Podcasts about Family room

You're listening to Burnt Toast! I'm Virginia Sole-Smith. Today, my conversation is with Laura Birek. You probably know Laura as co-host of The Big Fat Positive Podcast, but today she's here to talk about her new book, co authored with Gia Gambaro Blount. It's called Good to Go: A Fresh Take on Potty Training for Today's Intentional Parent.I'm years past potty training (thank God!!), but I honestly remember the pain of it better than childbirth. This is often a very fraught parenting milestone. And as with all things parenting: That means we encounter a ton of societal expectations and pressures around how to get potty training right, which makes it all even harder. If you, too, have been a victim of that viral three day potty training method, you'll want to hear this conversation. Laura has amazing advice about how to recover and do it differently. But even if you're child-free or years out from this experience: What we're really talking about today is how perfectionism and performative parenting can make life harder for parents (especially moms!) and really get in the way of kids' body autonomy. And of course, promoting body autonomy is core to the work we do here on Burnt Toast.Today's episode is free! But don't forget, if you were a Substack subscriber, you have until October 28 to claim your free access to our paid content. Check your email for your special gift link! And drop any questions or concerns in this Google Form. PS. You can take 10 percent off Good to Go or any book we talk about on the podcast, if you order it from the Burnt Toast Bookshop, along with a copy of Fat Talk! (This also applies if you've previously bought Fat Talk from them. Just use the code FATTALK at checkout.)Episode 215 TranscriptLauraI am the co-author of a new potty training book that just came out called Good to Go: A Fresh Take on Potty Training for Today's Intentional Parent. You can find it everywhere. And then I am also the co-host of a long running parenting and pregnancy podcast called The Big Fat Positive Podcast. I've been doing that for over seven years now. Every week for seven years! VirginiaYou are an OG podcaster! I love the podcast. I've been on the podcast. But today we are going to talk about Good to Go. Because you reached out to me and you said, "Potty training culture is such a thing. Can we talk about it?" And I am not going to share my own children's stories. But I'm going to say, yeah, it is such a thing. And it really messes with our heads. And of course, my work is all about investigating cultural messages that mess with our heads, aka diet culture. So yes, let's talk about potty training diet culture today. You kick off the book with the story of how you tried and failed to train your older kiddo, who you call Augie in the book. And the impetus was that you read the super popular three day potty training book that I think most of our listeners who have potty trained a child have encountered. Why did the idea that you could magically change potty train your child in three days go so wrong?LauraSo we kind of fell into that new parent trap of "This kid's a genius!" He was hitting all his milestones early. He was such a talker. And I had been given that very, very popular three day potty training method that shall not be named. And I read it and really took it as gospel. And in the book, there were all these signs of readiness. And I was like, check, check, check, for Augie. It was stuff like, is he interested in the potty? And I thought, oh, this kid is ready, according to this book. And there were extenuating circumstances--namely, the pandemic. We were deep in the pandemic. We were also stuck indoors because there was a wildfire nearby, so we weren't even able to go outside. That's Southern California life for you. And I was in my second trimester with my second pregnancy. So all of these things came together to be like, well, you know, what the hell? Let's give it a try. VirginiaWe're trapped indoors anyways. LauraWe're trapped indoors. Let's spend three days naked and see what happens. And so the very first sentence of our book is: "I'm a failure at potty training." Which is a very weird way to start a potty training book.VirginiaBut so relatable. LauraOh, I hope it's relatable! Because the thing is, we thought we were a success at the very beginning. Right after those three days, he was mostly making it to the potty. We were like, okay, we can take away diapers. But what we didn't realize is that we had just entered into a state of constant vigilance with him. We were constantly reminding him to go, and we were always nervous about going anywhere and doing anything with him, like even just going to the park. We never got over the stress level, right? My mom would say, "He wasn't potty trained. You were potty trained."VirginiaYou were trying to take him to the potty obsessively and monitor all the signs.LauraExactly, exactly. And the other thing was, I had this idea that having two kids in diapers was going to be hard. I don't know where I got this idea! Everyone is like oh, you can't have two kids in diapers.VirginiaIt feels like a really common cultural message. I've heard a lot of friends say that, who have kids close in age. "Oh we have got to get her out of diapers before the next one comes!" LauraActually having two kids in diapers is way more convenient than one who's in a very early stage of potty training and a newborn! That was our first mistake. But we just continued to deal with this stress around going places. And at some point, I ended up having the baby. Augie was still out of diapers, but he was having accidents. In our book, we call them misses, but this author called them accidents, so we'll stick with accidents. It's the more familiar term. And he was having accidents all the time, and I was really stressed out about it. Then I take my new baby, we call him Sebastian, to a local place called the Family Room, which is where I did mommy and me classes, and then toddler and me classes with my now co-author, Gia Gambaro Blount. I brought him for a lactation support group. But Gia happened to be there, and I descended upon Gia. I was like, "Gia, I need your help. Augie is having all these problems with potty training. I don't know what to do." And she looked at me, and said, "Can I ask you something? When you decided to potty train him, did you tell him it was going to happen?" And I was like, "No." Because the book specifically tells you you're not supposed to do that. VirginiaYou just spring it on them.LauraThe book tells you, do not even have the little potties out, because it will confuse their little brains. And I didn't know anything about potty training at the time, so I was like, "Sure, that sounds legit. Whatever." So Gia was like, "You need to go back and ask him how he's feeling about this." So I go back and I look Augie in the eyes. I'm like, "Hey baby. I know we've been having a lot of accidents. Do you think you want to go back to diapers for a little bit?" And he was like, "Yes!" Instantly. "Yes, yes, yes, I want to go back to diapers!" And I was shocked by that, because I thought he was going to be like, "No, I'm a big boy!" VirginiaHe was like, no, I'm really not ready for that. LauraAnd so we went back to diapers, which, by the way, in the 3 day method is a big no no. Like, huge regression. And there was also this strict thing about having to potty train between 18 and 30 months, and if you don't do it between those times, you've ruined them forever. At least, that's that's the takeaway I had.VirginiaAnd if you could do it beforehand, even better.LauraYes! So I was really worried about all that. But the minute we put him back in diapers, the stress went away. And you know, TL/DR, he is not ruined forever. We ended up actually potty training him using Gia's help just after he turned three. VirginiaEverything in your story is so deeply relatable. Because I think those first years of parenting are such chaos. And this is certainly not all moms... but there's a certain kind of mom who is vulnerable to this message of "control as much of it as you can." Have the feeding schedules, track the ins and outs when they're newborns. There is a need to have a lot of information and structure around what is otherwise just this sea of "when will we ever sleep again? When will anything happen?" That makes us really vulnerable to messages like "You want to achieve this milestone by a certain age." Or "You want to achieve this milestone before you have another baby." There is this idea that we somehow get a gold star if we get it done at a certain point. And now that I have kids who are way, way older, and I'm just like, "I don't even remember when it all happened." You don't look at a bunch of seventh graders, and think, "Well, I can tell  you didn't potty train till 3.5." LauraAnd I think that I am one of those moms who is totally susceptible to that. We had a sleep schedule with my first. And I think part of it is that I had my kids later in life, I already had a career. And when you have kids, any control you have over your days, over your schedule, over your life, just flies out the window. So I think I was grasping at anything that would give me a sense of control in my life. And rightfully so! So I'm not saying that those things don't help people —I actually do think some of the sleep schedule stuff helped us. Or we got lucky, and that just happened to align with my kid's personality.VirginiaYou had a baby who was like, "Yes, fine, we'll do a schedule."LauraExactly. I don't know. There's no way to know, but it did give me a sense of control. The trap with that is, say you have a good experience, like I did with sleep training , and then you go to potty training and it's not as successful. Suddenly you think it's some kind of referendum on your own parenting. VirginiaYes! LauraHaving a second kid is really helpful — or third or fourth, I imagine, even more— but having more than one kid has really helped me realize that so much of parenting is luck of the draw with your kid's personality and temperament and all that stuff. But with your first, it can feel like such pressure and such responsibility for you to be the person who figures it all out. When it turns out that a lot of things are just not figure out-able, or need time or a different approach, or you need to be flexible.VirginiaSocial media has not helped in all of this, for sure. I mean, not that everybody documents their kids potty training on social media, but it's of a piece with needing to celebrate milestones in this public way, I think.LauraHopefully one of the gifts that we give with our book is this concept that potty training is not a light switch. It's not a binary. You're not either potty trained or not in some clear crossing the finish line manner. Instead, we describe it as a continuum in terms of how much parental involvement is required. So at the very, very beginning, those first days, weeks, even months, you're in the highly involved phase, where you are doing a lot of reminding and you're doing a lot of cleaning up of pee on floor. You're doing a lot of thinking about it. Then you go into the occasionally involved phase, which is fewer accidents, they know they need to go, but you still have to wipe their butts until kindergarten, at least usually. That's something that the other books don't really tell you. They frame it as, "oh, you're done after three days." But these kids need help! There are just some physiological reasons why little kids have trouble wiping their own butts. Their heads are huge! Their proportions are all off. Some kids physically cannot reach their butts. But no one's telling you that. So our goal in the book is to try to shorten the highly involved phase so that you're in the occasionally involved phase quicker, and then finally you'll get to the point where you're rarely involved. We say that there's some day in the future where you won't know the last time your kid went to the bathroom. But that's years away. I mean, in my house, it's still getting announced! So if you can think of it as the spectrum of where you're in this process, then you can be a little bit less like, oh, okay, so and so just posted "oh, my two year old potty trained in one weekend." You can know in your head: Okay, yeah, that just means they're not wearing diapers on a daily basis, right? But caregivers are still involved.VirginiaYeah, it doesn't mean the two year old is like, "Okay, mom, I'll be back in a minute!"LauraPeople will come out of the woodwork and be like, "My two year old self potty trained, they won't let me be involved. They do everything!" And it's like, I am so happy for you. But that is not the majority of kids and we need to just understand that's not an expectation we should have.VirginiaI also appreciate understanding the stages more, and the fact that you and Gia really emphasized that this means you can decide readiness, not just based on your kid. So: Are they achieving these certain milestones? Are they checking these boxes? But also: Consider yourself. Are you, the parent, ready? Maybe when you're about to have a newborn, you don't want to be in the highly involved potty training phase. If you don't think you can get all the way to "less involved" by the time the baby comes, maybe put this on hold for a while. And that just gives us so much more permission to center our own needs in the process. And to actually have needs, which is another thing the three day discourse really leaves out. The idea that you as the parent would have any other things going on other than potty training.LauraMost of the 3 day experts say you cannot leave the house for three days. Okay, that's great for a stay at home parent who has no other kids. But what happens when you have an older kid that needs to go to soccer practice? What happens if you have a prescription you need to pick up from the pharmacy?VirginiaOr you're a single parent.LauraOr a single parent doing it all. Exactly.We were in a pandemic, in a wildfire, and that's why I was like, okay, we can stay home for three days. There has been no other time in our lives we've been able to stay inside for three days. Those unrealistic expectations really set you up for failure. And then on top of that, the message in all these other methods is, "If your child is still having issues after the three days, you must have done something wrong. You must have not followed my method perfectly."That's with so much of parenting, right? But no, every kid is going to react differently and have a different timeline. And also, sometimes prescriptions need to be picked up at the pharmacy. VirginiaMy listeners frequently get a little annoyed when I say everything is a diet. But: A system that tells you that if it didn't work, it's because you didn't do it right is 100 percent classic diet culture. It's classic like, well, if only you'd followed it, if only you'd have better discipline... as opposed to: This just isn't a match for what you're trying to do right now. This isn't the way for you. Laura And it's trying to police this thing that everyone has to do, too. I think that's just such an interesting analog to diet culture as well. We all have to eat. I know you've written about this, right? Even the most restrictive diet is going to have to provide some food, because you will die. And we all have to eliminate our waste and, save children with medical issues that may prevent them from potty training, almost all of us are going to end up having to learn to use a toilet at some point. It's this thing we all have to do. And yet, we're being told there's this one right way to do it. But there are also at least five different people saying their way is the one right way. What gets more diet-y than that?VirginiaAnother thing I really appreciated is what Gia emphasizes in terms of assessing your child's readiness. Because it's not just the cognitive signs, like, do they have the language? Are they looking at the potty and interested or following you into the bathroom? She also talks about this concept of interoception, which is something that comes up a lot when we talk about helping kids be intuitive eaters. So again, there are these parallels between food and potty stuff. Can you explain how understanding where a child is with their interoception development can help you prepare for a more intuitive approach to potty training?LauraWe talk about the three realms of readiness: There are the cognitive signs, the social-emotional signs and the physical signs. But we further split those up into two categories. Some of these things are teachable signs, and then there are some unteachable things that are just developmental. A really good example of that is in the cognitive signs of readiness. An unteachable sign is whether your child is curious about you going to the potty, right? That is often listed as a sign of readiness, like, oh, your child wants to know what you're doing. Why are you sitting on the potty? Wants to come be with you in the bathroom. You can't teach that level of interest, right? And if you tried it would be weird. And interoception is another unteachable sign. There's nothing we can do to force your child to have more awareness of what's going on in their body. That's a thing we're kind of born with that is on another spectrum. Some people are incredibly sensitive. I'm a person who's been accused of being a hypochondriac, and I think part of that is I have heightened interoception. I feel every ache and pain. I always felt when I ovulated, for example. I also heard once that only some people can tell when their heart's beating. That's just a sign that some people have a more sensitive sense of interoception versus others, right? We can't teach it. It's just the way your kid is. What we can teach is supporting their interpretation of their interoception. An example that's not potty training related is if your child gets goosebumps, you can help them identify: Do you have goosebumps because you're feeling cold, or do you have goosebumps because you're scared? Goosebumps have a feeling associated with them, and you can't teach them how to feel that. But what you can do is try to connect language to the feeling. And that's hard. That is the hard work of potty training, honestly. And so Gia and I identified something we called the universal potty sequence, just to keep it short in our brain, which is, when we are as adults, go to the bathroom. We say we're going to the bathroom. We think of it as one step, but in reality, it's up to nine steps. We identified nine steps. But you know, it's a bunch of different steps that the kids have to learn. It's all new for them, right? So the first step is feeling. The sensation is that interoception, every step after that is kind of mechanical, right? Like you navigate to the potty, then you pull down your pants, then you sit on the potty, then you eliminate, then you flush, blah, blah, right? So we have this thing we call the rehearsal period. That's about two weeks ish--again, everything is flexible--before you actually plan to take away diapers, where you teach everything on the universal potty sequence, all those steps, all those new things, all those new mechanics for them. Except step one: Feel the sensation. That one we are leaving to when you take away diapers. The point is when kids are thrown into "we're taking away diapers. We're taking away this thing that you've worn your entire life!" this way, the only thing they have to learn is how to connect the sensation to the need to go. Everything else isn't brand new, so the other eight steps aren't so overwhelming. All we're focusing on is interoception, and so that's what we're trying to really center in our method to help our kids connect the dots. And that's why we also don't forbid prompting. Some kids are not going to have a strong sensation, and you're going to need to sometimes, in retrospect, be like, "hmm, there's pee on the floor now, you you had a miss." And we say miss, because we don't want there to be shame involved, right? We don't want to say, oh, it's an accident. It's not really an accident. They just didn't get to the potty in time, right? or they didn't even think to try to go. So we say, "Oh, you had a miss. Do you remember what it felt like before it came out? Next time we feel that feeling, let's see if we can catch it before we go." So we're working on that. And some kids need that extra support. Honestly, my six year old still likes to get hyper focused, and so he does need to get prompted to this day. And no one would say, oh, that six year old's not potty trained. He's definitely potty trained at school. He's fine, but sometimes we just need to help him connect. I mean, how many adults do you know who wait till the last second go to the bathroom?VirginiaThat's me, every work day. What I love about this is how you're really centering kids' body autonomy in this process. And in way that is so counter to how I've seen body training explained before. This feels like such a huge shift. I mean, I remember when I was doing it with my own kids, feeling like, "the way I'm doing this doesn't feel aligned with the way I'm thinking about feeding them," for example. When I'm feeding kids, I'm really focused on the power of their ability to say no to a food they don't like, and why that's important. And the importance of not pushing them past their fullness cues and helping them notice hunger cues. Their body autonomy is the center of it. And potty training is this thing where because we're so focused on getting it done, because we've got all this pressure on it, it's like... suddenly they don't have body autonomy in the process at all. And that feels really troubling.LauraIt does. I mean, I came to that same revelation. It was part of what allowed me to feel okay with putting Augie back in diapers, VirginiaYeah, because you gave him his power back. LauraExactly and I realized this exact same thing you said. I am so dedicated to respectful parenting. I'm a Virginia Sole-Smith fan girl! Like I read all your books, and I'm offering foods without judgment, and all of that stuff. And yet, in this one realm, I fell into the trap of not just not centering his body autonomy, I like full on ignored it. I mean, it sounds awful, but I really did violate his own body autonomy. I forced him to do things he wasn't ready for. And I do feel bad about it to this day. And it's not an inconsequential thing, right? Like, people say, No one's going to college still, still using a diaper. Everyone eventually learns to potty. And it's true. But there is a lot of shame around using the bathroom. There was some Vice article that just came out, which said, like, 83 percent of Gen Zers have bathroom anxiety. And a bunch of them want to quit because of it. They don't want to have a job because they're afraid of using the bathroom. VirginiaI'm an old millennial, but I have some women's magazine bathroom trauma. I understand what they're saying. It's a stressful place. LauraAnd I'm not saying I enjoy pooping in a public bathroom either! But there are consequences, and not just about anxiety. There are actual physical consequences to involving shame in the potty training process. There's encopresis, which is a specific type of constipation and a really big problem that is so hard to solve. I've heard from so many parents whose children have it. It's a form of chronic constipation, and what happens is you're so constipated that liquid poop escapes around the sides of the impacted stool, and kids can't tell anymore that they have to poop because their colon is so enlarged. And this is a much more common problem than people realize, and it's really hard to solve once it's started. It's something you really want to get ahead of. And that's the other reason we say if your child is refusing to poop in the potty, give them a diaper. You need to get that poop out one way or another, and it's not a judgment on whether you've been able to potty train them or not. We're looking at the long game here. We're trying to create a child who doesn't have long term problems that require a ton of medical intervention. What's worse, having to go to a GI doctor for the next five years or just giving them a diaper to poop in at the end of the day?VirginiaAnd giving them another month or six months in diapers, and then you try again. LauraIt goes back to the perfectionism, though. Like, when you put it that way, you're like, yeah, of course, I'll give them a diaper. But if you've been told no, they're going to be confused. It's failure. That's harder. It's not failure. These kids are way smarter than most people give them credit for, like, they will know the difference. They're not going to be confused about what's going on.VirginiaI think another piece of this body autonomy conversation is night training. I really love that Gia does not endorse night training. I mean, I have heard of parents setting alarms to wake toddlers up to pee at 11pm so that they could say they were night trained. Just tell us why this is so unnecessary.LauraNight training is absolutely unnecessary. We did a ton of research to make sure we were right. Night training is just not effective. It's really a one hundred percent developmental shift that happens in your child's brain and their body. When they are ready, they will be night trained. And there's nothing you can do to force it. One in 6 kids at age six still wet the bed at night. At age seven, that goes down to one in 10. But that's still a lot of kids! One in 10 kids in your second grade class are still wetting the bed at night. And that's fine and developmentally normal. And so if we know that, if we can normalize that, it may lessen the pressure for night training. There's a scientific term for waking them at night to sit them on the potty. They call it lifting. And the research shows that lifting has no measurable outcomes like lifting. People who practice lifting had no better results than people who just let their kids sleep. And I would imagine—this is just my hypothesis—that those parents are crabby because they have to wake up in the middle of the night to do it. And their kids are also probably crabby for having gotten woken up, even if they're half awake, right? So we are firmly in the belief that you don't have to do night training. That said, we tell you when to start looking for signs that it's time to take away night time diapers and how to do it. And also what to do when your kid is getting up to pee in the middle of the night, and that becomes a problem. So if your child is waking up in the middle of the night every night to go pee — we get into how to address that, what the root causes might be, and how to how to deal with that when the time comes. But we say do not do night training at the same time as daytime training. Your kids will likely just night train themselves during or after the process. One in 10 will take past age seven.VirginiaThe last thing I want to hit on is the stuff piece of potty training. There's a lot marketed to us, a lot of gear, different types of potties, all of that. And I would love to hear your take on what is actually useful and what is just marketing, and you can probably skip. LauraLike anything parenting-related, mom-related specifically, there are going to be people trying to sell you a bunch of stuff. But I mean, basically you need a pot to piss in, right? Like, that is the bare bones of what you need. A lot of people ask us about the floor potties: Do I really need a floor potty? A lot of people find them kind of gross, unsightly. I get it. You don't want to have a little toilet in your living room. Yeah, I didn't either. But if you buy nothing else, we recommend having a floor potty. And you don't have to buy them — there are going to be 20 parents in your neighborhood who are desperate to get these out of their basements! You can get over the fact that it was used by another kid, just get some Clorox. You know, you're fine. You don't have to spend actual money on any of this stuff, because it is a thing that you only need for a narrow window of time. So we recommend, at the bare minimum, having a floor potty for this reason: There are three types of awareness when it comes to your internal body awareness. There's sensation awareness, which is, oh, I have to go. The action awareness is: Is it pee or poop? And then there's urgency awareness, which is like, the real key to all of this. Urgency awareness is how much lead time you have between noticing the feeling and getting to a toilet. And when you are first potty training, in the first days and weeks, that urgency awareness window is seconds. We're talking like five seconds between when a kid recognizes and when they go. Because of that, we want to give them as many opportunities to have a win as possible, right? Like, you don't want to clean up pee off your floor, and you want your kid to feel successful, right? The more chances they have to successfully make it to the potty, the better everyone's going to feel, and the like, quicker the process is going to go. And sometimes the difference between a win and a miss is the time it takes to walk from the living room to the bathroom.In addition, there are a lot of things about the big potty that scare kids or just are really, really challenging for kids. It's high up, so you have to have a step stool or something. Usually you have to have some kind of insert for the seat. So like, if you're like, oh, I don't want to buy a floor potty, you're still having to buy a step stool and a seat insert. So that's two things versus the one floor potty. And kids can be scared of the balancing being high up. They can be scared of the plopping, like the poop falling all the way into the bowl. We have some techniques to help them get over that, but there are just more barriers to entry for most kids to use the adult potty at the get-go. Obviously, you can work towards that. And I always hear from people like, well, my kid wouldn't even go in the small potty. It's like, okay, there you go. Now, you know. All the more reason to get one from some other parent. If you have a really big house, two floor potties could be helpful so you don't have to be carrying them around everywhere you go. I mean the amount of time I've spent in my life carrying around a little floor potty full of pee. It's just so gross. It's such a glamorous life we live as parents. And then the only other thing that I'd say is really a good buy if you're in the car a lot, is a travel potty.VirginiaOne hundred percent. LauraThere are so many great ones now. I have the Oxo one, it like, folds up into this flat little package. And you can either pop the legs vertical, so that you put a little plastic bag in that has a little absorbent pad so that you can sit on the potty in the backseat of the car or the trunk or whatever. But it also folds out, so it can be a little seat to use in public bathrooms. And that's honestly really great. Public bathrooms are a whole other topic that we actually talk a lot about in the book. But one major thing is that their butts are too small. They just so you either have to hold them, and it's a whole thing, or you can have this travel potty with you, which gives them a seat that's their size and makes it more accessible. ButterVirginiaWell, this was fantastic. Speaking of stuff, though, it does not have to be stuff. Laura, do you want to give us some Butter today?LauraI do. Okay, so I went straight from saying you don't need to buy things for potty training, and then I'm going to tell you about this thing that I think you should buy for potty training. But I have to tell you about this because I have been giving these out to my friends left and right. Anytime I tell someone about it, they they're like their mind is blown. They've never heard of it before, and so I feel like I have to share it, because it's something that's been so helpful for us, and that is a disposable travel urinal. Have you ever heard of these? VirginiaI do not have children with penises, so no.LauraWell, guess what? It works for children with vulvas, too. VirginiaWow. Okay!LauraSo it's this universal spout. It's basically this sort of oval shaped spout that, if you have a penis, you point this the top part up, and if you have a vulva, you point it down, just so it catches the pee. And it's just a plastic bag, kind of like an emesis bag, but the difference is there's a little zip lock top, so you can seal it off, and there's like a gel pad at the bottom that's dry when you get it, but it absorbs liquid, kind of like what's inside of a diaper, right? And you can it folds up into this tiny little package that you can have in your purse. It's saved us so many times when you are places where you just can't get to a bathroom quickly, and they really have to pee. Because, I don't know about your kids, but no matter how many times I tell them, like we're leaving the park, let's go to the bathroom. Yeah, no, I don't have to go. And then five minutes into the drive home, I have to pee. I have to pee.And while I do have two children with penises, I don't usually like to have them pee on random people's yards, right? So really helps to be able to have this thing in the car. I will tell you the most clutch moment, which hopefully doesn't get me canceled, which is we were in line. My six year old and I were in line for the Guardians of the Galaxy breakout ride at Disney California Adventure. And it was an hour long line. And I was shocked that he was focused and able to stay in that line the whole time. But we were almost to the boarding area, and he's like, Mommy I have to pee and it was just me and him. I couldn't send him with his dad or anything. And this line is like a maze, you know how Disney does it's like they create this whole experience. But I didn't know how to get out in any quick way, even if they would have led us back in the line, I didn't know how to get out. And it was dark in there, all moody, and so it was scary. And I was like, okay, baby, just turn around. So I got him face away from the crowd, and he peed in the bag, and there was a trash can right there. And it saved us! so I highly recommend it. I have one in my purse at all times, just in case. I have yet to use it for myself, but it is apparently used by adults. Okay, yeah, yeah, absolutely so. And they, I don't have a brand recommendation. There's like 500 different brands, so just look up disposable urinal bags. VirginiaWell, my Butter is not something you can pee in, but It is body adjacent in thinking about this episode, and thinking back to earlier parenting years, because, as I said, I'm like, pretty well out of the stage. Now, I was remembering how much one of our favorite picture books at that time was Bodies Are Cool by Tyler Feder. LauraI love that book. VirginiaIt's incredible. It should be in every parent's library. It's a go-to baby shower gift for me forever, because it's just an amazing celebration of body diversity, which is all of Tyler's work. So that's a Butter I've given before, but just to re-up. But recently, a friend of mine gave me a print of Tyler's of this beautiful, fat mermaid. I'll put a photo of it in the show notes. And I actually hung it up by my bathroom, because our bathroom is near where our pool is. So now we have a lot of middle school girls changing into swimsuits all the time. And I am slowly making this bathroom my body celebration shrine. So I have three Tyler illustrations in that space. And I'm just adding to this little collection of body positive art so that when teenage girls are in there changing into swimsuits and having the feelings they can look around and be like, Oh, right. Bodies are cool. So, another way to think about your bathroom as a place to affirm that body autonomy matters. LauraYeah, it really does. VirginiaWell, this was a delight. Laura, thank you so much for joining us. Tell folks where we can follow you, how we can support your work.LauraYes. So as I said many times, my book Good to Go: A Fresh Take on Potty Training for Today's Intentional Parent is out in the US and Canada, wherever you buy your books. There's also an e-book version you can find. We are hoping to get an audiobook going soon. And we also have a website that you can find us at and then listen to my podcast. We have great conversations all the time. We had Virginia on for two episodes when Fat Talk came out and one of our favorite episodes ever. And we are Big Fat Positive a pregnancy and parenting journey.VirginiaAmazing. Thank you so much for being here. LauraThanks for having me. I love talking to you.The Burnt Toast Podcast is produced and hosted by Virginia Sole-Smith (follow me on Instagram) and Corinne Fay, who runs @SellTradePlus, and Big Undies.The Burnt Toast logo is by Deanna Lowe.Our theme music is by Farideh.Tommy Harron is our audio engineer.Thanks for listening and for supporting anti-diet, body liberation journalism!

The hardest part of leadership isn't strategy or spreadsheets—it's the unspoken dynamics that quietly shape trust, decisions, and performance. In this episode of Leadership on the Rocks, Bethany Rees talks with René Sonneveld—former Fortune 500 CEO, leadership coach, and author of The Elephant in the Family Room. René shares why awareness of self, others, and the systems we're part of is the true foundation of leadership. He unpacks how unresolved emotions, family history, and hidden tensions often matter more than market forces—and why leaders who learn to notice and navigate these “elephants” build stronger teams, manage conflict with wisdom, and create cultures of trust. Connect with Rene: Website: renesonneveld.com Book: The Elephant in the Family Room: Managing the Complexities of Legacy Businesses Links to social media: https://beacons.ai/rene.sonneveld

Joining Simon around the After Dinner Leadership table is a Leadership and Family Coach, and author of The Elephant in the Family Room. Together, they explore the unique dynamics of working within family-owned businesses, uncovering both the legal frameworks that safeguard success and the emotional regulation that sustains relationships. Pull up a seat and join this insightful conversation.Rene SonneveldThe Elephant in the Family RoomSend us a textConnect with us on LinkedIn Follow us on Instagram Subscribe on YouTube If you would like to feature on the Podcast, please get in touch! mailto: info@withleadership.co.uk Thank you for listening!

http://www.TimeManagementRevolution.com - Do you ever feel like your brain is running in a million directions, costing you time, focus, and performance? In this powerful conversation, Helene Segura, a Time Management Fixer, and Rene Sonneveld, a mental performance coach who works with athletes, teams, corporate leaders, and family businesses, discuss how mental interference robs us of our potential—and what we can do to take back control. Connect with Rene Sonneveld: Website: https://www.renesonneveld.com/ Book: https://amzn.to/46CG2o2 - The Elephant in the Family Room: Managing the Complexities of Legacy Businesses LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/renesonneveld/ About Rene Sonneveld: Rene Sonneveld is a family business coach, mental performance strategist, and author of The Elephant in the Family Room. A former CEO, he now helps leaders, entrepreneurs, and legacy families perform under pressure without burning out. Through his coaching, Rene guides clients to build emotional clarity, decision-making stamina, and the mental space to lead with impact. His work is for those who want more than productivity and who are ready to grow from the inside out. For other Time Management Revolution podcast episodes, visit: YouTube: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLAU3o93PRjlW9lca-YT38dVMADSARXUtK&si=CZWm8QGem-vc9R0l Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/your-time-management-revolution-productivity-tips-from/id1046485977 Audible: https://amzn.to/3T21QkK  …or wherever you get your podcasts! In this episode of the Time Management Revolution podcast, Helene Segura interviews Rene Sonneveld, a family business coach and former CEO. He explained #mentalperformance coaching concepts and shared practical techniques for #stressmanagement and improving #decision-making under pressure. The conversation concluded with a discussion of #timemanagement strategies, including the importance of scheduling longer blocks of time and addressing psychological barriers. Get your FREE Productivity Kickstarter Kit at http://www.TimeManagementRevolution.com ! Time management keynote speaker Helene Segura also provides individual consulting and onsite or virtual productivity packages for companies. Contact Helene today to check availability and start your time management revolution! https://www.HeleneSegura.com/speaking/

Karen & Janet kick off this podcast with The Reverse Mortgage Queen Shelly Wells... The Expert On Reverse Mortgages because that is her full focus!  Shelly knows who benefits most by getting a reverse mortgage, Shelly will guide you through the process so you know the facts and see how the reverse mortgage helps you right now!  Next up, Jacquelyn Syndergaard, with VCMC's Ronald McDonald Family Room a 2,500 square foot living space that provides respite for parents and families of children who need hospitalization for many critical issues.  This room provides a place to rest, enjoy a meal, do work without leaving the hospital and being with your child at all times.  Jacquelyn has many ways you can support this room that benefits so many families in Ventura County.  They wrap up the podcast with Andi Girl who describes the benefits of meditation.  Andi Girl is a  practitioner of energy and "elevating the vibe" her experience has benefitted many people and often moves them for medication to meditation!  Another awesome podcast with Girls On The Air!

Dean dives into how your home can tell a story—starting with the entryway. Learn why floor lines matter, what the Lincoln Memorial teaches us about design, and why the family room should steal the show. A must-listen for anyone planning a renovation or dreaming big.

Welcome to The Family Room—where we talk about faith, relationships, and life in transition. If you've ever wondered, ‘What's next for me?'—you're in the right place. Hey I'm Billie, and today I'm sharing my personal story of feeling lost in the middle of massive change and how I found my way back to purpose, peace, and connection. What I've learned is that transitions are unavoidable. Whether it's retirement, an empty nest, relationship shifts, or career changes, we all face seasons where we feel unanchored. But those seasons don't have to be the end of the story. They can be the beginning of something beautiful, if we have a guide, a little clarity, and some hope. The What's Next Game Plan: 7 Steps to Move From Lost in Change to Living With Purpose 30-minute FREE Discovery Call Instagram Facebook billie@billiejauss.com www.billiejauss.com

Have you ever sat with a cup of coffee, staring out the window, wondering... Did I do enough? Am I still needed? Did I fail somewhere along the way? Maybe your kids are grown. Maybe they're distant. Maybe they live close but emotionally feel far. Or maybe you're still in the thick of parenting and just wondering... Why does everyone else seem more confident than I feel? Today on The Family Room, we're talking about what happens when doubt whispers loudest. Because even when your feelings say you're not enough, God says something entirely different. Distraction Detox Book Free 30-minute Coaching Discovery Call Instagram Facebook billie@billiejauss.com www.billiejauss.com

You've packed the lunches. You've wiped the tears. You've prayed the prayers they never even knew about. You've sat up in the dark, wondering if you got it right. And even when they're grown or gone, you feel every heartbeat of theirs inside your own. Today, in The Family Room, we're hitting pause… not to fix anything or figure anything out — but to celebrate you. Because you are the mom God intended for your kids, and that matters more than you know. Here's to A Lifetime of Uplifting Blessings for Every Beautiful Mom Celebrating Who You Are, Not Just What You Do 30 Minute FREE Coaching Discovery Call Instagram Facebook billie@billiejauss.com www.billiejauss.com  

Have you ever caught yourself lying awake at night, staring at the ceiling, wondering… Did I say the right thing? Did I mess that up? Will they ever come back around? Fear is quiet… but it's heavy. As moms, especially to adult children, we carry that silent weight like a backpack we forgot to take off. In today's episode of The Family Room, we're discussing the unspoken fear that shapes the way we mother and how we can finally let it go. If this episode blessed you, would you do two things? Share this with a friend who needs to hear it. Leave a review on Apple Podcasts — it helps more women find freedom, too. Distraction Detox Book Free 30 min Coaching Discovery Call Instagram Facebook billie@billiejauss.com  

This week, host Ace McKay helps us look into what watch that's family friendly with the help of “Is This For Kids” podcast and then we go into “The Family Room” we are Recognizing the current hunger for truth, Dr. Peter Howard founded The Fulton Sheen Institute to bring back these dynamic truths and help society rediscover a total vision of man according to God's design.

Billie's talking about how she started podcasting and why.  Spoiler Alert: It's all about and for you! Can you help me make the podcast better? Share with me your thoughts and how we can grow, together, one conversation at a time.  Please email me your answers to one or more of the questions!  billie@billiejauss.com What's the biggest challenge you're facing in your relationships right now? What's one piece of advice you wish you had received earlier about marriage, parenting, or friendship? What season of life are you currently navigating, and what support do you need? When it comes to communicating with your spouse or adult children, what feels hardest for you? What's a relationship struggle you don't often hear talked about but wish was addressed? How do you handle conflict in your family, and what wisdom would help you navigate it better? What's one area where you're seeking more hope and encouragement in your relationships? What transitions (empty nest, retirement, new friendships, etc.) are you currently working through? What kind of faith-based encouragement do you need most in your relationships? If you could have a conversation with an expert about relationships, what's one question you'd ask? What about the audio? Do I need to hire someone to tighten it up? Please email me your answers to one or more of the questions! billie@billiejauss.com   Make sure to Follow me, Billie Jauss, on Instagram and Facebook. Also, hit follow wherever you listen to the podcast, leave a review, and share the podcast with a friend. Instagram Facebook billie@billiejauss.com www.billiejauss.com Making Room: Doing Less So God Can Do More Distraction Detox: Removing Emotional Barriers to Realize God's Best Baseball Family: The 9 Core Qualities for Developing Healthy Relationships Familia Beisbolera

This week, host Ace McKay spends time in “The Family Room” to help us find out what we need to do when life collides with our dreams as we hear an inspiring conversion story and speaking of inspiration, The “Inspired by Faith” family chats with Carrie Daunt about how to apply our faith to the fears and shame we've faced.

Welcome to season 4 of The Family Room! This season I want to dig deeper into communication for in building hope for relationships. If you've ever felt lonely, disconnected, or unworthy in your relationships, you're in the right place. Communication is important for building a culture hope-filled, meaningful connections. Many of us feel increasingly disconnected from genuine human interaction and a sense of belonging. This is evident in increased loneliness and isolation and in the erosion of strong community bonds.  I believe we can bring hope to relationships through meaningful communication. Today, I want to introduce you to the Three Keys for communicating hope in relationships, curiosity, compassion, and commitment. Download The 3 Keys to Hope for Relationships  HERE Compassion International Information or Sponsor a Child HERE  Baseball Family: The 9 Core Qualities for Developing Healthy Relationships English https://amzn.to/4aQcke5 Spanish https://amzn.to/3TP20Mu   Join Billie on: Instagram Facebook Let me know your story: billie@billiejauss.com Website: www.billiejauss.com  

 Peter chooses some of his favorite stories from the Story Pirates archives.

Guest Host Kathryn Collins continues the conversation with JackieSavi Cannon. For the past 15 years, Kathryn held the pivotal role of Educational Coordinator, coordinating special education services and collaborating with community agencies to provide comprehensive support for students from kindergarten through grade 12. How do we help children build resilience and emotional literacy through mindfulness, yoga, and meditation? These practices can empower the next generation to cope better with life's challenges. How can shifting our focus to states of peace and well-being can transform classrooms and families alike? We'll dive into tools and techniques that integrate seamlessly into the school day, from click-and-play video lessons to cross-subject applications, making it easier for teachers and counselors to bring compassion, creativity, and collaboration into their classrooms. Learn how programs like Generation 1 Kids are equipping teachers, parents, and students with strategies to recognize and nurture emotional health, creating lasting habits that benefit both physical and mental well-being. Highlights:

This week, host Ace McKay checks in with “The Family Room” has we find out more on a journey of faith with the heart that God gave and on the “Magnicat” we find a story of a woman who dealt with struggles of child birth and find healing in the sacraments.

Some crazy starts to this NHL season, eh?? The Flames and Hockey Club were undefeated… The Avs and the Preds and the Oilers were winless… I feel like I'm taking crazy pills. The boys overreact to it all, plus they list the best players in their position in the league, discuss who's tending up and down, and play a brand new game. NEW EPISODES EVERY MONDAY & WEDNESDAY! SUBSCRIBE TO OUR YOUTUBE:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCuf52MHW1O7guPMzsMvv2kA FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM:https://www.instagram.com/empty.netters/?hl=en FOLLOW US ON TIKTOK:https://www.tiktok.com/@empty.netters (0:00) - Sharks(9:04) - Utah(16:38) - No Wine in the Family Room?(22:20) - Preds(26:23) - Panthers(33:44) - Vegas(36:55) - Starting 6(45:03) - Trending(53:50) - 2 Real 2 Fake SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS: BAUER. Bauer is the go to destination for all your training needs. Head to https://www.bauer.com/training to explore tools like the Digital Reactor Danger for stickhandling or the Reactor Slide Board to add strength to your stride. CASHAPP. Download CashApp and take control of your finances! https://apps.apple.com/us/app/cash-app/id711923939RIKI. Head to https://rikispirits.com/ to find out where to get RIKI near you. Follow    @FridayBeers.Youtube   Youtube  and @rikispirits to stay up to date with upcoming RIKI contests and giveaways FUNKAWAY. To check out the full family of FunkAway products go to https://www.funkaway.com to learn more funk'in cool stuff. And head over to Amazon right now and grab FunkAway products with just a few clicks. FIREBALL . Fireball's iconic cinnamon flavor tastes fire and goes down easy, making it the ultimate crowd pleasure. Go pick up some from your local liquor store and join us in drinking Fireball during our game days this season! #igniteyourrivalry  EVERYMANJACK. Give Every Man Jack a shot today and go to https://www.everymanjack.com and use code "NETTERS" at checkout for 25% off your first order CBDMD. Visit https://www.cbdmd.com to explore their extensive range of products and find the perfect solution for your needs. Don't forget to use code "FRIDAY" at checkout to get 30% OF + Free Shipping. DOLLAR SHAVE CLUB. Dollar Shave Club products are now available everywhere, so you can order from their website, Amazon, or get them at your favorite retailer near you. Visit their site right now for 20% off $20 or more, and get your products delivered right to your door. Visit https://www.dollarshaveclub.com/netters and use promo code NETTERS for 20% off $20 or more

OMG mainstay Paul McLaughlin is here on TTAB this week to attempt to take down our 6-time returning champ. Listen in! Play along! See you all at SporcleCon this weekend! CARD 1 CLUE: Belly Up to the Bar CATEGORY: Things Associated with a Salad ANSWERS: Dressing, Carrots, Croutons, Lettuce, Radishes, Cucumbers, Tomatoes CARD 2 CLUE: I Have That CATEGORY: Parts of a Body ANSWERS: Eyes, Leg, Hair, Nose, Teeth, Elbow, Toe CARD 3 CLUE: No Go CATEGORY: Things Associated with Stopping ANSWERS: Red, Octagon, Corner, Crosswalk, Light, Intersection, Brake CARD 4 CLUE: Silhouette CATEGORY: Hitchcock Movies ANSWERS: Psycho, Vertigo, North by Northwest, Birds, Rear Window, Rope, Rebecca CARD 5 CLUE: It's Where You Live CATEGORY: Rooms in a House ANSWERS: Bedroom, Bathroom, Family Room, Living Room, Kitchen, Basement, Foyer CARD 6 CLUE: TikTok Mirror Trends CATEGORY: Things You Wipe ANSWERS: Nose, Kitchen Table, Face, Butt, Counter, Window, Tears

Gloria Estefan has been a muse to the queer community for decades, with disco beats made for the club and looks that have inspired drag queens. Sam chats with her about life before stardom, how music was a respite to her after escaping Cuba as a kid, and how queer culture was ingrained in her upbringing. Gloria also shares how she's still learning to be a true ally to her daughter Emily, who came out in 2017. You can follow Gloria on Instagram @gloriaestefan Stay up to date with us on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram at @LemonadaMedia.  Joining Lemonada Premium is a great way to support our show and get bonus content. Subscribe today at bit.ly/lemonadapremium.  Click this link for a list of current sponsors and discount codes for this show and all Lemonada shows: lemonadamedia.com/sponsors To follow along with a transcript, go to lemonadamedia.com/show/ shortly after the air date. The Pink House Foundation is intended to provide support for people within the LGBTQIA+ community. The Pink House is about building a better, safer world for all of us. Follow us on Instagram @ThePinkHouse.  This series is sponsored by Hopelab. Hopelab envisions a future where young people live joyful and purposeful lives. Hopelab works to advance the mental health and well-being of young people through uncovering knowledge and evidence, investing in innovators, and funding youth-centered solutions. Learn more at http://hopelab.org  Illustrations by Chris LarsonSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Expedia has loads of amazing package holiday deals to destinations in Florida. Check them out at https://expedia.com/affiliates/expedia-home.WKo2G6Z Expedia City: Seattle Address: 1111 Expedia Group Way West Website: https://expedia.com/affiliates/expedia-home.wko2g6z Phone: 12064817200 Email: help@expedia.com

Ready to start the summer with conversations about rosary and the anchor is can be in our lives as we enter “The Family Room” podcast and a powerful story of from “Magnificat” podcast from former domestic violence therapist Laurie Walsh and her insights that could help you or someone you know that's faced the same situations.

Community Kevin Brannon sits down with Jacquelyn Gargano of the Ventura Ronald McDonald Family Room to discuss the importance (and difficulties) of non-profit organizations, networking and some of the Family Room's successes. For more information, please visit https://rmhcsc.org/venturafamilyroom.

Mommy wine culture is pervasive and drinking while parenting has been normalized in recent years.  For many people, having a drink at night can feel like a reward for a hard day of parenting. Some parents find their alcohol consumption actually increases after kids as a way to not only reward themselves, but to reconnect with their relaxed and carefree past. There is a debate about how mom wine culture could be a troubling trend and is proof that the pressures of modern parenting are simply too much.On the podcast to share her story is Vanessa Garcia. Karen got to know Vanessa at The Family Room in Toluca Lake. She took Parent & Me with her daughter Scarlett, graduated and just recently aged-out of Toddler & Me. Vanessa has always been very open about her sobriety and shares  her story and what being alcohol- free in motherhood looks like for her.Vanessa specifically discusses: ·       How long she has you been sober and what caused her to make a change.·       How she navigates social events centered around drinking. ·       Advice she would you give someone who feels like their drinking may be problematic. Love the show? Subscribe, Rate, & Review! https://www.familyroomcenter.com/podcast/

Billie Jauss is an author, speaker and podcaster who has penned several faith-focused books. The wife of longtime professional baseball coach Dave Jauss, she uses the illustration of the game of baseball to explore life and friendships in her latest book "Baseball Family: The 9 Core Qualities for Developing Healthy Relationships." As life in professional baseball can be unpredictable, where at times those in the game have little say in where they live or who they work with, the book explores how to build community and strengthen relationships no matter the setting God puts someone. She joins former big leaguer Scott Linebrink on "Get in the Game" this week to share about her new book and the four distinct relationships we encounter daily and the nine core qualities that strengthen each type of relationship. In addition to writing and speaking, she hosts the "start small Believe Big" podcast and "The Family Room" podcast. "Get in the Game" is part of the Sports Spectrum Podcast Network. If you enjoyed this conversation, we know you'll enjoy these as well:— Leslee Holliday – MLB Wife/Mom & Podcaster— Donna Stuart – Musician & Creator— Duck Dynasty's Korie Robertson

Karen often talks about her husband James on the show, so she decided to bring him for a special episode! Karen was a single mom when she met James and they discuss the early days of dating, who said I love you first, what it is like parenting three girls, what he thought when Karen told him she wanted to open The Family Room, and so much more. Love the show? Subscribe, Rate, & Review! https://www.familyroomcenter.com/podcast/

Where we decide to raise our children is a fascinating topic, as many families today are raising their children in different places than their own childhood. Karen explores this topic with Bill Sy, a dad in our community and team member at The Family Room.  Karen met Bill almost ten years ago at playgroup in San Marino. Through chatting, she learned that Bill attended a boarding school not far from where she grew up.  Bill is now on The Family Room team and Karen later learned that while his parents are from the Philippines, his childhood was spent in Saudi Arabia, before he went to boarding school outside of Philadelphia, college in Michigan and now is raising his son in Pasadena.Childhood is shaped by the place or places where we are raised. Karen and Bill discuss how the different countries impacted Bill and how it affects his parenting today, too.  Love the show? Subscribe, Rate, & Review! https://www.familyroomcenter.com/podcast/

Many parents consider a career change after having a baby and going back to school can be the stepping stone to a new professional path.  While it can feel daunting to return to school as a parent, it does not mean it's impossible. On the podcast to share her story is Jaci Dial, a mom of two and former Family Room employee. Jaci always considered nursing school and decided to make the leap and start taking classes online during Covid. Jaci discusses the timing of going back to school and her path, how she balances school and parenting, what she has found helpful during this time, and advice for anyone considering making a change. Love the show? Subscribe, Rate, & Review! https://www.familyroomcenter.com/podcast/

Mom influencers are part of a multibillion dollar industry. Many of us have complicated feelings about social media, yet we can't look away. Most of us follow influencers and learn about new products and tools to help win at motherhood. Making money on Instagram is a way for many moms to make money working flexible hours while still spending time with their young children.  In this episode, we are going behind the scenes and having a candid conversation about what it is really like to be a mom influencer with Celeste Wright.  Karen has known Celeste for about nine years since she started coming to playgroup at The Family Room with her daughter Lila. They became friends and Karen got to know her, Jake and Lila through various adventures. Celeste shares the ups and downs of being an influencer with us, including: how she  got introduced to the idea of being an influencer and eventually got her starthow people react to her job as an influencerhow much time does it generally take for a postresources and tools she has used to learn the business aspectwhat the coolest partnership she has been a part of what are  the biggest misconception about being a mom influencerYou can find Celeste on Instagram @celeste_wright Love the show? Subscribe, Rate, & Review! https://www.familyroomcenter.com/podcast/

Self-care has become a buzzword that is often associated with two things many new parents don't have a lot of right now: time and money. It is relentlessly marketed to parents, especially moms as the answer for burnout, yet can often feel like yet another burden mothers are failing at. An article in Motherly described the double edge sword of self-care like this:“At its best, self-care reminds mothers that they matter, too. It tells them that prioritizing their own wellbeing doesn't mean they're neglecting their families. It gives mothers permission to put themselves first, if only some of the time. At its worst, self-care culture, guilt trips us for being unable to add ourselves to the massive workload of modern motherhood.” That in fact, we don't need self-care, we need society to care. On the podcast with Karen to unpack self-care, what true self-care looks like and discuss if self-care is enough to fix parent burn out is Kim-Lan Dovan. Kim-Lan is a licensed marriage and family therapist and lead Parent & Me educator at The Family Room. Karen and Kim-Lan discuss: - what self care is and isn't- examples of self-care from treats to boundaries- why self-care is important and should be a practice- how self-care can be a double-edge swordLove the show? Subscribe, Rate, & Review! https://www.familyroomcenter.com/podcast/

This week, Host Ace McKay introduces us to 2 of the newest members of the podcast family starting with “Sunday Catholic Word” as Karlo Broussard looks into the mass readings for the day and in a series called “The Family Room” the topic of divorced and catholic is on the table so What now?

Kiva Schuler is the Founder and CEO of The Jai Institute for Parenting, and the author of the ground-breaking book The Peaceful Parenting (R)evolution: Changing the World by Changing How We Parent which examines the “consequences” of traditional parenting methods and offers a more modern approach grounded in emotional intelligence, values-led leadership, and effective communication. Kiva's passion for parenting stemmed from her own childhood experiences of neglect and trauma. Like many of her generation, she had a front-row seat to the kind of parenting that she did not want for her own children. The Jai Institute is the fulfillment of a promise that she made to herself when she was 16 years old that when she had children of her own, she would learn to parent them with compassion, consistency, and communication. On a mission to change the culture around parenting, Kiva wants children to grow up to reach their full potential, and live their lives free of trauma, shame, and emotional wounds. As a mother, she has built an extraordinary business that has touched tens of thousands of lives, and empowered others who share her mission to do this work.   What You'll Learn ●      How to raise responsible humans. ●      How to model self-regulation. ●      How to create healthy boundaries. ●      How to regulate modern accessibility. ●      How to rebuild intergenerational relationships.   Timestamps ·       [04:42] A bit about Kiva. ·       [08:01] Kiva's parenting philosophy. ·       [12:19] The idea of conformity. ·       [16:13] Regulating ourselves. ·       [29:16] Eating freedom. ·       [36:34] Where to draw the line. ·       [44:59] Understanding childrens' capacity. ·       [49:14] The paradigm of teenage behaviors. ·       [53:57] Navigating faith. ·       [56:10] Regulating modern accessibility. ·       [63:39] Rebuilding relationships.   Memorable Quotes ·       “Tension is contagious.” – Chris Yonker [23:58] ·       “Stop trying to put them in the box that we think they should be in.” – Kiva Schuler [51:41] ·       “All a child wants is to be seen and heard and acknowledged by their parent.” – Kiva Schuler [67:24]   Social Media LinkedIn:         Kiva Schuler. Instagram:       @kiva_schuler.     Websites www.jaiinstituteforparenting.com. Read: The Peaceful Parenting (R)evolution: Changing the World by Changing How We Parent. Listen: Eddie Stern – Proven Strategies to Lower Your Stress Response and Improve Performance.  

Juggling a career and motherhood and all the implications to both your professional life and your parenting is often a hot topic at The Family Room. The day to day struggles of trying to balance conflicting priorities can feel overwhelming and often put us in a position where we feel like we are regularly letting someone down, being forced to make difficult decisions, and often comes with a lot of guilt.  Joining Karen on this episode to discuss this topic is Jen Carfagno, on-air meteorologist at The Weather Channel, and co-host of America's Morning Headquarters. During her 20- year career with The Weather Channel, she has worked various schedules, covered severe weather from hurricanes to snow storms and tornadoes across the country, all while raising her two daughters with her husband, Neil. She also happens to be Karen's best friend from high school. This episode is about working moms, a successful career in science and television, sacrifices, and so much more. It is also a story about friendship and a reminder that your choices don't have to look like your friend's choices.  Love the show? Subscribe, Rate, & Review! https://www.familyroomcenter.com/podcast/

In this episode "From Boardroom to Family Room: Andy Goldstrom's Journey," sponsored by Maryland Pro Wash, listeners will discover the transformative story of Andy Goldstrom. Once a driven entrepreneur in the high-stakes world of commercial real estate and a national recycling company, Andy's life took an unexpected turn when he confronted his daughter's mental health challenges. His personal odyssey through her struggles with depression and anxiety led him to a profound epiphany about the importance of focused and empathetic parenting. Andy shares his insights on the evolution of wilderness therapy, the impact of technology on family dynamics, and the delicate balance required in modern parenting. Now, as a certified parent coach, he provides actionable strategies for families to foster better communication and connection, drawing from his business acumen to apply a practical, results-oriented approach to the complexities of parenting in today's world. This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in personal growth, family relationships, and the intersection of professional and personal life.Here are links for you to bookmark, save, follow, memorize, write down, and share with others:Parents Journey CoachingA Pathway to Hope that Heals - Sky's the Limit Fund (skysthelimitfund.org)The Center for Neurodiversity and Employment | Werth Institute for Entrepreneurship and Innovation (uconn.edu)This episode is sponsored by Maryland Pro WashTar Heel Construction Group Harford County Living Stamp of Approval for Roofing, Siding and Exterior Services Maryland Pro Wash In Harford County, Baltimore County, Cecil County, Howard County, Anne Arundel County, Carroll CountDisclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Support the showFollow the Conversations with Rich Bennett podcast on Social Media:Facebook – Conversations with Rich Bennett & Harford County LivingFacebook Group (Join the conversation) – Conversations with Rich Bennett podcast group | FacebookTwitter – Conversations with Rich Bennett & Harford County LivingInstagram – Harford County LivingTikTok – CWRB (@conversationsrichbennett) | TikTok Sponsors, Affiliates, and ways we pay the bills:Recorded at the Freedom Federal Credit Union StudiosHosted on BuzzsproutRocketbookSquadCast Contests & Giveaways Subscribe by Email ...

**Trigger Warning: Lucie's story includes a traumatic birth**A stay in the neonatal intensive care unit for your baby can feel like a rollercoaster ride you were forced to get on. Very few people know in advance their baby will need to spend time in the NICU and the reasons babies are sent there can vary greatly from additional monitoring needed to serious health issues. Some babies stay a few hours or days while others stay weeks or months. Regardless of the length of stay, it is a scary and overwhelming experience being separated from your baby. On the podcast to talk about her NICU experience with her youngest daughter, Sadie, is Lucie Russo, a Family Room mom and now friend of Karen's. Lucie shares:her intense birth story delivering Sadie early during the height of Covidwhat it was like leaving the hospital without Sadiethe overwhelming guilt of trying to care for two kids and not being at the NICU all the timehow she cared for herself during that timeadvice for parents with a baby in the NICUrecommendations for how to support a friend whose baby is in the NICULove the show? Subscribe, Rate, & Review! https://www.familyroomcenter.com/podcast/

Today we are replaying  Episode 15 from Season 1 on how to handle the holidays with extended family and a baby.  Last year around this time, we spoke with Kim-Lan Dovan, lead Parent and Me educator at The Family Room on how to navigate family expectations and dynamics during the holidays while also staying true to what is important to you and your parenting. The episode offers important perspective and so many great tips, we wanted to replay it. From parenting in front of our parents which is hard, to generational differences, basic logistics, like how do you handle the big family meal when it is right during bedtime, to unsolicited advice, this episode covers it all. Take a listen. We hope it helps you create boundaries, feel good about your choices and lay the foundations for a happy holiday season. Love the show? Subscribe, Rate, & Review! https://www.familyroomcenter.com/podcast/

My mother-in-law has this couch in her family room, but nobody has ever sat upon it. 

Secondary infertility — the inability to have another child after having a first — affects about 11 percent of couples and takes families by surprise. The reasons  or lack of clear reasons are often the same for secondary infertility as primary infertility. And the emotions are often the same too, from sadness, to jealousy, and anger.  But now, because you are already a parent, you are surrounded by people growing their families, which can make it extra painful.In this episode, Liz Fischer, friend of Karen and Family Room educator, shares her secondary infertility journey.  After the birth of her son Henry, Liz did not anticipate the years of trying to have a second baby. Liz shares:- when she realized there was an issue trying to have a second baby and the interventions, from hormonal to medical, she tried- hurtful remarks by people who assume you're going to have more kids- feeling disconnected from parent friends she made the first time around- the effect on her relationship with her husband and tips to navigating the situation with a partner - managing the uncertainty of infertility and the emotional toll it took on her- advice she would give anyone struggling with second-time infertility Note, this episode does discuss loss. Love the show? Subscribe, Rate, & Review! https://www.familyroomcenter.com/podcast/

Listen in as I welcome Billie Jauss to the show! Billie is the author of Making Room and The Distraction Detox. She's also a keynote speaker, host of The Family Room podcast, and has served as a mentor to Major League Baseball wives for over three decades. Billie shares insights from overcoming personal tragedy and from her vast experience in professional baseball inspiring others to live life to the fullest. During our conversation, Billie uncovers the emotional toxins of fear, unbelief, and shame, as well as shares her 5-Step plan on how to navigate the ups and downs of life with strength and courage. Billie gets real and helps us explore what to do when you're feeling discouraged and have allowed your thoughts to bully you. She also teaches us how to hear God's voice amidst the craziness of life. Just wait until you hear Billie's story of faith and obedience in the face of a family tragedy! It's inspiring to say the least.  If you want to detox from all the distractions making your life and career more difficult, then lock in to today's episode!   In this episode, you'll hear: The impact that emotional toxins have on our faith and spiritual health. How to identify, evaluate, and terminate emotional toxins. 5-Step strategy to overcome negative thinking and toxic thought patterns. Practical advice on how to hear God's voice amidst life's chaos. Insight on how to build stronger relationships.   KEY QUOTES “You'll forget what's possible with God if you're caught up in the impossible.” - Billie Jauss “You can't, but God can. Just take one step at a time.” - Billie Jauss “By giving in to your emotional toxins, you're not stopping God…you're stopping him from moving through you.” - Billie Jauss “Just because tragedy strikes doesn't mean that God isn't there.” - Billie Jauss “When we have our heads filled with our own inner voice, we're not able to hear God's.” - Billie Jauss   CONNECT WITH BILLIE Instagram: @billie_jauss  Twitter: @billiejauss  Facebook: @billiejaussauthor Website: https://www.billiejauss.com Book: The Distraction Detox Book: Making Room: Doing Less So God Can Do More   CONNECT WITH J.R.  Facebook: @jamesJRreid Instagram: @jamesjrreid LinkedIn: in/jamesjrreid/ Twitter: @jamesJRreid Website: jamesreid.com Check out The Clutch Club™️: jamesreid.com/club (For Men Only)   Follow and Review: We'd love for you to follow us if you haven't yet. Click that purple '+' in the top right corner of your Apple Podcasts app. We'd love it even more if you could drop a review or 5-star rating over on Apple Podcasts. Simply select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” then a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a second and it helps spread the word about the podcast.   Episode Credits If you like this podcast and are thinking of creating your own, consider talking to my producer, Emerald City Productions. They helped me grow and produce the podcast you are listening to right now. Find out more at https://emeraldcitypro.com Let them know we sent you.

Welcome back to another episode of Psychologie of Home with your host Kami Gray! This week, Kami is joined by a special guest, Rena Lenari, a graduate of the Psychologie of Home Design School. Get ready to dive into a conversation that uncovers the power of strong opinions in design and the transformative aspect of embracing fear as a call to action, not inaction. Rena's insights and experiences add a unique dimension to this episode as she shares her journey through design philosophy. And don't miss the bonus clip at the end, where Kami Gray offers valuable tips and advice on crafting the perfect design for your Family Room. Get ready to be inspired as you catch a glimpse of exquisitely designed spaces by the talented Kami Gray.Watch Full Episode on YouTube here:https://youtube.com/@PsychologieofHomeConnect with Kami on Instagram here https://www.instagram.com/psychologieofhome/KamiGrayInteriors.comPsychologieofHome.com

As the We are The Family Room podcast hits its first year and The Family Room approaches year nine since opening our doors, we thought it was a good time for Karen to share The Family Room story!  From her Mommy and Me class in Boston, to moving to Pasadena as a single mom, having twins and discovering the shocking lack of support for new parents, making a career change and taking the giant leap to create community, The Family Room story is a good reminder that life is not often linear and it is never too late to follow your dreams. Love the show? Subscribe, Rate, & Review! https://www.familyroomcenter.com/podcast/

We talk a lot about comparisons at The Family Room. Comparisons to other peoples experiences from pregnancy to early parenthood and beyond can make us feel terrible about our own journey. There is a popular saying that comparisons can be the thief of joy. Another comparison trap that everyone with two or more children has intentionally or unintentionally fallen into is sibling comparisons. In this episode Karen talks with Denise about sibling comparisons, why they are harmful,  how to avoid falling into the comparison trap, what to do instead to promote sibling sibling relationships, and more. Denise is a mother of two and teaches yoga at The Family Room in addition to leading the second time Parenting and Me group.Love the show? Subscribe, Rate, & Review! https://www.familyroomcenter.com/podcast/

Anxiety is one of the most common mental illnesses and can affect many of us in varying degrees. It's hard not to be anxious in our modern world. Becoming a parent can increase anxiety even more with intensified concerns about the world and keeping our children safe.Dr. Lauren Cook joins Karen to talk about anxiety caused by everything from gun violence to everyday parenting concerns, tips to help manage it, and when to seek help. She also discusses her upcoming book Generation Anxiety: A Millennial and Gen Z Guide to Staying Afloat in an Uncertain World, including why anxiety is at an all time high and helps normalizes the experience for listeners. Dr. Lauren is therapist with a practice in Pasadena, a consultant, a speaker, has been interviewed by too many outlets to list but includes CNN, the New York Times and Parents, and has well over 200,000 followers on TikTok where she regularly shares mental health tips. She hosts a podcast called The Board Room Brain.  Dr. Lauren is also a mom to an adorable baby boy and a Family Room parent. Links:Generation Anxietydrlaurencook.cominstagram: @dr.laurencookTikTok: dr.laurencookThe Brain Health Book ClubThe Boardroom Brain podcastLove the show? Subscribe, Rate, & Review! https://www.familyroomcenter.com/podcast/

Raani talks you through cleaning a living area, step-by-step. Learn how to dust a ceiling fan that's out of reach, and find out why some people's houses always look clean. She also goes on a rabbit trail about why you should cover those skinny windows by your front door. Support the show financially, and gain access to bonus content by clicking “start trial” on your iPhone podcast app, or visit this link to support us on Patreon: https://cleanwithmepodcast.com...This show is part of the Spreaker Prime Network, if you are interested in advertising on this podcast, contact us at https://www.spreaker.com/show/4574793/advertisement

My guest today, Karen Stoteraux, took a big leap of faith when she moved across country with her 3 year old after a divorce. We talked about how she found the courage to make the move and then create a community and space for new parents after her twins were born. Karen is the owner, founder, and CEO of The Family Room. Her passion for supporting women is tied to her own experience as a mother to three girls. After the birth of her twins, Karen was shocked by the lack of comprehensive support in her local community for women and families entering parenthood. She decided the best way to help families was to create a space just for parents and bring the most experienced birth, postpartum, and infant and child development professionals in the community under one roof. In 2014, Karen created what she wished existed. Today, The Family Room has two locations in the Los Angeles- area. Karen lives in Pasadena with her husband and children. To connect with Karen visit: https://www.familyroomcenter.com/ Follow on IG@thefamilyroom Listen to: We Are the Family Room PodcastBook she referenced: Broken Open by Elizabeth LesserTo connect with me, Alana Banana, follow on IG @TheAlanaBananaShow or join the Inspired Grownups Private FB Group. For The Alana Banana Show kids content subscribe to our Youtube Channel or listen to music online wherever you stream your music. I'm now writing Custom Songs for Kids! Click HERE for details.Join me for live for an  interactive music show every Thursday on Zoom (replay available). Drop in info HERE >>For more perks and the best deal become a part of my Patreon Membership for kids. Click HERE for details!The Alana Banana Show on Apple MusicThe Alana Banana Show on Spotify

As we come one day closer to Title 42's expiration, the president of the National Border Patrol Council, Brandon Judd, is warning that once it's lifted, the cartels are going to have complete control over the southern border. The Biden administration claims it's taken the border seriously "since day one," which, seeing the current problems we're facing, is hard to believe. A left-wing activist went to a San Francisco board meeting to voice her displeasure in the wake of the controversial shooting of a black trans person. You won't believe what she did during this meeting. Sen. Bernie Sanders is pushing for a $17 per hour federal minimum wage, and he is also advocating for a 32-hour work week without any accompanying decrease in pay for workers. Will this help or hurt businesses? Whoopi Goldberg is getting into the comic book arena, releasing her new superhero story, "The Change." What's the plot of this particular comic book? It follows a woman adjusting to menopause, which leads to her developing powerful abilities. You read that correctly. Today's Sponsors: RIGHT NOW, YOU CAN SAVE $200 ON AN EDEN PURE THUNDERSTORM 3-PACK FOR WHOLE HOME PROTECTION. YOU GET 3 UNITS FOR UNDER $200. PUT ONE IN YOUR BASEMENT, BEDROOM, FAMILY ROOM, KITCHEN OR ANYWHERE YOU NEED CLEAN, FRESH AIR. GO TO https://www.EDENPUREDEALS.COM AND PUT IN DISCOUNT CODE SARA TO SAVE $200. Liver Health Formula contains 12 powerful botanicals clinically-proven to recharge and protect your liver at the cellular level. You can try Liver Health Formula completely risk-free... And receive 5 FREE gifts when you order today. First, you'll receive a FREE bottle of Blood Sugar Formula to reduce sugar cravings. You're also getting 4 FREE eBooks to support every aspect of your health. Act today and go to https://www.GetLiverHelp.com/News. Tommy John Underwear has DOZENS of comfort innovations, like breathable, lightweight, moisture-wicking fabric with four times the stretch of competing brands. Get TWENTY PERCENT OFF YOUR FIRST ORDER at https://www.TommyJohn.com/WHY. See site for details. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Joining me today is author, Billie Jauss. Billie is an accomplished author of two books, 'Making Room' and 'Distraction Detox', as well as a dynamic speaker and the host of 'The Family Room' podcast. Today, Billie will share with us her personal journey of overcoming emotional barriers that left her feeling stuck, uncertain, and discouraged. She discovered that despite simplifying her schedule and taking control of chaos in her life, she needed to address the emotional toxins that were holding her back from claiming confidence and fulfillment. Join me as Billie shares her experience and practical tips on how to detox from what she calls "emotional toxins", comparison vs. conviction, how to eliminate "right-hand syndrome" and more...-------------------------------Links Discussed in This EpisodeOrder a Copy of Minimalist Moms: Living and Parenting with SimplicityConnect with Billie:WebsiteInstagramBook: Distraction Detox by Billie JaussShow Notes for Bonus Episode: Distraction DetoxEnjoy this Podcast?Post a review and share it! If you enjoyed tuning into this podcast, then do not hesitate to write a review. You can also share this with your fellow mothers so that they can be inspired to think more and do with less. Order (or review) my recent book, Minimalist Moms: Living & Parenting With SimplicityQuestions? You can contact me through my website, find me on Instagram, or like The Minimalist Moms Page on Facebook.Thanks for listening! For more updates and episodes, visit the website. You may also tune in on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, or Stitcher.Checkout the Minimalist Moms Podcast storefront for recommendations from Diane.If you enjoyed today's episode of the Minimalist Moms Podcast, then hit subscribe and share it with your friends!Episode Sponsors |The Minimalist Moms Podcast would not be possible without the support of weekly sponsors. Choosing brands that I believe in is important to me. I only want to recommend brands that I believe may help you in your daily life. As always, never feel pressured into buying anything. Remember: if you don't need it, it's not a good deal!Alo Moves | For a limited time, Alo Moves is offering my listeners, a free 30-day trial PLUS – get this - 50% off an annual membership. But you can only get it by going to ALOMOVES.COM and use code MINIMALIST in all caps. Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/minimalist-moms-podcast2093/exclusive-contentAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands