Real as a Mother

What are your plans for your kids this summer? Well if you are like us, you haven't gotten that far yet. This week we share ideas for kids of all ages and give budget friendly tips.

This week we review a potential new lead in the Delphi case. James Chadwell of Lafayette, IN was arrested for the alleged kidnapping and subsequent "alleged" molestation and assault of a 9 yr old girl. Officials are investigating whether or not he could be the killer of Abby and Libby.We also talk about the first 3 episodes of season 4 of "The Handmaid's Tale"...holy craziness Batman!

This week we talk about the gift that keeps on giving for both of us...migraines. Migraines are a special kind of pain that we both have and know lots of other women are in the same boat. We share some strategies to help them, info on what has worked for us, triggers and how to avoid them and of course, some fun. *we are not giving medical advice, just sharing our experiences. If you suffer from migraine you should talk to your doctor or seek medical attention, don't just listen to us!*

Oh, the joys of aging...and we actually mean it! We're not talking about the fact that gravity has set in and isn't our friend, or crossing your legs when you sneeze. We're legit talking about the good parts about aging! Like not worrying so much about what other people think, having your tribe, or settling into your career. Join us this week for a comical and informative conversation about the real joys of aging.

Are you snarky like Dorothy or wonderfully oblivious like Rose? Well, this week we tackle that question with a quiz from Southern Living and one from Heywise that both show Jen is...listen in to see the answer to that question!Links are below to the quizzes, let us know which one you are!https://heywise.com/quiz/which-golden-girls-character-are-you/https://www.southernliving.com/travel/which-golden-girl-are-youFind us on all the things!!Facebook: Real as a mother podcastInstagram: #realasamotherpodcastEmail: realasamotherpod@gmail.com

A few weeks ago we talked about emotional exhaustion in ourselves. This week we tackle how to help our kids, with tips on how to prevent it and some old school ideas from a behavioral therapist, Cindy Ketron, and her Facebook post that inspired our conversation this week. You can find us on all the things:realasamotherpod@gmail.comReal as a Mother Podcast Facebook groupInstagram: realasamotherpodcastTwitter: realasamotherpod

Wow, this week we have a treat for you! We had the opportunity to interview two hilarious mom who are tackling motherhood one day at a time. Shayna and Tracey have been friends since the 8th grade. After living on separate coasts after college, they ended up back in their hometown of Denver, CO once they started their families and officially became #Breeders. They created The Pump + Dump Show in 2012 with the vision of using humor and generosity to support moms in the trenches of new parenthood.These ladies have now created a podcast and it is fabulous! The link is below, they drop new episodes on Tuesdays and they cover a wide-range of topics from vaginal steaming to the COVID vaccine. They also have an APP and once this crazy COVID stuff cools off, they will get back on the road with their hilarious mom's night out show!#realasamotherpodcast#BOMpodhttps://open.spotify.com/show/0uNlSXGDcqKvu5wtt3DwA8?si=9ytitxsuSMWIcBzjlDi0dw&nd=1https://www.bandofmothers.com/podcast

Have you always wondered what it would be like to marry a prince? Well, Meghan knows and she spilled the scalding hot tea in an interview with Oprah that has set tongues wagging from coast to coast and around the world. Is she sharing her truth or just a really good actress? This week we discuss the interview, what we know (we watch The Crown people), and share our thoughts on the whole crazy situation. Grab your hats, stick out your pinky finger and join us for some good ole royal watching!

Feeling tired? Burned out? Irritable? You may be experiencing the signs of emotional exhaustion. Join us as we talk about what emotional exhaustion is, what it looks like, how to limit or avoid it and how to manage it. From making healthier food choices to taking a walk, we give you lots of tips and, of course, laugh along with it.Our info for this weeks episode can be found at the following links:https://www.healthline.com/health/emotional-exhaustionhttps://www.mayoclinichealthsystem.org/hometown-health/speaking-of-health/emotional-exhaustion-during-times-of-unrestAnd find us on all the things!Facebook: Real as a Mother Podcast groupInstagram: Real as a Mother podcastTwitter: @realasamotherpodEmail: realasamotherpod@gmail.com

We're baaa-aack! We had to take a snow day last week, but we're back this week with some exciting and titillating chatting about Bridgerton. That wonderful Netflix series that has tongues wagging in more ways than one.

Valentines Day. Love it or hate it, it's a multi-billion dollar a year business and has been a part of our history back to the first century. This week we talk about the history of it, traditions and suggestions for last minute gifts for your special someone. We also talk about the #freebritney movement and chime in on our thoughts about it.Find us at:Facebook groups-Real as a Mother PodcastInstagram- Real as a mother PodcastTwitter- @realasamotherpodEmail- realasamotherpod@gmail.com

Well, you love her and wanted her back so here she is! Alyssa Barr, FNP and Women's Health Provider/our guru for all things lady bits, is back this week to talk to us about our boobs! No matter what you call them, no matter how perky they are or aren't (raising our hands), you just can't get away from them. This week we talk about what's normal for our breasts and what isn't, risk factors and screening guidelines to get those girls checked and of course, we quickly devolve into hilarity. Dana needed a tissue at one point, just saying.If you have any more questions about breast cancer or breast health, check out this link https://www.acog.org/womens-health/faqs/mammography-and-other-screening-tests-for-breast-problemsFind us on all the things!Facebook-Real as a Mother Podcast groupInstagram-#real as a mother podcastTwitter-@realasamotherpodEmail-realasamotherpod@gmail.com

This week we spill the tea! If you have been following the story of serial-cheater Jason Collier, then you know what we're talking about. If not, google that sucker! After that we talk about how to help you tweens develop and foster healthy friendships and red flags to know which friends to avoid.Find us on all the things!Facebook and Instagrem-Real as a mother podcastemail-realasamotherpod@gmail.comTwitter- @realasamotherpod

This week we are replaying one of our favorite episodes, so if you haven't heard it yet, enjoy! And if you have, you may pick up some new info. Colleen Decker is a farm girl at heart, growing up in rural Illinois on a farm, who is now working for Elanco, one of the leaders in animal health. This week she explains food terms like "organic" and "GMO", letting us know just how safe our food is and how non-GMO is just plain silly.

Hold on, we'll be there once we finish these five things we're working on at once...sound familiar? Now more than ever, moms are having to multi-task a litany of tasks! Housework, work-work and now being a teacher who is woefully underpaid and overworked...wait, that sounds like an actual teacher, too! This week we talk about how multi-tasking doesn't always help you be more efficient, better ways to do it, and Bridgerton...grrrrrrrrrrr. Enjoy!!Find us on all the things!!email-realasamotherpod@gmail.comFacebook- Real as a Mother podcast groupTwitter-@realasamotherpodInsta-#realasamotherpodcastAnd don't forget to give us that 5-star review on Apple Podcasts!! You can do it once every week so, ya know, have at it!

This week we talk about the new rage in personality testing-enneagrams. The enneagram is another way to pinpoint your personality type, show you all the ways it makes you awesome, and some ideas why you may clash with others. The questions are many, but so are the laughs.Find out your enneagram number at https://www.truity.com/And find us on all the things! Rate and review us on Apple podcasts, too!Instagram and Facebook: Real as a Mother Podcastemail-realasamotherpod@gmail.comTwitter @realasamotherpod

Happy New Year! This week we talk about resolutions to start the year off, suggestions for resolutions to consider and share our own. Don't worry, it quickly devolves into talk about carbs...I mean, we aren't monsters...lol.Find us on all the things! Please rate and review us on Apple Podcasts if that's where you find us.Facebook: real as a mother podcast groupInstagram: #realsasamotherpodcastTwitter: @realasamotherpodEmail: realasamotherpod@gmail.com

This week we bring in our girls and ask them all about Christmas: their favorite traditions, what they want for Christmas, and what other kids want to see under the tree. And we have a special caller who really wants to talk to the manager.Don't forget to rate us and review us on Apple podcasts!Find us on all the things:real as a mother podcast on Instagram and Facebook@Realasamotherpod on Twitteror email us at realasamotherpod@gmail.com

Christmas cookies? Caroling? The Christmas Pickle? Going to midnight mass? This week we chat about our favorite Christmas traditions, ones we think are way too much work, and some new ones we had never heard of. What are your favorite Christmas traditions, besides watching hours and hours of hard work being torn apart in a matter of minutes? Don't forget to rate and review us on Apple Podcasts!Find us on all the things!@realasamotherpodcast on the TwitterReal as a mother podcast on the Facebook#realasamotherpodcast on the InstagramOr email us at realasamotherpod@gmail.com

This week we catch up on Thanksgiving, how Jen nailed her mom's dressing and how reheated year-old gravy turns out. We also tackle how to have and maintain boundaries at Christmas with our families, friends, and even ourselves. And of course, some laughter.

This week we tackle how to not go broke at Christmas. Here are tips on saving money, planning ahead and learn from our "ghost of Christmas past" mistakes.

This week we switch gears for a shorter episode and share what we are thankful for, how we show our gratitude, and how we are people who can keep a gratitude journal and people like us.We are thankful for you all, who take the time each week to spend time with us and listen to us talk. We know there are thousands of other podcasts out there, and we are grateful you choose ours to listen to. We love you all, Happy Thanksgiving!!

We are out this week but thought we could all use a little help from our friends on mental health about now. This episode is specifically about post-partum depression and we share our personal experiences with it, but the feels and tips apply to anyone who needs to hear it, post-partum or never-partum. Be safe out there and be kind to each other and wear your masks!

Can you believe that Thanksgiving is in 2 weeks?!? Well, we can't either. But between COVID and, well, COVID, how do we celebrate the holiday, see our friends and families and keep everyone safe? This week we tackle this topic and offer some tips and suggestions, as well as going over what the CDC recommends. And there may be a "why won't people wear their masks?" rant...and by "may be" we mean "there is one." If you are looking for a great and up to date place with reliable information, check out:https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/daily-life-coping/holidays.htmlhttps://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/daily-life-coping/holidays/thanksgiving.html

Someone yell "Pivot!" This week we switch things up a bit and talk about a local unsolved murder case. On February 14, 2017, Abby Williams and Libby German went for a walk on a local trail in Delphi, Indiana, and were never seen again. The following day their bodies were found, and so was Libby's cell phone. Libby had done an amazing thing and recorded their killer in secret on her cell phone. And the killer left it behind. But despite having audio and video of this piece of trash, authorities have still been unsuccessful in solving the crime, leaving more questions than answers. The Delphi case has fascinated people all over the world, including us. And while we don't have any new answers, and this killer or killers is still free, we try to remember the victims in this horrific case: Libby and Abby. Two best friends and very brave girls.https://www.news.com.au/world/north-america/eerie-photos-capture-teens-death-march-down-the-hill/news-story/7f904cd581f93d79a9b101c222eca21bhttps://ss-times.com/central-indiana-best-selling-true-crime-author-releases-book-about-unsolved-murders/https://www.talkmurderwithme.com/blog/2019/3/6/the-delphi-murdershttps://www.downthehillpodcast.com/

This week we talk about our mutual and severe current lack of motivation and how to find a little. This has been a rough year for lots of us, the stress has been exhausting, so how do we get things moving forward when all we want to do is crawl back into bed with a bag of snack-sized halloween candy? We share some pearls from lifehack.org and beg you all for any ideas you may have. Join us this week for some tips on getting motivated or at least commiserating with us about our lack there of.

This week we talk about some principles we should teach our daughters: self-respect, compassion, how to have a healthy relationship, etc. We also discuss that it's total crap we can't be write in candidates in the upcoming election!! For real...

UPDATED VERSION- sorry about the static, this one is clean! So this week we talked to Kari Snyder, aesthetician and our resident skin care expert. We ask her about skin care routines, aging skin and teenage skin, plus the best ways to maintain beautiful skin. And we learn that Jen has never had a facial!

This week we are replaying one of our original episodes. Dana had to have her gall bladder removed over the weekend in a rather dramatic fashion, so we decided that recording a comedy podcast right after abdominal surgery wasn't the smartest idea. So thank you for giving us the time and grace for Dana to heal, and please enjoy this episode! We talk this week about those intriguing home DNA kits. Do they work? Is it safe? What does it mean for the future? And do I really need a test to tell me it annoys me when people eat too loudly?!

Mommy watch me! Daddy, can I have a hug? Sound familiar? We express and receive love in different ways, and so do our kids. Join us to learn about the different ways kids love, how to nurture that and what not to do. We share our experiences and laugh about all the ways our kids want us to love them! (or drive us crazy with their pleas to watch "one more time")

You guys! This week we have an exciting surprise: we interviewed a Tiktok star! Pam Graef, fitness guru, mom and Tiktok enthusiast, struck gold when one Sunday she was bored and decided to make a Tiktok video. That video went viral, and now her little video has been viewed millions of times! We talk to her from her home state of Louisiana and ask her all about what it's like to have a viral video. We also talk with her about the importance of fitness, her true passion, and how to get our happy butts moving no matter the age or fitness level. Check it out! And here's how to find Pam on all the things:Instagram- @pamgraefTikTok- @pammjammFB group-ThePamJamCamFB page-@pamjamfitnessemail- pamjamfitness@gmail.com

Are you like us and have a hard time saying "no"? Are you on every parent committee, church event and field trip? This week we talk about how doing too much isn't good for your mental health. We refer to a blog post by Dr. Rick Henson on Psychology Today, and we walk through some of the reasons why doing takes away from being, how stressful being overwhelmed with tasks can be, and how to combat the urge to say "yes" when we need to say "no".https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/your-wise-brain/201612/are-you-doing-too-much

This week we talk about FOMO, or the fear of missing out. Do you scour social media to see what your friends are up to only to have it make you feel like you aren't measuring up? What about the comparisons we do , even among our friends? Is my house big enough, styled right? Am I thin enough, funny enough, smart enough? Are my first day of school pics of my kids measuring up? Join us as we share some expert opinions on the subject, as well as share our own challenges with doing the same. And of course, we talk about our boobs...because it wouldn't be us if we didn't!

What are the things you swore you'd never do as a parent? Let you baby have a pacifier? Watch TV? Or do you find phrases creeping out of your mouth that sound eerily like your parents? This week we share things we swore we would never do, but did. Boy! We were really good moms before we had kids.

Brace yourselves! This week, she's ba-ack! Alyssa, our resident women's health expert, is back to take more of our questions, this time about periods. Call it Aunt Flo, shark week, the rag, it happens and we are going to talk about all the nooks and crannies. From tampons to diva cups, from itchy hoo-ha's to what's that smell, we cover it all, folks. The wine and tears of laughter are flowing this week!

This week we interview Stacey, the mama of a child with a serious heart condition. She shares how they got the news, how that impacted her daughters first year of life and how 'Rona is changing their daily life. She also shares how we can help families in similar situations, and what not to say.

This week we talk about mommy guilt. Electronics or no electronics? Stay at home moms and moms who work outside the home? What it is, why we feel it, what to do about it? And why do we gang up on each other?! Tune in for a lively discussion about this really important topic. And Jen shares about that time she was shot...tune in!

Have you assembled your tribe? Need tips on how to do it? This week we talk about the importance of having healthy friendships, how to know if your friendships are toxic, and how to cultivate your relationships. We both have had healthy and unhealthy friendships, and share our personal experiences, as well.

Well folks, this week we planned on talking about getting our kids ready to go back to school. But with the current pandemic (stupid 'rona) and the fact that many of our kids are not starting the school year off in school, we pivoted. We do talk about some back to school ideas, but those include us running on joint presidential ticket and wine delivery. And the fact that Dana's mom needs to just be in charge because she will turn this car around and be super organized doing it. We also may cuss a few times, because...virtual school. Enjoy!

This week we interview Jessica Rorick, a registered dietician and truth teller about food! Why is it hard to lose weight? What about body types? Is artificial sweetener the devil? Join us this week for a frank discussion about food and health.

Remember riding in the back of a pick up trucks? Lawn darts? Taking candy from strangers? Well maybe not that one...this week we reminisce about our childhoods and all the trends, plus all the things we aren't allowed to do anymore. Join us for a lighthearted listen that, as always, brings the funny.

This week, we start a new segment where we feature women who are making a difference in the world. Lindsay Schloss is the co-founder of Hopeanchor and Crew, a non-profit jewelry-making company that started at her kitchen table and turned into a multi-layered business that is changing lives. So while we still bring the funny, we take a slightly more serious turn this week and learn a little about this amazing woman and her company. There is also a special promo-code for our listeners, too!

Gender reveals, wedding hashtags and prom-posals, oh my! Join us this week where we talk about these popular trends that go from fun to self-indulgent real fast. What would be your wedding hashtag? And do we do these things because we want to, or to keep up the with Jones'...tune in for a lively and real discussion about these trends, which is, as always, funny.

"I'm bored!!" Who hasn't heard that from their kids lately? Following a 3 month quarantine, e-learning and the cancellation of most summer activities, we are all losing our minds!! We needed some new ideas, and we figured there are lots of other folks out there who could use a few new ideas to keep the kids busy this summer, too. We talk about inside activities, outside activities and ideas for those tweeners who want to watch YouTube all summer. Join us for some fun ideas!

This week we tackle an issue near and dear to our hearts: self-care. We are big fans of it, and wanted to share tips for how you can take care of yourselves! As women and mothers, we are often running in 50 different directions, managing a tiny corporation (or big if you are the Duggers) known as our families. We are burning the candle at both ends, ladies! How do take care of our loved ones and our lives and still take care of ourselves? Well, we have some suggestions for ya that will help you rejuvenate yourself in little and big ways.

Do you feel intimidated by finances? 401K or 529? What's the difference and what do those numbers mean? When should I save for retirement? My kids college? Well, we have a special guest to help us swim through all that lingo, Dr. Jay Wellman. Jay is a professor at The Ohio State University and teaches finance...he's also Dana's cousin. He explains the importance compound interest, when to start planning for your future and how to help your kids go to college! Join us for an informative, and of course humorous, look at some finance basics.

Are you afraid of something unusual? Do odd shapes weird you out? What about touching or going outside? There are all sorts of phobias, ranging from debilitating to hilarious (see Dana's phobia). Whether it's spiders or peanut butter, we all are afraid of something, am I right? Join us for a fun trip down the hall of mirrors that is phobias. From common to downright bizarre, we share our phobias and inform you of others you may have never heard of. Just remember, you are not alone...unless you are afraid of naps, then you are on your own.

This week we tackle a topic that we have wanted to discuss for awhile, but needed to be in the right head space. That's right, it's vaccinations. We share the facts: what they are, how they work, are they safe and should you give them to your kids? (The answer is yes, btw). We manage to get through the whole episode without yelling or flipping any tables, so yeah! Again, talk to your or your child's doctor prior to making any decisions.

This week we introduce a new feature, "Lady bits with Alyssa". Join us as we ask our resident women's health expert (or vaja-ja expert as we like to call her) everything you need to know to care for your lady bits. We talk about everything from our favorite names for our bits (muffin, anyone?) to when you should get your mamms grammed. A word of caution: this is very much a grown up episode, so unless you want your kids to hear the words "twat" and "clit", we suggest you wear headphones for this one.

This week we talk essential oils. They smell good, but are they really good for you? We discuss some of our experiences with EO, go over some research, we even dabble with elder berry guys! Disclaimer, we are not giving medical advice! We are just sharing some info for the purposes of educating you all and having a few laughs.

This week we pivot a bit and tackle a serious topic: grief and loss. Death is something that none of us are immune to or exempt from. Whether it's a spouse, a parent, a job, divorce; loss shows up whether we want it to or not. Our very own Jen gets interviewed about her experience losing her Mom and then Dana interviews her friend Leah, who lost her husband and her best friend this past year. Both Jen and Leah share what gets them out of bed in the mornings and their strength for those suffering deep loss. They also give suggestions of how NOT to help, especially what not to say, and how to support your loved ones when they experience loss. Losing someone we love is hell, and life keeps moving even when it feels like it shouldn't. Our hope is that this episode can offer a little of that very thing to those who need to hear it...hope.