Thriving In Motherhood Podcast

I recently reflected on all the things that I chose to do. After writing out my list I was amazed to discover that it was my little, daily choices that built the life that I'm living right now. Not my external circumstances. Not the hard things that are just part of life. But my choices. This was an empowering realization that gives me hope and confidence that I can continue to create a life that I love - and you can too. Lots of encouragement and actionable steps in this weeks episode.

This Christmas season I've been reflecting on how God wants to help me in my life. I share some of my thoughts and insights on this weeks podcast and I hope it gives you hope and something to ponder about in your own life.

Did you know that novelty - new experiences and deviances from our normal routine - is actually a need to live a life with energy and enthusiasm? In this episode we talk about how to harness the power of novelty this holiday season and how to make it part of 2021.

I LOVE habits and routines, but when my schedule is unpredictable and frequently interrupted it has been so hard to make anything stick. This week I'm sharing what I've finally figured out about creating habits when I'm in survival mode and what you can do to have success with your habits when you are in a hard season.

This week I am sharing how to create a holiday season everyone enjoys - including you there! It is possible to have a rejuvenating holiday with your children by taking a few minutes to figure out what you want, what you don't want, and what your limitations are. All the details and our Thanksgiving last week as a case study are in this weeks episode.

At the beginning of October I was waking up to the fact that I've been on autopilot for most of 2020. I've been doing things without much thought to try and keep up and meet needs in every aspect of my life. And I was weary. As I pondered what to do about my situation, the phrase "Simplify to Soar" came to mind. In this weeks episode I share all about what that phrase means to me and what I've done to create space in my life to be able to evaluate how I'm using my time and energy and make the switch from autopilot to intentional. I also have a special invitation in there for you to join me. I'd love to hear who's in it with me!

When I asked the moms at the Create a Life You Love class last week what was the biggest barrier to making their goals happen the majority answered: Exhaustion! After a incredibly unusual year (plus all the other stuff in our personal lives that has nothing to do with the pandemic), we are all feeling a bit tired. But the reality is - I was tired before 2020 (you probably were too). In fact I've been exhausted most of the last seven years since becoming a mom. It's just reality with pregnancies, sleepless nights (either from feedings or nightmares or potty training or sickness). But I've still been able to make progress on my goals and make a life I dreamed up years ago what I live every day and love it. You absolutely can too. All my secrets in this weeks episode.

This week I'm sharing our absolute favorite family dinner ritual that turns even the craziest night around. This is a zero prep, major fan favorite that gets everyone running to the table (win!). I started it out of desperation one night and it's stuck around and become something even more wonderful that I could have imagined. Listen to this *short episode and give it a try tonight!

Have you ever felt like you were drowning in clutter and chaos at home? This weeks chat with Steph @the_secret_slob is sure to bring you both validation and encouragement. Steph shares how she was able to apply the @the_flylady system in her own life to develop habits and routines that keep her home clean. But as she points out - it was never about having a clean house. After you listen come share your biggest take-away here in the comments!

This weeks chat with @elizabethjacox_ is a story of six years of internal struggle shifting from a life in academia researching stem cells to becoming a full time stay at home mom with four young children. It was a major pivot point in her life, and it wasn't until she decided to own that choice that she could let go of feelings of failure and embrace the beautiful life around her. This conversation is sure to both validate the life altering (and maybe slightly traumatic) experience of becoming a mother and inspire ownership of the incredible path.

This weeks conversation with Angela Red Elk is inspiring and eye-opening. Angela shares her perspective as a Native American healing from intergenerational trauma, as well as the importance of knowing who you are and where you fit in the world, and how this has all impacted her motherhood.

Are you a to-do list person? I know they are popular tool for getting things done, but I don't use them. Why? I go into all the reasons in this week's episode along with what I do instead. The result? Clarity, major progress in a small amount of time, ability enjoy spending time my kids instead of feeling interrupted, and I'm able to "get it all" done and have a break. Have a listen today for a simple alternative to the ever growing to-do list! Key Points: Pros of a To-do List: get everything out of your brain into one place.  Cons of a To-do list: Tells your brain you need to do all of it right now (possible exception - when you have a major deadline like moving and there is a lot to do right now) Creates unhealthy precedent that checking everything off your list is most important Not an end in sight. Easy to end the day looking at all that isn't accomplished with hopes of being faster/more efficient tomorrow Recipe for exhaustion and feeling like you are on a treadmill.  Looking at all those things

We all know "doing it all" is a myth. And yet how many of us still drive ourselves to exhaustion trying to check off all the to-dos on our lists? How many of us keep pushing ourselves further than our limits? Well in this episode I share some principles and practices that help me juggle all the needs of my family and many of our wants. And spoiler alert - I don't have it all figured out. BUT I have been around the block a few times of complete burn out and I'm learning to stop myself before I drive straight into survival mode.

Do you ever have problems sleeping because your mind is racing? For me it is a sure sign I'm overwhelmed. In this episode I talk about the 5 steps I use to face the overwhelm head on and create space and calm in my brain. Key Points from this Episode: Steps I take when I'm feeling overwhelmed: Recognize that I'm feeling overwhelmed. Usually this means I can't sleep because my mind is racing. Brain dump everything in my head. Either mind map or just write it out in a list. Categorize my brain dump into three areas: single tasks (quick wins!), projects (multiple steps to complete), to research (need to learn more before I know what my next step is). Tackle a few quick wins to build momentum Identify the one or two pressing projects causing my stress and focus on them After a week or two of working on these pressing projects I'm ready for a long term planning session.

This weeks chat with Annie Stoker @annielynnfavoritethings is one that literally had us both in tears. As a young mom with two children, Annie shares how she is proactively working to diminish the effect that anxiety has on her life and the specific things she has been learning. She also shares deeply personal moments where she knows that God has been there strengthening her through the hard time and growing pains of motherhood. This is a powerful conversation that you won't want to miss.

Today I want to share some scripts that will help you advocate for yourself in a couple ways. We'll talk about when you are discovering things about yourself and you need to have discussions with someone you trust as well as how to ask for help. Key Points from this Episode: Step one to having a productive conversation is you learning to become aware of your own thoughts. You don't need a quiet place to start to figure out your thoughts. It can be while you're making lunch or doing other things. Try saying "the story I am telling myself is..." to start how you are feeling. Try saying "I am feeling ___ because of ___." Throughout a discussion with a loved one, listen to understand rather than respond. (Check out Episode 53 for more info) Podcast Episodes on the Seven Habits of Effective People by Stephen R. Covey The Emotional Bank Account with Madeline Casey [Episode 48] Living Your Life in Quadrant 2 with Madeline Casey [Episode 49] Seeking For Paradigm Shifts with Madeline Casey [Episode 50] Exp

Today I’m talking with Mary Caplin, mother of two and a certified doula. She shares some incredible defining moments in her mothering journey. She talks about paradigm shifts and some sacred moments of grieving through a miscarriage. Key Points from this Episode: Being a mother who is committed is more important than any "accomplishments." Thinking about your commitment to you kids helps you recognize the good that you are doing in your daily life. We can't be perfect 100% of the time, but we can be pretty good at commitment! Learning from other moms around you can help you relax into what you are doing. Letting go and giving our problems over to God will allow Him to carry you. Let go of the negative and it will make room for the hope to come in. You are a woman. You are strong. You are a mother. Just by virtue of being a mother, you are blessed with intuition. It's a real thing and you will be able to make the best decisions that are best for you and your family. Motherhood is vulnerability and strength

Today I’m talking about what thriving is! What the definitions of it are, how it has evolved over time for me and what it can mean for you. Key Points from this Episode: Thriving used to be this desperate wish that I hoped was possible for me during motherhood. Thriving is all about growing. Think about plants, if they are growing and doing well, we often call it thriving. When things are going well, if you are thriving, you are preparing for future challenges. (Ex: building routines, making freezer meals) Life is not split up into either you are thriving because things are going well or you're surviving and miserable because things aren't going well. Having a solid base of the 3 pillars (See Episode 115) gives you the space to live your personal mission in this life. Distraction and overwhelm can come easily without the base of the pillars. The goal is to take the fear out of that time when you are not thriving. Remember to have friends in motherhood! (See Episode 97 and Episode 98)

Today I’m talking about why I don't stress about homeschooling and how I do that. There are some very practical tips and some thoughts that I have that help me not totally freak out. Key Points from this Episode: There are going to be interruptions, so plan for them! Make food accessible to all your kids that they can reach and take care of those needs on their own. Keep carrots on the bottom shelf in the fridge. Make triple batches of muffins and keep them in the freezer. Have special toys like play dough or animals from the dollar store that get pulled out for younger kids during the school hours so they can be happy while you work with the older kids. If you're using manipulatives with older kids, have enough for the youngers to play with the same kind. If your older kids are using notebooks, have one for your youngers to color in and use during the same time. This lets them feel included in what you are already doing. One of my favorite things about homeschooling is that it allows for the kids to be i

Today I'm sharing with you some lessons I learned from the last week of pregnancy and the first few weeks of postpartum. Our experiences may be different, but the process is what I want you to focus on with today's episode. That process can be applied to other circumstances in your life (even if it isn't pregnancy)! Key Points from this Episode: The Soul part of Pillars of Thriving (Soul, Scope, & Structure) makes or breaks if you are suffering in misery whether circumstances are great or difficult. When I'm uncomfortable, my first thoughts are to wish that the circumstances will change. Ex: I'm so tired of being pregnant. I'm tired all the time. I wish this baby would just come already! Write out what is in your circle of influence and your circle of concern. Try to let go of what is in your circle of concern. Make peace with what you can. It's okay to feel sad about something that you wanted and you're not getting. Being okay with being sad about it opened the door for me to actually be able to give