that, will have you feeling a little bit more calm and empowered in yourself. Pop this episode on when you're feeling anxious, emotional, overtired, angry, annoyed, short-tempered or just need a few quiet minutes alone. Before we begin, find a comfy place to either sit or lay down, close your eyes, focus on your breathing & let my voice guide you.

Today's episode dives deep into the taboo topic of breastfeeding vs. formula feeding. I share my journey of breastfeeding, pumping & ultimately formula feeding. I talk about the impact of breastfeeding and pumping on my mental health, why I switched to formula & the overall effects of making the transition. Lastly, I talk about my biggest tip for releasing mom guilt: getting very clear on what you value in your life. Ultimately, I hope this episode shines light on why it's more important about how you feel during feeding rather than the actual method of feeding your baby. There is no one right way to feed your baby despite how much breastfeeding is still pushed in today's society. As always, I would love it if you subscribed, rated & reviewed the podcast on the platform you listen. I would also love it if you joined me on Instagram so we can keep the conversation going! My instagram handle is: jeshessels

I have chatted a few times on my IG about the 10-minute clean and every time I do, someone messages me to say they tried it and liked it! So, in this episode I am going to share the secrets to my 10-minute clean (which make it sound WAY cooler than it really is). Let me preface this by saying this is just what works for me and it’s super simple! No, it’s not a deep clean but it’s something you can do on a consistent basis to keep the house from looking like a bomb went off The 10-minute clean is literally what it sounds like – 10 minutes of cleaning! Here are some tips to make it super effective though: Put a timer on – this is important! You can pick any amount of time you wish but make sure to actually put the timer on.Focus on the disaster zones – play room, kitchen, kids room.Move, move, move! This isn't a stroll in the park – you want to move quickly. Pick tasks that you can move through quickly and will make a big difference – for example, you’re not going to do a deep bathroom clean but you can pick up clothes, tidy up the vanity, and do a quick sweep. Same with the kitchen – it's unlikely you'll plow through all your dishes but you can get them all in the sink, wipe off the counters and table, and start on the dishes. Get the kids involved. Make it a game. If your kids get an allowance, you can pay them for each toy or clothing they pick up. Pick however much money you feel comfortable with but you can do something like 0.25 a toy/clothing. If they don’t get an allowance, you can pay them in time – 30 seconds of tv or (whatever their preferred thing is) for each toy/clothing they pick up.Do this often. Since this isn't a deep clean and we all know things get out of hand quickly, you’ll want to do this daily. I like to do it 2x a day – once earlier in the morning and once before bed. It's nice to wake up to a relatively tidy home! This is also something you can do if your kids are playing on their own for a few minutes, while you’re waiting for dinner or if you’re waiting to leave the house ….do a 5-minute clean - it all adds up.As always, please come join me over on Instagram - jeshessels and let me know how the 10-minute clean goes for you!

This special Father's Day episode features none other than Emmanuel. If you're new around here, Emmanuel is my boyfriend and the father of Esmé. We dive into his thoughts & feelings when we found out we were pregnant, what it was like for him during the labour & delivery of Esmé, triumphs and challenges he has faced along the way and the importance of continuing to fill his own cup so he can show up as the best version of himself for Esmé. This episode was really special for me because I really value & appreciate Emmanuel as a dad and as a partner. It was amazing to hear him talk about his journey and to also empower other dads to really be the best they can be. Just as a side note, I reference two previous episodes during our chat: Episode 3: No One Tells You...How Having a Baby Changes Your Relationship With Your PartnerEpisode 4: Esmé's Birth StoryHead on over to those episodes if you haven't listened to them and want to check them out.Lastly, the Father's Day Giveaway for the $50 gift card for a hair cut is running until Saturday, June 20 @ 11:59pm EST. If you're interested in being entered, please head on over to my Instagram and enter on the Giveaway post. My Instagram is: jeshessels

On today's episode of Mama Meditation we are going to take a few minutes to slow down and breathe. The breath is a powerful tool that can relax us, clear our mind, improve our mind, slow our heartbeat down & energize us. I encourage you to take a few minutes to slow down and breathe.

Before we even begin, I want to note that this episode is geared towards white parents with white children. Yes, a lot of what is said can be applied to other races & mixed races but those conversations will also look/sound differently as there would be conversations around being on the receiving end of racism & all that it encompasses (i.e. systematic racism etc), discrimination and more. The conversation around race & racism has to start at home. Firstly, we need to start with ourselves by looking inward at all the things we've been taught, led to believe, think, feel and say around race and racism. I recently posted an episode talking about this as well as listing resources for further education & reflecting. You can listen to Episode 26 here. Once we have a better understanding of our own shadows and the areas we need to unlearn, learn & reflect on, we can then start focusing on our children. The sooner we start these conversations and role modelling appropriate behaviour...the better. But don't be worried if your children are older as it's never (ever ever ever) too late. In today's episode we are going to cover the following:1. The thoughts & feelings babies and kids have around race & racism based on their age2. Age appropriate conversations to have with our kids to help educate them on race and racismOverallThese are the key points to remember:Keep the dialogue open foreverFoster a relationship where your children feel comfortable asking questionsListen to your kidsRemember: it's a journey. You will make mistakes & that's ok. Be open & honest when you do and keep pushing forwardModel the behaviour you are teaching your kidsLook inwards - the best place to start is with yourself!If you wish to connect further on this topic, please message me on Instagram so we can chat! My IG is: jeshessels

These past few weeks have been heavy on the world but also very eye-opening. As news surfaced about the killing of George Floyd by cops in Minneapolis, a white woman wrongly calling the police on Christian Cooper in New York, Breonna Taylor and David McAtee being fatally shot by cops in Louisville, and Regis Korchinski-Paquet being killed by cops in Toronto, white people have started to really wake-up to the fact that racism is alive and well in the world, something black people and other races have never had the chance of forgetting. People around the world have spoken up about racism and how we, especially as white, privileged people, need to do and be better at being anti-racist and allies to the black community. This is taking place on social media, talking to their friends and family, by protesting, by looking inwards at themselves and more. But what will come of all of this? Will there be real, tangible change? Will we still speak up when this has all died down? Will we continue to listen and learn when it's no longer "trendy"? Time will tell but we can do so much to make tangible change.I truly believe that if we have any chance at really changing the way in which we think, feel, talk & believe about other races, we need to look internally. We need to assess ourselves. Understand what things we think and believe that we may not be currently aware of. We need to unpack the years of racism that has been embedded into our society, culture, education, media (and more) so stealthily that we don't even know it's there. Unpack the blatantly obvious racism that has been present in our lives that we have chosen to ignore. Once we have a better understanding of our own thoughts, feelings and beliefs, we can do better as a person and better educate those around us. This isn't about perfection. This isn't about checking a box. This isn't about getting to a point where we are fully anti-racist...because that may not exist.This is about showing up, listening, learning, and reflecting. This is about being consciously aware that racism is so embedded into our lives that we have to be actively trying to unlearn all the things we've learned through our whole life. This is about knowing we are going to mess up. We are going to get it so so so wrong. We are going to say and do the wrong things and we have keep trying. We have to be open to messing it all up, be open to learning why we are messing up and then go take what we learned and do better next time.However you decide to go about doing this is up to you but I urge you to at least seek out resources to help you better understand your thoughts, feelings, beliefs, privilege and more. If you have any questions or want to have an open discussion about what you're thinking, feeling and believing, please message me. I by no means have all (or even remotely close to all) of the answers but I am always here to listen and help unpack all of this and learn as well. To see the list resources I am talking about in the episode, please visit: https://www.jessicahessels.com/post/dear-white-friendsTo connect with me to further talk about this, please visit me on Instagram at: jeshessels

This is one of the most commonly used phrases in the motherhood world: "I don't have time for myself". I'm here to tell you (as many times as necessary) that this doesn't have to be your reality but what we do need to do is accept that we are in control of our own lives and we have to become very on what it is we want our lives to look like. From there, we can create actionable steps to implement those things into our lives. Grab a pen & paper because we're going to start writing out our dream life:1. We need to figure out exactly what "taking time for ourselves" means. Start writing down exactly what you want. I.e. read a book regularly, go for walks, see your friends, go back to work. 2. Write down how often you want to do these activities. Be specific. 3. Organize your list from most important to least. 4. Take the top 1-2 things and write down exactly what would need to happen to make those a reality. Do you need to get up earlier? Stay up later? Hire a babysitter? Save money? Organize your time better? 5. Take action!It seems more doable and less daunting once we are very clear on what we want to do! The reality is though, "I don't have time" excuse...you are choosing that situation because if you haven't sat down, written down exactly what you want to do and followed through on the action steps, you haven't even tried yet. No, it won't be easy. Yes, it will take planning, strategizing & juggling BUT it is SO worth it, it really is. It's worth having a life you love & fulfills you...even if it takes work. So, buckle up mama. Strap on your thinking cap, grab your pen and paper, start writing...and then start taking action. If you're stuck on the activity, still feel like it's not possible or just need a cheerleader, reach out to me on Instagram & I will gladly help you along. My instagram is: jeshessels

I am so excited for today's episode as it's all about Myers-Briggs and personality types with badass mom Sandra Etherington. We chat about what Myers-Briggs and personality types are, how knowing our personality types can help us understand the world and how this can positively impact our role as parents. Sandra also dives deep into the importance of working with a professional when learning about your personality type and how knowing our personality type earlier in life may prevent us from career hopping.Buckle up moms because this episode is full of gold nugget information!If you wish to learn more about Myers-Briggs/personality types or want to work with Sandra, please check her social media, website and podcast below!Instagram: familypersonalitiesFacebook: Family PersonalitiesWebsite: www.familypersonalities.comPodcast: Family Personalities----------As mentioned in the episode, I am hosting a workshop "Release Your Mom Guilt" on June 9 @ 7:30pm via Zoom. Please check out my website if you're interested in learning more or attending!Website: https://jeshessels.wixsite.com/mysite-1I would love to see you there!