The Insider Mom Podcast

Here are some updates on the next season of The Insider Mom Podcast.If you want to be the first to know when the next episode comes out, make sure to sign up to become an Insider Mom VIP at insidermom.com/VIPAlso, if you haven't already make sure to follow Insider Mom for updates on Instagram, Facebook and Pinterest at @theinsidermom 

The holidays can be a fun but also stressful time. Here are ways we can reduce the stress the holidays can put both on us and on the environment.On a side note, if you haven't already, make sure to sign up here to become an Insider Mom VIP:https://www.insidermom.com/vipAlso be sure to follow on Instagram, Facebook and Pinterest @theinsidermom

It seems our lives are consumed by screens these days. Whether it's for work, learning or entertainment, it's hard to put them away. In fact it can often seem impossible, so much so that our lives are almost controlled by them, rather than us being in control of our devices. But what if it didn't have to be that way...In today's episode I speak to author Catherine Price who shares her research and insights into ways we can harness our tech and live our lives in ways that are more fun and fulfilling.Dubbed “The Marie Kondo of Brains” by The New York Times, Catherine Price is an award-winning science journalist and speaker and the author of numerous books, including How to Break Up with Your Phone and Vitamania: How Vitamins Revolutionized the Way We Think About Food. She is also the creator of Screen/Life Balance, a resource hub dedicated to helping people scroll less and live more. Her work has appeared in various publications, including The Best American Science Writing, The New York Times, O: The Oprah Magazine, Popular Science, Los Angeles Times, San Francisco Chronicle, The Washington Post Magazine, Slate, Time, and Men's Journal, among others.Make sure to have a listen.Also, don't forget to check out her work and books at: ScreenLifeBalance.com and HowToHaveFun.comFor those mamas that want to schedule more time for self care, passion projects and fun, check out The Quick Time Saving Guide for Busy Moms.Want to become an Insider Mom VIP? You can sign up here.

There are times when rest is essential. There are times when we can move forward and be continuously on the go. No matter where you're at, here are some things to consider for personal wellness.

The internet can be a pretty critical place. Say or do one wrong thing and people are ready to pounce, whether it's trivial or not. Heck, even when you create, say or do the right things there are people who are ready to tear you and your work down and make you feel bad. So what are we supposed to do?How can we build up our own resilience and help our kids navigate the digital world?Well in today's episode author Jillian Johnsrud shares insights and tips on what we can do.Her new book  Fire the Haters: Finding the Courage to Create Online in a Critical World, helps creatives and entrepreneurs share their best work with others while learning constructive ways to deal with the various forms of online criticism.After becoming financially independent at 32 years old, Jillian turned her personal and professional experience towards a creative life. She is a popular public speaker, online course creator, host of the Everyday Courage Podcast, and she's also a coach, and a writer.  She and her husband live in Montana, with their 5 kids and  travel often. Make sure to have a listen....and if you haven't already check out my last interview with her here: From Debt to Retiring at 32 & the One Dollar Rule - An Interview with Jillian Johnsrud 

Chances are you may have heard about the benefits of forest bathing...Being outdoors can boost mental health and have a positive impact on our lives. Unfortunately many of us spend hours cooped up inside, either due to work or home life. However, one mom is changing that for the women she works with.Nailah Blades Wylie @nailahblades is a Life & Leadership coach, consultant and the founder of Color Outside, a community for ambitious women of color who are ready to create unapologetic, soul stirring lives through outdoor adventure. Nailah started Color Outside as a safe place for women of color to come together and unlock where they're feeling stuck so that they can fully step into their joy and shine. When she's not leading adventure retreats or consulting with brands you can find her hiking with her husband or playing intense games of hide-n-go seek with her two tiny kids. Make sure to have a listen.

Being able to determine your own schedule is one of the perks of working from home. It can also help when raising kids with special needs. That's why Carrie a mom of two decided to turn her passion into a business that allows her to have a flexible schedule while working from home. Carrie Keefe is the Founder of Sweet As April a business that sells hand sewn bonnets for babies and kids that are made from upcycled materials. She started Sweet As April as a blog, a place where she could share everything she was learning about being a mother, an artist, a maker and a woman who felt as though she had just lost her way. On that afternoon when she stitched her first bonnet she wasn't planning on selling them. Leia (her youngest) needed a sunbonnet for their camping trip, and because she had very little money at the time, she decided to sew one, using some of her childhood bedsheets. At the time, she was making the decision to close a gallery and gift shop she had opened and worked at for 7 years to stay home with her 3-year-old son, Elliot, who was newly diagnosed with autism. However, through sharing her bonnet creation online, people started asking her to make more and she decided to turn Sweet As April into a business; one that has helped her make a living while being able to stay home with her kids.Make sure to have a listen...

Content creation requires work and planning, but it's necessary to stand out online.  It's also crucial to keep diversity in mind when creating content as well.In this episode, Dominique Bouchard talks about things we need to consider when creating content. She also talks about strategies moms can use to make sure they are tending to their own well-being.Dominique @dom.creates is a senior-level digital strategist, content producer, and mom. Collaborating with some of the top international brands, she has leveraged her knowledge in content creation as an entrepreneur, sports marketer, and businesswoman to make personal and professional brands bring culture to the forefront. She's the co-founder of Dom Creates Digital Marketing Agency and helps people create inclusive content for their brands. Make sure to have a listen.

The road to mompreneurship isn't always a straight path. Building a business is a lot of work, but doing so with kids in tow requires extra effort and planning.In today's episode Lianne Kim, podcast host of The Business of Thinking Big and founder of Mamas & Co. @mamasandco a community for mompreneurs, shares tips on how moms can create businesses that make them light up and that they are passionate about. She also talks about her new bestselling book Building a Joyful Business and what inspired her to do the work she does. Make sure to have a listen.

In an age where polarization has become the norm online and media networks utilize conflict to gain more attention in reality television, it can be delightful to know there are people out there spreading good news...and quite literally doing so. Summers McKay is the CEO of The Optimist Daily @optimistdaily, a news publisher that spreads good news and uses a multimedia approach to offer formulas for success to its audiences.In this interview summers talks about her professional life, the struggles and the beauty of early motherhood and how she loves leading a company where she gets to read good news everyday. She also talks about a past experience in working as a reality television producer where she refused to do what she was asked from the network as it would have created a false and conflict-inducing narrative, and what she did following that experience.Summers McKay has been building successful, Do Good Do Well, businesses for over twenty years. A U.C. Berkeley grad with an MBA from UCLA Anderson, Summers brings a unique set of skills from both her robust education and intense practical experience creating brands, running companies, and leading innovative teams.  She is a contributing writer, podcast host and the author of Running With Kenyans. She is determined to apply lucrative and scalable business rigor to the world of doing good.  In addition to offering her expertise to her fellow entrepreneurs at Noospheric, Summers ran her own company, Love Summers Company, LLC. Love Summers Company was a sexual health and intimate wellness company focused on creating natural intimate care products and sex life enhancing apps. Her company won the 2015 Audience Choice Award at the Silicon Beach Fest Startup Pitch for their app concept, the Make Love More App. Prior to joining The Optimist Daily, Summers served as Chairman of Santa Barbara Entrepreneur, where she led strategic masterminds and executive development groups including Santa Barbara Entrepreneur Advantage, and served as Executive in Residence at Noospheric. She founded UCLA Anderson EDGE, offering rigorous business education to graduate and undergraduate students. She's also a lecturer for UCLA Anderson, and an instructor for UCLA Extension. Summers business, motherhood, and life mantra is simple – Help good things grow.  Make sure to have a listen.

Finding one's calling doesn't always happen in ways we'd expect. Moms are often made to choose between a flourishing family life or career. Ambitious mamas are sometimes labeled as selfish when in fact they should be supported. Balance is often seen as unattainable and mom guilt is often present regardless of what decisions a mother makes.In today's interview Brooke Cates talks about how she found her calling, her views on why balance is possible and why we need to "walk through the muck" in order build stronger relationships with others and ourselves.Brooke Cates is the CEO and Founder of The Bloom Method @thebloommethod, a global pre+ postnatal fitness method and app. Brooke created The Bloom Method with a desire to empower women before, during, and after pregnancy while slashing narratives that tend to create disempowering outcomes for mothers. She is a Prenatal and Postnatal Exercise Specialist, Core Rehabilitation Specialist, Prenatal and Postnatal Holistic Health Coach and thought leader in the pre and postnatal wellness space. Make sure to have a listen.

When it comes to our health and the health of our families, there isn't a one-size-fits all approach. Each of us requires specific things in order to achieve optimal health. Whether we're dealing with the impact of stress on our bodies, food sensitivities, genetic or environmental factors, following a specifically tailored program to address whatever it is we need to, can greatly help.Dr. Alanna Kuhn, ND @dr.alannakuhn is a Naturopathic Doctor whose practice focuses on hormone health including thyroid conditions, stress management, adrenal dysfunction, and women's hormone balance. Throughout women's lives, hormone imbalances can arise causing women to feel less optimal than they did before. Dr. Alanna takes the time to make the connections between your health concerns in order to address the root cause and get you back to feeling like your best self again.Make sure to check out this episode.

A lot of families are taking time for summer break this time of the year. Chances are you might be too...In this episode I share a couple updates and have also added a list of episodes you can check out during the summer holidays:- ER Physician Dr. Courtney Howard On The Impacts Climate Change On Our Health & On Our Planet - One Detailed Mama And The Power Of Organizing Your Life & Home- Overcoming Unimaginable Hardship & Becoming a Voice for Peace - The story of former child soldier and international speaker Michel Chikwanine- The Power Of Living On Purpose Even In The Face Of Difficulty - An Interview with Jovian Zayne- From Debt to Retiring at 32 & the One Dollar Rule - An Interview with Jillian Johnsrud- The Fifth Vital Sign, Overcoming Period Pain & the One Sign to NEVER Ignore - Lisa Hendrickson-Jack - Queen of Raw: How This Mom Is Saving The Planet & The Fashion Industry- The Impacts of the Microbiome, Genetics, Parenting & Culture on Children's Behavior - Innovation and Motherhood - The Story of Milk Stork with Kate Torgersen 

In an age where credit cards make it easy to make quick purchases, keeping track of spending is crucial. Building financial wealth can sometimes seem incredibly difficult, especially for moms who've been faced with job losses or have stepped out of the workforce to stay home with their kids, due to the stress the pandemic has put on families.In today's episode Tammatha Denyes, @tammatha-denyes an accounting professional and coach, shares ways moms can save, spend and track their finances in order to help them build wealth.She shares her own personal experiences and how she went from being a single mom of two who dropped out of high school, to an entrepreneur who is now the driving force behind a number of practices in Ontario. She and her team provide accounting and tax solutions to not only the local businesses in their area, but to other locations using the power of cloud technology and desktop solutions.  Recently, you can find Tammatha spending much of her time giving back to both small business owners and accounting professionals by providing mentorship opportunities and online courses to encourage growth, adoption and adaptation to the world of cloud based accounting. Make sure to have a listen

Starting a business as a mom of two isn't easy. Leaving a comfortable job and being faced with uncertainty can make it even more difficult. But that's exactly what Katie Thompson did.In this interview she talks about her journey creating her company and the supports and systems she had in place to make it happen.Katie Thomson is the Co-founder and CEO of Square Baby. She's a mom of 2 and Registered Dietitian with a Masters in Nutrition. She spent her career pioneering nutrition strategy for some of the biggest and most respected brands. As the first Nutritionist for Starbucks Coffee Company, she shaped their Health & Wellness strategy and made foundational shifts to the menu. When she became a mom, Katie shifted all of her energy to creating a better solution for parents and babies and so she created Square Baby, a baby food company that has Nutrition Science at their core.

Still today, there aren't enough public schools that value and set aside sufficient time for creativity. But it's something that definitely needs to be cultivated and prioritized.That's why a while back, when author C.R. Stewart reached out about his new book Britfield & The Lost Crown, I invited him on the show to share about his children's book that has won 18 awards.In this interview he talks about how teachers and parents can make time for more creativity in schools and in their homes. He also talks about what inspired him to become a writer and how his travels inspire his work.Born in Newport Beach, California, C. R. Stewart has 20 years of experience in writing fiction, non-fiction, and screenplays. He is an award-winning, bestselling author, creativity specialist, and prolific writer. He's also founder of  Britfield Institute, and Devonfield, dedicated to the highest quality in publishing, film production, and education. Chad received a Bachelor of Arts in British literature and European history from Brown University; earned an MBA from Boston College; and is pursuing a Master of Science and a PhD at Peter F. Drucker and Masatoshi Ito Graduate School of Management at Claremont Graduate University. Chad has traveled throughout the world and spent two years in England, furthering his education and conducting research. Now based in San Diego, he is a strong supporter of education and the arts and sits on the board of Horizon University; he's also an adjunct professor at Fermanian School of Business, Point Loma Nazarene University; and is the past president of the board of directors of the San Diego Ballet.Make sure to have a listen to this episode.

What if you could create your family life the way you envision it to be. A life where you, your partner and kids all receive the support you need, through following a plan you create together. One where your kids grow up and learn about self-discipline and apply the principles, with you as a guide. There's no doubt that parenting can be hard, but having a plan in place not just for your kids, but your family as a whole can make things a lot easier.After a period of difficulty and a family emergency, Nellie Harden decided things had to change. She decided to create and set goals for her own family and developed a system called The 6570 Project, to help other families do the same.Nellie Harden is a wife, mother of four teen daughters, a forever student and a devoted teacher, but she is also a Family Experience Designer and Parenting Coach for confused, frustrated and even proactive parents of teens and tweens helping them to achieve their unique parenting and family goals so that they can dramatically improve their family experience and position their child for success before they even leave home. With a lifelong passion and curiosity in thought, choice, behavior and growth she has found incredible joy in bringing peace and success to families looking for answers and a path forward.Make sure to check out this episode to learn more...

Some days can be chaotic and unpredictable when you have little kids, but that doesn't mean you can't get things done and block out time for projects and work that matters to you. There are several things to consider when you're faced with unpredictable days, so make sure to tune in to this episode. 

With so much information available on the web today, it would seem that people would be adequately informed about a variety of topics, but the availability of information does not necessarily mean people become specialized in it. It also means that misinformation is easily spread as well. As moms, receiving specialized support for our concerns and becoming informed is more crucial than it has ever been. Doing so means we can better support our families and communities and help remove stigmas associated with issues that matter to us.If you liked this episode, here are some additional episodes you might want to check out:Surviving the Waiting Room: A Mother's Journey to Becoming a CoachThe Impacts of the Microbiome, Genetics, Parenting & Culture on Children's BehaviorTreating Anxiety, Depression, ADHD and Certain Health Conditions With Neurofeedback

The common saying "your body is your temple" often resonates with many who've come to realize that caring for their body and overall well-being makes a drastic difference in how they feel on a daily basis. One such person is Becky Wells. Becky went from felling unwell and taking pills for a variety of ailments, to deciding to change her lifestyle habits and focusing on nurturing her body through consuming delicious and nutritious foods and practicing clean living. On her journey, she became a Nutritional Therapy Practitioner with a mission to help other moms live healthier and better lives.Becky Wells is the founder of Hippie Moms and host of the Hippie Moms Podcast. She is passionate about guiding moms to reclaim their and their family's health by using natural and holistic healing remedies. She is a clean living educator & advocate, creator of the Holistic Mama Summit, and gut-health focused HEALED body program.Make sure to have a listen....If you liked this episode, you might also enjoy these ones too:The Fifth Vital Sign, Overcoming Period Pain & the One Sign to NEVER Ignore - Lisa Hendrickson-JackCritical Thinking, Pandemics & The Future Of Humankind - An Interview With Guy P. HarrisonPermaculture, Biodiversity & One Mom's Path to Building a Sustainable Landscape Design Firm 

What are the benefits of meditation and prayer when it comes to children's mental health? What are the long term mental health impacts of physical punishment? How do certain cultural norms help or hurt our kids and what do we need to do to create positive change?In today's episode Dr. Valerie Michaelson sheds light on research that has been done in the area of children's mental health. Dr. Valerie Michaelson is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Health Sciences at Brock University. Her research focuses on health equity and the social dimensions of the health of children. Social justice and human rights are core to her work. In one area of her research, she examines the social, cultural and religious norms that rationalize or normalize harmful health behaviors or attitudes, and that lead to adverse health outcomes. Her current projects focus on violence, spirituality, mental health, and decolonization and reconciliation. Most of her projects have participatory strands, in which young people are positioned as co-researchers, and she recognizes children as competent and insightful agents in interpreting their own worlds. Make sure to have a listen.Enjoyed this episode? Make sure to check out these ones too:The Impacts of the Microbiome, Genetics, Parenting & Culture on Children's BehaviorCoping Skills for Kids, Removing Mental Health Stigma & How Parents & Schools Can Better Support ChildrenER Physician Dr. Courtney Howard On The Impacts Of Climate Change On Our Health & On Our Planet

Leaving a stable job, moving states with her family and taking a financial risk to leave a lifestyle of hustle and burn-out is exactly what Jenn Collins did in order to have more time for her family. In the process she decided to create a business that would give back to moms wanting to prioritize their self-care, so she created the Mama Needs Subscription Box.In this episode she talks about why she and her family needed the big change and what motivated her to start her own company. She also discusses why it's important for parents to not only share their successes with their kids, but also their vulnerabilities and failures. She also shares how she personally focuses on self-care and how her own mom inspired her to make it a priority.Jenn Collins @mamaneedsbox is the founder and Chief Self-Care Officer of the Mama Needs Subscription Box and host of The Mama Needs Podcast. She's on a mission to help Mamas understand the need for self-care and give them the tools and inspiration to prioritize it. She's been married to her high school sweetheart for 15 years and they have 3 kids ages 12, 9 and 5! Jenn is an enneagram 9 and loves coffee, a good Netflix show and dreaming up new ideas for her subscription boxes!

Parenting is a huge responsibility and it can be hard to know what the best, most researched and up-to-date parenting practices are without reading or learning about them. The guests of today's episode dive into ways parents can raise empathetic and resilient kids by healing their own past wounds and disciplining without yelling. They talk about the program they've created to help toddler parents understand their child's unmet needs and offers parents helpful strategies to communicate with their kids.Bryana, Sonnet, and Veronica @raisingchildrenyoulike are the founders of Raising Children You Like @raisingchildren you like.  They're a group of moms with 6 kids between them. Sonnet and Veronica are co-hosts of Not Your Mother's Podcast. On the search for parenting answers, Sonnet and Veronica partnered with Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist Bryana Kappa from South Bay Mommy and Me and started an online mindful parenting educational system for toddler parents called Raising Children You Like.   In their program  they cover topics such as Tackling tantrums and understanding a child's unmet needs and discipline without yelling, they also take parents through the processes of healing past wounds as a parent, so they don't pass them along to their children and ultimately teach parents how to raise a child with empathy, resilience, and compassion. They don't take raising the next generation lightly and understand the responsibility it involves and have risen to the occasion and taken action.Make sure to tune into this episode and have a listen....

Working at home as a new mom with your baby present isn't easy. In today's episode Kay Hillman talks about her experience in growing her business while doing just that. She addresses the challenges, while also offering tips for other moms on how they can find time to do so. She shares the strategy that works better than scheduling out each hour and how she assigns specific tasks to each day.Kay Hillman @mrskayhillman is an Atlanta based social media marketing expert, photographer and business coach. She is a new mom and passionate about helping women of faith tap into their divine strategy and use their spiritual gifts to create a business that consistently attracts clients. She's the founder of Moments with MK Photography, The Social Savvy Co. & Becoming CEO.Make sure to tune into this episode to learn more...

Did you know that there are long lasting benefits of learning to play a musical instrument? Many parents wonder at what age they should sign their kids up for music lessons. In today's episode Jo Violin, a music educator and violinist, talks about the benefits of music and the profound impacts it has on the brain. She also shares part of her journey into becoming a violinist and music educator.Jo graduated from the University of Toronto with a Bachelor's degree in Violin Performance. Her performing career has seen her travel and play with many different orchestras and festivals in Spain, Italy, France, Germany, Canada and the United States. When she became a mother of active little boys, she searched for a music program for babies and toddlers that was fun, developmentally effective, and educational. Kindermusik met all the criteria she was looking for and offered more than what she thought was possible to achieve through an early childhood music program. Kindermusik brings families together and helps babies grow into happy, healthy, and thoughtful individuals. She immediately fell in love with the program and decided to become an educator herself. She has been teaching and spreading the love of music for more than 20 years, and becoming a Kindermusik educator was a natural path for her. Her passion for teaching children led her to complete Suzuki training. She is currently teaching violin at Sistema Toronto, positively impacting at risk youth through music education. She is a strong advocate of community support for young growing minds.Make sure to tune into this episode.

How do we break the cycle of generational parenting practices that can lead us to reacting to our kids' behavioral issues, based on past conditioning? How can we lead from a place of mindfulness and greater understanding? In today's episode Hunter Clarke-Fields @mindfulmamamentor addresses these very questions.Hunter Clarke-Fields, MSAE, RYT, is a mindful mama mentor. Hunter is the creator of the Mindful Parenting course, host of the Mindful Mama podcast and widely-followed author of Raising Good Humans: A Mindful Guide to Breaking the Cycle of Reactive Parenting and Raising Kind, Confident Kids. She helps parents bring more calm and peace into their daily lives. Hunter has over twenty years of experience in meditation practices and has taught mindfulness to thousands worldwide. She is the mother of two active daughters, who challenge her everyday to hone her craft!Make sure to have a listen....

What are some of the most surprising things about motherhood and the postpartum period that you were never informed about? After having her son in September 2018, Renee was so surprised by all the things she was experiencing that no one had prepared her for and that no one ever talks about. After sharing her experiences and feelings (with friends and on social media), she learned that so many women experience the same things and feel the exact same way. Renee finished her PhD in psychology in March 2020, just days before quarantine started. While in quarantine with her toddler she gained a large following on TikTok with her mom-related content and started The Mom Room Podcast to allow for deeper conversations about all things motherhood. In this episode we'll be diving into her personal experiences with birth and the postpartum period as well as some of the surprising things not many people prepare for or know about in the postpartum period.

Have you ever seen a freshwater dolphin? The Amazon River dolphin not only lives in freshwater, but it is also pink and grey. They are unique and friendly creatures, but they're endangered. Approximately 1,500 river dolphins are killed a year for catfish bait. In today's episode Suzanne Smith, a mom and conservationist, talks about these unique creatures and her mission to save them. Suzanne  Smith has worked with marine mammals for over 30 years. She is originally  from Boston, and spent her childhood on her dad's boat gaining an  appreciation and a deep respect for all marine life.In  2014, Suzanne Smith founded the Amazon River Dolphin Conservation  Foundation (ARDCF). The foundation was established after exploring the  Rio Negro region of Brazil and realizing there was a need for river  dolphin conservation projects and education. Currently,  she serves as the Executive Director of the Amazon River Dolphin  Conservation Foundation (ARDCF).  She has a  passion for marine mammals and is a strong advocate for environmental  conservation. She is  dedicated to increasing awareness of the plight of river dolphins and  how to conserve this species.Make sure to check out this episode to learn more...If you enjoyed this episode you might also want to check out:Permaculture, Biodiversity & One Mom's Path To Building A Sustainable Landscape Design FirmLori L. Tharps on Undoing Racism and Celebrating DiversityQueen Of Raw: How This Mom Is Saving The Planet & The Fashion Industry

With so many social media platforms to choose from, LinkedIn isn't always prioritized by many, but today's guest, social media strategist Dee Boswell-Buck @deeboswell_buck talks about why we should consider investing more time on it.She also discusses how and why moms can get started on the platform when they want to find a new job, or start a new business, even if they have a gap in their professional work due to maternity leave or choosing to be a stay at home mom for a period of time.She also shares some of her top tips for creating a strong profile on the platform.Make sure to tune into this episode.

Have you ever had a migraine? If so, you know how debilitating they can be. While they can be hereditary, there are also external factors that contribute to them. Eye health and nutrition also play a key role.In today's episode Dr. Rani Banik MD, Board-certified Ophthalmologist, fellowship-trained Neuro-Ophthalmologist, and Functional Medicine expert, talks about the various causes of migraines and how we can prevent them or decrease their occurrence. She also talks about ways we can keep our eyes healthy for better vision throughout the years. In this episode she also talks about the power of nutrition in contributing to healthy eyes, decreased migraines and the impact of nutrition on the vision of children. Dr. Rudrani Banik is also a healthcare entrepreneur and founder of Envision Health NYC,  Board-certified Ophthalmologist, fellowship-trained Neuro-Ophthalmologist, and Functional Medicine expert and has a special interest in treating headaches and migraines.Make sure to check out this episode to learn more.

Doulas are incredibly helpful. Their support and guidance can have positive lasting effects on the birth and postpartum experience. Considering it's World Doula Week I wanted to give a shout out to all the doulas making a positive difference.On social?  Make sure to head on over to @theinsidermomAlso if you'd like, make sure to check out these episodes:Innovation and Motherhood: The Story of Milk StorkPreventing Burnout, Brain Changes in Motherhood & the Critical Role of Postpartum CareHow Current Systems Are Failing Mothers & How Feminism Needs To Evolve

Orangutans are critically endangered and human activity involving deforestation is driving this umbrella species to extinction. If we humans don't make drastic changes in the next decade to save their habitat, they as well as a variety of other species, will be wiped out. Someone who is doing something about this is Leif Cocks. Leif  is an orangutan expert and the founder of The Orangutan Project @theorangutanproject which is an organization that works to save orangutans from extinction. He has been a key player in developing conservation  plans for orangutans and influencing positive change for orangutan  protection and survival. A small population biologist and curator by trade; Leif has several  academic qualifications, including a Masters of Science studying  orangutans. He lectures at universities, is a seasoned public speaker  and has published several papers on orangutans in peer-reviewed  journals. In this interview he talks about the characteristics of orangutans, what his organization does to help them and how every individual can play their part in preventing them from going extinct.Make sure to have a listen.

There are so many myths surrounding pelvic floor health and recovery after birth. Many women are told that leaking after having kids is normal and that they better be careful when they sneeze. But that's not the case. Many women suffer from pain during sex with their partner due to scar tissue that hasn't been treated or cared for properly.  A problem they should not have to accept and live with. In today's interview Marcy Crouch dispels some of those myths.Marcy Crouch is a board certified women's health physical therapist and has a passion to change the way women are cared for during and after their pregnancies. She created The DT Method, a series of online programs and courses for birth prep and post-partum recovery. She developed the new standard for preparing for delivery and recovering successfully after birth. You can learn more about her work at @thedowntheredoc.Make sure to tune into this episode to learn more.

Moira Cleary is a Professionally Certified Life Coach  and Mindfulness Practitioner, and mom of two beautiful, smart, funny teenagers who both live with often debilitating chronic invisible conditions. Over the years she has depended on support groups for information, camaraderie, and guidance. However, while in a downward spiral these were not what she needed. she needed help keeping her head above water. When she went looking, she didn't need a parenting coach. she didn't need a therapist. she needed a life coach who got the struggles she was going through. Unfortunately, she couldn't find any. This was a gap she saw in the current structure. So she decided to fill that gap and support other women and moms who were experiencing similar struggles. She decided to make it her mission to help mothers find their strength so that they can show up for themselves and their families the way they want to. She is the founder of Surviving the Waiting Room @survivingthewaitingroom and in this episode she talks about how she became a coach and how she balances caring for the needs of her family and herself, while building a business that supports others.Make sure to tune in and have a listen.

Ditching a high paying career and downsizing isn't something a ton of people do, but today's podcast guest Julie Ciardi @julieciardi  is a mom of three who did just that. Despite the uncertainty, she left a high paying job at a Fortune 500 company so she could start working for herself as an entrepreneur and move up in a career that matched her own passions. Today, she helps other women build side-hustles that align with what they want to do. In this episode she talks about:- The top three tips moms need to know about in order to start their own side hustle- How she took 9 months off to be with her baby, when she was still working for a company in an high level position, when the average time off was 3 months or less.- How she was even promoted at the same company, despite working on her own terms and leaving a meeting to be at her kid's soccer practice.- What led her to starting her entrepreneurial journey- Why she wanted to focus on helping women build side hustles they're passionate about.Make sure to tune into this episode......If you liked this episode, you might also want to check out these ones too:Permaculture, Biodiversity & One Mom's Path to Building a Sustainable Landscape Design FirmThe Power Of Living On Purpose Even In The Face Of Difficulty - An Interview With Jovian ZayneInnovation and Motherhood - The Story of Milk Stork with Kate Torgersen

The past year has left many parents scrambling to find alternative forms of education that would benefit their kids. Some have stuck with virtual learning, some have sent their kids back to school in areas where schools have re-opened and others have either turned to, or seriously considered, homeschooling.In this episode Robyn Roberston, blogger, podcast host and creator of Honey! I'm Homeschooling the Kids @honeyimhomeschoolingthekids, addresses questions about unschooling and homeschooling and talks about how it can benefit families and how it can even give kids an advantage when it comes to later applying to colleges.Make sure to tune into this episode to learn more.If you liked this episode, you might also want to check out the following episodes:Queen of Raw: How This Mom Is Saving The Planet & The Fashion Industr‪y.From Adversity To Mompreneur In Tech - An interview with Myoshia Boykin Anderso‪n.Critical Thinking, Pandemics & The Future Of Humankind - An Interview With Guy P. Harriso‪n

Humans can have pretty big emotions and kids in particular, don't always have the knowledge or experience to deal with them. They often need help and guidance to better process them.Janine Halloran @copingskillsforkids is a licensed mental health counselor, entrepreneur and creator of the copings skills for kids products and resources for children. She teaches children how to deal with stress, anxiety and anger in healthy ways.In this episode she talks about:- How she first became a mental health counselor - The incredible experience of helping a child with counseling have a total mindset shift that improved their outlook on life and themselves. An experience that motivated her to pursue her path in counseling and helping children further- Why she values counseling and has sought it out for her own kids- The reason she believes it's healthier for her own children to receive counseling services from another professional, other than herself- How schools can better address mental health and de-stigmatize it- The products and resources she has created to help kids deal with stress, anxiety and anger in a healthy manner.Make sure to check out this episode.If you liked this episode make sure to check these ones out too:How Couples Can Thrive After Having Kids - An Interview With Allison Villa.From Adversity to Mompreneur in Tech: Myoshia Boykin Anderson.An Inspiring Story of A Former Child Soldier & Refugee.

Succulent plants are pretty popular, not only because they're cute and can brighten up a space, but because many varieties don't need to be constantly watered... However, not all succulent species are the same and each one has unique instructions for care.That's where Cassidy Tuttle comes in. Several years back she decided to start a blog @succulentsandsunshine teaching people how to care for and grow succulent plants. What started as a small project, grew into a full time business,  that is now thriving and growing.In this episode she discusses:- How she started her blog- The benefits of growing succulent plants- How a visit to a plant nursery with her mom was the start of her journey in becoming an expert on succulents- The reason she decided to serve this specific niche early on- The easiest and most difficult succulent plants to grow indoorsIf you love succulent plants and want to know the value of creating an online blog that serves a specific niche, make sure to tune into this episode......If you liked listening to this episode you might also enjoy these ones too:ER Physician Dr. Courtney Howard On The Impacts Of Climate Change On Our Health & On Our Planet.Permaculture, Biodiversity & One Mom's Path To Building A Sustainable Landscape Design Firm.Protecting Our Kids And What To Expect In The Digital Age: Elizabeth Milovidov

It seems like there are so many social media platforms to choose from nowadays. You may have tried Pinterest before, but considering it also functions like a search engine platform, online businesses and bloggers have seen massive growth when effectively utilizing it to grow their brands. In this interview I speak with Kate Ahl, Pinterest marketing maven and the owner and founder of Simple Pin Media @simplepinmedia , a Pinterest management and marketing agency. In this episode, she talks about:- How tough times propelled her into the world of blogging and Pinterest- How she became an expert on Pinterest and created her marketing agency- How people can leverage Pinterest to grow their business and brands.- The power of calendars and notebooks as well as a couple other systems she uses both at home and in her business for efficiency.-She also talks about her birth stories and the support she received from her midwives and her experience with a very difficult pregnancy loss and how her community was able to support her through that.Make sure to tune into this episode to learn more...If you liked this episode, you might also enjoy listening to these ones too:Preventing Burnout, Brain Changes In Motherhood & The Critical Role Of Postpartum Care.YouTube Mom and Virtual BFF Amanda Muse On Life, Motherhood & How She Started Her Channel .ER Physician Dr. Courtney Howard On The Impacts Climate Change On Our Health & On Our Planet .

Maternity leave shouldn't be a luxury. Maternal mortality rates in the US are higher than most developed countries, breastfeeding rates are low and Black women are disproportionately affected. Many women are affected by a system that is failing them.In this discussion journalist Kimberly Seals-Allers addresses:- Why all women need to have access to the education and tools that will help them have a more satisfying birth and postpartum experience.- The reason Black women and babies are suffering from a failing system the most- Why traditional feminism needs to evolve - Why the work of mothering needs to be valued as important work- The reason we need a culture that supports mothersKimberly Seals Allers @iamksealsallers is an award-winning journalist, and leading breastfeeding commentator. Her work has been featured in theNew York Times, Huffington Post, The Daily Beast, Ladies Home Journal, The New York Daily News, Real Simple, Fortune, Pregnancyand many others. She has appeared on Good Morning America, CNN, Anderson Cooper, Fox News and the Huckabee Show and NPR. Kimberly worked at Fortune, Essence, New York Post andThe Times (of London), before turning to freelance work. She is the author ofThe Mocha Manual® series of books and the co-author ofGiving Notice: Why the Best and Brightest are Leaving the Workplace.To learn more, have a listen.If you liked this episode you might also be interested in checking out the following episodes:Wandering Moms And The Women That Founded The Vibrant CommunityER Physician Dr. Courtney Howard On The Impacts Climate Change On Our Health & On Our PlanetYour Worth Isn't Defined By A Number.

Tara Williams had just recently lost her job. On top of that she had a newborn and three other kiddos to look after. To say she was tired would be an understatement. She was extremely exhausted. Her husband had also lost his job at the time and they were scrambling to figure out a way to keep their family afloat. At the time, her mother in-law had sewn a sleep sack for her youngest and it worked like a charm in helping him sleep, which means she had more time to get some shut-eye too and she felt so much better. That's when she had the idea to create a company that would solve the problem of sleepless nights for many families, and Dreamland Baby was born.In this episode she shares how she was able to raise the initial $25,000 she needed to have the sleep sacks manufactured, by creating a Kickstarter campaign, which led to her company and product being featured on Shark Tank.Make sure to have a listen and check out their products at: @dreamlandbabyco

Does culture determine whether or not our kids become introverts or extroverts? What makes some babies and kids more prone to fussiness while others are more calm? Also, can we positively influence our children's behavior or is temperament primarily genetic?Maria (Masha) Gartstein is a professor in the Washington State University Department of Psychology and the Clinical Psychology Doctoral Program Director. Masha and her collaborators' research has focused on the role that parenting plays in how temperament “comes online” in early childhood. Their work is the subject of an episode in the Netflix documentary “Babies” filmed at the Gartstein Temperament Laboratory.In this interview she answers some of the above questions and also discusses findings on the impacts of the microbiome, genetics, epigenetics, parenting and culture on children's temperament.She also talks about:- Her childhood growing up- The impacts of stress during pregnancy- Difficulties and challenges women researchers and faculty face when they become mothers- Individualism vs. collectivism and how what's valued in each culture influences our childrens' behavior- The Frozen II motto she lives byIf you're interested in learning about her fascinating research, make sure to tune into this episode.If you liked this episode you might also be interested in the following episodes:Preventing Burnout, Brain Changes In Motherhood & The Critical Role Of Postpartum CareTreating Anxiety, Depression, ADHD and Certain Health Conditions With NeurofeedbackThe Fifth Vital Sign, Overcoming Period Pain & the One Sign to NEVER Ignore - Lisa Hendrickson-Jack

It's coming to the end of the year and it's probably a time where you want to start planning for the year ahead. With so many things being unpredictable, here I share a few tips on what to do to simplify planning the year ahead. I also share some really nice planners and calendars you might want to check out too, so be sure to have a listen.(Note: This was recorded several weeks prior and scheduled for today, but I just wanted to make sure you could check out these tips when planning your year in hopes that they help with the process.)

The holidays are here and the year is almost over....and what a year it's been! I just wanted to share my holiday wishes for you, share some tips and ask you what ways you're celebrating this year. Tune in for this short episode when you get the chance.(Note: This was recorded the week prior so I could spend time with my family during the holidays, but I just wanted to make sure I got the chance to wish you happiness and fun during the holidays.)

Myoshia Boykin-Anderson had a really difficult life and upbringing, but she didn't let that stop her from striving for a better future. Through grit, hard work, believing in herself and her own faith, she became a self-made businesswoman with no formal higher education or college degree. In 1998, Myoshia @msmyoshia started her first company. She was able grow it to a multi-six figure operation before closing it in 2007. After taking the lessons learned from that experience, she launched her second company in 2009. Myoshia is now the award-winning founder and CEO of one of the leading IT Consulting companies in the country, AndTech Solutions, LLC.  Over the past decade, under her leadership, her company has grown into a multi seven-figure consulting firm providing custom application development and technology services to some of the top U.S. companies and organizations. In this interview she talks about:- How she first became interested in learning about technology- How she views everything as a win or a learn- Her experiences in starting her first company and the lessons it taught her- The difficulties she faced starting a company as a single mom- The role her faith and outlook on life has played in pulling her through tough times- Some of the lessons and mindset strategies she's taught her kids.Make sure to check out this inspiring episode.

Finding other moms that can relate to life with kids and raising a family is always nice. Knowing a mom that shares the highs and lows of parenting in an authentic way online through YouTube can be really helpful. Amanda Muse does just that. Amanda @amandamuse started her YouTube channel “AmandaMuse” to document her journey into motherhood with her two children, and connect with women around the world on a similar path. As one of YouTube's original Mom's, Amanda has created an engaged community online.In this interview she discusses:- How she got started on YouTube- Her birth stories and what it was like living in Malaysia- How she deals with trolls online- When she knew YouTube and her work online would become a viable income source- Setting boundaries on what to share- The benefits of scheduling time together with one's spouse and how she does despite the pandemic- The need for moms to prioritize self-care during this timeMake sure to check out this episode.

Excess clutter can create stress, but it's not always easy to find time to organize your home, especially when you've got kids. In this interview Jodie Kase, creator of One Detailed Mama, shares simple strategies you can use to tackle clutter one day at a time and one area in your home at a time.In this interview she shares:- Ways you can start to organize your home each day- How she started doing the work she's doing and how her childhood lead her on the path she's on today- How to deal with holiday clutter before it even adds up- Key questions to ask about purchases you make for your home.Make sure to check this episode out....you can also find Jodie at onedetailedmama.com

If you've ever tried to get fit or lose weight, you know that dieting can be difficult. But what if instead of trying a ton of different diets, you could make changes that would help you drop pounds and feel energized, all while eating delicious foods with spices that help you in your efforts to stay fit.In today's episode, this is exactly what Nagina @masalabody discusses. Nagina Abdullah is a health coach for female professionals, physicians, and 7-figure entrepreneurs and founder of the website MasalaBody.com. She's been helping women drop pounds and get fit, even if they have tried everything. She's helped over 700 professional women successfully lose weight and create a lifestyle change. She's also been featured in Health.com, Business Insider, People.com and more.In this episode she discusses:- The top three spices for weight loss and health- How she started Masala Body- Her life growing up- The key things she did to skyrocket her business' growth and her own health- Mindset shifts every mom needs to know about in order to thrive and growMake sure to check out this episode.Also you can find out more about Nagina's work at masalabody.com

You've probably seen her designs and illustrations at some point because they are adorable and she's been creating them for years. Laura Kelly is a licensed artist, author, designer, project maker and kindness leader.  Through her endless abundance of creativity, she shares ways to spread kindness on purpose because she believes that kindness is contagious and that the world can always use more of it. In this episode Laura Kelly @laurakellydesigns discusses:- How she started making a living with her art and illustrations- The time she stopped drawing for years and the pivotal moment in her life when she began again.- Tips for those wanting to make a living selling their art- Why having a purpose and a message matters when selling one's art- How we can spread kindness each and everyday with simple acts that can uplift others.Check out this episode to learn more. You can see more of her work at: https://meandmyinklings.com/

Dr Courtney Howard is an Emergency Physician in Yellowknife, in Canada's subarctic, and a Clinical Associate Professor in the Cumming School of Medicine at the University of Calgary. She is a nationally- and globally-recognized expert on the impacts of climate change on health, and in the broader field of planetary health. As the first female board President of the Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment (CAPE) she has been involved in policy and advocacy-related work on active transport, plant-rich diets, integrating health impact assessments into environmental assessments, fossil fuel divestment, carbon pricing, coal phase-out, and the health impacts of hydraulic fracturing. Dr Howard @courtghoward has sat on the boards of Ecology North, the Canadian Medical Association, and Health in Harmony, represented CAPE on the board of the Global Climate and Health Alliance, and been the co-chair of the advocacy subcommittee of the WHO-Civil Society Working group on climate change and health, which co-led the recent call for G20 leaders to target a green #HealthyRecovery from COVID-19, an initiative which gained support from organizations representing 40 million health workers worldwide, representing two-thirds of the global total workforce. Dr Howard is on the steering committee of the Planetary Health Alliance and the editorial advisory board of the Lancet Planetary Health. In this episode she talks about:- The impacts of climate change on human and planetary health- Dealing with eco-anxiety and eco-grief and how to overcome them- Why GDP is insufficient as a measure of economic success and why including metrics based on human well-being matters- Life lessons her mom taught her- The systems and supports she has in place to do what she does, while avoiding burnoutAnd much more... Definitely tune into this episode and learn more about her work at https://drcourtneyhoward.ca/

There's no doubt that couples' lives and relationships can change after having kids, depending on how they go about tending to the needs of their kids and themselves, both individually and as a couple. But how can couples thrive rather than merely survive?In this episode, psychotherapist Allison Villa discusses ways couples can keep their connection strong, while also providing helpful tips for tuning-up their relationship during some of life's more difficult seasons. In this episode Allison discusses: - Why self-care is vital to maintaining a healthy relationship - The benefits of therapy, both for individuals and couples - Why it's crucial to have a therapist that creates a safe space and how to find one that's a fit - Postpartum depression and the need for support - Her own personal experiences tending to her mental and emotional health and how it lead her on the path to becoming a successful psychotherapist after starting out as a performer. - Her family's move to Mexico and the lessons it brought -Online programs and resources couples can accessMake sure to check this episode out. Also, you can get The Self-Care Toolkit Allison mentions: here.