Confessions of a Super Mom Wannabe

Jessica Patay is a mother, wife, and advocate/cheerleader for Special Needs Mothers.  Because Jessica is passionate about serving, mentoring, and inspiring other Special Needs Moms, she launched and leads a non-profit organization called We Are Brave Together.  WABT provides resources, respite, support groups, mentoring and inspiration for moms caring for children or adult children, any age, with any diagnosis, disability or challenge. She believes in the power of gathering to empower, strengthen and uplift moms in their unique, diverse and difficult journeys.   Jessica calls herself a girlfriend's girlfriend, and we talk about building community, taking care of yourself and other in the midst of overwhelm, and how to even start identifying what we need.   She has such encouragement and wisdom for all of us, no matter what we're going through or what stage we are in.

I'm playing an oldie but goodie. Way back in episode number 6, I talked with the founder and CEO of my favorite jewelry company, Charity Craig. Since then, Charity has become a confidante, an ally, we've even gone into business together.  Charity offers so much more than beautiful, inspirational jewelry. She offers women an olive branch to tell them they're not alone in even their darkest struggles.  I just love this woman, and I know you will too after hearing her story of rebuiling herself when her world fell apart.

Katie Peterson, a domestic engineer, mom of seven, and meal planning genius is the smiling face of Kate’s Creative Kitchen. As a dietitian, she loves to create healthy food (and sometimes not so healthy food) on a budget... calling it Frugalicious! Katie has been teaching others how to make meal planning a successful habit for their families for over 15 years.   I adore Kate's realness and humor. We talked about how to manage meal planning so it's not so overwhelming!

My "fancy" bar is set really, really low. 

Okay, if your littles are around and you're not quite ready to talk about the baby dance, this might be an episode to put in the earbuds or listen when they're not around. While the topic is healthy and clean, this is your warning. Cindy Scharkey is a health care professional leading educational conversations about sexual health. She is passionate about breaking the silence surrounding women’s sexuality and empowering parents with knowledge and confidence to be their child’s sexual health educator. She is married to the love of her life, and they have three adult daughters. Cindy offers sex education and resources through her newsletter, blog and the Permission for Pleasure podcast. Through her workshops and private consultations, she is on a mission to provide the comprehensive sex education that every woman needs. Cindy gives us a survival guide for how to talk to our kids about this subject that can feel scary, overwhelming, and awkward. It's more than just about the Birds and the Bees which, Cindy feels strongly we should abolish that term. She helps us to be prepared for the inevitable questions that will come, how to feel emboldened not to shy away from them, and the HUGE favor we can do for our daughters by talking openly about sex and pleasure.   FACEBOOK COMMUNITY: www.facebook.com/groups/wannabenation   INSTAGRAM: www.instagram.com/thesupermomwannabe   SHOW NOTES: http://supermompodcast.com/cindy 

We need more help to keep up with our busy culture. But I refuse to do THIS...

Bethany Adkins is a former Pediatric Nurse turned stay-at-home mom who has been so passionate about reading and writing that she finally decided to pursue it full time. She encourages her audience at www.theadkinshighlightREAL.com, is the host of The Millennial Mission Podcast, she's writing her first book, and working on releasing her first online course. The core of her message is one simple thing: you have a purpose. Alongside her husband, Corey, they desire to help people step into their God-given purpose. They aim to break the stigmas of millennials and challenge them to rise up as an example for future generations.   Bethany and I tackle the subject of faith and how to teach our kids about it. Regardless of who or what you believe in, faith plays a role in so much of our lives. I believe that we all have faith in something, and we all have personal values that we want to pass on to our kids.   Coming from a very legalistic - like, a lot of rules - Christian background, I don’t want my kids to live under fear or to believe things just because that’s what I believe. It’s tough and challenging, but I really just want them to feel inspired to believe in something bigger and more powerful than themselves.    No matter your religious background, I think we all have similar goals as parents. But how do we even start the  conversation of faith with our kids? How do we teach them or be an example to them? Bethany and I have some thoughts.   Be sure to check out Bethany’s “My Why” journal at bethanyadkins.com/mywhyjournal or you can find it in the show notes at supermompodcast.com

I turn into a crazy person before we leave for a vacation of any length...

Lauren Ellman is a published author + podcast host. In her podcast, on her blog, and in her upcoming book, she explores the intersection of mental health and social media use. She's decided to take a trial and error approach to self-help and shares her insights through her writing. She is a mom, stepmom, fur mom, and wife.  Today we dig into normalizing mental health, how we can help each other, but mostly how we can help OURSELVES. How do we care for ourselves in times of anxiety and depression? How do we talk about it and advocate for ourselves? It's truly a meaningful, rich conversation. If you or someone you love is struggling or has struggled with anxiety and depression, please listen and share. We could all use Lauren's words of encouragement. FACEBOOK COMMUNITY: www.facebook.com/groups/wannabenation INSTAGRAM: www.instagram.com/thesupermomwannabe SHOW NOTES: http://supermompodcast.com/lauren

I nearly PANICKED when this happened last week... This confession session is my most embarrassing one yet! 

Ashley Carbonatto is a domestically underachieving mom-of-three who juggles all the things. She’s a gatherer of people, a welcomer to the outsider, a storyteller to the tired, and an entertainer to the downcast. After leaving a successful career, she re-discovered her voice and renewed purpose in motherhood, but in her own unconventional way. You need homemade frosting? She’s not the one you call. But you need a good story, honest reflection, and a sister in the trenches? Ashley’s your woman. She lives in Washington with her husband & three minions, and always has a bottle of wine to pop open for anyone who stops by.   She’s written a book called More than a mom, and if you know me at ALL, you know I’m passionate about that statement.   It’s so easy to feel like we have to fit into a certain mold when we become moms, and Ashley is here to bust all those myths. From the advice she wishes she had as a new mom, to how we can leave a legacy for our kids, this conversation just felt effortless and like it was two friends catching up on the meaning of life.   Grab Ashley's book on Amazon !

My kids are 15 and 16. I'm running out of time. 

Today I talk with Marlys Monet, a single mom of 3 (and sometimes 4). Marlys found out she was pregnant with her first child at age fifteen. After trying to deny what was happening and life as she knew it unraveling, her story is one that ends in so much hope and love.    When I first read Marlys’ story, I was so inspired by its uniqueness, and I knew I just had to talk with her.   We talk about her open adoption story from start to finish, how she overcame fear and shame in the process, and her unconventional but incredibly joyful motherhood journey.   An important takeaway from this interview for me, is how under served our teen moms are. Speaking from her own experience and how she supports teen moms today, Marlys answers the question of how we can best love and serve our teens who find themselves in a circumstance similar to the one she faced as a young girl.   I hope this interview makes you smile, and that you can just feel the light that Marlys brings to those she comes across.   FACEBOOK COMMUNITY: www.facebook.com/groups/wannabenation   INSTAGRAM: www.instagram.com/thesupermomwannabe   SHOW NOTES: http://supermompodcast.com/marlys   

I often get asked about my introverted-ness and how I can podcast and do public speaking and be awesome. I'm explaining this a bit, and a little mind trick I use when I feel socially awkward.

Okay, I know that you may or may not be on TikTok or maybe you think it’s just for kids. It’s not. I LOVE TIkTok, and one of the first accounts I started following is called The Yeet Baby. To put it simply, it’s a bunch of videos of a one year old named Marleigh, who does fun things with her uncle…and it brings joy to literally millions of people.   I wanted to know about the mom behind this baby-gone-viral, so I reached out to Marleigh’s mom Alexandra to find out what it’s like when your baby goes viral, her reactions, how she deals with negative comments from mean strangers on the internet, and how she handles her baby’s fame.    FACEBOOK COMMUNITY: www.facebook.com/groups/wannabenation   INSTAGRAM: www.instagram.com/thesupermomwannabe   SHOW NOTES: http://supermompodcast.com/yeet 

Tune in to find out the unconventional way we connect with our fifteen-year-old son. I'm not necessarily proud of it, but I'd do it again.

Did your relationship with your partner change when you had kids? Even if you didn’t realize it, it probably did. It can be hard to notice and especially difficult to adjust our relationship and keep the romance alive when our entire being revolves around learning how to keep tiny humans alive.   That’s where Catherine O’Brien comes in. Catherine is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and the founder of HappyWithBaby.com. She knows what it’s like to be overwhelmed, out of energy, and out of ideas as a new parent. She created Happy With Baby in order for new and expecting parents to discover the advice she wishes she could have had when managing expectations of parenthood and relationships.   We talk about things that no one told us, you know, that aren’t in the pregnancy books,things that affect yourself, your relationship, and the whole extended family, and three questions we need to be asking ourselves in order to maintain healthy relationships with our partner.   Whether you have a new baby, kids in elementary school, or really any stage of parenthood, I know you’ll take something good away from my conversation with Catherine.   FACEBOOK COMMUNITY: www.facebook.com/groups/wannabenation   INSTAGRAM: www.instagram.com/thesupermomwannabe   SHOW NOTES: http://supermompodcast.com/catherine   

When your kid comes home from a friend's house and talks about all the cool stuff they have....right down to the macaroni and cheese.

Tanya Meessmann, the founder of Girl Shaped Flames, is committed to developing the most confident, courageous and self-assured generation of girls the world has ever seen. The fire she has had in her belly since a teenager has taken her from small-town in Queensland Australia, to topping her degree at Bond University, working at top-tier Advertising Agencies throughout Sydney and London on international brands such as Virgin, MasterCard, Peroni, Nokia, and McDonald’s, then across into a Film Producing career that has seen her produce 9 feature films. Now safely back in her home state of QLD, she has worked with over 3000 teenage girls, their parents and educators through powerful mentoring, inspiring events and transformative courses, specializing in confidence development for high-school girls, inspiring unique career pathways, and courageous parenting. Of course, as a mom of a teenage girl, this is close to my heart. If you don’t have teenagers or even if you don’t have daughters, Tanya has advice that is just gold to those who listen. We talk about how to instill confidence in our kids, the struggles they face, and the ultimate hard work of parenting. Tanya has a marvelous “confidence calendar” for parents to work through with their girls. 30 days of ideas on how to build confidence in your daughter. You can download that for free, here. FACEBOOK COMMUNITY: www.facebook.com/groups/wannabenation   INSTAGRAM: www.instagram.com/thesupermomwannabe   SHOW NOTES: http://supermompodcast.com/tanya 

Join me as I talk about my waffle dreams and the COVID Pandemic stuff that I hope never goes away.

Laura Hernandez is raising ten, count ‘em, TEN, children. She and her husband have added six new children to their family in the past four and a half years alone. She’s currently homeschooling five of her children, she has three with special needs, and she says they have over 20 appointments on a weekly basis. I think most of us who say we are busy, can take several seats right now.   Through all that, Laura found the time to talk with me about how she finds peace and order in her home, and the systems she has developed to keep her family running and organized, and how she’s helping other families to do the same.   FACEBOOK COMMUNITY: www.facebook.com/groups/wannabenation   INSTAGRAM: www.instagram.com/thesupermomwannabe   SHOW NOTES: http://supermompodcast.com/laura 

Confession sessions are bite-sized episodes that include my "Wannabe Confession" of the week.  This week I'm calling BS on the phrase, "enjoy them while they're little." Hop into the Facebook group and share your wannabe confession with me! facebook.com/wannabenation

In the interest of changing how we look at goals, I'm talking today about themes, mantras, intentions that I've set for this year that can be worked into any goal!  

I don't even think I'm fit to use the word "homeschooling" when I describe what happens in our household during "school" hours. Yikes.  

This week, I'm making a confession about how COVID-19 has ruined me for keeping up with one particular thing...

Today we’re talking about one of my favorite topics: The Enneagram. I’ve talked about it a little before on this podcast, but today we’re taking a deep dive, not only into what the Enneagram is, but how you can be setting goals or making your intention for the year ahead, based on your Enneagram type.   Liz Elkins Newcomer is a mom of two, and a certified Enneagram teacher, among other amazing things. Liz has over 10 years of experience with the Enneagram and teaches about it through corporate workshops, online courses and individual coaching sessions.   Liz and I talk all about the Enneagram, and she explains each number, how to figure out what type you are, and how to set your goals. I felt an immediate connection with Liz, and I hope that you can just feel her warmth, and her passion to help people learn more about themselves.   As you’re thinking about your year ahead, I highly recommend that you consider learning more about the Enneagram. It will help you immensely. Certainly connect with Liz and the resources she has to offer, to help get you started.    FACEBOOK COMMUNITY: www.facebook.com/groups/wannabenation   INSTAGRAM: www.instagram.com/thesupermomwannabe   SHOW NOTES: http://supermompodcast.com/liz

Every Friday I’ll be posting a Confession Session: A bite-sized episode where I share a real moment, a confession or a rant about something that has happened to me recently, or just things I’ve done in general, when it comes to being a mom, or just a person.   I’d love for you to hop into the Facebook group at Wannabe Nation or hit me up on Instagram at the Supermom Wannabe and tell me your confessions too!    Join the Facebook Group: www.facebook.com/wannabenation  

Okay, call me overly optimistic, but I am SO looking forward to this year. I know we still have a ways to go before the pandemic is over, but I'm choosing to believe that the worst is behind us and that the light is at the end of the tunnel. Hopefully I didn't just jinx it. It's the time of year when we're all thinking about clean slates and fresh starts. You know how much I love a good goal, and this month is all about goal setting and how to achieve them. For today's episode, I gathered a few ladies to talk about their goals that don't have anything to do with the kind that we might think we're supposed to have. I feel that so often we're inundated with messages about health, weight, and finances that we lose sight of what works best for us in our current season. Hopefully, today's conversation will get you thinking outside the box and get you excited about the season ahead. ..but not too excited, right? Like, we're gonna walk in real slow and quiet, kind of like 2021 is a sleeping toddler. FACEBOOK COMMUNITY: www.facebook.com/groups/wannabenation   INSTAGRAM: www.instagram.com/thesupermomwannabe   SHOW NOTES: http://supermompodcast.com/goals2021

Let's go WAY back in time, shall we? Back to January of 2020: back to the beginning of a new decade. Back when I was a young girl, full of hopes and dreams and literally said the words, "2020 is my year." I'm revisiting the episode of this year where I talked about my goals, and reacting to them through the lens of who I am today, in December 2020.

Today is very special. I wish I had noise makers and all of you with me, because this is the 100th episode of Confessions of a Super Mom Wannabe, and it’s a fun episode, with a special announcement that you won’t want to miss if you’re a fan of the show.

Over the next couple of weeks, I'm replaying some favorite episodes that you may have missed.   Do you follow someone on social media and feel a little like a creep because you love them and you feel like you’re friends, but they have no idea who you are? That’s Katelyn James for me, and she’s been a dream guest since before this show even started.   Katelyn James is a professional wedding photographer and entrepreneur  She’s been featured and recognized in national publications such as Professional Photographers Magazine, The Knot, Southern Living Weddings, and Southern Weddings. She teaches and coaches photographers from all over the country and internationally, and in 2015 she was named one of the “Top Ten Educators to Watch” by Rangefinder Magazine, not to mention she’s a nationally known speaker and just seems like everyone’s best friend.   Katelyn has been married to her husband Michael for almost 10 years, and they are parents to Everly (Evy), Graham, and baby James in Heaven.   I’ve been following Katelyn for a long time because I love the real life perspective of everything she has going on (as seen on Instagram). Her images are beautiful, and if you spend even just one day on her Instagram feed, you’re sure to fall in love with her family.   But back in 2018 Katelyn and Michael went through a tragic story of loss with their middle child, James. At 20 weeks they were given devastating news, and my talk with Katelyn is about the days, weeks and months following that news, their journey, and their loss.   When I describe this podcast, I use the words, finding strength in imperfection and beauty in the mess, and joy in fear and pain. Katelyn is the most beautiful illustration of all of these things. I cried when I watched them go through it online, I cried during the interview, I cried when I edited it. You can even hear me crying in the background of her talking.    This is a rich story about loss, joy, peace, community, and how James’ legacy has lived on and helped so many.   Katelyn shares the most intimate parts of her journey of loss on Instagram, and she goes into even more depth in a series of blog posts that I’ll have for you in the show notes at supermompodcast.com.    While this episode could possibly be a trigger for those who have gone through the loss of a child, Katelyn brings a joy and hope that I hope you can feel. 

This year I set an intention to read more, and with that I set a goal of reading 45 books. I don't think I've ever read more than 5 or 10 books in a whole year, but go big or go home, right? At the time of this writing and recording, I have finished 35 of my 45 books, with a month to go. I'm going to have to hustle, but I think I'm going to do it! This episode is all about how I've gotten this far in my reading: the apps that have helped me save time, read more, and save money (reading this many books gets expensive, REAL fast). I share why I read, and even my top ten favorite books (so far). Stay tuned to the show notes at supermompodcast.com/readingchallenge for a complete, updated list of the books I've read in 2020, and my favorites of the year!

Allison Carter is a Seattle mom of two and believes every occasion, big or small, deserves to be celebrated. With her business, Allison Carter Celebrates, she’s determined to help make busy moms' lives easier and way more fun; especially when it comes to celebrating life's special moments with our families. She does this with digital party and holiday celebration guides, her podcast, Memories in Moments, and with her holiday-themed monthly subscription boxes, Memories in Moments: Unwrapped. With Unwrapped, families receive beautifully curated DIY decor, crafts, activities, tabletop supplies, recipes, and more...all addressed to your kiddos and delivered straight to your door! Allison and her business has been featured in Oprah Magazine, Forbes, Better Homes and Gardens, Martha Stewart, Buzzfeed, Real Simple, and more!   I think I can speak for most of us when I say that, at one time or another as moms, we’ve all felt the pressure of trying to make moments with our kids feel special, and feel like we fall incredibly short. I know I have. Allison has some prolific advice for us when it comes to connecting with our kids.    Today we’re talking not only about how to make social distancing special for your kids during a special event, but how this holiday season might be even BETTER because of the pandemic.   FACEBOOK COMMUNITY: www.facebook.com/groups/wannabenation   INSTAGRAM: www.instagram.com/thesupermomwannabe   SHOW NOTES: http://supermompodcast.com/allison 

Brenda Lomeli is a Master Certified Life & Weight Loss Coach and Certified Holistic Nutritionist who is helping women not only lose The Last 10lbs, but is empowering them to learn more about their emotions and self-care. She's helping women lose weight but is on a mission to equip women to permanently end the weight struggle by creating empowered lives filled with purpose. 

I got together with some of my favorite funny ladies from Instagram, and we talked about the pandemic, what they're doing to cope, and if there were a Black Market just for moms, what would be in it?

As promised, I’m now giving the Democrat’s perspective of this year’s election and how it applies to us. If you haven’t already, I really strongly encourage you to go back one episode and listen to my interview with Britt Larsen, who gives the Republican view from the questions I asked.   Christina Sandhoff is a political advocate and a personal friend of mine. She has a degree in political science and has worked on local campaigns, volunteers on policy committees, and now she’s working in the office of a prospective State House Representative in Colorado.   I’ve asked Christina basically the same questions that I asked Britt last week, in hopes that you’ll get a level view of each side of the discussion. What I found very interesting are the similarities in what Christina and Britt said in response to my questions.    Again, this two-episode series is not meant to sway you one way or another, or even interject my own opinion. This is also certainly not going to turn into a political or news podcast. I just really enjoy talking with people who have different views from one another, in hopes I can get perspective on the whole story and figure out how the big picture applies to me. I definitely learned new things from each of these incredibly intelligent women, and I hope you do too.   I hope that this has inspired you, I hope that both conversations over the last two episodes have taught you something you didn’t know before. Most of all, I hope that you are inspired to take action in your local towns, cities, states and that you go out and VOTE.    FACEBOOK COMMUNITY: www.facebook.com/groups/wannabenation   INSTAGRAM: www.instagram.com/thesupermomwannabe   SHOW NOTES: http://supermompodcast.com/christinasandhoff

I know that especially right now, it’s a charged world out there. Between a pandemic, the conversation about social justice, and the sound of two Presidential candidates yelling over each other, it feels overwhelming; at least for me. I really hate talking about politics. Honestly, the confrontational feel of it all just makes me want to crawl under my bed and stay there until the election is over.   I know social media has a lot of definitive opinions out there. I know that we can be conditioned not to talk about these things. I certainly don’t feel smart enough to even broach the subject.   That’s why, over the next two episodes, I’m talking with two women who are much smarter than me. I’ll be asking the same questions to each woman, and one will be giving me the Republican perspective, the other, the Democrat perspective.     I have to stress that this is not to endorse a certain candidate or voting philosophy. My hope is to inspire you to dig in and research the candidates and the issues that are important to you.   First up, I spoke with Britt Larsen. Britt gives us the Republican perspective and speaks from experience on Capitol Hill, and has worked closely with Congressmen, Senators, a Governor, and even helped on a Presidential campaign.    Now, Britt is a Career Coach & Creator of Livlyhood, a community for women who work, and she's a champion of women in the workplace. She hosts the Livlyhood podcast to celebrate working women and to help them find joy in their jobs. Her extensive career in public affairs prepared her to now guide working women to figure out how to get what they want and need from their careers.    Britt really emphasizes the importance of paying attention to what’s happening at your own local level, why it’s important, and how to do it.   Here is part one of two on talking about and understanding politics and the election, as it relates to us.   Remember, it’s so important to me that both sides of any argument, policy, and the political aisle are represented in this conversation,  so please remember to tune in to next week’s part two, where I talk with Christina Sandhoff, who gives us the Democrat perspective.   CHECK OUT THIS AMAZING VOTING RESOURCE: www.ballotpedia.org   FACEBOOK COMMUNITY: www.facebook.com/groups/wannabenation   INSTAGRAM: www.instagram.com/thesupermomwannabe   SHOW NOTES: http://supermompodcast.com/brittlarsen 

"Whoah,” is all I have to say about today’s guest. Just…”whoah.”    Y’all know I am passionate about women and body positivity, so when this guest reached out, I knew I had to have her on the show.   Rachel Coleman is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist with over 12 years of experience treating Eating Disorders at both an inpatient treatment center and in private practice where she focuses on guiding adolescents and women to break free from diet culture and stop evaluating their worth by the number on the scale. Rachel is a Certified Eating Disorder Specialist, has a certification of completion in Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Maternal Mental Health, and is a Certified Intuitive Eating PRO.    I wish we could have talked all day. Rachel has so much knowledge about our self-talk and the narrative about body image that’s being influenced by generations and generations of women, AND our society. We had an impactful discussion about diet culture and what it is, how we can actually VOTE for body positivity, the first step to accepting our own body, and how we can teach our daughters in the process.   You guys, I don’t think I’ve ever said this about any episode of the podcast before, but you actually owe it to yourself AND your children to listen to this episode and get plugged into the resources Rachel gives about body image and REAL health. I don’t know a single woman, size 0 to size 20, who hasn’t found something wrong with her body. We’ve got to change this.   Please listen, share with a friend, and connect with body positivity resources.   FACEBOOK COMMUNITY: www.facebook.com/groups/wannabenation   INSTAGRAM: www.instagram.com/thesupermomwannabe   SHOW NOTES: http://supermompodcast.com/bodyimage 

I’m sure by now we all know that teachers are bending over backwards trying to crush this whole distance, hybrid learning thing. If there were ever a time we need to take care of our teachers with love and alcohol, it’s now.    I really wanted to hear about learning during a pandemic from a teacher’s perspective, so today I am talking to none other than my own sixth-grade teacher, Mrs. Tina Hubrig. She has been teaching for over 20 years, and she has some compelling words to say about what both students and teachers need during these crazy times of learning.   You guys, the only way that this podcast can keep going is if it gets reviews. Please consider leaving one today, if you haven’t already. It takes about 30 seconds, and you don’t even have to stop listening to do it!

Kelsey Murphy is a Business & Life Coach working with Fortune 500 companies, like Facebook & Twitter, industry thought leaders like Marie Forleo, and my personal favorite celebrity nutritionist, Kelly LeVeque.     She's been featured in places like Forbes, Business Insider, and Huffington Post. When Kelsey's not coaching you can find her hosting the Whiskey & Work podcast giving her wise (and sometimes comical) advice on navigating the waters of business, life, and relationships.     I’ve been a fan of Kelsey’s for a while because I love her real approach to motherhood and what it means to build a dream life. So many life coaches encourage us to build businesses and be entrepreneurs, and that’s not a bad thing, but Kelsey has some gold advice for us on how to feel successful no matter what stage of life we’re in, and whether we want to build a business or not.     When I was prepping for this interview I was listening to another podcast interviewing Kelsey about a ritual she does every week that helps her build her dream life. Someone else in my office overheard and came running into my office and said: “What is that!” Send me that podcast! That is amazing! And Kelsey’s advice for us can apply no matter if you’re a new mom, an aspiring mom, or not a mom at all.     If there were ever an episode to take notes on, this one would be it…unless you’re driving, of course!   FACEBOOK COMMUNITY: www.facebook.com/groups/wannabenation   INSTAGRAM: www.instagram.com/thesupermomwannabe   SHOW NOTES: http://supermompodcast.com/kelseymurphy

I’m playing a conversation I had with my good friend, Charity Craig on her podcast. Remember her from Episode 6? Since that first interview here, Charity and I have become cherished friends.   Let’s talk about female friendship. It feels so complicated, right? It feels lonely and isolating and like we’re the only ones who don’t have their ish together, right?  I think you’ll be surprised to hear that we’re all feeling this way. Check out this rich talk between Charity and me.  

Jennifer Mackey-Mary is a wardrobe stylist who gives real style advice to real women. Over the last two decades, she’s helped thousands of women cut through the clutter in their closets, discover their style, and build wardrobes that make getting dressed fun and easy.    She’s the host of the podcast, The Everyday Style School, that teaches you everything your mom forgot to mention about style. Jennifer is passionate about raising confident daughters, female entrepreneurship, and getting every woman in America in a better bra!   Today we talk about loving your body no matter where you are or what size you’re in, and that there doesn’t need to be a connection between your style and the size you wear. How do we try new things outside of our comfort zones? She even gives us tips on what to do in a fitting room.    Jennifer also tells us what makes this the GREATEST time to be alive in terms of clothes.   FACEBOOK COMMUNITY: www.facebook.com/groups/wannabenation   INSTAGRAM: www.instagram.com/thesupermomwannabe   SHOW NOTES: http://supermompodcast.com/everydaystyle  

Maghon Taylor is a bright ray of sunshine and I’d bet my bottom dollar that she’ll make you smile BIG at least once during this episode.   Maghon is on a mission to spread happiness through her handwriting. She is a joyful wife, fun mama, and owner of All She Wrote Notes, a calligraphy and hand lettering studio based in North Carolina.   Since 2013, Maghon's cheerful collection of colorful gifts has spread smiles all across America with their encouraging words and uplifting messages.   We talk about turning mistakes and hard times into confetti, the dark times that Maghon had to go through to come to this revelation, and her mission to turn the negative parts of motherhood into positive encouragement for mamas everywhere.    If there’s one thing I hope you take away from this episode, it’s these words from Maghon: You have survived your hardest days. Write it down,  say it out loud, make your own confetti, as it were. These are hard times. But you have - and you will - survive.    Now start smiling and enjoy my talk with Maghon Taylor.     FACEBOOK COMMUNITY: www.facebook.com/groups/wannabenation   INSTAGRAM: www.instagram.com/thesupermomwannabe   SHOW NOTES: http://supermompodcast.com/maghon

I’m on track to read 45 books by the end of this year, and Jennifer Fulwiler’s book, Your Blue Flame, is at the top of this list. I can’t talk about it enough, and I was honored to be able to chat with her about it. Jen is a standup comic and the mom of six kids. After being told that there wasn’t an audience for standup comedy done by a minivan-driving woman from the suburbs, she self-produced her own tour that sold out venues. How’s that for a “just watch me” moment?    Jen and I talk about finding your passion, how to figure out what gets you all lit up inside (outside of the roles you play), and that adding joy to your life is actually a FAVOR to your family and the world around you.   If you’re looking for an amazing read that doesn’t take hours and hours, please pick up Jen’s book. Whether you want more or you just want to drop the guilt and do something that makes you feel happy, Jen has such encouragement for all of us. I seriously can’t wait to read the book again…and again!

I had the pleasure and the honor of having a conversation with my personal therapist, Sharon Hersh, about belonging. What does it mean to belong as moms? How do we handle being isolated and feeling lonely as moms?  Sharon has just released a new book called Belonging, and I encourage you to read it. Her calmness and wisdom have helped me so much. She is a special person to me; getting me through some of the darkest, and celebrating with me in the best moments of my life in recent years. FACEBOOK COMMUNITY: www.facebook.com/groups/wannabenation   INSTAGRAM: www.instagram.com/thesupermomwannabe   SHOW NOTES: http://supermompodcast.com/sharonahersh   

Have you ever had one of those rare conversations where you really connect with the other person and it just sort of, transforms you? That was the kind of talk I had with Wendi Umali 10 years ago, and it has stuck with me ever since.   Wendi was speaking with her family at an event that I was attending and something drew me to her. I ended up approaching them after the event was over and we talked for almost 2 hours. She remains someone who inspires me greatly.   We’ve kept in touch on social media over the years, and I had the opportunity to sit down with Wendi to talk about her journey as a mom of a child with a disability. Wendi’s daughter Abbey has a form of Muscular Dystrophy which results in smaller, weaker muscles.  It presented Abbey with challenges from her early childhood, but that didn’t stop her or her family.   Wendi talks about her perspective on Abbey’s diagnosis, and shows us what it looks like to turn something that could have been devastating and painful into something powerful and amazing.   Abbey became the National Ambassador for the Muscular Dystrophy Association - an organization that’s dear to my heart, and where I worked for almost 10 years.  Through this volunteer position she has rubbed elbows, sang with, and appeared on television with the likes of Kevin Bacon, LeeAnn Rhimes, Blake Shelton, Darius Rucker, and the one and only, Jerry Lewis.   Wendi shares what it was like to go through this incredible ride as Abbey’s mom.  Her words and her perspective once again inspired and encouraged me, and even if you aren’t working through the same struggles that she did, I really think you’ll find joy and peace in hearing Wendi’s words.   FACEBOOK COMMUNITY: www.facebook.com/groups/wannabenation   INSTAGRAM: www.instagram.com/thesupermomwannabe   SHOW NOTES: http://supermompodcast.com/wendi   

Michelle Glogovac is THE podcast matchmaker, PR agent, podcast producer, and host of the My Simplified Life podcast. After an 18 year career in corporate aviation, Michelle discovered her love of all things podcasting. She works with entrepreneurs and business owners to grow their businesses, and visibility while ensuring their message reaches the masses.   Michelle is a wife, mom of two, stepmom of two, and a fur mom. She has her B.A. and M.S. in Law. She resides in the Bay Area and loves to share what her favorite wines are!   Michelle and I talk about how she jumped from a life in the corporate world to promoting podcasts, after not even knowing how to listen to a podcast, just a few short years ago.   We talk about how it’s okay to be MORE than mom, and why many moms don’t go after what they want.   Whether you’re knee deep in diapers or you’re ready to make a career move, Michelle has encouragement for you today.   FACEBOOK COMMUNITY: www.facebook.com/groups/wannabenation   INSTAGRAM: www.instagram.com/thesupermomwannabe   SHOW NOTES: http://supermompodcast.com/michelleg

Jenna Korf is a certified stepfamily coach, author of the book Skirts at War: Beyond Divorced Mom/Stepmom Conflict, creator of the online community Stepmom Revolution and creator of the new mobile app for stepmoms called Stepmomz.   Jenna has been coaching stepmoms for over 10 years and she not only offers courses, coaching and stepmom retreats, she also offers a certification course in stepfamily dynamics for coaches & counselors    Jenna married her husband, Mario, in 2010 and has two stepsons, ages 21 and 25.  She lives in Ithaca, NY and when she isn’t engaging with stepmoms in the brand new mobile app for stepmoms, she’s being introverted at home with a puzzle, playing PS4 zombie games with her husband, or thinking up new and creative ways to help stepmoms.    FACEBOOK COMMUNITY: www.facebook.com/groups/wannabenation   INSTAGRAM: www.instagram.com/thesupermomwannabe   SHOW NOTES: http://supermompodcast.com/stepmomhelp

Today I’m talking to Brittany and Heather, self proclaimed as the "Okayest Moms." Brittany is a business owner, a mom of two, and she’s named her minivan, Vana White.   Heather is is an elementary school teacher turned stay at home mom of two, turned unlikely autism advocate.    Together, they run the Okayest Moms community, where women are encouraged that OKAY is just right. At the heart of an Okayest Mom is a single message: Choose what’s important to you and let go of all the rest. And that’s exactly what we talk about. Not only do I feel comfortable with these women in my vulnerability, but in my okay-ness as a mom. I also laughed out loud during this episode when I went back and listened. So, grab a cup of coffee or something stronger, kick your feet back, and listen to our “okayest” conversation.   FACEBOOK COMMUNITY: www.facebook.com/groups/wannabenation   INSTAGRAM: www.instagram.com/thesupermomwannabe   SHOW NOTES: http://supermompodcast.com/okayestmoms 

Today’s guest is complete FIRE. Rachel Bailey is a Parenting Specialist who has been serving families for over a decade. Besides being a mother of two, she also has a Master's Degree in Clinical Psychology, a certification in Positive Discipline, and has provided services as an ADHD Coach, in-home mentor, and therapist. Currently, Rachel teaches parents practical, longterm tools for raising responsible, resilient, confident children... while reducing the stress and guilt in parents' lives.   I feel like I need to send Rachel a check for the parenting coaching she provided me in this episode. No matter what age your kids are, she has so many practical tools to help us as parents get out of what she calls “yuck” and actually parent from our values.  And, her Wannabe Confession is the first in the history of this show, to make me tear up.   FACEBOOK COMMUNITY: www.facebook.com/groups/wannabenation   INSTAGRAM: www.instagram.com/thesupermomwannabe   SHOW NOTES: http://supermompodcast.com/rachelbailey