Honest Mamas Podcast

Latest Episodes:

Ep 29 Being a Mompreneur Feb 20, 2018

Show notes

Welcome to episode twenty-nine of the Honest Mamas Podcast! Today, we speak to Angela Jia Kim. Angela Jia Kim’s passion for beauty began with her mom. “Koreans are obsessed with their skin, and my mom always had something new sent over from her sisters in Seoul,” she says.

“I would play with her creams that were filled with ingredients like gold and silkworm cocoons.” Angela spent her early career as an award-winning concert pianist, until one day, onstage in front of hundreds of people, a so-called natural lotion she had applied made her break out in hives. Horrified, she began to study ingredients and craft her own skin care products in her kitchen. “I added luxury ingredients with tremendous skin benefits like champagne, caviar, and truffles,” she says.

“I infused them with organic extracts for anti-aging results.” She started gifting these products to friends, and they wanted to buy them as gifts for their friends. She became the “accidental entrepreneur.”

"I wanted to incorporate the Korean beauty rituals that I grew up with. But as a busy mom and wife living the gorgeous chaos of New York City, I needed flawless skin in a New York minute. And it must be organic and it must work."

Now Angela runs a group of holistic facial spas in New York City's West Village and Upper West Side, and in upstate New York. She continues to develop luxe organic products in the Beauty Kitchen with her team of Savor Spa Estheticians. Her Dollars & Scents initiative hires moms who need flexible work hours for their children. They make and ship the beauty creams fresh from the Hudson Valley in New York.

Angela Jia Kim is a former concert pianist, wife to a Swiss man who loves to brew craft beer in his spare time, and mom to a second grader CEO and a yellow lab named Ella Fitzgerald. They live in New York City's Upper West Side.

What you’ll hear in this episode

How Angela became involved in and an active member of the Savor community
Why the spiritual element of the Savor community was helpful for Angela
The mindset and philosophy of give/give/get
The importance of community and the role it plays in the work/life balance
Knowing that it’s ok to ask for help and using that as a source of strength
Ways in which to grow your business if you have a family
The need to balance self-care and spiritual nourishment

Resources

http://www.angelajiakim.com

http://www.savorthesuccess.com

https://www.youtube.com/user/savorthesuccess

Ep 28 Emotionally Intelligent Families Feb 13, 2018

Show notes

Welcome to episode twenty-eight of the Honest Mamas Podcast! Today, we speak to Taylor Ross about raising an emotionally intelligent family.

Taylor Ross is a Trauma-Informed Parenting Consultant who works with clients online and in her Northern California office. She provides an empathic space, practical tools, and knowledge of the current research to help parents support their children and foster an emotionally intelligent family culture. Taylor Ross’ passion for supporting the emotional wellbeing of families has led her to seek a unique variety of trainings. She is a U-Mass Boston Early Childhood Mental Health graduate, has certificates in Buddhist Psychology and Meditation, and Non-Violent Parenting and Education. She is in her third year of Somatic Experiencing Trauma Training and has been trained in Mediation and Parenting Coordination. Through support, information, and hard work, she strives to help transform difficult dynamics and behaviors into rich, connected family relationships.

What you’ll hear in this episode

How Taylor became interested in supporting parents
What it means to be an emotionally intelligent family
The need for compassion as we go through this important work
Understanding the deeper truths about parenting
Learning to take responsibility of our nervous system
How the needs of parents play into this dynamic
Coping with your emotional triggers
Setting our lives in a way we can be more successful

Resources

http://www.thepracticeofparenting.com

Ep 27 Partnership Communication 101 Feb 06, 2018

Show notes

Welcome to episode twenty-seven of the Honest Mamas Podcast! Today, we speak to Avi Klein, LSCW, about the emotional states he regularly sees in couples expecting a baby, how he gets couples to connect through this difficult period, and how to improve intimacy after having a child.

Avi is a psychotherapist, father of two, and lifelong New Yorker practicing in Union Square. He has been working with men, women and couples since 2009 after graduating from the Columbia University School of Social Work. Ten years ago, he began working with homeless families in San Francisco and realized how powerful it was to work on behalf of people—hearing their stories, witnessing their resilience, and participating in their growth and healing. He became a psychotherapist after experiencing firsthand the power of a strong therapeutic relationship. As his practice developed, he came to recognize how fundamental relationships are to the way people make sense of their world and has focused on helping people nourish themselves and their relationships.

While studying at the Ackerman Institute for the Family, Avi also worked in outpatient mental health clinics in Chelsea and Upper Manhattan. Prior to starting his own practice, Avi helped run one of the first programs dedicated to working specifically with young adults with severe mental illnesses—St. Luke's Roosevelt Hospital. While there, he also co-lead a yoga and meditation group and began to appreciate the importance of working with both mind and body as a psychotherapist. Avi is trained in AEDP (Accelerated Experiential Dynamic Psychotherapy) and EFT (Emotionally Focused Therapy), two forms of therapy that emphasize the power of emotion, healing & transformation in relationships. His work also borrows from narrative therapy, mindfulness and body-oriented therapies. He has a special interest in supporting new families and is currently working on a workshop to support new and expectant parents as well as other educational programs for adults to support emotional well-being.

What you’ll hear in this episode

The emotional states Avi regularly sees from couples expecting a baby
How Avi gets couples to connect through this difficult period
The ways in which Avi helps couples to show up authentically to each other
The need for vulnerability to help with communication
How to clear some of the issues that have arisen in the past
The need to have repair between a couple
Navigating arguments and not letting them get nasty
How to improve intimacy after having a child
Learning to be grateful and thankful to each other

Resources

https://www.aviklein.com

https://www.instagram.com/thecompassproject

Ep 26 Cultivating More Joy in Motherhood Jan 30, 2018

Show notes

Welcome to episode twenty-six of the Honest Mamas Podcast, today Claire speaks to Kathleen Harper about cultivating more joy in motherhood.

Kathleen Ann Harper is the author of two books, The Well-Crafted Mom and Signs of a Happy Baby. In her life coaching groups for moms and in her one-on-one coaching practice, Kathleen integrates coaching support with creative activities to help moms manage the transitions and challenges of motherhood. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from San Francisco State University in Integrative Healing, a specialized major that incorporated studies in psychology, philosophy and religion, holistic health, and kinesiology. Kathleen is married to William Paul White, her co-author on the baby sign language book, Signs of a Happy Baby. They are parents to two boys who both still sign.

What you’ll hear in this episode

How Kathleen came to be working in this field
The way in she cultivated joy into her life
How to best allocate small amounts of free time in your life
Learning to accept and be comfortable with your vulnerabilities
How our modern lives can leave us with analysis paralysis
The best ways to manage expectations
Understanding that your self-care helps you care for others
The concept of inner circle friends

Resources

http://www.thewellcraftedmom.com

Ep 25 Ritual and Self-Care in Pregnancy Jan 23, 2018

Show notes

Welcome to episode twenty-five of the Honest Mamas Podcast. Today, Sophie speaks to Susan Bradford about the ritual and self-care during pregnancy.

Susan Bradford, LVN, CHD, CCE, CHT, is a holistic perinatal educator, Certified Holistic Doula (retired), Certified Hypnotherapist and Birth Ceremonialist. She began her passionate path into childbirth in the early 1970s. Susan has a background in Ob/Gyn nursing and midwifery training. Since 1990, she has offered her services in Marin County, California. Besides various childbirth related classes, she also offers pregnant mothers’ circles, Birth Blessings & Welcoming Ceremonies, birth art sessions, and private consultations. Susan is a Certified Hypnotherapist offering support in all childbirth related issues. Of all the things she has done in her life, she is most proud of being the mother of a delightful and creative adult daughter.

What you’ll hear in this episode

Why ritual practices are important during pregnancy
The importance of return and coming back to one’s self
Carving out space and time for ritualistic work
The kinds of ceremonies pregnant women can do
How gifts and acts of symbolism can be very important
The value of a closure ceremony
What pregnant women can do when they are on their own
How finding out about your own birth can prepare for pregnancy

Resources

http://www.thebirthjourney.net

https://www.amazon.com/Mother-Rising-Yana-Cortlund/dp/1587612674

https://www.amazon.com/Welcoming-Ways-Andrea-Alban-Gossline/dp/0768322332

Ep 24 Modern Day Mothering Jan 16, 2018

Show notes

Welcome to episode twenty-four of the Honest Mamas Podcast. Today, Melissa speaks with Beth Berry who is a writer, whole life coach, mother of four daughters and a devotee of the sacred feminine.

If you’re someone who aspires to live from your heart, cares deeply about the state of the world, and believes in the transformative power of personal growth, you’re in the right place. Even if you only identify with some of these characteristics, Beth invites you to make yourself at home, try on a new idea or two, and let your curiosity lead you.

Six years ago, when Beth first moved her family abroad (for a total of four years), she began writing about the richness, beauty, and mystery all around her. She fell deeply in love with southern Mexico, her people and the slower pace of life. As her mind was blown and her heart softened by the experience, she began to notice a richness, beauty, and mystery being awakened within her, too.

Turns out that inner exploration is her very favorite kind.

Since then, Beth has journeyed through regions of her inner landscape that she never even knew existed. Beth learned to be gentle and nurturing with the particularly sensitive parts, shone light into places she'd long been avoiding, deconstructed the walls around her heart, and learned to trust the guidance of her soul.

Though it’s been hard work (and quite painful at times), Beth now has access to peace, joy, and connection that were previously unavailable to her. She has healed the relationship with herself, which has proven invaluable in her relationship with others.

What you’ll hear in this episode

How Beth became inspired to write her blog
Her positive experience of being a mother at 17 years of age
How western culture has too much expectation on women after birth
The need to slow down when nurturing a new born
Ways in which to avoid the pit falls of modern day motherhood
The vital role family plays when going through this process
Learning to say no and not feeling guilty about it
Tips and thoughts on how best to handle modern day motherhood

Resources

http://revolutionfromhome.com

Ep 23 Seven Life-Changing Divorced Co-Parenting Skills Jan 09, 2018

Show notes

Welcome to episode twenty-three of the Honest Mamas Podcast. Today, Claire speaks to Alisa Jaffe Holleron about thriving as a divorced co-parent.

Alisa Jaffe Holleron is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in the State of California. She earned her Master’s degree in Social Work from the University of Illinois at Chicago, Jane Addams School of Social Work, and her Bachelor’s degree from The University of Kansas. She has worked for several different agencies in her long career in social services and has worked with many different populations. In 2008, Alisa opened the Live Oak Center for Psychotherapy and Education in El Dorado Hills, California where she teaches her classes and sees divorced co-parenting couples, married couples and individuals.

What you’ll hear in this episode

How Alisa became involved in the field of divorce
Why divorce for children in their early teens can be particularly difficult
The need for co-parents to know what they really want to move forward
Letting go of things you can’t control
Understanding what your children really need
Learning to trust your ex-partner as they care for your child
Tapping into the full benefits of mindfulness
The potential for joy and positivity through this process

Resources

https://alisajaffeholleron.com

Ep 22 Motherhood and Anger Jan 02, 2018

Show notes

Welcome to episode twenty of the Honest Mamas Podcast, todaySophie and Claire talk about anger.

What you’ll hear in this episode

How anger is an intense but useful emotion
Why does anger appear so frequently in mothering?
The taboo that exists around anger and how women express it
The importance to have a shared community that will understand your anger is normal
Finding alone time whilst mothering to find a space of calm and mindfulness
How the fight or flight response plays into anger
Understanding that mistakes will happen and that they’re perfectly normal

Resources

https://honestmamas.com

https://www.amazon.com/Dance-Anger-Changing-Patterns-Relationships/dp/0062319043

Ep 21 A Mother's Story: Raising a Transgender Son Dec 26, 2017

Show notes

Welcome to episode twenty-one of the Honest Mamas Podcast! Today, we speak to Janna Barkin about her book “He’s Always Been My Son.”

Janna and her husband Gabriel live and thrive in Marin County, California. Together they’ve raised three wonderful children, Travis, Emily and Amaya.

Janna was born in New York City and graduated from Binghamton University (SUNY) with a bachelor’s degree in Applied Social Sciences. She has worked as a preschool teacher/director and also as a certified childbirth educator, and she has over a decade’s experience teaching yoga. Her students include beginners, advanced practitioners, pre- and post-natal mothers, and people experiencing disability, grief, transition, pain, and loss.

Janna is a lifelong learner who loves experiencing new things and giving back to the community. She also volunteers her time and services for these causes:

Founding member of Ally Moms, an online community of moms who have come together because they have a transgender child.
Helpline volunteer at the Transgender Law Center in Oakland, CA.
Team Coordinator for Stone Soup Marin, a volunteer organization that cooks meals for the homeless served by the Mill Street Shelter in San Rafael, CA.

Janna’s son Amaya is a very smart and motivated student, a well-liked and popular peer among his many friends, and a darn good-lookin’ kid. On occasion, he can be particularly sweet or a bit surly. He is also trans.

What you’ll hear in this episode

What inspired Janna to write her book
The challenges she has had to face through this journey
Insights into the various experiences Janna has been through
How Janna knew the importance for Amaya to show up in the world
The need for the general public and therapists to keep broadened perspectives around transgender issues
How the medical community needs to become more educated in this area

Resources

https://www.hesalwaysbeenmyson.com

https://www.genderspectrum.org

http://standwithtrans.org/ally-moms

Ep 20: A Birth Story: Persistence and Intuition Dec 19, 2017

Show notes

Welcome to episode twenty of the Honest Mamas Podcast, today our guest is Jessica Dugan, MA, LPC.

Jessica’s aim is to support individuals, couples, and families, who want to learn about themselves, build healthier relationships, be more emotionally present, and cope more successfully. She believes that through self-exploration and learning about our relationships, we promote growth, peace, and healing in our lives, thus building more fulfilling connections with others.

Jessica works with couples and individuals providing compassionate and inclusive counseling.

What you’ll hear in this episode

Jessica’s unique and wonderful birth story
The challenges she faced starting a family with a transgender male partner
The process of choosing a donor
How Jessica did the IFV/fertility treatments at home
How a medical error at the hospital lead to an incredible part of Jessica’s story
The challenges of having a home birth
Going through the post-partum period

Resources

http://www.duganpsychotherapy.com

Our TOPPODCAST Picks

Follow Us

Stay Connected

Related Podcasts

Links

Stay Connected