Motherhood Journeys: {MOM}ents with Madly Wish by Whitney Surane

In today's episode, I want to share some more insights into my mental health as a new mom. I have already given you a glimpse into my overall story in episode 1, but this week, let's talk about depression, anxiety, intrusive thoughts, and struggling with feeling alone in motherhood. The reality is that many of us experience postpartum depression and other mental health obstacles, especially as new moms, and it can be really isolating and challenging to overcome. I hope that by sharing my story and how I found hope and light in the darkness, others can feel less alone. If you are or someone you know is struggling, help is available to you. You are not alone. Dial 988 to reach the national suicide and crisis lifeline. Seeking help is a sign of strength, not weakness. Please know you can also reach out to me directly: whitney@madlywish.com. If my story resonates with you or if you have any of your own stories or questions you'd like to share, please connect with me. Want to share your {MOM}ent with me? whitney@madlywish.com Connect with Whitney & shop Madly WIsh: https://www.madlywish.com/ https://www.instagram.com/madlywish

My very first guest is Jasmine Williams. Jasmine is the mom of two little boys and the founder of the inclusive brand Sunny and Ted. In this episode, she shares her journey to motherhood as a military daughter and wife, how she's navigating life as a single mom after divorce, and how she is single-handedly helping us all create new memories with Sunny and Ted's collection of keepsakes that represent families of every ethnic background. Motherhood includes so many interesting and sometimes unexpected circumstances. From coming up with her children's names, to family holiday traditions, to anxiety and grief from events like medical emergencies and divorce, these stories are the formative moments that shape not just Jasmine's motherhood journey, but also her business: Sunny and Ted. Jasmine madly wishes that we can see ourselves reflected beautifully in the world. This is Jasmine's {MOM}ent. Connect with Jasmine and Sunny and Ted: https://sunnyandted.com/ https://www.instagram.com/shopsunnyandted/ Want to share your {MOM}ent with me? whitney@madlywish.com Connect with Whitney & shop Madly WIsh: https://www.madlywish.com/ https://www.instagram.com/madlywish

Parenting is hard, but as I've gotten older, I like to think I've become a better parent. I'm excited to introduce you to this week's guest, who got married at 35 and started having kids a little bit later in life. My guest today is Kristina Schlegel, a wife, mom of two, and inventor of Stickies, edible stickers for baking. Kristina shares how transitioning from one to two kids helped her embrace simpler, sustainable traditions that prioritize quality time and meaningful connections. This is Kristina's {MOM}ent. Connect with Kristina Schlegel instagram.com/letsmakebake www.letsmakebake.com Want to share your {MOM}ent with me? whitney@madlywish.com Connect with Whitney & shop Madly WIsh: https://www.madlywish.com/ https://www.instagram.com/madlywish

My guest today is Nicole Lewis, a wife, mom of two, and the owner of custom crayon brand Art 2 the Extreme. Nicole's journey from educator to entrepreneur is fueled by a passion for imaginative play and fostering independence in her children. In this episode, Nicole shares how her background in teaching has shaped her approach to motherhood and influenced her small business today. Connect with Nicole: https://art2theextreme.com/ https://www.instagram.com/art2theextreme/ Want to share your {MOM}ent with me? whitney@madlywish.com Connect with Whitney & shop Madly WIsh: https://www.madlywish.com/ https://www.instagram.com/madlywish

In this episode, we tackle the often misunderstood concept of quitting and why, in certain situations, it can actually be a healthy choice. We'll explore the negative effects of pushing children to stick with activities that make them unhappy, and how forcing them to continue can lead to emotional distress, anxiety, and people-pleasing tendencies, especially for girls. Citing expert advice, we discuss how allowing kids to quit teaches them self-awareness, confidence, and boundary-setting—important skills for their future well-being. Tune in to discover why sometimes, the best thing we can do for our kids is to let them walk away and explore new opportunities. Want to share your {MOM}ent with me? whitney@madlywish.com Connect with Whitney & shop Madly WIsh: https://www.madlywish.com/ https://www.instagram.com/madlywish

In this episode, I dive into the popular Instagram hashtag, #CherishEveryMoment, and explore how it can sometimes create pressure for moms to make every moment picture-perfect. We'll talk about how this mindset can lead to unnecessary stress and unrealistic expectations, and why it's more important to embrace the beauty of everyday life — the messy, chaotic, and imperfect moments included. Join me as I share personal reflections and thoughts for shifting from the pressure of perfection to finding joy in simply being present. Whether you're a new mom or a seasoned pro, this episode will inspire you to cherish the small, meaningful moments that make motherhood truly special. Want to share your {MOM}ent with me? whitney@madlywish.com Connect with Whitney & shop Madly WIsh: https://www.madlywish.com/ https://www.instagram.com/madlywish

My guest today is Lauren Glass. She's a visionary entrepreneur who founded Lauren Glass Designs, with a mission to empower women through creativity. Her innovative approach has pioneered a new path in the small business space, helping others escape, create and heal. She is a wife and the mom of a four-year-old little girl. This is Lauren's {MOM}ent. Connect with Lauren: https://www.instagram.com/laurenglassdesigns/ https://laurenglassdesigns.com Want to share your {MOM}ent with me? whitney@madlywish.com Connect with Whitney & shop Madly WIsh: https://www.madlywish.com/ https://www.instagram.com/madlywish

My guest today is Deb Podlogar. She is widely known as the Mocktail Mom and embarked on a transformative journey when she chose to part ways with her old friend, Chardonnay. Today, Deb hosts the Thriving Alcohol-Free with Mocktail Mom podcast and runs a membership program for women looking to connect online over mocktails and non-alcoholic beverages. She's also getting ready to release her new recipe book, The Happiest Hour: Delicious Mocktails for a Fabulous Mom's Night In. It's available November 5th, and you can get it for pre-order right now. This is Deb's {MOM}ent. Connect with Deb: https://www.mocktailmom.com/ https://www.instagram.com/mocktail.mom/ Want to share your {MOM}ent with me? whitney@madlywish.com Connect with Whitney & shop Madly WIsh: https://www.madlywish.com/ https://www.instagram.com/madlywish

My guest today is Kourtney Wallace. She's my sister-in-law. And after struggling with years of infertility, she became a pet mom. Whether two or four legs, feathers or scales, she loves them all. This is Kourtney's {MOM}ent. Connect with Kourtney https://myhswm.org/outreach-impact/ https://oinkingacres.org/ Want to share your {MOM}ent with me? whitney@madlywish.com Connect with Whitney & shop Madly WIsh: https://www.madlywish.com/ https://www.instagram.com/madlywish

My guest today is Sarah Heeter. Sarah is my podcast producer and strategic consultant, building a company from scratch and hoping to leave a legacy for her kids that includes both generational wealth, as well as earning empowerment and entrepreneurial inspiration. She has three adult kids, two cats, loves books, and is a lifetime member of Girl Scouts. She hosts two podcasts, Big Brave Business and The Troop Leader Experience. This is Sarah's {MOM}ent. Connect with Sarah: https://www.podfoxmedia.com https://bigbravebusiness.com Want to start your own podcast? Book a free 90-minute strategy session with Sarah & her team. Tell them I sent you! https://www.podfoxmedia.com/book-now Want to share your {MOM}ent with me? whitney@madlywish.com Connect with Whitney & shop Madly WIsh: https://www.madlywish.com/ https://www.instagram.com/madlywish

As moms, it's easy to become so isolated and it's hard to know how to even begin to build the kind of relationships our hearts need. But friendship isn't a luxury, it's a necessity. In today's episode, I'm reflecting on the importance (and challenge) of friendships in our lives as adult women, moms, and humans. Want to share your {MOM}ent with me? whitney@madlywish.com Connect with Whitney & shop Madly WIsh: https://www.madlywish.com/ https://www.instagram.com/madlywish

Abbe Feder is a wife and a mom of twins. She shares about her struggle with infertility, and today she's actually serving as a tremendous support system and coach to intended parents who are on their own infertility journey. This is Abbe's {MOM}ent. Connect with Abbe: instagram.com/incirclefertility https://linktr.ee/fertilitychickpod Want to share your {MOM}ent with me? whitney@madlywish.com Connect with Whitney & shop Madly WIsh: https://www.madlywish.com/ https://www.instagram.com/madlywish

This week it's just me and you again. As the summer comes winding down, especially in the wake of what's been a trying season for my family, I find myself feeling nostalgic and simultaneously sad and happy to watch my kids grow up. Join me for a thoughtful reflection about how time passes as moms. Want to share your {MOM}ent with me? whitney@madlywish.com Connect with Whitney & shop Madly WIsh: https://www.madlywish.com/ https://www.instagram.com/madlywish

This week, I'm joined by guest Jessie Jaskulsky. Starting with her own pregnancy loss and her own surrogacy journey, Jesse is sharing her story today. She is a wife, and a mom to two little girls born through surrogacy. Jesse shares how her experience led her to launch a consulting firm to make the surrogacy process easier for other families. This is Jesse's {MOM}ent. Connect with Jesse https://surrogacysimplified.com/ https://instagram.com/surrogacysimplified Free Intended Parent Community Link: https://www.skool.com/surrogacy-simplified-1027/about Want to share your {MOM}ent with me? whitney@madlywish.com Connect with Whitney & shop Madly WIsh: https://www.madlywish.com/ https://www.instagram.com/madlywish

My guest today is Jodi Klaristenfeld, mom of an adorable little girl she gave birth to at just 28 weeks due to a life-threatening form of preeclampsia. Jodi shares how her experience led her to help other families navigate this beautiful and challenging journey. Jodi founded FLRRISH, a community of resources for preemie parents by a preemie parent. This is Jodi's {MOM}ent. Connect with Jodi: https://www.instagram.com/flrrish https://www.flrrish.com/ Want to share your {MOM}ent with me? whitney@madlywish.com Connect with Whitney & shop Madly WIsh: https://www.madlywish.com/ https://www.instagram.com/madlywish

My guest today is Ashley Franklin, a wife, mom of two, and small business owner. She shares about breaking generational parenting patterns and the importance of teaching kids about emotional health. This is Ashley's Moment. Connect with Ashley: https://www.instagram.com/Loveheartedkiddos https://www.loveheartedkiddos.com Want to share your {MOM}ent with me? whitney@madlywish.com Connect with Whitney & shop Madly WIsh: https://www.madlywish.com/ https://www.instagram.com/madlywish

My guest today is Ruchita Acharya. She is a wife, mom, and small business owner on a mission to empower women with the tools to transition to a sustainable lifestyle. This is Richita's {MOM}ent. Connect with Ruchita: https://www.instagram.com/shopgreenbeautyco/ https://www.greenbeautyco.com  Want to share your {MOM}ent with me? whitney@madlywish.com Connect with Whitney & shop Madly WIsh: https://www.madlywish.com/ https://www.instagram.com/madlywish

Parenting is hard, but as I've gotten older, I like to think I've become a better parent. I'm excited to introduce you to this week's guest, who got married at 35 and started having kids a little bit later in life. My guest today is Kristina Schlegel, a wife, mom of two, and inventor of Stickies, edible stickers for baking. Kristina shares how transitioning from one to two kids helped her embrace simpler, sustainable traditions that prioritize quality time and meaningful connections. This is Kristina's {MOM}ent. Connect with Kristina Schlegel instagram.com/letsmakebake www.letsmakebake.com Want to share your {MOM}ent with me? whitney@madlywish.com Connect with Whitney & shop Madly WIsh: https://www.madlywish.com/ https://www.instagram.com/madlywish

My guest this week is Meirav Zur. Meirav is a wife, mom, actor, and producer. Mehrav shares how she's smashing the taboo of infertility through laughter. This is Mehrav's {MOM}ent. Connect with Meirav: www.instagram.com/inconceivableshow https://www.meiravzur.com/inconceivable-info/ Want to share your {MOM}ent with me? whitney@madlywish.com Connect with Whitney & shop Madly WIsh: https://www.madlywish.com/ https://www.instagram.com/madlywish

My guest today is Kim Pimley, a military wife and dedicated mom of two. Kim's journey is a testament to resilience and adaptability as she navigates the challenges of military life while raising her children. She's teaching them valuable lessons about community and the bonds that form when miles separate loved ones. Kim shares her insights on preparing her kids for big transitions and the importance of celebrating life's moments no matter where military life takes them. This is Kim's {MOM}ent. Connect with Kim: http://instagram.com/Gunnerandharper Want to share your {MOM}ent with me? whitney@madlywish.com Connect with Whitney & shop Madly WIsh: https://www.madlywish.com/ https://www.instagram.com/madlywish

My guest today is Shakira Patterson, military spouse and proud mama of four. Shakira shares how her use of a holiday paper plate inspired families all over the world and why it's important to see loving black families better represented on social media. This is Shakira's {MOM}ent. Connect with Shakira: instagram.com/occasions.byshakira https://www.OccasionsbyShakira.com Want to share your {MOM}ent with me? whitney@madlywish.com Connect with Whitney & shop Madly WIsh: https://www.madlywish.com/ https://www.instagram.com/madlywish

My guest today is Ashley Quiles. She's a mom of four who shares her story of resiliency after pregnancy loss and postpartum depression. This is Ashley's {MOM}ent. Connect with Ashley: https://www.instagram.com/coachaquiles twitch.tv/CoachAQuiles Want to share your {MOM}ent with me? whitney@madlywish.com Connect with Whitney & shop Madly WIsh: https://www.madlywish.com/ https://www.instagram.com/madlywish

May is Mental Health Month, so for today's episode, I want to share some more insights into my mental health as a new mom. I have already given you a glimpse into my overall story in episode 1, but this week, let's talk about depression, anxiety, intrusive thoughts, and struggling with feeling alone in motherhood. The reality is that many of us experience postpartum depression and other mental health obstacles, especially as new moms, and it can be really isolating and challenging to overcome. I hope that by sharing my story and how I found hope and light in the darkness, others can feel less alone. If you are or someone you know is struggling, help is available to you. You are not alone. Dial 988 to reach the national suicide and crisis lifeline. Seeking help is a sign of strength, not weakness. Please know you can also reach out to me directly: whitney@madlywish.com. If my story resonates with you or if you have any of your own stories or questions you'd like to share, please connect with me. Want to share your {MOM}ent with me? whitney@madlywish.com Connect with Whitney & shop Madly WIsh: https://www.madlywish.com/ https://www.instagram.com/madlywish

My guest today is Nicole Lewis, a wife, mom of two, and the owner of custom crayon brand Art 2 the Extreme. Nicole's journey from educator to entrepreneur is fueled by a passion for imaginative play and fostering independence in her children. In this episode, Nicole shares how her background in teaching has shaped her approach to motherhood and influenced her small business today. Connect with Nicole: https://art2theextreme.com/ https://www.instagram.com/art2theextreme/ Want to share your {MOM}ent with me? whitney@madlywish.com Connect with Whitney & shop Madly WIsh: https://www.madlywish.com/ https://www.instagram.com/madlywish

My guest today is Mindy Kendle: military wife, mom of two, and the owner of Bash Boutique. In this episode, Mindy shares how she learned to find joy even during moments of grief and loss, and why confetti is so much more than glitter. Mindy's mother recently became a widow, and struggled with the layered impacts of grief. Mindy found herself becoming a caretaker in several different ways, and that impacts not only how she cares for her children, but also what it looks like to experience the role reversal of parenting your parent. Connect with Mindy and Bash Boutique: https://bashboutiqueparty.com/shop https://www.instagram.com/bashboutique_party/ Want to share your {MOM}ent with me? whitney@madlywish.com Connect with Whitney & shop Madly WIsh: https://www.madlywish.com/ https://www.instagram.com/madlywish

This week, my guest is Jessica Dargewich. Jessica shares how her journey to motherhood began with loss, how we can and should do better to support other women experiencing pregnancy loss, and how she's using her voice to heal and to help other women who have or are going through a miscarriage. Connect with Jessica: https://www.instagram.com/thislifebyjd/ Want to share your {MOM}ent with me? whitney@madlywish.com Connect with Whitney & shop Madly WIsh: https://www.madlywish.com/ https://www.instagram.com/madlywish

My guest in this episode is Ruth Sturb: wife, mom of two little girls, and owner of baby brand Little Mae and Co. Ruth shares about growing up in Canada with six siblings and how she started her business as a creative outlet to support her mental health. Can you imagine growing up with six siblings? Ruth's reflections about growing up with a large family are colorful and meaningful. She shares insights into the impacts her parents had on her motherhood and business owner journey today, the links between parenting and business, and how entrepreneurship allows her to build a life that includes being present with her daughters. This is Ruth's {MOM}ent. Connect with Ruth and Little Mae & Co https://littlemaeandco.com/ https://www.instagram.com/shoplittlemae/ Want to share your {MOM}ent with me? whitney@madlywish.com Connect with Whitney & shop Madly WIsh: https://www.madlywish.com/ https://www.instagram.com/madlywish

My very first guest is Jasmine Williams. Jasmine is the mom of two little boys and the founder of the inclusive brand Sunny and Ted. In this episode, she shares her journey to motherhood as a military daughter and wife, how she's navigating life as a single mom after divorce, and how she is single-handedly helping us all create new memories with Sunny and Ted's collection of keepsakes that represent families of every ethnic background. Motherhood includes so many interesting and sometimes unexpected circumstances. From coming up with her children's names, to family holiday traditions, to anxiety and grief from events like medical emergencies and divorce, these stories are the formative moments that shape not just Jasmine's motherhood journey, but also her business: Sunny and Ted. Jasmine madly wishes that we can see ourselves reflected beautifully in the world. This is Jasmine's {MOM}ent. Connect with Jasmine and Sunny and Ted: https://sunnyandted.com/ https://www.instagram.com/shopsunnyandted/ Want to share your {MOM}ent with me? whitney@madlywish.com Connect with Whitney & shop Madly WIsh: https://www.madlywish.com/ https://www.instagram.com/madlywish

Join me for the first episode of the podcast as I share my own motherhood journey, some of our favorite family traditions, and how I started Madly Wish. This is my {MOM}ent... and I can't wait to hear yours. Want to share your {MOM}ent with me? whitney@madlywish.com Connect with Whitney & shop Madly WIsh: https://www.madlywish.com/ https://www.instagram.com/madlywish

Welcome to {MOM}ents with Madly Wish by Whitney Surane: a show about women and moms and the stories of your journey to motherhood. You will feel seen and heard by moms just like you. Bio moms, stepmoms, pet moms, foster moms, and even from women who decided that motherhood, in the traditional sense, wasn't for them. And what you'll love about these stories is that our experiences aren't that different. We all start from the same place: at the beginning. My guests share stories they may never have told before. And always, on {MOM}ents with Madly Wish, the support you'll feel from knowing you're not alone will give you strength to continue on your journey.