the denmother podcast

Welcome back to the denmother podcast! Kyriaki shares some updates on her life and changes coming to the pod this season.

Imagine juggling five kids, a job, a marriage and a household - and doing it all with one arm. On today's brand new episode of the denmother podcast, guest Jill Abbott shares with us her "hard" and the beautiful lessons it has taught her and continues to teach her kids.Also, follow and support The Lucky Fin Project - because ten fingers are overrated.

Trigger Warning: If you are currently experiencing loss from miscarriage, take this one slow or wait to listen. If you feel ready to start your healing journey, dive right in! Today's guest has a lot of honest insight and wisdom into what can happen in the aftermath of a miscarriage. Carson Rose is a mom of two and works to support mothers on their breast feeding journey. She also provides support to moms experiencing postpartum depression, anxiety and loss by offering resources within the local community. After her own experiences of intense isolation, chronic illness, loss and depression, she hopes to help other moms know they are not alone in their struggles. If you are struggling in the Postpartum Period, whether or not you have had a miscarriage, reach out to Postpartum Support International.

John Michael Finley is a stage and film actor who made his debut on Broadway in Les Mis. He played Elder Cunningham in The Book of Mormon in the West End and was also involved in the Broadway production of the same show. He made his film debut in 2018 in the film I can Only Imagine, playing opposite Dennis Quaid and Kyriaki had the pleasure of being in his new film, The Faith of Angels which debuted in 2024. When he's not dazzling audiences with his acting and incredible singing, he is a stay at home dad.  He shares the highs, lows and discomforts of staying at home as a man. Listen in!Follow John on Instagram. 

If you have ever been a SAHM (Stay-at-Home-Mom) you know how exhausting and rewarding it can be to be the go-to person for the whole family. On today's brand new episode of the denmother podcast, Guest Kristy White shares the highs and lows of being a SAHM and the mindset that keeps her going. And please consider donating to Kristy's newest cause, running the NYC Marathon to raise money for Keep a Child Alive (KCA) an organization dedicated to helping children & their families in parts of Africa & Asia who are suffering from HIV/AIDS. Donate here: https://teamkca2024nyc.gofundraise.com/page/Kristy-14820700 

What does the Postpartum period look like in other countries? What can we learn from moms who are refugees and what can they learn from us? On today's brand new episode of the denmother podcast, Jennica Anusua Galloway shares insights from her travels and work all over the world.Jennica Anusua has a Bachelor's of Science in Psychology and International Health and a Masters of Health Science with a focus in Global Mental Health from John Hopkins University. She specializes in working with survivors of complex trauma and in violence prevention and is focused on family and community level healing for C-PTSD, anxiety and depression and how to live healthy lives after abuse. Her work has included development of a mental and emotional health support group for Perinatal and Postpartum moms, specifically for refugee women. She has done maternal intervention work both locally and internationally under grants and with the International Rescue Committee and University of Utah. A lot of the work she's done focuses on healthy attachment and healing in the family setting and she is passionate about helping people find healthy spaces to thrive. Connect with Jennica on Instagram. 

Nilam Patel is a pharmacist, published author, poet and the Chief Operating Officer of the Bloom Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to helping teen girls overcome bullying and build emotional resilience to bloom into confidence as leaders. She is a wife, a mom of two and lives in Austin, Texas. Nilam invites readers into a world of profound introspection and self-discovery through her unique and captivating voice. By combining the power of art and words, Nilam's work speaks directly to women in various phases of life. She wants to offer guidance and ignite a renewed sense of purpose for readers as her personal journey inspires people to find their genuine selves and confidently embrace their strengths.Find her on socials @nilam.poetry at at www.findingherbeingher.comFinding Her Being Her, A Journey of Poems available on Amazon in paperback, ebook and audiobook narrated by Nilam Patel. 

Chelsea Kunz is a social media influencer, podcast host, wife and mom. You can find her on Tik Tok and Instagram as Karen Disapproves and also find some of her comedy on other accounts like Scary Mommy. Combined she has 270,000+ followers and over 8 million likes on social media. Now. she's starting an exciting new journey as an influencer in the personal development and spirituality space with the Soul Slumber Party Podcast!Follow Chelsea here: Karen Disapproves on Instagram Karen Disapproves on Tik Tok Soul Slumber Party PodcastSoul Slumber Party InstagramSoul Slumber Party Tik Tok

Ever wonder what services a doula could offer you before, during and after birth? On today's brand new episode of the denmother podcast, we have three amazing doulas talking about both birth doula work and postpartum doula work.Pam Serna is a DONA certified birth doula and mother of two, based in Long Beach, CA. She believes birth is a natural physiological process, and a life changing sacred passage: for mother, parents, baby, and family.  Her faith roots her in the belief that our bodies were divinely designed for birth and nurturing our babies.  It is my great honor to provide pregnancy and birth support to women and families desiring a gentle guide, a loving advocate, and a comforting presence on their sacred journey. For a consultation in the Southern California area, contact Pam below: Instagram: instagram.com/pdoula Website: birthdoulapam.com McKayla Broadhurst is a mom to an amazing 5 year old little girl, co-owner of Bountiful Doulas in Utah and a dedicated postpartum professional. After nearly a decade as a professional nanny, her personal experience of childbirth and the postpartum experience in 2019 deepened her passion for supporting not just children but parents, especially during the 'Fourth Trimester,' and the postpartum period. She is an advocate for gentle parenting, continuous learning in perinatal care, and I holds a special place in her heart for supporting BIPOC, Queer families, and single parents. Tiara Monson, co-owner of Bountiful Doulas, Certified Postpartum Doula and Certified Nursing Assistant is a mom of 2 boys, and resides with her boyfriend in Roy, Utah with their blended family of 6 kids!  Her journey in healthcare spans nearly a decade, with significant experience in hospice care, where she found her calling in nurturing and guiding individuals through life's transitions. As a mother, she intimately understands the importance of having the right support during the postpartum period. Drawing from her personal and professional experiences, she brings a unique blend of compassion, knowledge, and commitment to families, helping them navigate this sacred and transformative time with confidence and ease.Bountiful Doulas is currently booking clients for Spring-Fall in Utah. Contact them for a free consultation!@bountifuldoulas  (instagram.com/bountifuldoulas)@bountifuldoulas (facebook.com/bountifuldoulas)www.bountifuldoulas.com

Imagine having twins and then getting pregnant again, only to find out this time you were carrying QUADS! Monica Dueñas is a mom of seven and her creative and bold ways of parenting a daughter, a set of twins and a set of quads is inspiring and eye-opening. You won't want to miss it! 

Diana Lynn Barnes is a psychotherapist who has been specializing in women's reproductive mental health for over 25 years. In addition to private practice, Dr. Barnes is an expert on maternal mental health and the criminal justice system and is frequently retained by legal counsel on cases of postpartum psychosis and infanticide, pregnancy denial and neonaticide as well as child abuse and neglect where a child/children may have been harmed. She is the current Chair of the International Marce Society Special Interest Group on Forensics and Maternal Mental Health.

Kody Harms, M.A., BCBA, is a neuro-affirming therapist,  educator, and advocate  with over 15 years of experience working with neurodiverse children, teens, and adults. He is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst, earning his master's degree in Special Education. In addition to being the co-owner and clinical director at Curated Family Therapeutics, Kody is an active ally to the neurodiverse community, maintaining neurodiverse friendships as well as supporting neurodiverse run organizations that align with his values. When he is not supporting clients, Kody enjoys yoga, going to concerts, as well as spending time with his wife and dog.Kody offers free consultations for anyone who has questions and currently has availability for new clients!WEBSITE: www.curatedfamilytherapeutics.comINSTAGRAM: @curatedfamilytherapeuticsEMAIL: kharms@curatedfamilytherapeutics.com

On today's brand new episode of the denmother podcast, Dr. Jessica Hochman of Ask Dr. Jessica is on to give tips (and some reassurance) for how to get our kids to eat healthier. Board-certified pediatrician, Dr. Jessica Hochman has a passion for pediatric medicine. Dr. Hochman is a fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics and has been recognized as a 2019 and 2020 Southern California Rising Star by “Southern California Super Doctors Magazine” for her commitment to providing the highest-quality health care. She earned her medical degree from Boston University in 2008. In addition to her clinical work, Dr. Hochman enjoys spending time with her family, including her husband and three young children.You can find Dr. Hochman on Instagram @askdrjessica or listen to her podcast Ask Dr. Jessica!

Brooke, Terri and Kyriaki gather for the holidays to chat about what they've been up to and what they're looking forward to for the New Year.

Have you ever dreamed about being a model? What if it's not too late? On today's brand new episode of the denmother podcast, Taylor Walker Sinning shares her journey into modeling while raising two young kids. Dive into this fun conversation with us!

Divorce can be difficult, painful and extremely isolating - especially when you have young kids. On today's brand new episode of the denmother podcast, Influencer/Motherhood Coach and Podcast Host Diera Story shares insights she gained through her own divorce and tips on how to get out of survival mode for other moms in a similar situation!Find Diera's Podcast, Mama Fire Podcast, here.Connect with Diera on Instagram. 

"Things that are broken can be fixed."On today's brand new episode of the denmother podcast, Emily Weaver, talks about the fear, regret and rebuilding that happens on the other side of addiction and multiple prison stays as a mom. You won't want to miss this one.If you are struggling with addiction, please call the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) Hotline right away: 1-800-662-4357 

Have you ever considered adoption? On today's brand new episode of the denmother podcast, Riley Thomson shares her family's journey to adopt their four kids - the ups, the downs and all the in betweens. Listen in!

Do you ever wonder what it would be like to be famous? On today's brand new episode of the denmother podcast, Award-Winning Film, Television and Theatre Actress Edwina Findley talks about achieving success in her acting career, and doing it while raising two young girls. You won't want to miss this one!Find Edwina on Instagram, Facebook and IMDB. 

Loss 

Sandra Flach is a mom of EIGHT,  two of whom were diagnosed with Fetal Alcohol Syndrome. She is expert on Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders, an Author and the Co-Founder of Justice for Orphans among many other endeavors.What you don't know about FASD will surprise you! Both Sandra's story and what she's learned through her family's journey with FASD proves beneficial for any mom in any situation. Join us for this rich conversation. You can find Sandra at SandraFlach.com and on Social Media:  @sandraflach_jfo and @justicefororphans on Instagram and @Sandra Flach and @Justice For Orphans on Facebook. 

Beth Leon is a mom of three and has been married to her husband for 11 years. Beth has been homeschooling her oldest for over four years and feels it has truly been the most rewarding aspect of her life. Through homeschool, she feels that she is able to incorporate her faith into many of the subjects they choose to study and says she and her son are able to work as a team to create a curriculum that is both academically beneficial and simultaneously engages his interests. They primarily use the eclectic method of homeschooling; however, they are not married to any particular method. She regularly includes her younger sons into the learning experiences.  According to Beth, every mother is uniquely qualified to be a homeschool mom.Some of the resources Beth mentioned:Evan-MooreSonlight Where to find Beth:  @homeschool.mom.beth  (Instagram)

On the Season 2 Finale of the denmother podcast, Brooke, Terri & Kyriaki talk about all the highs and lows of Summer - including signing up for overly popular Summer camps and trying desperately to find childcare. And a special thanks to all the listeners who have joined us for the last two seasons! Join us for one last hoorah before we dive into Summer!

Have you ever gotten angry at your children? Maybe a better question is... how often do you get angry at your kids?On today's very important episode of the denmother podcast, we're getting vulnerable and going deep on some of our own struggles with anger and tools to handle this sensitive emotion in healthy ways, while also teaching our kids to do the same.You don't want to miss this one.

How do you like to be celebrated on Mother's Day? If you're like us, you don't need another necklace - you need massages, affirmation, chocolate and REST. On today's brand new episode we're talking about our best and worst Mother's Days and all the ones in between. Listen in!

The birds are chirping, the temps are rising and you know what that means.... Spring Cleaning! Theoretically.... In today's brand new episode of the denmother podcast, the wolf pack is back to discuss all things cleaning: how clean (or not clean) we were before kids, how our standards have changed since having kids, how we split the care tasks with our partners and how we do (or should) involve the kids. Listen in!

"The best thing about time is it's length." -Warren BuffetOur relationship with time changes when we become moms. First, we realize how much time we really had before all of our time was consumed with taking care of others... Then, our perspective of time changes when it starts flying by and the kids start growing too quickly. As time and our view of it changes and evolves, we wanted to take some time to stop and think about... TIME! Join us for this enlightening conversation. We promise we won't take too much time. ;)A Time for Everything (Ecclesiastes 3)There is a time for everything,    and a season for every activity under the heavens:a time to be born and a time to die,    a time to plant and a time to uproot,a time to kill and a time to heal,    a time to tear down and a time to build,a time to weep and a time to laugh,    a time to mourn and a time to dance,a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them,    a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing, a time to search and a time to give up,    a time to keep and a time to throw away, a time to tear and a time to mend,    a time to be silent and a time to speak,a time to love and a time to hate,    a time for war and a time for peace.

What are you afraid of?In motherhood there are so many things to be afraid of: stranger danger, physical injury, losing your kids... Not to mention the fear of becoming a parent for the first time and on and on and on.On today's episode of the denmother podcast, the gang is all back together to talk about the ups and downs and ways we cope with and teach our kids about fear. Join the conversation!

How do you find balance as a mom? Does balance even exist? On today's episode of the denmother podcast, Brooke and Kyriaki talk about the ways they juggle marriage, kids, home, school, work, sports, rest, self care and more. They also dive into their journeys toward balance and what's working so far. Join the conversation and let us know how you find balance!

Have you ever judged someone for potty training their child too late? Or maybe you've judged your own parenting against parenting standards you've seen on social media...There are countless examples of Competitive Parenting out there and we've all experienced it in one way or another. On today's episode, Kyriaki and Terri talk about all the ways Competitive Parenting can creep into our heads (including between spouses! Hello?!) and ways to combat it.

Romance. Sex. Passion. All the things that got us into this motherhood mess to begin with. LOL All kidding aside, Happy Valentine's Day! Today the ladies are going DEEP on marriage, romance and how to maintain a healthy relationship while going through the little kid phase. Enjoy!

On today's very special episode of the denmother podcast, Kyriaki brings you a conversation with mom friend Nikki Oden who shares about her brand new book, Definitely Wear Mascara: Hacks to help you love your mom life (and yourself) a little more.Nikki Oden is a lawyer and mom mentor who helps working moms battle burnout by teaching them how to own their days and crush their goals—without the mom guilt.  After walking away from a lucrative career as a commercial litigator for a prestigious, international law firm to become a stay-at-home mom, Nikki learned firsthand how easily a woman can completely lose herself in motherhood. Realizing that she needed something that was hers outside of being “Mommy” and “wife,” Nikki started a home-based business . . . and quickly experienced what it means to live in survival mode. Eventually, through a lot of trial and improvement, she figured out how to harmonize what she wants as an ambitious woman with who she wants to be as a mother, and is passionate about teaching other working moms how to do the same.  Her mission is to help those moms love their mom lives (and themselves) a little more.  Nikki is the founder of Your Ideal Mom Life and the host of the Love Your Mom Life podcast. Her work has been featured in The Boston Globe, TODAY Parents, CafeMom, KidSpot, Clean Plates and Authority Magazine.  Connect with Nikki on Instagram (@NikkiOden) or learn more by visiting www.youridealmomlife.com. You can find her book, Definitely Wear Mascara: Hacks to help you love your mom life (and yourself) a little more, through the following sites: Amazon: https://amzn.to/3u0TzRWBarnes & Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/but-definitely-wear-mascara-nikki-oden/1142874457?ean=9798987152003Bookshop: https://bookshop.org/p/books/but-definitely-wear-mascara-hacks-to-help-you-love-your-mom-life-and-yourself-a-little-more-nikki-oden/19529999?ean=9798987152003

How do you want to see your motherhood journey evolve in 2023? What are your hopes and dreams for your little ones this year and how do you approach the planning and goal setting for each new year? In today's brand new episode, Brooke, Terri & Kyriaki talk about all this and so much more. 

Now that the holidays are behind us and the gifts are all unwrapped, it left us wondering how each mom handles the post-holiday toy situation in their houses. Do you limit the number of toys? Or the types of toys? Do you donate a ton to make room for the new toys? We talk about all that and more on today's brand new episode of the denmother podcast. 

What do you do with your kids during the holidays? Do you carry on traditions from when you were a kid? Or do you start new traditions? How many lights are too many lights for your house? And who does all the decorating in your family? Oh, yes, and what exactly is a crapping Santa? Terri, Brooke and Kyriaki tackle these questions and more in this all new episode of the denmother podcast. Listen in!

How do you make time for your beauty routine as a mom? Is it a priority to you, or has it taken a backseat since becoming a mom? In today's brand new episode of the denmother podcast, the ladies go DEEP into beauty. We're talking product recommendations, how we make time for beauty, what we hope to teach our kids about beauty and even which medical procedures we would (or wouldn't) get. Honestly this talk goes everywhere and we loved every second of it. We hope you will too!

Are you dealing with skid marks in the undies? What about having to fight your kids to get in the bath? It's a lot to take care of the hygiene of multiple other humans, let alone trying to stay on top of our own! If you can relate, you need this episode. 

Have you ever struggled to talk to your child about sex? What about physical or cyber safety? On today's brand new episode of the denmother podcast, Kyriaki and Terri talk to Safety Expert Dr. McKenzie Wood about the best ways to keep our kids safe, but also how to talk to them about these areas without scaring or scarring them. If you need tips on how to talk to your kids about safety, you need this episode!Dr. McKenzie Wood is an Assistant Professor of Criminal Justice and holds degrees in Sociology and Criminal Justice. Her areas of research include crimes against women, help-seeking behaviors of survivors and crime prevention and response. She's also a mom to three adorable kids and loves hiking in the Utah mountains with her kids and her husband, Andrew. 

In today's brand new episode of the denmother podcast, the gang is back together to talk about our mental loads as moms. How we process, delegate and try to UNLOAD the mental load while getting everything done all at once. It's all here and we know you can relate... 

If you struggle with anxiety, depression or just the general mental load of being a mom you NEED this episode. Today, Certified Breath-Work Instructor Ashleigh Naylor talks to us about the importance of breath, how to use breath to stop even panic attacks in their tracks and so much more. Make sure you listen to the end for a FREE breath-work session with Ashleigh!Ashleigh's Bio: I am Ashleigh! I am a mother of four, married to my best friend who happens to be my high school sweetheart, and I am so excited to share all things breathwork with you! I am a certified breathwork & meditation instructor that specializes in mothers and children. My dream with this business is to help those in my community learn more tangible resources and practices that they can utilize in their everyday lives and start to see the magic unfold from it! Instagram: @ jemwellnesscompanyFB Group: JEM Wellness CompanyWebsite: www.jemwellnesscompany.comEmail: jemwellnesscompany@gmail.com

On today's episode of the denmother podcast, Brooke and Kyriaki are joined by their mom friend Jenny. Jenny has an awesome story to share about becoming a mom very young, struggling to provide a life for her and her new baby on her own and eventually finding love again and giving birth a second time, ten years later. We know you'll relate to a lot of her story and be inspired too. 

What did you do for fun before you had kids? If you were like Brooke, you slid on those chunky wedges and tie-back tube tops and hit the dance floor. If you were like Terri, you danced barefoot and alone at bluegrass festivals. Now, fun looks a lot different: splash pads, dinosaur parks and kid museums. On today's episode of the denmother podcast, we're having fun talking all about FUN!

In the Season 2 premiere, Brooke, Terri and Kyriaki discuss all the highs and lows of the school year starting up again - will our "big kids" be able to assert themselves? Which backpack is the right one? How do we get our kiddos to think for themselves, rather than falling into peer pressure? And of course, how bad is it going to hurt when we have to switch back to an early to bed early to rise schedule?? Thanks for being with us!

The gang is back together for the Season 1 Finale of the denmother podcast! Today on the show, Emilie shares her hilarious, heartbreaking and MIRACULOUS birth stories. You won't want to miss it! In other news, it has been a joy to bring you this podcast every week. Keep an eye out this Fall (2022) for Season 2!

We're wrapping up Season 1 with Brooke's birth stories! Any mom can relate to the highs, lows, heartbreaks and joys from both her births. Feel free to share your own birth stories too, on Kyriaki's Instagram: @the_kyriaki! We would love to hear from you. 

Female Juices. What a perfect way to sum up Kyriaki's birth stories: the highs, the lows and the lessons learned. Join us as we continue to wind down Season 1 of the denmother podcast with a personal, maybe too personal, look at each of our birth stories!Also, if you are struggling with suicidal thoughts or feel that you may hurt yourself or the baby, please call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-8255. You can also find a list of many other resources on the denmother website: https://www.thedenmother.net/support

As we wind down Season 1 of the denmother podcast, we will be sharing our long awaited birth stories as promised. Starting with Terri, whose birth story is WILD. Hilarious, dramatic, nude and heartbreaking, her story is the stuff good reality TV is made of. You won't want to miss it!

How do you take care of yourself? From bubble baths to boundaries, it all counts as self care if it recharges you and re-energizes you. Join us as we discuss what gives us joy, how we make time for ourselves and some out of the box ideas for self care. 

Identity informs how we see ourselves, how we see the world and how we make decisions. So how to we start to build our own identity, and help our kids to find their identity? Buckle up ladies, we're going deep on today's episode of the denmother podcast. 

We all know how hard taking care of a newborn can be. Now multiply that by 3 and add a toddler. Today's guest, Lindsey, should win all the mom awards for all she's done to bring four healthy, well adjusted children into this world while also remembering to take care of herself, her house and her marriage. This lady is no joke! We hope you enjoy her story as much as we did. 

Have you ever cried when your little one moved on to a new independent phase and didn't seem to need you as much? Or maybe you felt it when you finished breastfeeding... For many of us that phase represented freedom, but also loss. As parents we are constantly grappling with new phases and stages as our kiddos grow up. Today on the denmother podcast we talk about ALL the phases and how we cope, or try to cope, with them. Join the conversation! We would love to hear which phases and stages were your favorite and how you cope as they come to an end and a new phase begins.