The Motherhood Metamorphosis

Love this episode? Send me a message here!The Motherhood Metamorphosis is BACK! Welcome to season 5!Amy Betters-Midvedt and I talk about all things parenting teens--this episode is authentic and real and is for every parent, whether you are in the teen years now or years away. We discuss Amy's new book and the wisdom she brings to topics like acting out, clamming up, making sure they are OK vs. making sure I am OK, boundaries, co-dependence, changing the narrative of “this is what caring moms do”, giving yourself a mom “time out”, taking opportunities to repair the relationship, accepting “their way” vs “your way”, choosing the hills you die on, creating and choosing connection, and the woes of having teens clean the kitchenWe hope you laugh and find solidarity with us in whatever parenting stage you are in! Find Amy's website hereFind Amy's book here: You'll Make It (and They Will Too): Everything No One Talks About When You're Parenting TeensSupport the showJoin the FB group here!Check out the new shop on Buy Me a Coffee and please consider becoming a $5 supporter of the show (I need 8 per month to cover the out of pocket expenses of producing the podcast)I'm so glad you are here! Please share the podcast with a friend and don't forget to leave a review on Apple Podcasts!

Support the Show.Join the new FB group here!Check out the new shop on Buy Me a Coffee and please consider becoming a $5 supporter of the show (I need 8 per month to cover the out of pocket expenses of producing the podcast)I'm so glad you are here! Please share the podcast with a friend and don't forget to leave a review on Apple Podcasts!

Dr. Mina and I dive into a conversation about skincare, aging, and our evolving beauty. She shares stories and struggles she's had in both a dermatologist and a mom of two and the ways she has come to accept herself. We talk about inner narratives and insecurities we have about motherhood, aging and beauty, social pressures, social media narratives, simplifying our skin care routines, and so much more!This episode is encouraging, refreshing,  as well as candid and practical. Follow Dr. Mina on IG hereBIO: Dr. Mary Alice Mina is a Harvard-trained double-board certified dermatologist, dermatologic surgeon, and leading expert on skin health and skincare. She is the host of THE SKIN REAL, a podcast for people looking for real skin care guidance, by true skin experts where she emphasizes a holistic and preventative approach to skin health and aesthetics. She is co-owner of Baucom & Mina Derm Surgery in Atlanta, Georgia where she treats patients with advanced surgical and cosmetic procedures to restore and maintain healthy skin. She is recognized for her artistic eye and surgical skills while helping people feel good in their skin! Insights Into TeensA father and daughter discussion about the everyday struggles of teens in today's...Listen on: Apple Podcasts SpotifySupport the showJoin the new FB group here!Check out the new shop on Buy Me a Coffee and please consider becoming a $5 supporter of the show (I need 8 per month to cover the out of pocket expenses of producing the podcast)I'm so glad you are here! Please share the podcast with a friend and don't forget to leave a review on Apple Podcasts!

Kaitlyn and I both share stories about how we got pregnant while we were university students. Kaitlyn faced her pregnancy without the support of her partner, parents, or university. After having her baby and graduating from Auburn University, she helped co-found Baby Steps, an organization committed to helping student moms through pregnancy and parenting until they graduate from college. We discuss the ways women need to support women, demographics that are often overlooked, and the ways we can help young mothers thrive in unexpected circumstances. This is an empowering and inspiring episode--don't miss it! Find out more about Baby Steps here! BIO: Kaitlyn Willing graduated from Auburn University as a Student-Mom, passionate about changing the culture around unplanned pregnancies. She is currently the Director of National Operations for a nonprofit she helped build, called Baby Steps and is the host of their Podcast "Unplanned & Untold". Although Auburn will always be considered home, Kaitlyn and her husband currently live in Phoenix, Arizona with their 5 beautiful children.Low No Drinker Magazine PodcastMeeting the people & brands leading the low-&-no-alcohol revolution!Listen on: Apple Podcasts SpotifySupport the showJoin the new FB group here!Check out the new shop on Buy Me a Coffee and please consider becoming a $5 supporter of the show (I need 8 per month to cover the out of pocket expenses of producing the podcast)I'm so glad you are here! Please share the podcast with a friend and don't forget to leave a review on Apple Podcasts!

Alisha and I explore her narrative about separation, divorce, and co-parenting her two boys. She relates the hard and challenges things she's experiences and also shares how she's growing, changing and finding new ways of being herself in an unexpected story. This episode will encourage anyone who has gone through a big life transition and is now seeking new ways of being themselves and finding joy.  Follow Alisha's writing on Substack here: alishameador.substack.comBIO: Alisha Meador is a divorced, single mom of 2 boys living in the Blue Ridge Mountains of VA. She's passionate about community, friendships and authenticity. When she's not working her job in local government, you can find her either somewhere outdoors, playing darts, hanging with friends at a local restaurant, watching British television or planning her next adventure - preferably one that involves England. Or attempting to navigate the world of online dating (someone please help!)Support the showJoin the new FB group here!Check out the new shop on Buy Me a Coffee and please consider becoming a $5 supporter of the show (I need 8 per month to cover the out of pocket expenses of producing the podcast)I'm so glad you are here! Please share the podcast with a friend and don't forget to leave a review on Apple Podcasts!

BONUS EPISODE!In this solo episode, I talk about what being a cycle breaker means to me. Sometimes we break cycles from our own childhoods, or generational cycles of dysfunction. Sometime we break cycles that we have created in our own families too that are not working for us anymore or are causing harm. For me, cycle breaking is about our inner work not just providing a different path for our children. I want to break cycles of fear, shame, deprivation, dysfunction, and trauma. I want to provide paths of healing, wholeness, delight, health, and love. So how do we start? In this episode, I share 3 truths I've realized and 4 steps I've taken, along with specific stories, to help change the narrative for my kids and break toxic cycles. It's not too late to say, “I've been doing things one way and I want to do things another way.” Soaring Child: Thriving with ADHDA place where you will learn how to address your child's ADHD symptoms naturally..Listen on: Apple Podcasts SpotifySupport the showJoin the new FB group here!Check out the new shop on Buy Me a Coffee and please consider becoming a $5 supporter of the show (I need 8 per month to cover the out of pocket expenses of producing the podcast)I'm so glad you are here! Please share the podcast with a friend and don't forget to leave a review on Apple Podcasts!

Lauren and I dive deep into all things menstruation! We challenge common narratives, attitudes and misconceptions, and provide alternative beliefs, attitudes and practices to help us embrace our periods, womb wisdom, and natural energy cycles as women. We focus on both the physical challenges of menstruation as well as the emotional challenges women can face, and how we can learn to speak more kindly to ourselves and practice holistic self-care. We also give practical examples about conversations we can have with our partners and children and how we can change the narratives concerning shame, secrecy, and dismissive attitudes about our periods so we can show up more honestly and authentically in our own bodies and lives. This episode is LIFE-CHANGING. Listen for yourself and then share it with your sister, BFFs, and tween and teen daughters. Download the Mindful Menstruation Worksheet here Use the discount code "MMP" to get this amazing resource for FREE!ABOUT LAUREN: Lauren Elise Rogers is a Certified Holistic Sexuality Educator and the owner of SEX ED FOR YOU where she provides comprehensive sexuality education. After a decade in maternal health, Lauren returned to school to obtain a certification in Holistic Sex Education with the Institute for Sexuality Education and Enlightenment, whose program is approved by the American Association of Sexuality Educators, Counselors and Therapists (AASECT). Unlearning and expanding thought patterns can be challenging and vulnerable. By combining her decade of program development with her passion for transformative education, Lauren now specializes in creating containers that allow students to sit safely in discomfort while developing the tools necessary to support pleasurable and safe sexual experiences, free of coercion, discrimination, and violence.Find Lauren on IG hereSupport the showJoin the new FB group here!Check out the new shop on Buy Me a Coffee and please consider becoming a $5 supporter of the show (I need 8 per month to cover the out of pocket expenses of producing the podcast)I'm so glad you are here! Please share the podcast with a friend and don't forget to leave a review on Apple Podcasts!

Tami Jacob graduated from Lynchburg College and takes great pride in being a first-generation college graduate in her family.  She then went on to receive her Masters in Community Counseling from Eastern Illinois University.  Following a decade raising her 3 daughters, Tami went to law school with a desire to serve. When Tami isn't working tirelessly for the betterment of children and families, you can often find her running alongside her loyal Australian Shepherd, sharing a good book with friends, or engaging in some friendly competition on the tennis court with her husband of 23 years.Tami narrates her story about her dreams of law school as a young woman in her 20s to motherhood, marriage and lifelong goals that keep pushing you to act. After 10 years of mothering 3 girls, she and her husband finally took the plunge into her pursuing her dream of becoming a lawyer. Tami recounts her struggles, how she got stronger through the difficulties, her family's support, and how she found her passion in her current law career. This is a story that will encourage and inspire you to keep going in pursuing YOUR dreams! Support the showJoin the new FB group here!Check out the new shop on Buy Me a Coffee and please consider becoming a $5 supporter of the show (I need 8 per month to cover the out of pocket expenses of producing the podcast)I'm so glad you are here! Please share the podcast with a friend and don't forget to leave a review on Apple Podcasts!

Julie K. Rhodes is an actor and author. In March of 2020, Julie was a healthy 30- something with a husband, two kids, a pug, and a professional acting career. A month later, she would be fighting an illness that her health team would come to believe was COVID-19. For the next year and a half, the virus would plague Julie with debilitating symptoms. She is the author of Chronic Grace: Prayers, Saints, and Thorns That Stay published in 2023.Julie narrates her health journey through long Covid, where she experienced debilitating chronic illness for 18 months. As a mother of 2 young children, this was a life-altering experience. She also relates how she had to come to a new sense of self and acceptance as she was no longer able to do the acting work she loved. Our conversation is honest and vulnerable as we discuss frantic striving for answers and quiet acceptance of reality, learning to hold on and let go, and leaning into story and faith to find strength and healing. Don't miss this beautiful conversation! Join Julie's newsletter here and receive a download to beautiful art!Support the showJoin the new FB group here!Check out the new shop on Buy Me a Coffee and please consider becoming a $5 supporter of the show (I need 8 per month to cover the out of pocket expenses of producing the podcast)I'm so glad you are here! Please share the podcast with a friend and don't forget to leave a review on Apple Podcasts!

Kirstyn Wegner lives in rural Minnesota with her high school sweetheart husband and neurodivergent daughter, along with a bunch of feral cats, a revolving cast of foster children, and a pesky epilepsy diagnosis. She is a recovering pessimist who teaches high school English, collects old books, directs plays and musicals, loves rock concerts, travels as widely as time and budget will allow, and writes when she can find the time. Visit her on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/thefrustratedepileptic and Instagram @finding.glitter.in.the.litter.Kirstyn narrates her unique journey to motherhood through foster care and adoption. We talk about the challenges of building love and relationships with children and their biological parents and how Kirstyn developed a special relationship with her daughter's birth mom. Kirstyn's story is heartfelt and encouraging, especially in learning to accept and love our children and families through unique and challenging circumstances.  Support the showJoin the new FB group here!Check out the new shop on Buy Me a Coffee and please consider becoming a $5 supporter of the show (I need 8 per month to cover the out of pocket expenses of producing the podcast)I'm so glad you are here! Please share the podcast with a friend and don't forget to leave a review on Apple Podcasts!

Heather Creekmore writes and speaks hope to thousands of women each week, inspiring them to stop comparing and start living. The host of the internationally popular Compared to Who? podcast, she has been featured on Fox News, Huff Post, Morning Dose, Church Leaders, and For Every Mom, along with dozens of other shows and podcasts. She was a contestant on Nailed It, the hit Netflix bake fails show. Heather and her Marine-fighter-pilot-turned-pastor husband, Eric, have four children and live in Austin, Texas.Heather and I dive into the complex issue of body image as women. She shares how her  struggles began as a child, young woman and young mom and how she worked through the narratives of comparison and "never enough" when it comes to how you feel about your body. We talk about how diets and fads come and go and how the real issue lies at the heart, not on the number on the scale. Our conversation about our bodies, beauty, acceptance, and changing the narrative for ourselves and our children is powerful and encouraging. Don't miss this one!  Find Heather online hereSupport the showJoin the new FB group here!Check out the new shop on Buy Me a Coffee and please consider becoming a $5 supporter of the show (I need 8 per month to cover the out of pocket expenses of producing the podcast)I'm so glad you are here! Please share the podcast with a friend and don't forget to leave a review on Apple Podcasts!

Kelly Cervantes is an award-winning writer, speaker, and advocate best known for her blog Inchstones and debut book, Normal Broken: The Grief Companion for When It's Time to Heal But You're Not Sure You Want To. She has been published in the Chicago Tribune, Cosmopolitan, and Fortune as well as featured on MSNBC, NY Times, and CNN. Born and raised in the Midwest, Kelly resides in Maplewood, NJ, with her husband, Miguel Cervantes, their children, and dogs, Tabasco and Sriracha.Kelly shares her story of mothering her daughter Adalaide. She was a career woman until her daughter's diagnosis with Infantile Spasms and her husband's demanding career collided. She shares how she grew to love being her daughter's advocate and care-giver and then the life-transition she was thrust into again when her daughter died at age 3. Kelly's book, Normal Broken, was born out of her love and grief for Adalaide and her honest reflections on healing when you're not sure you want to. She is a vulnerable, honest, and beautiful story-teller, possessing the strength to share her story of love and the ability to keep on living through grief. Find Kelly's blog hereOrder Normal Broken hereSupport the showJoin the new FB group here!Check out the new shop on Buy Me a Coffee and please consider becoming a $5 supporter of the show (I need 8 per month to cover the out of pocket expenses of producing the podcast)I'm so glad you are here! Please share the podcast with a friend and don't forget to leave a review on Apple Podcasts!

Susie Maurer is a dreamer by spirit, a writer by instinct, and a big sister by habit. She currently lives in Colorado with her favorite people in the world. Susie and I reminisce about the challenges and surprising gifts we experienced while living overseas in England while parenting young children. We share the really tough stuff that made us cry and how we found inner strength to keep growing as women and moms. We also share our favorite things about living in a new culture, how we navigated schools systems, and the things we loved about living in England. Also, we share  how the DRIVING nearly did us in--and hilarious stories about how we thought we were going to die in a roundabout!My favorite part of our conversation is how we learned to navigate motherhood and growth while feeling completely out of our element and being brave in the face of cultural and personal challenges. Support the showJoin the new FB group here!Check out the new shop on Buy Me a Coffee and please consider becoming a $5 supporter of the show (I need 8 per month to cover the out of pocket expenses of producing the podcast)I'm so glad you are here! Please share the podcast with a friend and don't forget to leave a review on Apple Podcasts!

Dr. Becky Clark serves as the Director of Student Support at a K-12 Christian School in Middle Tennessee. Additionally, she serves as an Assistant Professor for Liberty University Online and the Chair of the Williamson County Literacy Association (a local chapter of the Literacy Association of Tennessee). She is mom to three, 2 sons and one daughter. Our conversation in this episode focuses on Becky's daughter, Noel, who was diagnosed with leukemia when she was three years old. Becky recounts those difficult years of treatment and how battling cancer, now in remission, has continued to affect Noel's life today, at age 12. Becky shares the joys, anxieties, and heartache she experienced as a mom and how she and Noel have leaned into hope and healing through their faith and community. She and Noel now volunteer with Make a Wish, helping other children who are battling cancer and other life-threatening diseases to make their dreams come true. This episode is heartfelt, emotional, hopeful, tender, and is a beautiful arch of storytelling. Check out their local chapter of Make a Wish hereSupport the showJoin the new FB group here!Check out the new shop on Buy Me a Coffee and please consider becoming a $5 supporter of the show (I need 8 per month to cover the out of pocket expenses of producing the podcast)I'm so glad you are here! Please share the podcast with a friend and don't forget to leave a review on Apple Podcasts!

Sarah lives in the east of England and is a home educating mother of 5 boys (aged 4-13, some neuro-spicy - their term) and a cat and a dog (who require less educating). She has a fairly useless, but fascinating, degree in Arabic, Art History and Archaeology, is rated (on average) an “adequate” cook by her children and is married to Tim, a pastor overseeing 8 churches in chocolate-box rural English villages. She would love to pursue further study in her rather niche area, but life is not making that possible right now.Even though Sarah and I have 9 boys between the two of us (and 10 children), this episode is not just for Boy Moms! At the heart of our conversation, we share what we thought motherhood would look like before we had kids, and then contrast our fantasies with reality.This episode is about acknowledging the grief of gender disappointment AND learning to embrace the children you have. Sarah is equally wise and hilarious (we laugh so much!). We both reveal the tender parts of our hearts as we discuss the difficulties and joys in embracing our unique motherhood journey--and our crazy, delightful boys! True confession: I've been trying to keep the episodes to 35 minutes but I got so excited to talk to Sarah that I forgot to set the timer. Enjoy the 4-5 minutes of out-takes at the end!! Support the showJoin the new FB group here!Check out the new shop on Buy Me a Coffee and please consider becoming a $5 supporter of the show (I need 8 per month to cover the out of pocket expenses of producing the podcast)I'm so glad you are here! Please share the podcast with a friend and don't forget to leave a review on Apple Podcasts!

Caitlin Voebel is a 33 year old mom of 4. Her husband of nearly 14 years is Air Force and she spent all of her adulthood traveling and moving where the military sends them, creating life and connections in each place. While she has worked as a caregiver, dance instructor, and childcare provider, her real and true calling is to be home with her children.  She's not a professional writer (yet) but after her mother's passing she created @griefgraceandwaffles on Instagram as an outlet for processing grief, motherhood and things in between.Caitlin and I explore her unique journey of grief when her mom died unexpectedly at the age of 48 when Caitlin was 6 weeks postpartum with her 3rd child and living overseas. She shares how she's learning to show up as herself in her own grief and as a mom to her kids, how she discarded platitudes that people say to try and comfort, and how she's figuring out how to navigate grief on her own terms.Link to Caitlin's Shop: I know you're tired, but stay on fireSupport the showJoin the new FB group here!Check out the new shop on Buy Me a Coffee and please consider becoming a $5 supporter of the show (I need 8 per month to cover the out of pocket expenses of producing the podcast)I'm so glad you are here! Please share the podcast with a friend and don't forget to leave a review on Apple Podcasts!

Dr. Mikala Albertson is a board-certified family practice doctor, author, and well-being advocate who is passionate about women's health and healing in the middle of our messy, ordinary lives in the imperfect bodies we actually have.She's the author the book Ordinary on Purpose and continues to inspire readers every day to stop striving for ‘perfect' lives or some unattainable cultural ideal of ‘beauty and wellness' and instead aim for wholehearted living through a gentle, achievable, sustainable approach.She and her husband of 22 years are raising five children near Salt Lake City, UT. Mikala and I launched into this conversation talking about transitions in motherhood, specifically the transition we can go through if we've been a Stay at Home Mom when our youngest child enters school and we wonder, "what am I going to do with my life now?" She talks about the internal struggles she experienced in choosing to follow her passions (as well as the privileged involved in having a choice), and how if we are listening to our hearts, we often know the direction we want to go in when we are wanting a life change.  I hope you enjoy and are encouraged by this beautiful, contemplative, life-giving conversation! Find Mikala at ordinaryonpurpose.com IG: @bewell.ish @ordinaryonpurpose  Baker Books: Ordinary on Purpose New book coming in September: Everything I wish I could tell you about midlifeSupport the showJoin the new FB group here!Check out the new shop on Buy Me a Coffee and please consider becoming a $5 supporter of the show (I need 8 per month to cover the out of pocket expenses of producing the podcast)I'm so glad you are here! Please share the podcast with a friend and don't forget to leave a review on Apple Podcasts!

Welcome back to The Motherhood Metamorphosis! It's been over 10 months since I published an episode and I'm so glad to be back in this space. In this episode, I talk about beginning again after a long break (and what was happening in my life during 2023), the ways the podcast is changing, my commitment to excellent content, and some new ways to connect with and support the podcast in 2024! So thankful you are here and I can't wait to share season 4 with you!PS. Here's the book I wrote!Support the showJoin the new FB group here!Check out the new shop on Buy Me a Coffee and please consider becoming a $5 supporter of the show (I need 8 per month to cover the out of pocket expenses of producing the podcast)I'm so glad you are here! Please share the podcast with a friend and don't forget to leave a review on Apple Podcasts!

Hey friends! In this episode, I reflect and wrap up season 3: the guests, stats,  memories, and shout-outs to our patrons and supportersI also share some fun facts about me (Brittany), your host and some challenges I've had behind the scenes of this podcast. Listen in to a few funny bloopers at the end. Thank you so much to everyone who has listened and supported this podcast in seasons 1, 2, and 3. I am taking a much needed break from the podcast for the time being and am not sure when I will resume interviews and episodes. In the meantime, catch up on episodes you have missed--there are over 60!If you have any questions or would like to communicate with me, please contact me at brittanyameng@gmail.com Support the showI'd love to hear your thoughts! leave a comment below or head over to the podcast Facebook page and leave a comment there. Your words encourage me so much. Support the podcast here on Patreon and Buy Me a Coffee

Erin Eileen Leigh is married to her college sweetheart, and she is the proud mother of three sons and one daughter. She practiced health care law for over ten years before becoming a stay at home mom.  She published her first book earlier this year: Navigating the Newborn Months and Beyond: A Mother's Guide to Routine, Sleep, Fussiness and Self-Care and is also a contributing writer for Her View From Home, Motherly, and Motherzing magazine.Erin and I talk all things postpartum in this episode, the period directly after you have a baby, and what a transformative and often challenging period that can be. We share our stories, difficulties, what boosted and shattered our confidence, and our best advice for new moms in navigating postpartum life. Find Erin's book here!Support the showI'd love to hear your thoughts! leave a comment below or head over to the podcast Facebook page and leave a comment there. Your words encourage me so much. Support the podcast here on Patreon and Buy Me a Coffee

Whitney Fleming is a mom of three teen girls and married to one of the most patient men on Earth.  She is the co-manager of the popular blog Parenting Teens and Tweens, and writes musings on her Facebook and Instagram at Whitney Fleming Writes.  She brings an authentic and realistic voice to topics such as marriage, mid-life, and mental health, and believes being vulnerable and sharing your story is the most powerful way we can help others.Whitney and I dive into all things raising teens in this episode! The teenage years can be a huge transition for mothers and can leave us feeling like we are in the goop all over again, wondering who we are as women and who we are becoming as our kids grow up. We talk about transitions and vulnerability, the power of going first, feeling lonely and trying to find community during the teen years, growing into new versions of ourselves, and growth as women even as our children begin their journey out of the home. Beautiful, honest, and encouraging conversation. Don't miss this (even if you aren't in the teen years yet!)Find Whitney here:  www.parentingteensandtweens.com Whitney Fleming WritesSupport the showI'd love to hear your thoughts! leave a comment below or head over to the podcast Facebook page and leave a comment there. Your words encourage me so much. Support the podcast here on Patreon and Buy Me a Coffee

Jillian Benfield is a former news anchor and reporter with a broadcast journalism degree from the University of Georgia. She and her husband got the surprise of their life when they found out their unborn son was rockin' an extra chromosome- also known as Down syndrome. Jillian's writings about living an unexpected life have been featured on Good Morning American, The Today Show and Her View From Home.  We dive deep into Jillian's story of the Unexpected: losing her career in TV after a military move; a surprise pregnancy and Down Syndrome diagnosis for her son, Anderson; and other unexpected left turns in her story of motherhood. During our conversation, she shares her wisdom and faith with honesty, thoughtfulness, and authenticity. Jillian shares how she felt bitter and stuck and how she found her light and hope again in life. I hope you enjoy this conversation as much as I enjoyed speaking to her! Find Jillian here:WebsiteFacebookInstagramBuy here book here  Support the showI'd love to hear your thoughts! leave a comment below or head over to the podcast Facebook page and leave a comment there. Your words encourage me so much. Support the podcast here on Patreon and Buy Me a Coffee

Got 5 minutes? This is the perfect "I see you" moment for your Monday morning.This chapter, When you can't embrace it, is an excerpt from my audiobook Unexpected: Learning to love your unpredictable story. For this month, anyone who signs up to be a $3 patron on Patreon will received a free Audible download of the whole book. If you become a $5 patron, I will send you a signed hard copy of the book.  Thanks for listening! If you'd like to receive an audio version of my book or a hardcopy, please visit patreon.com/themotherhoodmetamorphosisAbout Unexpected: Learning to love your unpredictable storyAre  you going through the unexpected right now, this very moment?  I've been  there too: From an unexpected twin  pregnancy;  Autism and ADHD diagnoses for my sons; a devastating  miscarriage; the  loss of my career; dealing with depression and  anxiety; being a  military wife, and so much more. With honesty and  compassion, I  explores themes such as grief, anger, rest, waiting,  community,  patience, supporting others through difficult circumstances,  and loving  others when it is hard.  Each chapter contains a  brief reading, scripture  to meditate on, and challenge questions to  ponder, pray over, journal  about, or discuss in a group. My hope and  prayer is that as you are  going through this unexpected season, my  story will encourage you and  provide comfort and support as you bravely  walk this unfamiliar path.NOTE:  I write about my faith so this book may not speak to you in your  personal journey. However, I strive to be inclusive and encouraging (and  NOT preachy) and women who are not Christians have enjoyed reading it  as well. Thanks for listening! If you'd like to receive an audio version of my book or a hardcopy, please visit patreon.com/themotherhoodmetamorphosisSupport the showI'd love to hear your thoughts! leave a comment below or head over to the podcast Facebook page and leave a comment there. Your words encourage me so much. Support the podcast here on Patreon and Buy Me a Coffee

Shannon Brescher Shea is a writer, environmental activist, and mom of two awesome kids who are obsessed with rabbits and elephants. She lives in the Maryland suburbs of Washington D.C.Shannon and I have a delightful conversation about parenting and being green. She raised the question, "When does being green conflict with being a good parent? Why does nobody else struggle with this except for me??" Um, Me. ::raises hand:: I struggle with this. I love Shannon's enthusiasm, joyfulness, passion, creativity, and practical ideas. Most of all, though, I love that she is all about assuaging the guilt that we often feel as moms, whether it be mom guilt or green guilt. Don't miss this episode! It's a good one. Check out Shannon's book here: Growing Sustainable Together: Practical Resources for Raising Kind, Engaged, Resilient Shannon's blog: We'll eat you up we love you soSupport the showI'd love to hear your thoughts! leave a comment below or head over to the podcast Facebook page and leave a comment there. Your words encourage me so much. Support the podcast here on Patreon and Buy Me a Coffee

CW: Discussion of miscarriage April Leiffer Henry is the owner and founder of Pregnancy & Birth Stories, a company that creates digital content for birth centers, community midwives, lactation consultants, and other health professionals. Since experiencing three miscarriages, April views all of her writing work through the lens of loss, holding space for grief and joy, which often collide during the parenting journey. She and her husband, Mike, have three living children — two sons and one daughter.April and I discuss her journey with secondary infertility, a struggle that may not be familiar to everyone. We explore loss and acceptance, grief and embracing a story that you may not have ever chosen for yourself. We also talk about what to say (and NOT to say) to a friend who may be going through secondary infertility and loss and how to be there for people who are in pain. Sometimes these topics are hard, but there is beautiful growth, both inner and outer, that happens when we educate ourselves and learn how to practice compassion in new and heartfelt ways. Find April here: https://pregnancyandbirthstories.com/  Support the showI'd love to hear your thoughts! leave a comment below or head over to the podcast Facebook page and leave a comment there. Your words encourage me so much. Support the podcast here on Patreon and Buy Me a Coffee

Brianne Edwards is the author of A Thousand Pounds. She is also a wife, mother of six, physician assistant, and founder of Lach's Legacy, a nonprofit created in memory of her son.Losing a baby to SIDS is a heavy topic but my conversation with Brianne is embracing, loving, and full of practical wisdom and hope. So many parents have walked the path of loss: this conversation is for you. Many of us will know someone who has lost a child or baby: this conversation is for you too. We talk about the practical ways to support someone who is in deep pain. Brianne narrates her story of losing her son Lach and how she began to live again afterwards, including how she began  her nonprofit to support others who were walking the same path she has. I hope this podcast encourages you as much as it encouraged me. Find Brianne's book, A Thousand Pounds, here Find Brianne here: https://www.lachslegacy.org/FacebookInstagramSupport the showI'd love to hear your thoughts! leave a comment below or head over to the podcast Facebook page and leave a comment there. Your words encourage me so much. Support the podcast here on Patreon and Buy Me a Coffee

Esther and Sarah are mother and daughter and just decided this week that they make a great team. Whether it's preparing flowers for a wedding; organizing one of their spaces; figuring out how to be better women and moms in a culture that is confusing, exciting, and needs lots of healing; or writing on their blogs processing their own struggles and strengths. They love being mom and daughter, but they even more love now being friends. They could not have picked better people to spend their lives with.As moms, we always want to do our best and we often wonder if we are doing things “right” in motherhood. The truth is, we are going to make mistakes as moms, and sometimes we don't see the consequence of our mistakes until many years down the road. I asked Esther and Sarah to come on the podcast to talk about their mother/daughter relationship, second chances, and laying a new foundation when we realize that our motherhood choices may not have produced the relationship we want with our kids.  Resources: Boundaries Book Find Esther on FB and IG at Moms of BigsPodcast: Deconstructing MamasSupport the showI'd love to hear your thoughts! leave a comment below or head over to the podcast Facebook page and leave a comment there. Your words encourage me so much. Support the podcast here on Patreon and Buy Me a Coffee

Are  you going through the unexpected right now, this very moment?  I've been  there too: From an unexpected twin  pregnancy;  Autism and ADHD diagnoses for my sons; a devastating  miscarriage; the  loss of my career; dealing with depression and  anxiety; being a  military wife, and so much more. With honesty and  compassion, I  explores themes such as grief, anger, rest, waiting,  community,  patience, supporting others through difficult circumstances,  and loving  others when it is hard.  Each chapter contains a  brief reading, scripture  to meditate on, and challenge questions to  ponder, pray over, journal  about, or discuss in a group. My hope and  prayer is that as you are  going through this unexpected season, my  story will encourage you and  provide comfort and support as you bravely  walk this unfamiliar path.NOTE:  I write about my faith so this book may not speak to you in your  personal journey. However, I strive to be inclusive and encouraging (and  NOT preachy) and women who are not Christians have enjoyed reading it  as well.This is an excerpt from my audiobook Unexpected: Learning to love your unpredictable story. For this month, anyone who signs up to be a $3 patron on Patreon will received a free Audible download of the whole book. If you become a $5 patron, I will send you a signed hard copy of the book.  Thanks for listening! If you'd like to receive an audio version of my book or a hardcopy, please visit patreon.com/themotherhoodmetamorphosis Regular interview episodes will be back Jan 2, 2023! Thanks for supporting this show!Support the showI'd love to hear your thoughts! leave a comment below or head over to the podcast Facebook page and leave a comment there. Your words encourage me so much. Support the podcast here on Patreon and Buy Me a Coffee

For listeners who would like to listen to the whole story in one sitting, here it is! It is broken into parts 1, 2, & 3 but there's no need to wait or switch to a new episode with this one. Mary's Story: A Birth Story is a special Christmas series on the Motherhood Metamorphosis. I'm your host, Brittany Meng, and this week, I'll be reading my fictional account of what I think the first Christmas may have looked like, if Mary had written down her birth story for all of us to read.  I wrote this story in 2017, though it had been in my mind since my youngest son Elijah was born in 2014. His birthday is just 2 days before Christmas and while I was pregnant with him, I just couldn't help but think about Mary, about what it must have been like for her—as a woman—to give birth to Jesus. What did she feel? How did the birth go? Did she really give birth in a dark, cold barn, surrounded by animal with only Joseph to assist?  This is a work of fiction but it is based on the Biblical accounts in Mathew and Luke, as well as a lot of research I did on ancient middle eastern culture and hospitality practices and really came up with a different narrative than the one that we're so used to seeing in our modern Christmas culture where Mary is this pristine, clean, unruffled person dressed in blue and white, with no hint of a belly with her arms crossed over her chest kneeling beside a wooden manger.  So this is quite a different Christmas story than you may have heard before, or that has been portrayed in our culture through paintings, Christmas songs, and nativity scenes. But I hope that this un-sanitized, real, and authentic birth story will inspire you to view not only Mary in a new way, but your own motherhood as well as you move through your own metamorphosis and spiritual journey.  So welcome to Mary's StoryBy Brittany MengHave a happy holiday, everyone! Regular episodes will resume on January 2, 2023Support the showI'd love to hear your thoughts! leave a comment below or head over to the podcast Facebook page and leave a comment there. Your words encourage me so much. Support the podcast here on Patreon and Buy Me a Coffee

Welcome to Part 3, the final episode, of Mary's Story, a special Christmas series on the Motherhood Metamorphosis. I'm your host, Brittany Meng, and this week, I'll be reading my fictional account of what I think the first Christmas may have looked like, if Mary had written down her birth story for all of us to read. Have a happy holiday, everyone! Regular episodes will resume on January 2, 2023Support the showI'd love to hear your thoughts! leave a comment below or head over to the podcast Facebook page and leave a comment there. Your words encourage me so much. Support the podcast here on Patreon and Buy Me a Coffee

Welcome to Part 2 of Mary's Story, a 3 part special episode of the Motherhood Metamorphosis. I'm your host, Brittany Meng, and this week, I'll be reading my fictional account of what I think the first Christmas may have looked like, if Mary had written down her birth story for all of us to read. Have a happy holiday, everyone! Regular episodes will resume on January 2, 2023Support the showI'd love to hear your thoughts! leave a comment below or head over to the podcast Facebook page and leave a comment there. Your words encourage me so much. Support the podcast here on Patreon and Buy Me a Coffee

Welcome to this special episode of the Motherhood Metamorphosis.  This week, I'll be reading my fictional account of what I think the first Christmas may have looked like, if Mary had written down her birth story for all of us to read.  I wrote this 3 part story in 2017, though it had been in my mind since my youngest son Elijah was born in 2014. His birthday is just 2 days before Christmas and while I was pregnant with him, I just couldn't help but think about Mary, about what it must have been like for her—as a woman—to give birth to Jesus. What did she feel? How did the birth go? Did she really give birth in a dark, cold barn, surrounded by animal with only Joseph to assist?  This is a work of fiction but it is based on the Biblical accounts in Mathew and Luke, as well as a lot of research I did on ancient middle eastern culture and hospitality practices and really came up with a different narrative than the one that we're so used to seeing in our modern Christmas culture, where Mary is this pristine, clean, unruffled person dressed in blue and white, with no hint of a belly with her arms crossed over her chest kneeling beside a wooden manger.  So this is quite a different Christmas story than you may have heard before, or that has been portrayed in our culture through paintings, Christmas songs, and nativity scenes. But I hope that this un-sanitized, real, and authentic birth story will inspire you to view not only Mary in a new way, but your own motherhood as well as you move through your own metamorphosis and spiritual journey. So welcome to Part 1 of Mary's StoryBy Brittany Meng(If you just can't wait for the next installment, you can read the rest of the story here)Have a happy holiday, everyone! Regular episodes will resume on January 2, 2023Support the showI'd love to hear your thoughts! leave a comment below or head over to the podcast Facebook page and leave a comment there. Your words encourage me so much. Support the podcast here on Patreon and Buy Me a Coffee

Lisi Lopez is a mother to three incredible kids and a wife to her college sweetheart. She worked as an industrial engineer before her middle son was born with Down Syndrome and she was promoted to 'stay-at-home mom'. She has now been figuring out the journey of motherhood and enjoying all its fun surprises. In this episode, Lisi shares how she learned that she was going to have a baby with Down Syndrome and how her son changed her life. She shares her fears and challenges as well as when she knew things were going to be okay. Lisi is a beautiful advocate for her son and all people with Down Syndrome. This is a wonderful, educational conversation full of honesty and hope. Visit Lisi's advocate Instagram account for her son, @ourextraluckyworld and a blog https://ourextraluckyworld.wixsite.com/blog. Support the showI'd love to hear your thoughts! leave a comment below or head over to the podcast Facebook page and leave a comment there. Your words encourage me so much. Support the podcast here on Patreon and Buy Me a Coffee

Emily Solberg is a writer, soldier, military spouse, mom of two, and fierce advocate of women supporting women. The goal of her writing is to help others feel less alone in their parenting journeys, and she isn't afraid to share the hard parts of her own. You can find more from her over on Facebook and Instagram at Shower Arguments with Emily Solberg.Emily and I talk about her journey as a military spouse and mom and how the intensity of parenthood increases when you are the default parent. She discusses the tough decisions she and her husband have made for both career and mental health and the good and hard consequence of those decisions. Emily offers honesty and hope in sharing her story of strength and resilience in a difficult lifestyle. This conversation is real and vulnerable and is for anyone in the trenches of all-consuming parenthood, whether you are a military spouse or not. Support the showI'd love to hear your thoughts! leave a comment below or head over to the podcast Facebook page and leave a comment there. Your words encourage me so much. Support the podcast here on Patreon and Buy Me a Coffee

Sara Springer is an aspiring writer, mental health advocate, and mom to 5. She is co-founder to Love Will Foundation; a grass roots non-profit organization that offers financial assistance for counseling services in St. Louis, MO.  During the day she works as a nurse practitioner and in her spare time she blogs under the name Rebel Housewife. I LOVE this conversation with Sara! We tackle the holiday pressure to be and do "all the things" as mom and how it can be absolutely crazy making and exhausting. We share our experiences, mess-ups, and things we've found that bring us joy during this season as moms of five kids each. We hope that this conversation can give you permission to say no to what makes you crazy, say yes to what brings you joy, and a deep breath to embrace your personal peace and sanity during this holiday season. Remember: You are a person in your family who deserves to have peace and joy at the holidays too. Do not miss this episode!This episode is sponsored by wellness coach Melissa Davis. Melissa specializes inWeight managementStress managementSleep hygieneNutrition coachingVirtual supportContact her at m.davis.cpt@gmail.com for your FREE 30 minute session!Support the showI'd love to hear your thoughts! leave a comment below or head over to the podcast Facebook page and leave a comment there. Your words encourage me so much. Support the podcast here on Patreon and Buy Me a Coffee

I had a beautiful, curated solo episode planned for you...in my head. But life is happening here in full force and I'm exhausted. So, for the solo episode today, I present to you "What's on my mind Monday", a 25 minute podcast on self care, meaningful work, what makes your heart come alive, and accepting help with stories and encouragement from me, Brittany Meng. To listen to the whole episode, click here! (The password is Monday)My favorite tension release yoga routinePS. Today is episode FIFTY for The Motherhood Metamorphosis! Let's celebrate!! Support the showI'd love to hear your thoughts! leave a comment below or head over to the podcast Facebook page and leave a comment there. Your words encourage me so much. Support the podcast here on Patreon and Buy Me a Coffee

Kelly is privileged to be stepmom to two amazing kids and biological mom to twins.  She's a post-secondary housing professional that's taken her passionate approach to parenting into her work.  In her downtime she loves adventuring and experiencing the beauty of the West Coast Island her family calls home.zKelly and I dive deep into the delightful and challenging journey of having twins! We both share our amazing and hilarious stories of how we found out we were having twins, as well as the unique  and sometimes difficult aspects of preserving the twin bond while also promoting individuality. We also discuss how having twins has shaped our hearts and priorities as mothers and women. If you have twins or have ever been curious about what it is like to parent twins, I hope you will find this conversation as wonderful as we did. Support the showI'd love to hear your thoughts! leave a comment below or head over to the podcast Facebook page and leave a comment there. Your words encourage me so much. Support the podcast here on Patreon and Buy Me a Coffee

Amy Cirksena is a freelancer and single mother living in Maryland  A self-proclaimed watermelon slicing expert- and firm believer that coffee is its own food group - when she isn't spending time chasing around her two bubbly little boys she can be found writing about love, grief, and renewed hope. Her articles can be found on Still Standing Magazine and Her View From Home. Amy and I talk about the challenging path of going through a divorce with young children and how this journey has transformed her as a mother and woman. We discuss the hardships, grief, things she didn't expect, and how she's reclaiming her joy. This episode is sponsored by wellness coach Melissa Davis. Melissa specializes inWeight managementStress managementSleep hygiene Nutrition coachingVirtual supportContact her at m.davis.cpt@gmail.com for your FREE 30 minute session! Support the show

Jen Douglas lives in Virginia with her husband and three children. After 6 years of of infertility and trying every other fertility treatment and not having success they moved forward with IVF. This process has had some of the highest of highs and the lowest of lows. Jen and I go deep into her journey to motherhood through infertility and IVF. This is a topic that many do not fully understand and Jen takes us through the emotions, struggles, grief, medical procedures, and joy that are part of her story. She offers humor, honesty, compassion, and a supportive narrative for those walking this path. Even if you have never experienced infertility or IVF, this episode is for you, as those walking unexpected and difficult roads to motherhood need understanding and the support of friends. Support the show

Sabrena Deal is a visual communicator, educator and aspiring gardener living in Athens, GA. She lives with her husband, Josh, their two kids Bea (5) and Owen (almost 2) and their dog, Maggie.Sabrena and I nerd out on all things personality in this episode: Are you an introvert or extrovert? How have your needs changed since you became a mom? What is your Myers-Briggs and Enneagram Type and what strengths and weaknesses do YOU bring to the table with your unique personality in your unique motherhood story? This is such a fun conversation full of honest stories and reflections, growth, grace, and encouragement. This episode is sponsored by wellness coach Melissa Davis. Melissa specializes inWeight managementStress managementSleep hygiene Nutrition coachingVirtual supportContact her at m.davis.cpt@gmail.com for your FREE 30 minute session!Support the show

Hey friends! In this episode, I reflect on and wrap up the amazing season 2 of the podcast. I share stats, top episodes, the interview that made me SWEAT through my shirt, top 10 countries that are listening from around the world, and an exclusive SNEAK PEEK into the episode topics of season 3. I also share a reflection on my own growth and being in the goop in my motherhood journey as my youngest child starts preschool today, as well as some honest encouragement for your own growth today. I'm so thankful for each one of you! You can support the podcast by leaving a review in Apple podcasts, star in Spotify, and comments in our Facebook Group. Season 3 will be available on October 3, 2022.Become a Patron of the podcast hereBuy me a coffee hereSupport the show

Lisa Speers transformed her love of journaling into a thriving platform aptly named, I Do Part Two. She shares 'keeping it real' marriage stories and advice from experts to strengthen our most important relationships. She also hopes to encourage women who feel ‘stuck' and a little ‘lost' as their children leave the nest to start pursuing their own dreams. After 35 years of togetherness with her best friend and husband, as well as raising three grown children together, Lisa's concluded she and her husband will forever be trying to figure each other out. Lisa and I use the metaphor of "being in the goop"--the transformational process of becoming someone or something new in the journey of motherhood--to talk about the metamorphosis a marriage or partnership goes through when you become a parent. This can be an intense transformation! We both share our personal stories from new motherhood and how our marriages have shifted and changed over the years; how we've learned to connect with our spouses new new ways, and grow together as a couple. This is a beautiful and practical conversation that we hope will help you reflect on your own relationship and the goodness and growth that can be found there. You can find lisa at idoparttwo.com Support the show

Sierra Buck is the mom of an absurdly good-natured baby, the owner of an unforgivably spoiled puppy, and the wife of the kindest man on Earth. She is a budding writer who recently graduated with her MFA in Creative Nonfiction and has become a professional rejection letter recipient on her quest to getting published. Because she became a mom while in grad school *during* the pandemic, she is basically a hermit, and is going a little crazy. Sierra and I do a deep dive into what it was like to become a first time mom during the pandemic and what a unique and difficult situation it was for women. We talk about making difficult decisions, feeling isolated, fear of the unknown, giving birth without your support people,  dealing with postpartum in a vacuum, and how the difficulties of the last 2-3 years has shaped her as a woman and a mom. If you became a mom in 2020-2021, this episode is for you. It's honest, affirming, encouraging, and holds space for both grief and growth. Support the show

Jessika Sanders is the Founder and President of Praying Through ministries, a nonprofit organization that emboldens and equips families with Biblical Truth and encouragement as they journey through the difficult seasons of the NICU, PICU, and Child Loss.In this episode, Jessika and I talk about the roller coaster that is having a baby in the NICU and the emotional hurdles that come with this often unexpected journey. She shares about her precious son and his long stay in the hospital and how she used her experience to provide solace and support for parents who are also going through the NICU, PICU or child loss. The NICU can shape a woman as a mother and Jessika's story is one of compassion, honesty, and hope. Find Jessika here:  www.prayingthroughministries.orgResources: Swaddle Baby DollsSupport the show

Celeste Yvonne is a popular writer and personality whose filter free approach to parenting and sober living resonates with mothers everywhere.In 2018, Celeste openly spoke about her struggles with alcohol, and announced her commitment to becoming a sober mom for the sake of her health and her family. Celeste lives in Reno, Nevada with her husband and two boys. Celeste and I tackle a polarizing topic in this episode about Mommy Wine Culture, which Celeste defines as "needing alcohol to cope with parenting OR stating (through jokes or otherwise) that our kids are the reason we drink."She shares her story about her relationship with alcohol and her decision to choose sobriety in motherhood. We talk about the way culture interacts with alcohol and treats mothers, coping methods, and needing more support as women and mothers in our society. This is a MUST LISTEN, thought-provoking, life-giving episode that doesn't seek to shame or guilt but to ask better questions about motherhood and drinking culture. Follow her on Facebook and Instagram at The Ultimate Mom Challenge. Support the show

Kathy Radigan is a writer, blogger, mom to three, wife to one, and the one time owner of a possessed appliance. She has fun exploring midlife, marriage and raising teens and a college kid on her blog, My Dishwasher's Possessed! And sharing her experience as a parent to a daughter with significant disabilities on  The Special Needs Nest by Kathy Radigan. Sometimes, becoming a mother looks nothing like we planned. In this episode, Kathy shares about having multiple miscarriages before she was able to carry her first baby to term and how those losses shaped her as a woman and mother on her unique journey. As a mom to a special needs daughter, Kathy reflects on how becoming an advocate for herself during her miscarriages helped her to gain the confidence to become an advocate in the medical world for her daughter years later. With strength and humor, Kathy shares how she made it through the dark years of loss and how she learned to hold onto hope. Find her on Facebook at:My Dishwasher is PossessedThe Special Needs Nest by Kathy Radigan Support the show

Jessica Brudjar is a Jesus-loving single mom to an 11-year-old daughter and a 6-year-old tabby cat. She has spent the last 17 years on active duty in the Air Force, and she has a deep passion for people. When she isn't working or parenting, she loves to write, sing, work on odd projects around the house, and/or nap.Happy Independence Day!A huge part of this podcast is talking about the soul transformation of women as they become mothers or go through big life transitions. I am SO excited to feature Jessica's story as an active duty single military mom.Jessica shares about her unique experiences as a military member in a challenging career field and how she went through the goop when she suddenly found herself as a single mother to her 3 year old daughter. She gives us a intimate glimpse into military life and motherhood, the heartbreak she has experienced,  the help and advice she's received, the deployment she went through, and the wisdom and strength she has gained. This week, as we celebrate our country, we honor the active duty women who serve in our military and also the women who support their families as military spouses. We see you. We honor your struggle and celebrate your strength. Video Link to Jessica's inspiring story hereSupport the show

In this solo episode, I talk about what being a cycle breaker means to me. Sometimes we break cycles from our own childhoods, or generational cycles of dysfunction. Sometime we break cycles that we have created in our own families too that are not working for us anymore or are causing harm. For me, cycle breaking is about our inner work not just providing a different path for our children. I want to break cycles of fear, shame, deprivation, dysfunction, and trauma. I want to provide paths of healing, wholeness, delight, health, and love. So how do we start? In this episode, I share 3 truths I've realized and 4 steps I've taken, along with specific stories, to help change the narrative for my kids and break toxic cycles. It's not too late to say, “I've been doing things one way and I want to do things another way.” If you'd like to listen to this full episode, please go to patreon.com/themotherhoodmetamorphosis and choose the Butterfly Tier. Support the show

In December 2020, Danielle Johnsrude's best friend, teammate, and colleague, her husband, lost his short battle with cancer. She has been learning how to navigate grief while leading and parenting a child through this experience as she is mom to a creative and inspiring 4-year-old daughter. Danielle love's her west coast ocean living, listening to CBC and podcasts of all varieties, hand dripping a freshly roasted cup of coffee, and learning to be grateful in all circumstances while finding purpose through the challenges.I love Danielle's honest reflection on her husband and what an amazing man, friend, husband and father he was. Our conversation reveals an intimate look into grief and the practical ways Danielle has walked her young daughter through both grief and remembrance for her her dad. The last two years have brought much loss into the lives of many people in around the world, either though death or other losses. This episode is honest and intimate, and full of strength and hope. Support the show

Nellie Harden is a Family Life & Leadership Coach who focuses on helping parents eliminate power struggles with their daughters and help them grow into confident, wise, and respectful young women that are actually ready for the world! She is a wife and mom to 4 daughters, author, speaker and podcaster, homeschooling parent and adventure chaser. She has a degree in biology and psychology and a diverse behavior background from humpback whales in the South Pacific to teens and parents in homes across the world. She believes in a life of intention and making dreams and goals realities. She knows that they best way to help the world is through one living room at a time!Nellie shares her unique story of infertility before she became a mother. She went through years of appointments, medications, surgery and so much waiting before she gave birth. We talk about how lonely infertility can be and how it can affect your marriage, mental health, friendships, work life and more. Nellie shares how she dug deep and learned resilience on this journey and how she continues to use these lessons  in her own growth and life as both a woman and a mother raising 4 strong young women. If you are going through infertility or secondary infertility,  you are not alone. This episode is for you. Find Nellie online here: WebsiteIgnite Her Joy Workshop: Building Your Daughter's Mental Wellness During the Tween and Teen Years Podcast Family Architects Club Instagram Support the show

As a trained educator with 20+ years of public speaking experience, Lauren makes evidence-based sexuality education fun and accessible. Lauren specializes in working with clients to restore positive and respectful approaches to sexuality, pleasure, and relationships, as well as overcoming obstacles associated with: religious trauma, sexual communication, life transitions, emotional shifts, and childbirth experiences. This conversation is candid, real, affirming, practical and so SO important. Whether you are postpartum with your first child, or have a whole handful of kids ranging from teens to toddlers (like me!) there is something for you in this amazing episode. Lauren and I talk about cultural expectations when it comes to sex after kids, the pressures women feel, the struggles we often face, and how to communicate with our intimate partner to re-frame the narrative and create a holistic, intimate, and joyful sex life--YES, AFTER KIDS!! This is a must listen. Then share it with your friends. Let's re-think this whole thing. Resource: Wheel of consent Betty MartinYou can find Lauren @sex_ed_for_you on Instagram and FacebookSexedforyou.com Support the show