Shameless Leadership

Latest Episodes:

911: LEADERSHIP MINDSET: How Women Leaders Can Replace Nervousness With Excitement Oct 29, 2024

In anticipation of basketball tryouts today, my 12-year-old went to the park to get in some practice with friends last night. When he got home, he proudly shared that an older kid at the park complimented “hoops”. On the way to school this morning, he told me that he’s feeling really nervous about tryouts. It’s the first year the kids will be divided into varsity and junior varsity teams. This is big time! As we were walking, I talked to him about the close, often overlapping relationship between nervousness and excitement.

“Mom, I know. You already told me being nervous and being excited are the same thing.”

That’s not exactly what I had previously told him…. They are not the same. But if you understand how they are the same and how they are different, you can often use your nervousness to strategically channel excitement.

In this episode, I’ll tell you what I told my 12-year-old on the walk to school. Additionally, we’ll dive into the fascinating relationship between nervousness and excitement and how women leaders can leverage one over the other for powerful results. Both emotions share similar physiological responses—like increased heart rate, sweaty palms, and heightened awareness—because they are both driven by adrenaline. The key difference lies in how we interpret the situation: nervousness tends to arise when we see a challenge as a threat, while excitement comes when we view the same situation as an opportunity. Understanding this can be the first step in transforming fear into anticipation, empowering women to thrive under pressure.

Listen in to hear me share actionable strategies that women leaders can use to shift their mindset and embrace excitement in high-stakes situations. From reframing nervousness as excitement, to focusing on purpose and meaning, to coaching yourself with evidence-based positive self-talk, these techniques are designed to help women leaders feel strong and grounded when stepping into something new, big, or perhaps scary. By connecting to your “why” and viewing leadership moments through a lens of possibility rather than fear, you can approach stressful situations with confidence. This allows you to shift your focus from potential risks to potential rewards creating the excitement needed to succeed.

Whether you're preparing for a big presentation, leading a high-profile meeting, or stepping into a new leadership role, this episode will give you practical tips on how to harness excitement, reduce nervousness, and leverage your full potential as a leader.

We love the sponsors that make this show possible! You can always find all the special deals and codes for all our current sponsors on our website: https://shamelessleadership.com/sponsor

Interested in becoming a sponsor of the Shameless Mom Academy? Email our sales team at sales@adalystmedia.com.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

910: LEADERSHIP TIPS: 3 Tips to Improve Your Life/Work Integration Oct 22, 2024

Ahhh, the elusive chase of work-life balance - increasingly referred to as life-work integration. Almost every time I am interviewed I am asked how women leaders can attain a better balance between their personal and professional lives. The struggle to achieve life-work integration impacts most women in leadership. Today, I’m going to invite you to forget about striving for the perfect balance. It’s time to rethink how you can blend your personal and professional life in a way that feels fulfilling, manageable, and aligned with your values.

I’m going to share with you three mindset shifts that will help you see life-work integration through a bit of a different lens. Many of the women I coach tell me, “I’m completely failing when it comes to work-life balance”. What if the reason so many of us feel this way is because we have been socialized to be self-sacrificial at almost every turn to prioritize other people’s happiness and comfort over our own; we have to out-hustle our male counterparts to get half as far as them; and many of us have to work full-time hours (or more) while also being full-time caregivers.

By the time we get done over-producing, over-giving, and over-proving ourselves each day, we have given the best parts of ourselves to everyone else and all we have left for ourselves is what feels like moldy leftovers. When we take a critical look at why women leaders feel so “out of balance” when it comes to our personal and professional lives, we can see how a shift in perspective can also lead to a shift in behaviors.

In this episode, I offer actionable tips around calendar management, saying, “No”, modeling boundaries, and establishing personal accountability to help you practice reclaiming your time and energy while creating healthier personal and professional boundaries. Your leadership doesn’t have to be self-sacrificial at every turn. In fact, you will be a better leader if you learn to navigate life-work integration in a way that consistently acknowledges and prioritizes your needs and wants.

We love the sponsors that make this show possible! You can always find all the special deals and codes for all our current sponsors on our website: https://shamelessleadership.com/sponsor

Interested in becoming a sponsor of the Shameless Mom Academy? Email our sales team at sales@adalystmedia.com.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

909: LEADERSHIP MINDSET: How Patriarchal Perfectionism May Be Harming You Oct 15, 2024

You may know by now that I could preach all day about how women are programmed by the patriarchy to show up in this world in very specific ways that primarily (and almost exclusively) benefit white men. Please know when I say “patriarchy” I am referring to a system that is not only harmful to women but also undermines and completely stunts the emotional development of most men. This system benefits few, but the few who benefit have the most tremendous power - globally.

Our patriarchal society has created numerous social constructs that lead us to unknowingly behave in ways that benefit some (mostly men) while holding others back (including but not limited to: women, people of color, members of the LGBTQIA+ community, people with neuro diversities, people with disabilities, and people with larger bodies).

Over the years, I’ve talked about mom guilt as a social construct and imposter syndrome as a social construct. Both of these social constructs are part of a system that intentionally makes women and moms think and behave in specific ways that ultimately limit how they show up in the world. These limitations create more space for others (most commonly white men) to have more opportunities to find success, build wealth, and amass power.

In today’s episode, I’m going to talk about perfectionism as a social construct that largely impacts women. We will dig into different forms of perfectionism, as well as how you can start to reject perfectionism to get out of your head and get on with your life. Once you see perfectionism for what it is, I hope you are able to reframe your mindset around it to release some of the internal expectations that have perhaps been holding you back for years - if not decades. Buckle up. This is a good one!

Links mentioned:

NYU Article: Problematizing Perfectionism: A Closer Look at the Perfectionism Construct
Harvard Business Review Article: How Perfectionists Can Get Out of Their Own Way
Harvard Business Review Article: Stop Telling Women They Have Imposter Syndrome
Book: Inclusion on Purpose by Rushika Tulshyan

We love the sponsors that make this show possible! You can always find all the special deals and codes for all our current sponsors on our website: https://shamelessleadership.com/sponsor

Interested in becoming a sponsor of the Shameless Mom Academy? Email our sales team at sales@adalystmedia.com.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

908: LEADERSHIP TIPS: Why Women Need to Get in Rooms With Other Women Oct 08, 2024

I’ve recently spent a lot of time in rooms of women. I’ve been a guest speaker at a couple of women’s retreats. I led my own women’s retreat. I’ve been to some incredible networking events for women. And, I just keep being reminded why it is so critical for women to be in rooms with other women. Women are facing epidemic levels of loneliness and isolation. Research from the Campaign to End Loneliness shows that women, more than men, report feelings of loneliness. We often don’t see other women in the roles we aspire to have. And, as we rise in leadership, we often don’t have many women sitting beside us.

At the end of the day, everyone wants to feel seen, heard, held, and valued. Unfortunately, these are feelings that women don’t often experience at work. Frequently, our ideas are dismissed, ignored, or co-opted by men. We’re talked over, left out of conversations, and the social events where networking happens aren’t always accessible to those of us with caregiving roles. So, where do we go to get the support we need?

That’s where the power of being in rooms with other women comes in. When we gather with other women, we hear stories that reflect our own experiences, and that creates an undeniable sense of kinship and camaraderie. In these spaces, we’re free to ideate, brainstorm, and plan with confidence because we know we’re among those who will listen and champion us. We realize we’re not alone in navigating a world that wasn’t designed for us to thrive in—and that realization is incredibly empowering.

In this episode, I explore how women can create spaces of support, share strategies for success, and build networks that lift each other up. When women come together, magic happens—and that magic starts by getting in the room.

Tune in to learn:

Why women are lonelier than men and how leadership roles often exacerbate isolation
The importance of finding spaces where you can feel seen, heard, and valued
How being in rooms with other women can spark ideation, support, and shared success

Don't miss this powerful conversation on the importance of women creating and finding spaces where we can thrive together.

We love the sponsors that make this show possible! You can always find all the special deals and codes for all our current sponsors on our website: https://shamelessleadership.com/sponsor

Interested in becoming a sponsor of the Shameless Mom Academy? Email our sales team at sales@adalystmedia.com.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

907: LEADERSHIP STORIES: Historical Models of Leadership That Continue to Be Harmful Oct 01, 2024

While I’m not much of a history buff, I am fascinated by humans and human behavior - even ancient human behavior. So, when presented with the opportunity to examine historical models of leadership in my Masters of Organizational Leadership program, I was all in.

In studying leadership models across centuries and then within the decades of the last 120 years, there are undeniable patterns of leadership that are mostly about power and dominance and almost exclusively about the power and dominance of men.

In this episode, we will look at historical models of leadership which for centuries involved leaders who could easily be characterized as narcissists with their tyrannical, manipulative behavior in which they were commonly charming and gaslighting their followers, especially women, in equal proportion. It’s pretty fascinating to see how much of this behavior endures in leadership models today.

When we look at these models of leadership, we can see how these depictions of leaders over time have continued to “inspire” models of leadership today. We have repeatedly created systems and structures of leadership that center leaders in roles to have power OVER their followers rather than power WITH their followers.

Understanding the patterns present in these systems can be useful in addressing, disrupting, and dismantling the sexist power structures that commonly exist in these systems, even as we claim to have created new systems that include equal rights for all regardless of gender.

This episode will open your eyes to how we are still very much settling for, if not embracing, aspects of historical models of leadership to the great detriment of women and people who carry marginalized identities. Yet, hope is not lost. There is still time to do better. And, we will.

Link mentioned:

Book: Burnout by Emily Nagoski, PhD and Amelia Nagoski, DMA

We love the sponsors that make this show possible! You can always find all the special deals and codes for all our current sponsors on our website: https://shamelessleadership.com/sponsor

Interested in becoming a sponsor of the Shameless Mom Academy? Email our sales team at sales@adalystmedia.com.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

906: LEADERSHIP TIPS: The Myth of “Safe Spaces” Sep 24, 2024

I have been in countless rooms over the last few years where the person leading designates the space a “safe space”. This designation is usually given right before an invitation for people to share something that may require some level of vulnerability.

While I think the intentions of the folks saying this are good, I think there is actually more potential for harm than good when we deem a space a “safe space” without very seriously considering what creates actual safety for people and how tremendously one person’s needs for safety can vary from the next. We also need to recognize that anyone’s needs around safety can change on a day-to-day basis. So, it is not on a leader to claim a space as “safe” because there is no way a leader can guarantee actual safety.

I always say that a space is only as safe as the person who feels the least amount of safety deems it to be.

While we cannot guarantee safety, there are definitely steps we can take to build a culture of trust and psychological safety that can go a long way. If you’re looking to build a culture of safety there are a handful of things to consider.

If I were to come into your organization and do a psychological safety audit of sorts, here are some things I would examine:

How do people talk to each other
How do people talk about each other
How are mistakes handled
How do leaders apologize and take ownership of their mistakes
How is support demonstrated in good times and bad
How are people given the opportunity to get to know one another as humans - not just coworkers with specific skill sets
What routines and rituals are in place that build trust over time
How transparent are leaders
How accessible are leaders to all levels of team members
What is the reputation of the HR department
Does HR make it clear what reportable offenses are and how to report them

In this episode, I talk about steps you can take to build a foundation of trust and psychological safety so that when you are on the brink of asking people to share ideas or be vulnerable you don’t need to make a “safe space” announcement because safety is implied, felt, and held automatically.

We love the sponsors that make this show possible! You can always find all the special deals and codes for all our current sponsors on our website: https://shamelessmom.com/sponsor

Interested in becoming a sponsor of the Shameless Mom Academy? Email our sales team at sales@adalystmedia.com.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

905: LEADERSHIP STORIES: Karen vs Ross: How to Say Hi to People Sep 17, 2024

“People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel” Maya Angelou

How you make people feel is a big responsibility as a leader. While you cannot control how others perceive and receive you, you can control how you attempt to engage and lead in positive, supportive, and authentic ways.

The way you engage with the people you lead - from saying hello to delegating tasks to providing feedback to saying “Thank you” - matters.

When I was in high school I was lucky enough to have a job where my very first boss, Karen, looked me in the eye and greeted me with a big smile every single day when I arrived at work. She made me feel important and like my contributions were significant even though my work was easily the least significant in the company.

I loved working for Karen. I always knew where I stood with her. I knew I was doing a good job supporting her and the team. And, I knew she would let me know if I needed to course correct in a fumbly moment. I loved making her job just a little bit easier.

I had several bosses who followed Karen who made me feel small, insignificant, and even invisible at times. I had no desire to prove myself to these leaders. In fact, sometimes I looked forward to brushing them off the same way they did me. I knew they didn’t deserve the best parts of me, so they didn’t get them.

Great leaders' interactions with those whom they lead are consistently additive, meaning they add value to their day and their work.

In this episode, I share the story of Karen vs Ross, my first two bosses who could not have been more opposite in their leadership. In hearing about these two vastly different leadership experiences, I think you will see how the smallest moments of leadership, like saying “Hi!”, can have a big impact on your leadership legacy.

We love the sponsors that make this show possible! You can always find all the special deals and codes for all our current sponsors on our website: https://shamelessleadership.com/sponsor

Interested in becoming a sponsor of the Shameless Mom Academy? Email our sales team at sales@adalystmedia.com.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

904: INCLUSIVE LEADERSHIP: How Extroverted Leaders Can Include Introverts Sep 10, 2024

In a culture that values and rewards outward confidence and assertive communication, it’s not surprising that extroverts tend to rise to the top as leaders more predominantly than introverts. Extroverts are commonly outgoing, charismatic, and less socially inhibited than introverts in group settings. While this may sound grand if you were born an extrovert, the downside to extroversion is that extroverts can take up so much space, they don’t leave space for others. As leaders, extroverts can be dismissive of introverts and miss significant opportunities to pass the mic, open the floor to other voices, and allow others to feel seen, heard, and valued.

In this episode, I dig into some of the risks associated with extroverted leadership, from overbearing communication to lackluster listening skills to overlooking others to general impatience in team environments.

I promise I’m not here to judge you. If you’re an extroverted leader who might be the loudest one in the room sometimes, know that I stand beside you. Sometimes I am you. Together, we can take our gifts and make them work for ourselves and for others. This will likely take some self-awareness and honing new skills. But, if you want to be an inclusive leader who holds space for everyone in the room, this is your job.

As your self-awareness grows, you will likely realize that you have so many valuable lessons to learn from your introverted counterparts. Introverts often have the sage wisdom that you can’t quite harness in high-stress moments. They are keen observers who see things you and I don’t see. And, their ideas and opinions are often exactly the missing pieces you’ve been looking for - if you just get quiet enough to let them speak.

Extroverted leaders can be more inclusive of introverts by adopting strategies that create space for different work styles, encourage diverse contributions, and foster a more balanced team dynamic. In this episode, I talk through specific strategies to foster safety and trust in order to create spaces where extroverts and introverts can communicate and thrive side by side.

As extroverted leaders, we have a lot to say. But our ideas are not better and are not more important. Let’s make sure we are holding space for all voices so we may all benefit from everyone’s gifts.

Link mentioned:

Join my September Influence & Ignite Retreat for small business owners: shamelessmom.com/retreat

We love the sponsors that make this show possible! You can always find all the special deals and codes for all our current sponsors on our website: https://shamelessleadership.com/sponsor

Interested in becoming a sponsor of the Shameless Mom Academy? Email our sales team at sales@adalystmedia.com.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

903: Why Women Leaders at All Levels Struggle with Confidence Sep 03, 2024

The difference in self-assurance between men and women, particularly in professional settings, is called the confidence gap. This gap describes how, despite equal or even greater competence, women tend to underestimate their abilities and hesitate to pursue leadership roles, promotions, or high-stakes opportunities compared to men.

In this powerful episode, I dive into the challenges women in leadership face when it comes to building and maintaining confidence. I examine how gender bias, social conditioning, and systemic barriers contribute to the confidence gap that impacts women leaders at every level.

A few of the reasons women leaders struggle with confidence:

Gender Bias and Social Conditioning: Women are often subjected to cultural expectations and stereotypes that create unrealistic standards. This societal pressure fosters doubt, insecurity, and a lack of confidence in leadership roles.
The Social Constructs of Imposter Syndrome and Perfectionism: Many women leaders struggle with worthiness, feeling as if they don’t deserve their success. Perfectionism compounds this, leading to a constant sense of inadequacy.
Lack of Representation and Support: The scarcity of women in leadership positions results in fewer mentorship and sponsorship opportunities, leaving women feeling isolated and unsupported.
Microaggressions: Everyday words, actions, and undermining behaviors perpetrated by those with more power than you that may seem minor, but over time, reflect an abusive environment that greatly erodes the confidence and well-being of women leaders.

Confidence doesn’t have to remain elusive. Together, we will unpack gender bias, social conditioning, and societal constructs that undermine women’s confidence while also exploring actionable strategies to overcome these obstacles. You will walk away from this episode ready to find a strong network of women leaders, take steps to own the confidence that is your birthright and practice new communication skills that allow you to not only shine more brightly but also feel more bright as you shine in your various roles in work and life.

Link mentioned:

Join my September Influence & Ignite Retreat for small business owners: shamelessmom.com/retreat

We love the sponsors that make this show possible! You can always find all the special deals and codes for all our current sponsors on our website: https://shamelessleadership/sponsor

Interested in becoming a sponsor of the Shameless Mom Academy? Email our sales team at sales@adalystmedia.com.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

902: 5 Steps to Build Your Personal Leadership Brand Aug 27, 2024

Building a powerful and intentional personal leadership brand is essential to your leadership legacy. Whether you're an emerging leader or a leader looking to refine your current leadership style, this episode will give you actionable steps to create a personal leadership brand that aligns with your core values and allows you to make greater ripples of impact as you lead. We explore the following key questions to help guide your journey:

What do you want to be known for as a leader?
What legacy are you intentionally building right now?
What are your current personal and leadership values, and how are you incorporating them into your work?

Here are 5 steps you can work through to build your personal leadership brand:

Identify the values you want to embody and uphold as a leader

Reflect on the values that matter most to you and how you want to embody them as a leader. These values will form the foundation of your personal leadership brand.

Determine how these values make you stand out as a leader

Understand how your unique values overlap with your strengths, talents, and gifts to differentiate you from other leaders.

Conduct a values assessment

Check in on how you are currently leading with your values and determine where there is room for growth to incorporate your values into your leadership in ways that allow your personal leadership brand to shine.

Take small steps to embody these values

Start making intentional choices that reflect the leader you want to be. Small, consistent actions over time build trust, likeability, and credibility. This is how you build your leadership capital over time.

Practice pausing in high-stress moments

In times of pressure, take a breath and a pause to reflect on how you want to show up. In this pause, you have the chance to recall your values and make a decision through the lens of your values instead of high emotions.

By taking the time to define what you stand for and practicing the embodiment of these values, you can craft a personal leadership brand that reflects your true identity and creates a lasting legacy.

We love the sponsors that make this show possible! You can always find all the special deals and codes for all our current sponsors on our website: https://shamelessleadership.com/sponsor

Interested in becoming a sponsor of the Shameless Mom Academy? Email our sales team at sales@adalystmedia.com.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

901: Why Women Need to Take up Space at Work Aug 20, 2024

Today is the day! The first episode of Shameless Leadership is LIVE. I couldn’t be more excited!

In this first episode of Shameless Leadership, I dig into one of my very favorite topics: why women need to take up more space. This is a topic I have been passionate about for a long time now. In fact, you’ve likely heard me rant about it before. It feels like the perfect topic to kick off this new show for women leaders.

Recent data overwhelmingly tells us that the number of women in leadership still doesn’t come close to representing the number of women in society.

According to Leanin.org’s Women in the Workplace 2023 Report:

Women represent roughly 1 in 4 C-suite leaders, and women of color just 1 in 16.
Progress for early-career Black women remains the furthest out of reach. In 2023, for every 100 men promoted from entry-level to manager positions, only 54 Black women were promoted. After rising to 82 in 2020 and 96 in 2021, the promotion rate for Black women to manager has fallen back to lower than it was in 2019.
Because of our “broken rung” system (described in this episode), in a typical company, men end up holding 60% of manager-level positions, while women hold just 40%. As a result, there are fewer women to be promoted to director, and the number of women decreases at every subsequent level.
The impact of “microaggressions” experienced at work by women or any other marginalized group are anything but “micro”. In fact, they have a macro effect long term.

If women are to occupy more leadership roles, we must start intentionally taking up more space. We must demand more space. In this episode, I share how women are socialized to shrink our bodies, hold back our ideas and opinions, and play small in all aspects of our lives. From there, I dig into specific steps you can take to start taking up more space and stop accepting without question the leadership, thoughts, and opinions of those who have more power than you (ie: men).

If you’re ready to take up more space, use your voice in new ways, and take a seat at any table, this episode is for you.

Links Mentioned:

Join my September Influence & Ignite Retreat for small business owners: shamelessmom.com/retreat
Article: Leanin.org Women in the Workplace 2023
Learn about my speaking, training, and coaching: saradean.com
Connect with me on LinkedIn: saradean.com/linkedin

We love the sponsors that make this show possible! You can always find all the special deals and codes for all our current sponsors on our website: Shameless Leadership Sponsor

Interested in becoming a sponsor of the Shameless Mom Academy? Email our sales team at sales@adalystmedia.com.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

900: The Shameless Mom Academy Becomes Shameless Leadership! Aug 14, 2024

If you’ve caught the last few episodes of the show, you know that change is upon us. It's not a goodbye change, but a level-up change. We are growing and evolving - together. All that we have learned together over the last 8.5 years has led us to this moment where we are stepping into a new podcast identity. This is so exciting!

As we celebrate episode 900 (omg - 900!!!), we are also celebrating the transition of this little podcast-that-could from The Shameless Mom Academy to Shameless Leadership. This is the last episode you will hear in this feed that begins with “Welcome to the Shameless Mom Academy…”

Come next week, you will see a new episode in this feed with a new title, Shameless Leadership. Taking everything we have learned together over the last 8.5 years, we are elevating our knowledge, gifts, and confidence to have bigger conversations for women leaders (at al levels). These conversations will be about everything from shutting down your inner critic and imposter syndrome to overcoming perfectionism to using your voice in new ways to advocate for yourself, your ideas, and other folks carrying marginalized identities. Each week on Shameless Leadership, you'll hear practical tips, effective strategies, and inspiring stories that will enhance your leadership skills and broaden your perspective to help you become a more confident, intentional, inclusive, and empathetic leader.

Shameless Leadership is for women, gender minorities, and allies who want to create spaces where people who have not had the advantage of a male identity can rise, lead, and thrive.

The mission of Shameless Leadership is to be a community of people of all genders who believe everyone deserves to feel seen, heard, held, valued, and supported. Our mission is to help you foster these feelings within your own circles of influence so you can build trust, psychological safety, and a culture of belonging in all the places you take up space.

This is a show by women for everyone. If you have been listening to the SMA for the last few years, months, or weeks, this is still a place for you to learn, grow, and connect. I could not be more honored to continue to be in your ear. And, I’m so excited about our future together.

Link mentioned:

Join my September Influence & Ignite Retreat for small business owners: shamelessmom.com/retreat

We love the sponsors that make this show possible! You can always find all the special deals and codes for all our current sponsors on our website: https://shamelessmom.com/sponsor

Interested in becoming a sponsor of the Shameless Mom Academy? Email our sales team at sales@adalystmedia.com.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

899: Laura Cathcart Robbins Turns the Mic on Sara Aug 12, 2024

When I started thinking about the final interview for the SMA before we rebrand the show as Shameless Leadership, I knew I wanted to do something special. It occurred to me that it could be fun to have someone turn the mic on me and ask me about the show over the last 8 years. Once I had this idea, I knew Laura Cathcart Robbins, my dear friend and a friend of the show, was the perfect person to turn the mic on me!

In this episode, Laura takes us behind the scenes of the last 8 years of the Shameless Mom Academy. We talk about my original vision for the show and how it evolved over time. She asked me about (hard) lessons learned, the biggest gifts of the show, and why this podcast pivot makes so much sense right now.

I can’t wait for you to hear a little about the ongoings of the show that you haven’t had the chance to “see” over the last 8.5 years. And, I’m thrilled to give you some sneak peeks into what is coming down the pipeline (so much greatness!!)

Links mentioned:

Join my September Influence & Ignite Retreat for small business owners: shamelessmom.com/retreat
Connect with Laura Cathcart Robbins: lauracathcartrobbins.com
Laura’s Podcast: The Only One in the Room
Laura’s Book: Stash: My Life in Hiding

We love the sponsors that make this show possible! You can always find all the special deals and codes for all our current sponsors on our website: https://shamelessmom.com/sponsor

Interested in becoming a sponsor of the Shameless Mom Academy? Email our sales team at sales@adalystmedia.com.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

898: Big Announcement and Changes for the SMA! Aug 07, 2024

There are some exciting changes in store for the future of The Shameless Mom Academy and this episode is where you can get all the dirty deets!

Over the last 8.5 years, I have grown so much. And, YOU have grown so much right alongside me.

About a year ago, I had an idea for a bit of a new direction for the show that would allow us to continue to grow together. My skills, talents, and expertise have evolved dramatically over the last 8.5 years and I know yours have too. I want to make sure that I continue to create content that provides the most optimal learning experience for you. I want to meet you where you are at. We are all in a different place than we were even a couple of years ago, so a refreshed sense of direction makes a lot of sense right now.

With that, there are a few things that will change for the show after we release episode 900. Rest assured, there are also quite a few things that are staying the same. BUT, I don’t want you to be totally confused when you tune into episode 901 - like, “What is even happening here?!?” Spoiler alert, the show is getting a new name. You’ll want to know that before episode 901 lands in your feed!

In this episode, I share why the show is evolving, what is changing (yes, I’ll share the new name!), what is not changing, and what I’ve learned over the last 8.5 years that may potentially have a deep impact on you.

This episode is not to be missed!

Link mentioned:

Join my September Influence & Ignite Retreat for small business owners: shamelessmom.com/retreat

We love the sponsors that make this show possible! You can always find all the special deals and codes for all our current sponsors on our website: https://shamelessmom.com/sponsor

Interested in becoming a sponsor of the Shameless Mom Academy? Email our sales team at sales@adalystmedia.com.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

897: Jill Castle: Help Your Child Thrive in Their Body at Any Size Aug 05, 2024

Jill Castle is one of the nation’s premier childhood nutrition experts. She is the founder and CEO of The Nourished Child®, a nutrition education website and podcast for parents. She is the author of 6 books that support children’s health and nutrition, including her newest book, Kids Thrive at Every Size. Known for her ability to blend current research, practical application, and common sense, Jill believes that children can thrive at every size. With her paradigm-shifting, whole-child approach, she inspires parents, healthcare professionals, and organizations that serve children and families to think differently about young people’s health and well-being.

Jill is a sought-after speaker, advisor, and media contributor. She serves as an expert reviewer for Parents.com, and has been featured as a guest expert in CNN, The Washington Post, The New York Times, Forbes, Newsweek, and Time, to name a few.

Jill is also a Shameless Mom to four adult-ish children and lives in Massachusetts with her husband. I’m lucky enough to call Jill a friend. When she shared her concept for this book with me, I knew I had to share her work with you all. We have dedicated a number of episodes to talking about women, body image, and Diet Culture. But, we haven’t talked as much about kids, body image, and Diet Culture. It is time for this conversation and Jill is the best person to talk about it with.

Listen in to hear Jill share:

A sneak peek into what it’s like parenting 4 young adults
Common worries for parents of children who have larger or smaller sized bodies and what might surprise you about your child’s size
The Fix-Size model vs Embrace-Size model of approaching your child’s body size
How growing up with a smaller or larger body makes life more challenging for kids today
The significant difference between feeding and eating and how you might be helicopter feeding your child(ren)
The impact of family culture beyond food & nutrition when raising a healthy child
The reality that most kids experience body dissatisfaction across all genders, all sizes - and starting as early as age 3

Links Mentioned:

Join my September Influence & Ignite Retreat for small business owners: shamelessmom.com/retreat
Get the Book: Pre-order Kids Thrive at Every Size and get Jill’s pre-order bonuses!
Connect with Jill: thenourishedchild.com
Hire Jill to speak of consult: jillcastle.com
Jill on IG: @i.am.pediRD
Jill on FB: facebook.com/thenourishedchild
Jill on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/jillcastle

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896: Tiffany Cagwin: Mothers’ Struggles with Energy Management and Chronic Fatigue Jul 31, 2024

Tiffany Cagwin is a Certified Functional Diagnostic Nutrition Practitioner, Board Certified Holistic Health Practitioner, Hypnotherapist, and Yoga Teacher. She is an experienced executive leader and transformational coach who has a passion for helping others thrive by guiding them to shift their mindset, take action toward goals, and embrace self-care. Tiffany is passionate about healing excess stress, fatigue, and pain that many mothers experience. She is an explorer at heart, who has a never-ending curiosity for learning new things and expanding her education.

When Tiffany approached me to talk about chronic energy shortages and the implications for mothers especially, I was all in. I think this is a topic that we need to be talking about and is not currently getting the exposure it needs. If you find yourself experiencing chronic fatigue, struggling with energy management, or always feeling depleted, this episode is for you.

Listen in to hear Tiffany share:

The key reasons we are seeing more people suffer from chronic fatigue and large energy shortages
The most common causes of chronic fatigue for working moms
Your two biggest opportunities to optimize health each day
How to distinguish between feeling tired and chronic fatigue
Time-efficient, energy-boosting habits and how to integrate them
How to advocate for your own energy needs in personal and professional environments

Links mentioned:

Attend my Influence & Ignite Retreat for Women Business Owners: shamelessmom.com/retreat
Connect with Tiffany: https://tiffanycagwin.com/
Tiffany on LinkedIn
Tiffany on IG
Red Light Shortcut for iPhone:

We love the sponsors that make this show possible! You can always find all the special deals and codes for all our current sponsors on our website: https://shamelessmom.com/sponsor

Interested in becoming a sponsor of the Shameless Mom Academy? Email our sales team at sales@adalystmedia.com

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895: Manage the Mental Load of Motherhood with More Ease Jul 29, 2024

As you prepare for motherhood, you think about things like what color to paint the nursery, which car seat is the safest, and what your birth plan should include. You carefully pick out cute tiny clothes, booties, and hats while you dream about sweet snuggles and that first baby smile.

You likely don’t think about the mental load of motherhood. You don’t consider how much your brain will have to expand, compartmentalize, and carry. Shortly after that sweet baby arrives, you feel the intensity and demands of your daily life balloon in ways you never imagined. This continues for years; decades, actually.

If you feel like you're carrying a heavy load all the time, you are. The mental load of motherhood is immense. Over time, you become numb to it. You don’t realize you're chronically tired, overwhelmed, anxious, and emotionally drained because it feels normal.

This is motherhood.

That feeling of not recognizing yourself, forgetting who you were before kids, and not knowing who you'll be when the kids no longer need you? It's normal.

The whiplash from rapidly switching roles from mom to professional, family project manager, and community caregiver that leaves your head spinning? Also normal.

The constant trade-offs that cost you time, energy, and joy? Also normal.

I’m not saying this to make you feel worse—only to point out that this is pretty much a universal experience of motherhood. You are not alone.

What if acknowledging all this helped you see how much you are carrying, while also recognizing that change is necessary - and possible?

In this episode, we explore four ways to navigate the mental load of motherhood, helping you find more mental ease, joy, and comfort in your daily life.

Link mentioned:

Attend my Influence & Ignite Retreat for Women Business Owners: shamelessmom.com/retreat

We love the sponsors that make this show possible! You can always find all the special deals and codes for all our current sponsors on our website: https://shamelessmom.com/sponsor

Interested in becoming a sponsor of the Shameless Mom Academy? Email our sales team at sales@adalystmedia.com

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

894: Sienna Lytle: Adult Autism, Inclusive Systems, and Corporate Accountability Jul 24, 2024

Sienna Lytle, a dedicated Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DI&B) leader and practitioner, has a passion that lies in helping individuals and organizations create environments where everyone feels valued and empowered. She believes embracing diversity isn’t just the right thing to do; it’s a catalyst for innovation and growth.

With 15 years of experience in consulting operations and multiple DEI certifications, Sienna has had the privilege of collaborating with amazing humans on various teams to foster inclusive cultures. As a Black woman late-diagnosed with ADHD and autism, Sienna is also shifting a lot of her work into researching and advocating for neurodiversity in the workplace.

Sienna lives in a transracial, blended family with her husband Jamie and their three teenage sons in Wisconsin where she loves enjoying the outdoors, cooking restaurant-worthy meals for her friends, and anything related to Beyonce.

Listen in to Sienna share:

The intersection of white supremacy, capitalism, and our current corporate landscape
The significance of honoring historical markers and organizational memories to keep us accountable to consistently moving forward
Her identity as a Black cisgender mom and bonus mom to three sons, a wife, a member of a multi-racial family, and an autistic person with Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA) and ADHD
How she discovered her autism diagnosis in recent years
How she sees the worldview around autism expanding
How systems of inclusion for neurodiversity make navigating the world better for everyone
The importance of clarity, patience, and grace when creating inclusive systems

Links mentioned:

Attend my Influence & Ignite Retreat for Women Business Owners: shamelessmom.com/retreat
Connect with Sienna: siennalytle.com

We love the sponsors that make this show possible! You can always find all the special deals and codes for all our current sponsors on our website: https://shamelessmom.com/sponsor

Interested in becoming a sponsor of the Shameless Mom Academy? Email our sales team at sales@adalystmedia.com

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

893: What Era Are You In? Jul 22, 2024

I have to tread lightly here, lest I offend my Swiftie listeners! This episode is the only one in which I’ve spoken about Taylor Swift. Generally speaking, I feel wholly unqualified to speak about her, as I recognize I don’t know nearly as much about her as most of her rabid fans do. However, as someone who has watched her sweep the globe in one fell swoop over the last 18 months, I find her fascinating to watch and learn from.

As I have watched people share experiences from the Eras Tour on social media, I started thinking about Taylor’s impact over the course of decades, or eras. I’ve seen many outfits and costumes representing her various eras. This got me thinking - what about my eras? What about your eras? What era are you in? What era are you coming from? And, which era are you heading toward?

If we take a moment to characterize the era we are in, it seems we may be able to influence who we are in this current moment as well as who we are becoming. This feels powerful. In this episode, we talk about the importance of knowing what era you’re in, what you want to release in this era, what you want to embrace in this era, and what this era says about who you are becoming.

Link mentioned:

Attend my Influence & Ignite Retreat for Women Business Owners: shamelessmom.com/retreat

We love the sponsors that make this show possible! You can always find all the special deals and codes for all our current sponsors on our website: https://shamelessmom.com/sponsor

Interested in becoming a sponsor of the Shameless Mom Academy? Email our sales team at sales@adalystmedia.com

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892: Leah Neaderthal: How Women Sell Themselves Short When It Comes to Selling Jul 17, 2024

Leah Neaderthal is a Shameless Mom of 2 littles, a stroke survivor, a sales coach for women consultants, and the founder of Smart Gets Paid. In her program, The Academy, she teaches women how to get more of the right consulting clients and get paid more for every consulting contract.

She’s also the host of The Smart Gets Paid podcast, where listeners go behind the scenes into her actual calls with clients where Leah is tackling their biggest sales challenges, and they can learn sales strategies they can use in their businesses.

Before starting Smart Gets Paid, Leah built, grew, and sold three businesses. Learn more about Leah at smartgetspaid.com.

Listen in to hear Leah share:

Her experience of having a stroke at age 36
Her major life lessons on time management that came with becoming a mother
How motherhood helped her overcome some Type A habits
How to use small amounts of time (just a few minutes) to take care of yourself and your body
Why women are so uncomfortable with selling and advocating for ourselves
What “bro marketing is” and how to avoid it when you’re promoting your services or your ideas at work
How women embracing sales helps us train people how to treat women on a larger scale

Links mentioned:

Attend my Influence & Ignite Retreat for Women Business Owners: shamelessmom.com/retreat
Connect with Leah: https://www.smartgetspaid.com/
Leah’s Podcast: Smart Gets Paid
Leah on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/leahtn/

We love the sponsors that make this show possible! You can always find all the special deals and codes for all our current sponsors on our website: https://shamelessmom.com/sponsor

Interested in becoming a sponsor of the Shameless Mom Academy? Email our sales team at sales@adalystmedia.com

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

891: How to Maintain a Growth Mindset in Spite of Traumatic Times Jul 15, 2024

Today’s episode is an episode from almost two years ago where I talk about collective trauma and growth mindset. As I listened back to this episode recently, I was quick to realize the collective trauma we were experiencing two years ago as we clawed our way out of Covid still hasn’t been healed. From where I’m sitting, people are still suffering in tremendous ways and as we approach what many consider to be the most disappointing and disheartening election season of our lives, the sense of instability and insecurity across the US cannot be overstated.

Given the state of the US and the world, I thought it would be helpful and supportive to revisit this episode so we can continue to move forward and see potential in our day-to-day lives, in spite of all the things we cannot control.

An article on collective trauma in Psychology Today states that collective trauma “can change the entire fabric of a community… In fact, collective trauma can impact relationships, alter policies and governmental processes, alter the way the society functions, and even change its social norms.”

Once we acknowledge that we are experiencing this and have been for years now, we can see how our mindsets have shifted to match this arduous cultural moment in history. In fact, it stands to reason that we have quite possibly (and very understandably) shifted our default mindset to a fixed mindset framework, instead of a growth mindset framework. Best-selling author, Carol Dweck, provides fantastic guidance around this terminology and topic.

In this Greatest Hits episode, we explore why you might be defaulting to fixed mindset, how it’s limiting you, and how to shift out of it to see more opportunities, potential & possibilities in your life - instead of defaulting to seeing obstacles & roadblocks. This isn’t to say the obstacles aren’t real. Things are hard. But let’s uncover how to hold space for two truths:

Things are hard.
You are resourceful and resilient and can make great things happen in your life.

Links mentioned:

Attend my Influence & Ignite Retreat for Women Business Owners: shamelessmom.com/retreat
Psychology Today article: What is Collective Trauma?
Book: Mindset by Carol Dweck

We love the sponsors that make this show possible! You can always find all the special deals and codes for all our current sponsors on our website: https://shamelessmom.com/sponsor

Interested in becoming a sponsor of the Shameless Mom Academy? Email our sales team at sales@adalystmedia.com

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

890: La’Kita Williams: Managing Chronic Illness as a Working Mom and Founder Jul 10, 2024

La’Kita Williams is the founder and principal strategist of CoCreate Work, a workplace culture consultancy guiding businesses to systems-level changes that result in measurable successes and true inclusivity.

As a certified professional coach with a Masters in Social Work and 20+ years of experience, La’Kita is passionate about helping leaders perform the deep work of personal transformation, which is a critical element for organizational transformation. She firmly believes culture is not separate from strategy — it IS strategy. She has done culture-building work with organizations from small businesses to Fortune 500 companies. La’Kita has been quoted in several national outlets including The New York Times and written for Harvard Business Review.

While I love and admire everything La’Kita is doing professionally, I really wanted to talk to her on a more personal level for this conversation. I’m grateful she was willing to dive in and go deep with this conversation!

Listen to hear La’Kita share:

How a health crisis in the middle of the pandemic upended her life and resulted in her diagnosis of Multiple Sclerosis
How her diagnosis impacted her 4 children who were ages 10-20 years old at the time of her diagnosis
The changes she had to make with her relationship with ambition as a result of her diagnosis
How she uses Spoon Theory to manage her energy daily
Her advice to other leaders or folks who are managing chronic illnesses, including what pieces and resources to get in place to protect yourself at work
What needs to happen systemically to provide protection for people with chronic illnesses so that disclosing chronic illness isn’t putting someone at risk of losing their job
The critical importance of flexible schedules and WFH flexibility across all organizations and industries who claim to be creating accessible, inclusive workplaces and communities
What her company, Co-Create, does to create a great culture in the organizations they partner with
Her vision of the future of leadership

Links mentioned:

Connect with La’Kita and her work: cocreatework.com
La'Kita's Instagram
La'Kita's LinkedIn
CoCreate Work Instagram
CoCreate Work LinkedIn

We love the sponsors that make this show possible! You can always find all the special deals and codes for all our current sponsors on our website: https://shamelessmom.com/sponsor

Interested in becoming a sponsor of the Shameless Mom Academy? Email our sales team at sales@adalystmedia.com

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

889: What Is Agency and the Importance of Developing It Jul 08, 2024

So, what is personal agency?

According to Shaun Gallagher and his work on philosophical conceptions of the self, personal agency refers to, “the sense that I am the one who is causing or generating an action.” This means that a person with a sense of agency perceives themselves as the subject influencing their own actions and life circumstances.

A couple of years ago, I had the chance to do a three-day Trauma-Informed Practice Intensive for Coaches and Leaders. One of the things we kept coming back to over the course of these three days was making sure we, as coaches and leaders, are creating spaces that allow our clients a strong sense of agency.

As we dug into this from various angles and examined it through the lens of trauma, I got more and more curious and started doing my own research on the side. I know, super nerd alert. I love geeking out on this stuff. While I won’t bore you with the super coachy stuff, I do want to share with you the juicy parts that I know have the potential to benefit you right away.

One of the best parts of my job is providing you with tools to see your own power and your own ability to make choices that serve you. I want you to feel confident in your own sense of self and sense of agency that guides your decision-making and action-taking.

In this Greatest Hits episode, I dig into:

What personal agency is and what it can mean for you
Why is a sense of agency important
6 ways to develop your sense of agency

It is my hope that developing your sense of agency will give you clarity and discernment around who you are and who you are becoming, and that, in turn, will impact how you show up and have impact in the world.

Links mentioned:

Trudi Lebron: trudilebron.com
Article: https://www.mindful.org/seven-ways-to-develop-personal-agency/

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888: Heather Boorman-Morris: An Intimate Look at Covert Narcissistic Abuse Jul 03, 2024

Heather Boorman-Morris, LCSW lives a life of truth-telling, compassion, and curiosity. She dedicates her professional work to advocate for individual and systemic wellness, and does so through her writing, speaking, and outpatient therapy practice specializing in trauma and neurodiversity. After awakening to the truth that she had been living in an abusive relationship for two decades, Heather expanded her advocacy work to challenge society’s inaccurate conceptions of who gets abused and what abusers look like.

Her latest book, A Thousand Paper Cuts, brings readers inside the mind, heart, and experiences of a victim of covert narcissistic abuse. With raw vulnerability, Heather shares her story, from love bombing to devaluing to freedom, highlighting the destructiveness an abuser can have without ever raising his fist.

Over the last few years, different forms of narcissism and abuse in the form of coercive control have come on my radar. This kind of abuse is among the most dangerous forms of abuse because of how long it takes victims to realize they are being abused. I know people who have experienced this form of abuse in their marriages and in family relationships such as mother/daughter relationships. Because these kinds of abusers are so charming and charismatic to the outside world, their victims often feel they will not be believed if they share their abuse. And so they keep quiet for years, if not decades.

When Heather reached out to me to talk about her experience in getting out of a marriage where she was the victim of what I now know is called covert narcissistic abuse as well as her professional experience as a therapist uncovering the data around this kind of abuse, I immediately said yes. This conversation is so important. It is very likely that you know someone enduring a relationship with a covert narcissist.

Listen in to hear Heather share:

How narcissism personality disorder exists on a spectrum and the difference between overt and covert narcissism
How she got involved in a relationship with a narcissist and what the coercive control looked like from the very beginning of their relationship
What narcissists are looking for when they seek out partners
How she recognized 19 years into her marriage that she was in an abusive relationship
The vulnerability and massive fear of engaging her family and friends to help her see how she had been gaslit over the years
How she finally got out of her marriage
Her decision to write about her story
What someone can do if they think they are in an abusive relationship with a narc/covert abuser

Links mentioned:

Get information about my September Influence & Ignite Retreat for Women Business Owners: shamelessmom.com/retreat
Connect with Heather: www.heatherboormanmorris.com
Book: A Thousand Paper Cuts
Podcast with Heather and Antwan: www.startingstronger.com
Heather’s Podcast: www.thefringybit.com
Heather on Facebook
Instagram:@ startingstrongerpodcast and @thefringybit

We love the sponsors that make this show possible! You can always find all the special deals and codes for all our current sponsors on our website: https://shamelessmom.com/sponsor

Interested in becoming a sponsor of the Shameless Mom Academy? Email our sales team at sales@adalystmedia.com

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

887: 5 Ways to Make Trying Something New Less Scary Jul 01, 2024

Two years ago, I did my first triathlon in 18 years. It was an incredible experience - one that I seriously considered postponing for another year. Life was hectic in the summer of 2022 and we were traveling for part of the summer. I knew my training would be imperfect and somewhat cobbled together. I had to choose between making this a 12-month goal or a two month (very imperfect) goal. I opted for the latter.

Whether you're working toward a new goal or returning to an old one, I encourage you to reflect on how you're approaching your goal. Your perspective and approach will significantly influence your experience and outcomes.

When I competed in triathlons 18-22 years ago, it was a tremendous amount of work and stress. Much of the training felt like a grind, and the entire process was constantly intense.

At the age of 46, and having been away from the sport for so long, you might expect that the intensity and stress would return when I started training again. However, that was not the case.

This time, I was very intentional about my approach to this goal. By focusing on enjoying the journey, I was able to savor every moment of training and every second of race day. This shift in perspective made a profound difference in my experience.

In this Greatest Hits episode, I talk you through how you can make a scary goal more approachable and less scary so you can give yourself permission to go after what you want without the weight of fear, doubt, and perfectionism holding you back for the entire journey.

Link mentioned:

Get information about my September Influence & Ignite Retreat for Women Business Owners: shamelessmom.com/retreat

We love the sponsors that make this show possible! You can always find all the special deals and codes for all our current sponsors on our website: https://shamelessmom.com/sponsor

Interested in becoming a sponsor of the Shameless Mom Academy? Email our sales team at sales@adalystmedia.com

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

886: Kevin Loeffler: Finally Healing Through Gender Identity Exploration Jun 26, 2024

Featured in leading publications like CEO Magazine and Luxury Lifestyle Magazine, Kevin Loeffler (they/themme) is the Founder and CEO of Finally Kevin!, an inspirational Gender Identity speaker, and author of the upcoming book, "Finally Kevin” (Spring 2025). Kevin's unique journey allows audiences of all generations to understand what gender identity is and, just as importantly, what it is not. Kevin empowers parents and community leaders, regardless of age or background, with the knowledge necessary to increase authentic allyship skills for their gender-diverse loved ones. For almost 50 years, Kevin lived as the person they thought their parents, wives, children, and employers wanted them to be, never daring to be their authentic selves in front of any of them. Their heartwarming story of choosing to live as their transparent self by announcing their gender identity to the world at the age of 63 has landed them numerous media and speaking opportunities.

I was introduced to Kevin by friend of the SMA and past guest of the show, Elena Joy Thurston. While Kevin and I recorded this episode a few months ago, I saved it to release during Pride Month because it feels like the perfect closing to this special month. Happy Pride to all our LGBTQIA+ community members. We love you and want you to be 100% you 100% of the time.

Listen in to hear Kevin share:

How Kevin became Finally Kevin! and what their transformation as a non-binary person has looked like
What led them to start to live their femme tendencies out loud after 50 years
The interconnectedness between shame and addiction in Kevin’s life
The difference between gender identity and sexual orientation
The beauty and power of being able to finally “get out of bed free”
What life feels like to finally be Kevin after 50 years of stifling Kevin
How LinkedIn became the safe place for Kevin to begin to own their identity publicly

Links mentioned:

Kevin’s Programs and Resources: Finallykevin.com
Kevin on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevinmloeffler
Kevin on FB: https://www.facebook.com/kmloeffler/

We love the sponsors that make this show possible! You can always find all the special deals and codes for all our current sponsors on our website: https://shamelessmom.com/sponsor

Interested in becoming a sponsor of the Shameless Mom Academy? Email our sales team at sales@adalystmedia.com

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

885: 3 Ways to Practice Speaking Up in Meaningful Ways Jun 24, 2024

Speaking up for ourselves, others, our ideas, and important issues can feel pretty uncomfortable, if not downright scary. Speaking up is a skill, that takes practice - like a muscle that must be built and strengthened over time.

In this Greatest Hits episode, I share about an event where I spoke a couple of years ago. After my session, there was time for Q&A and the question folks kept circling back to was, “How do I start to speak up so I can play a bigger game?”

A number of attendees noted they were so in the habit of not speaking up that they didn’t know where or how to start using their voices.

Because women have been socialized to stay small and quiet, if can take extra effort (and bravery!) to actually use our voices.

I gave these women three simple, low-risk steps to start practicing speaking up:

Practice stating your preferences out loud
Practice stating your needs out loud
Practice sharing opposing opinions in neutral ways

These steps are intended to be practiced over time, in this order. Start out with low-risk/low exposure steps. The stakes are typically pretty low when you’re stating a preference: “I prefer pepperoni pizza to sausage & mushroom.” Or, “I would prefer to watch Movie ABC vs Movie XYZ this evening.”

Once you’ve practiced this a few times, try to share a need with a loved one: “I need some time to myself, so I’m going to take myself to lunch and a movie this weekend.” Practice this a few times.

Once you’ve practiced these lower-stakes ways of speaking up, you can start to test higher-stakes ways of speaking up. This is where you can start to practice sharing an opposing opinion in a neutral way, “Thank you for sharing your opinion/experience. That hasn’t been my experience.” Or, “Thank you for sharing your opinion/experience. I see it differently.” Make sure to listen in to the episode to learn how to do #3 safely, this part is important!

The goal is to build your “Speak Up muscle” and then continually strengthen it over time. The outcomes you can expect include: feeling seen and heard, experiencing a stronger sense of power and autonomy, realizing your voice matters and can impact others and inspire change, and enjoying a sense of freedom over owning and honoring your voice. While speaking up can feel scary, I promise it is well worth it!

We love the sponsors that make this show possible! You can always find all the special deals and codes for all our current sponsors on our website: https://shamelessmom.com/sponsor

Interested in becoming a sponsor of the Shameless Mom Academy? Email our sales team at sales@adalystmedia.com

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884: Jasmine Bradshaw: Talking To Your Kids About Race on Juneteenth Jun 19, 2024

This is a Greatest Hits episode especially chosen in celebration of Juneteenth which is today, June 19th. This interview is from the first time I interviewed Jasmine in 2020. Little did I know that she would become a trusted friend and colleague. Jasmine is the first race educator from whom I learned about Juneteenth, well before it became a national holiday. I am sharing this episode with you in hopes that you talk to your kids about race today in celebration of Juneteenth.

Jasmine Bradshaw is a researcher, educator, and podcaster who truly believes that creating a more loving, inclusive, and just society starts within the sacred walls of our homes. Her podcast, First Name Basis, exists to give parents the tools they need to teach their children about race, religion, and culture. Her community makes parents feel empowered and gives them the confidence they need to create lasting change in their sphere of influence.

Listen in to hear Jasmine share:

Why and how race exists as a social construct
How to have early conversations about race and skin tone with your kids
How to lay the groundwork for conversations about race in order to have deeper, more difficult conversations with kids as they get older
How to talk to your child’s school about their efforts toward diversity and inclusion
How to talk to your child’s school about the versions of American history they teach
How to be a better anti-racist in order to teach your children to be anti-racists
How you can move from good intentions to confident action in your anti-racism work

Links mentioned:

Connect with Jasmine: Firstnamebasis.org
Jasmine’s Podcast: First Name Basis
Jasmine on IG
Join Jasmine’s Patreon: patreon.com/firstnamebasis
First Name Basis Juneteenth Episode: What is Juneteenth?
Purchase Juneteenth Jubilee at the First Name Basis Online Store
Teaching Tolerance Resources: https://www.tolerance.org/

We love the sponsors that make this show possible! You can always find all the special deals and codes for all our current sponsors on our website: https://shamelessmom.com/sponsor

Interested in becoming a sponsor of the Shameless Mom Academy? Email our sales team at sales@adalystmedia.com

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

883: Marisa Peters: Mission-Driven Rectal Cancer Survivor Jun 17, 2024

Marisa Peters is a rectal cancer survivor, women’s health thought leader, and founder of BE SEEN. Marisa was diagnosed with Stage 3 rectal cancer in 2021 when she was 39 years old despite being an otherwise healthy and active mother of three young boys. She is on a mission to help other people take their colorectal health very seriously because it is, well, very serious. This conversation was so informative and, dare I say, even fun! The timing could not have been more perfect as we recorded this right before I was scheduled for my second colonoscopy as someone who has a family history of colon cancer. This gave Marisa and me much content for fodder!

Friends, listen to this episode, go sign the BE SEEN Pledge, and then get yourself scheduled for a colonoscopy. This is critical self-care.

Listen in to hear Marisa share:

Symptoms of colon cancer to be looking for: blood loss through poop, increased urine urge, stomach pain, extreme fatigue
What you should be asking your doctor for if you have any concerns about color-tectal symptoms
Her journey of being dismissed by doctors as she experienced symptoms over the course of 5.5 years before finally being diagnosed
Your different options for your colonoscopy prep
What to expect during your first colonoscopy
How she talked to and continues to talk to her children about her cancer diagnosis and treatment
What family support looked like and how they had to learn how to receive support as people who were used to being the givers of support in their community
How to hold space for family and friends after they have gone through treatment - when they may be cancer free, but are still recovering physically and emotionally
Why you and your family should take the BE SEEN Pledge to take steps toward maintaining colorectal health

Links mentioned:

Connect with Marisa and Be Seen: beseen.care
Take the Be Seen Pledge: https://beseen.care/take-the-be-seen-pledge
Marisa and Be Seen on IG
Marisa and Be Seen on FB
Marisa on LinkedIn

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882: The Importance of Noticing How You Feel in New Places Jun 12, 2024

Last week I had the opportunity to head to campus for 3 days as part of my graduate school experience. While much of my program is online, from time to time I will have the chance to head to campus for these 3-day immersive experiences. I was so excited for this first chance to be on campus and meet some of my professors and classmates.

When entering a new space, there is always some discomfort. I felt that on the first morning as I entered the classroom. I sat with that discomfort for a bit and really listened to it. As I listened inward throughout our first morning, my discomfort gradually shifted to excitement. I could feel in my bones that I was in exactly the place I was meant to be.

I’ve had a few days to think about this experience of stepping into something new, unfamiliar, and uncomfortable. I realized there are some important pieces of how I navigated this discomfort that can be helpful to anyone entering a new experience or environment.

In this episode, I walk you through my experience in this class situation while also offering key insights into how you can step into new experiences and quickly discern if it's the right place for you right now, how to navigate your discomfort, how to shift anxiety into excitement, and how to create space for the growth opportunities that will likely open up for you.

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881: Elena Joy Thurston, Zach Meiners, and Dustin Rayburn: The Untold Truths of Conversion Therapy Jun 10, 2024

Today’s episode showcases three guests currently featured in the new documentary, Conversion. This critical documentary exposes the deep trauma conversion therapy causes our LGBTQIA+ community members. Often conversion therapy is veiled as something far different from what it is. This interview and the movie expose the insidiousness and prevalence of conversion therapy in our communities today. I am so honored to have been given the opportunity to interview Elena Joy Thurston, Zach Meiners, and Dustin Rayburn to talk about their incredible movie.

Elena Joy Thurston, she/her, is the CEO of LATITUDE, a boutique HR consultancy that specializes in creating psychological safety on corporate teams. Her viral TEDx talk on surviving conversion therapy, with over 45,000 views, propelled her exposure, resulting in media spots on ABC, CBS, and FOX.

Zach Meiners, he/him, is the founder, President, and Creative Director of Chronicle Cinema, a full service media production company, where he has produced national ad campaigns, corporate events, and award-winning entertainment.

Dustin Rayburn, they/them, is a performer and activist best known by their stage name, Dusty Ray Bottoms. Dusty gained notoriety on season 10 of the Emmy Award Winning TV Show RuPaul's Drag Race.

Listen in to hear Elena Joy, Zach, and Dustin share:

What conversion therapy is
Their personal experiences with conversion therapy
What conversion therapy looks like and the insidiousness of covert conversion therapy
The retraumatization of realizing you went through conversation therapy without even knowing that’s what it was
How being part of the creation of this documentary has been healing for each of them
How conversion therapy changes the brain in a way that doesn’t allow for closure in healing - meaning the healing is ongoing and forever
What parents should know about conversion therapy as it relates to their kids and the other kids in our respective communities
How to show allyship through your commitment to learning about LGBTQIA+ issues

Links mentioned:

Preorder Conversion: https://tv.apple.com/us/movie/conversion/umc.cmc.75rmpixysv3qoksxyus5zq9rr
Watch the Conversion Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?si=U50wbO3MfANkAxdQ&v=oyLEJtQ6MTI&feature=youtu.be
More info on the Conversion doc: https://www.conversionmovie.com/
Elena Joy on SMA Episode 595: Living Out Loud After Enduring Life Threatening Conversion Therapy
Conversion movie on IG
Elena Joy on IG
Dustin on IG
Zach on IG

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880: The Patriarchal Lie of Work/Life Balance Jun 05, 2024

Work-life balance is not a thing. Not only is it not a thing, but the idea of it is founded on a lie. It is an idea and philosophy that the Patriarchy feeds to women as something to be desired, something to be attained, something to aspire to.

As feminism has evolved over the last few decades, many of us have been told that, “This is your time! Finally, women can have it all.” Sounds great in theory. But we have been given no resources and no support. But without resources, support, and systemic restructuring (philosophical and logistical) there is no way for this to be lived. It’s an idea and a lie that allows the Patriarchy to look like they care. Cute, huh?

We have been conditioned that because we can have it all, we should go after it all. And then once we go after it all and fill every millimeter and pore of our metaphorical plates, we should also keep it all balanced in some picture-perfect mathematical ratio - as if our lives are as simple as some sort of formula or squeaky clean quadratic equation.

We are told if we have better balance, we wouldn’t be so stressed out all the time.

We are told if we have better balance, we will be better moms and our kids will be more likely to thrive.

We are told we are lucky to live in an era where we can work full time (if not more) and also parent full time - cramming 48 hours of work into every 24-hour day.

Because we are told this lie is true and possible, we are left to feel inadequate, guilty, and resentful when we cannot figure out how to make it work.

When we are working, we feel guilty that we aren’t parenting. When we are parenting, we feel guilty that we aren’t working.

If you feel like you don’t have a work-life balance, it’s because there is no such thing. You are not the only one who feels inadequate in your constant journey toward this farce. Millions of us are standing beside you. And, we are tired too.

This Greatest Hits episode is an invitation to exhale, see a new truth, and give yourself permission to start living in a reality that allows you to release all feelings of failure and inadequacy because they were never yours to own.

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879: Parijat Deshpande: The Unseen Impact of Traumatic Stress and Collective Trauma Jun 03, 2024

Parijat Deshpande is the founder and CEO of Ruvelle, the only trauma-informed wellness company specifically dedicated to improving high-risk pregnancy outcomes, reducing preterm birth, and supporting parents on the entire high-risk pregnancy journey. On a mission to end the high-risk pregnancy crisis, she has served and supported thousands of clients through her live events, one-on-one work, her bestselling book, Pregnancy Brain: A Mind-Body Approach to Stress Management During a High-Risk Pregnancy, and the Body Language Journal.

I am thrilled to welcome Parijat back to the show as a second-time guest. I have watched her work evolve over the years since she was last on the show and I had a sense that now is just the right time to have her come back - this time to talk about traumatic stress and collective trauma.

Listen in to hear Parijat share:

Her path to working in women’s health and serving women who are enduring health trauma
The significance of trauma-informed medical care and where we are currently going wrong without it
What it’s like for people with medical trauma to navigate the world without people understanding their experience
How the pandemic created a situation of global collective trauma that we are still very much living in
What needs to happen for us to heal from collective trauma
When we don’t have collective safety, how we can find support at any given moment by addressing our own physiological needs
How we have shifted from living in collective trauma to living in a collective functional freeze
What trauma-sensitive medical care actually looks like

Links mentioned:

Connect with Parijat and Ruvelle: www.ruvelle.com
Parijat and Ruvelle on IG

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878: Finding Gratitude When You’re Not Feeling Grateful May 29, 2024

Sometimes life is messy, ugly, and downright cruel. Currently, I have a number of loved ones going through really big, messy, unfair, hard things. When we find ourselves in these moments or seasons it can be so hard to keep going. The overwhelming emotions of frustration, disappointment, fear, and fatigue can make it really hard to rise and shine and face each day.

I certainly don’t want to suggest you bypass these hard feelings. That won’t help you. In fact, that will only harm you in the long run. But, I do want to encourage you to find a way to make space to hold multiple truths and multiple layers of feelings and emotions. Life can be absolutely awful and full of beautiful moments at the same time. We experience this regularly in motherhood. And, we certainly experienced this during the pandemic.

In the middle of your very worst day, your toddler finds a precious rock or stick and is filled with utter delight. This creates delight for you too. In the middle of a stressful season of work, your teen says, “Mom, I love you - even if I’m a jerk sometimes.” Your heart melts. In the middle of a nasty fight with a loved one, your dog or cat comes and cozies up on the couch next to you to show love and alliance. You know they always know what you need most.

Being able to notice these little magical moments amidst the messy ones is what keeps us moving forward. In this episode, I talk you through how to use unconventional gratitude practices to get through sticky emotions.

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877: What’s Your Ideal Outcome? May 27, 2024

Many of my coaching clients, business and executive coaching clients alike, come to me to talk through the options that lie in front of them. Often times, it seems they are faced with two options and both have pros and cons. While the pros might look exciting, the cons are just the opposite. They can fill one with dread, if not total anxiety.

What I have noticed time and time again is that when we think there are only two options, we are telling ourselves a little lie. The truth is, in most situations, there are more options. They just might not be as obvious. It might take some creativity, and outside influence to see that they exist.

I was recently working with an executive coaching client who had two options in front of her. Both had some serious pros - exciting components she hadn’t seen coming. And… both had some serious cons. As we talked through which option might be the best for her right now, we both felt unsettled with each option. So, I asked her a simple question, “What would be an ideal outcome for you in this situation?”

In talking through what she really wanted out of this situation, a third option begann to arise. As we talked through the third option, she started to get excited. She realized she could make up a third option out of the best parts of the two options that had been presented to her. We left this call with her feeling so much clarity and optimism.

In this episode, I walk you through three questions to ask yourself when you’re on the brink of making a decision. Then, I give you three ways to dig deep to discover options that might not be immediately presenting themselves.

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876: Kristi Coulter: Living and Leaving Amazon and Corporate Sexism May 22, 2024

Kristi Coulter is the author of the acclaimed memoirs Exit Interview: The Life and Death of My Ambitious Career and Nothing Good Can Come From This, and a finalist for the Washington State Book Award. Her writing has appeared in The Paris Review, New York Magazine/The Cut, Elle, Glamour, DAME, Big Technology, and elsewhere. She has been a guest and commentator for media outlets ranging from Kara Swisher and Scott Galloway's Pivot podcast to the Evercore Investor Forum to NPR's Live Wire Radio. Coulter has taught creative writing at the University of Washington, University of Michigan, and Hugo House. She lives in Seattle and Los Angeles.

EXIT INTERVIEW tells the story of Kristi’s twelve-year career at Amazon, where she held numerous leadership roles in an obsessively driven, punishing work culture that was particularly unfriendly to women (though not exactly great for men, either!). Her experience included thrills and exhilarating achievements along with alcohol abuse, burnout, and disillusionment. Ultimately, Kristi recognized that for her ambition to live and thrive, she would need to leave the alpha-male rigidity of Big Tech. Her story is incredible. I could not put this book down!

Listen in to hear Kristi share:

Her deeply thoughtful and personal story of professional endurance within the “alpha-male rigidity of Big Tech”
The significance of unconscious sexism in the workplace and the impact on men and women
Her nerves around the publication of the book and what her co-workers and fellow Amazonians might think
How her ambition didn’t die when she left Amazon, but it outgrew Amazon and corporate spaces
The messaging she received around success as a Gen Xer and how she sees this shifting for younger generations
How she had to overcome people pleasing to write honestly and ethically about other people who may feel called out when reading book
What burnout looked like and how easy it was to not see it or acknowledge it
How her gray area drinking impacted her career at Amazon

Links mentioned:

Connect with Kristi: www.kristicoulter.com
Book: Exit Interview: The Life and Death of My Ambitious Career
Book: Nothing Good Can Come From This
Kristi on IG
Kristi on LinkedIn

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875: Navigating Passion, Purpose, and Strategic Shifts May 20, 2024

I am often asked, "Sara, how do I discover my passion?" It's a question typically accompanied by a sense of frustration over not having found it yet.

We're often led to believe that unless we're wholly devoted to something we're passionate about, we're squandering our time and talents. However, I propose that it's sometimes acceptable to engage in pursuits that don't ignite our passion entirely, especially if they offer security and stability—like a steady paycheck and benefits.

Of course, pursuing meaningful work that resonates with our passions and provides a sense of purpose is undeniably appealing. Additionally, the world eagerly awaits the gifts you have to offer, so withholding them would be a disservice.

So, how do you discern when to pursue your passions? How do you identify the endeavor you want to pursue passionately? And when is the right moment to pivot or make a strategic shift?

For 20+ years, I've dedicated considerable effort to building businesses centered around work that deeply resonates with me—work that fills me with purpose. However, there have also been times, even seasons, when I've found myself in less-than-thrilling situations as I strategically plotted my next move. In this episode, I'll recount a few examples to illustrate what this process looks like in reality.

Whether you're contemplating a pivot or shift right now or crafting a five-year plan toward your purpose, I've got you covered. This episode will give you great insight.

Link mentioned:

Interested in Business Coaching with Sara? Email us at info@shamelessmom.com with the subject line: Business Coaching and we will send you details on Sara’s 6 month One-on-One Business & Coaching Package!

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874: Katie Krimitsos: How to Rediscover “What Do I Want For Myself?” May 15, 2024

Katie Krimitsos is the creator of the Women’s Meditation Network, a collection of 20 guided meditation podcasts that help listeners feel calmer, sleep easier, release anxiety, and consciously create their lives. Her meditations have been listened to over 140 million times by women all around the world. She’s a writer at heart, has a soft spot for animals, adores her Greek hubby, loves a good margarita, and treasures the job of raising her two girls.

Katie has become a dear friend as we have navigated podcasting and entrepreneurship together. She has been a guest on the SMA multiple times. Our conversations are always fire and magic. We were video messaging back and forth recently about our childhoods and parenting and it got deep fast. After a bit, we both said, “We really should record this conversation!” So, here it is…

Listen in to hear Katie share:

The red flags that alert you to the fact that you're disconnected from your sense of self
Why it can be so difficult to answer the question, “What do I want?”
How we are personally and professionally impacted by what our parents modeled throughout our childhood
The power of recognizing what was missing from your childhood - even if your childhood was really great
How to unpack your childhood a bit to acknowledge what you might need to release
Easily accessible tools that can help you begin to listen inward
Permission to not know what you want and how to start connecting to what you want

Links mentioned:

Find all of Katie’s Meditation Podcasts on Apple Podcasts: Womens Meditation Network
Connect with Katie or WMN resources: womensmeditationnetwork.com
Meditation for Moms: I See You, Mama with Sara Dean

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873: Change This Internal Feedback Loop to Gain Self-Trust May 13, 2024

Women often find themselves grappling with a complex and sometimes sticky relationship with self-trust. From a young age, we are subtly conditioned to doubt our own instincts and inner knowing. This societal conditioning seeps into our subconscious, creating a disconnect from our innate self-trust and inner knowing that persists throughout our lives.

The erosion of self-trust often sets off a cascade of detrimental effects on our well-being. We find ourselves trapped in internal feedback loops that echo with damaging self-talk:

“I’m not good enough.”

“I’m not worthy of success or love.”

“I must not be trying hard enough.”

"Everyone else seems to have it all figured out, why can't I?"

“No one really cares about what I think or feel.”

These thoughts become our default narrative, undermining our confidence and distorting our perceptions of reality. The cycle perpetuates, reinforcing the belief that we are inherently flawed or inadequate.

Do any of these sentiments resonate with you?

In this episode, I aim to guide you through a common dysfunctional feedback loop, shedding light on its mechanisms and implications. Then I will walk you through a more healthy and productive feedback loop—one rooted in self-compassion, empowerment, and trust.

My hope is that by unraveling the patterns of self-doubt and negative social narratives, you can begin to reclaim your inherent self-trust and rewrite the script of your self-narrative, allowing you to embrace your worthiness and reshape the way you perceive yourself and your capabilities.

Link mentioned:

SMA Ep 391: Why Moms Lack Self-Trust https://shamelessmom.com/episode/why-moms-lack-self-trust/

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872: Take Back Your Time: Time Management Tips for Busy Moms May 08, 2024

As a busy mom, time becomes your most precious resource, but it often feels like there's never enough. Effective time management is crucial for achieving your goals and avoiding the overwhelm that comes with motherhood.

There are some simple strategies that you can put in place immediately to help you protect your time and energy. Additionally, I want to provide you with some mindset resets around time management that will help you see time and how you use it in new ways.

In this episode, we'll explore practical strategies to help you reclaim your time and find a sense of balance amidst the chaos of family life. From reevaluating your schedule to embracing the concept of unscheduling, you'll discover how to create more mental space and carve out time for self-care and pursuing your dreams.

By gaining a few new time management skills, you'll build the confidence you need to make the most of your time and create a life that aligns with your priorities. Whether you're craving more time for yourself, more quality time with your family, or wanting to pursue a big goal, this episode offers actionable tips to help you navigate the challenges of being a busy mom while still making room for what truly matters.

Links mentioned:

SMA Ep 105: 7 Secrets To Slow Down & Simplify
SMA Ep 397: 4 Time Management Mindset Shifts For Moms

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871: I’m A Really Bad Friend Right Now May 06, 2024

The title of this episode might have some of you judging me. I get it. Before you judge, hear me out…

A few years ago, I listened to the book FINISH by Jon Acuff. Then, I read the hard copy. Then, I chose the book for the book club inside our SMA membership community. I loved (and still love) this book. The book is all about how to finish the things you start. One of Jon’s tools in finishing your top priority goals or action items is to simultaneously “choose what to bomb”. Sometimes, if you need to get the big, important things done you have to let yourself completely fail in other areas.

As I find myself in this season of working full time while, navigating month 11 of my husband’s unemployment, being a grad school student, and intense parenting (friends… nobody warned me about 11!), I’m having to choose to bomb some things. And, being a social butterfly is one of them. I am saying no to things I really want to do with people I really want to spend time with because this is the only way to protect my time and sanity. It’s hard to set and hold these boundaries, but it’s really necessary in this season of life.

In this episode, I talk through how to choose what to bomb when life is a lot and something’s got to give. I also talk you through how to bomb things in a way that doesn’t make you feel like you’re being a horrible person. I know the truth is that I’m a very good friend - even if I’m not the greatest friend right now. I’m guessing the same is true for you.

Link mentioned:

Book: FINISH by Jon Acuff

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870: Beyond Perfection: 4 Gifts of Embracing Imperfection May 01, 2024

Hi Perfectionist Friend,

I SEE you. I know you. Sometimes, I am you.

You likely find yourself often feeling stuck. You’re tightly holding onto dreams, but unable to take steps toward them. You feel the weight of chronic decision fatigue as you try to determine what the next “best” or “right” step is. So you find yourself waiting. Waiting until the time and conditions are juuuust right. Yet, somehow that time never comes.

I know you want more - but with less worry, nervousness, and anxiety.

I see you worrying about what others might think if you flop.

I see you anxiously stuffing your dreams into deep hiding places because you think you might fail.

Perhaps you desire perfection so deeply you cannot make a decision or take any action because… FEAR.

Perhaps you spend inordinate amounts of mental energy on a decision because you think making the wrong decision could ruin everything.

One of the most valuable lessons I’ve learned in motherhood and entrepreneurship is that perfect sucks. In fact, perfect stops me in my tracks and keeps me stuck for far too long. And, imperfect action is ridiculously liberating.

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869: Melissa Bond: The Terror of Accidental Addiction at the Hands of a Negligent Doctor Apr 29, 2024

Melissa Bond is a narrative journalist, poet, and matriarch of Salt Lake City’s Slam Scene. The Salt Lake Tribune and the New York Post have both done features on Bond's book Blood Orange Night, her memoir about becoming dependent upon and then withdrawing from Benzodiazepines. Blood Orange Night was published by Simon & Schuster in June 2022 and was selected by the New York Times as one of the best audiobooks of 2022. Bond has been featured on PBS Story in the Public Square, Radio West, the podcasts Risk!, Endeavors, Psychology Unplugged, The New York Times

Podcasts, RadioWest and Moms Don’t Have Time to Read Books.

Listen in to hear Melissa share:

How a very common medical prescription for insomnia led to full physical dependence on benzodiazepines that led to her rapid physical and mental downward spiral
How she was able to begin to put together the pieces around her unforeseen medication dependence after narrowly escaping harming herself and her daughter in a fall
Her discovery that her myriad of strange physical and mental health symptoms were actually her going through medication withdrawal every single day
Her decision to confront the doctor who massively overprescribed benzodiazepines to her
How the Benzo Harmed Community relates differently to common terminology around addiction
How the “shadow of shame” impacts people’s recoveries from substance use, substance dependence, and substance abuse
Her advice to moms who are mentally or physically suffering with the demands of motherhood and how they can get help from medical professionals in the most safe and trusting way

Links mentioned:

Connect with Melissa: www.melissaabond.com
Melissa’s Book: Blood Orange Night
Melissa on Instagram
Melissa on Facebook

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868: Unmask the Mirage of Mom Guilt Apr 24, 2024

Mom guilt is one of my favorite topics. Mom guilt is familiar to most if not all moms. However, very few moms consider where this constant guilt and the accompanying feelings of inadequacy come from.

In this Greatest Hits episode, I talk about mom guilt as a social construct in which women are indoctrinated to think they should feel bad for ever prioritizing themselves, their identity, their careers, or their happiness over their kids.

You know how I know this is true?? Because I know the following:

Dads are not asked, “How do you do it all? How do you juggle your career with your family?

Dads are not asked, “Don’t you feel bad when you have to travel for work and you don’t get to see your kids for 3 days?”

Dads don’t have to internalize messages like, “I don’t know how you work so much. I would feel so bad not being at my kid’s games/practices/plays/recitals.”

When dads consider taking up new hobbies/activities they don’t automatically think, “That would be awesome, but I would feel so bad taking that time away from my family.”

Women are indoctrinated to feel like subpar moms if they prioritize their careers, self-care, or their sanity over their family's needs. Men are encouraged to prioritize their careers and hobbies over their family's needs - “Climb that corporate ladder!” “You gotta start golfing with us, man!” “Meet us every Saturday for pick-up basketball!”

I am inviting you to take a look at the guilt you carry. Guilt of any kind is not productive. It keeps us stuck. It holds us back. It does not serve any positive purpose. So, if you’re spending time stuck in mom guilt, you’re wasting time and energy that could be used for so many other positive things in your life.

In this episode, I talk about how we can flip this social construct on its head to protect our energy, gifts, and rights to rest (yes, you will rest more when you stop feeling so damn guilty.) If you’re ready to reject mom guilt, this episode is for you!

Links mentioned:

Book: Drop The Ball by Tiffany Dufu

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867: Alyson Baber: The Intersection of Eating Disorder Recovery, Motherhood and Leadership Apr 22, 2024

Alyson Baber is a mom, wife, and tenured sales leader with experience in both startups and major public enterprises. Her background spans chemical engineering, medical device and capital equipment field sales, tech sales, and advisory roles. Currently, Alyson serves as the VP of Commercial Sales at Outreach. Previously, she held roles as the Head of Sales at Melio and helped Zoom scale from $50M to $4B in revenue. Prior to that, she led new business and expansion sales at SendGrid (now Twilio) and various startup teams within Intuit.

Alyson has a passion for leadership, problem-solving, data analytics, and creating clarity and process from chaos. Because she can't say no to a good challenge, she's been an advisor for multiple startups and is an LP at Stage2 Capital.

Alyson lives in Colorado with her husband, two children, and a puppy named Baxter (yes, from Anchorman). In her free time, she enjoys taking advantage of all things Colorado, traveling, having a creative outlet through multiple art mediums, and attempting to learn to ski well past the level of her comfort.

Listen in to hear Alyson share:

How healing her eating disorder in her teens and twenties shaped who she is today as a woman and leader
How her eating disorder was a coping mechanism for stress, anxiety, uncertainty, and ambiguity
How she got affordable and effective eating disorder help in a surprising place - ultimately allowing her to be in recovery for 15 years now
How her recovery impacts how she shows up in personal relationships and leads in professional spaces
Her and her husband’s winning decision for him to stay home as their kids’ primary caregiver while she pursues executive leadership roles
How she is consciously building her own leadership brand
What a leadership brand can look like for highly effective leaders
How she navigates her desire to be respected vs being liked

Link mentioned:

Connect with Alyson on LinkedIn

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866: Embracing the Tension Between Magic and Discomfort Apr 17, 2024

How are you at holding space for tension? The discomfort of tension in our lives can make us rush through a trying moment to get out of discomfort as quickly as possible.

What would change for you if you could embrace discomfort and sit in it for a minute?

In this Greatest Hits episode, I talk about an interview with Oprah and Steven Pressfield for SuperSoul Sunday. They were talking about resistance - and that resistance MUST exist in all opportunities that provide growth, evolution, and magic.

Steven said, “Most of us have two lives. The life we live, and the life unlived within us. Between the two stands Resistance.”

Wow, if that doesn’t speak to my soul.

I see so many Shameless Moms working to hold space for tension and practicing embracing the resistance. It is in these spaces that some of life’s most powerful lessons and moments come to exist. It is profound and life-altering.

And I see Shameless Moms who feel the resistance and take it as a sign that something is not meant to be.

Mama…. NO.

I want you to lean into the resistance. See it. Embrace it. Own it. Walk through it. It will change you - in all the BEST ways.

Listen in to hear me share the 3 phases of holding tension that will allow you to walk through resistance, find your power, and declare a magical VICTORY on the other side.

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865: You’re A Leader, Now What? Apr 15, 2024

The day you became a mom you were catapulted into a new leadership role with no training and dire consequences if you couldn’t rise to the occasion. For months, you stumbled, fumbled, and slowly figured this new leadership role out. You learned new skills, you learned how to take care of those you were leading, and you advocated for those in your care at every turn. You felt protective in a way you have never felt protective before. You knew it was on you to figure this out quickly. And, you did it.

Over the last couple of years, as I’ve had conversations with women in new leadership roles, I‘ve heard over and over about how hard it is to step into a new leadership role with little or no training. It’s overwhelming, disorienting, and exhausting. There are so many things to figure out - some inconsequential and some largely consequential. In many instances, folks who were once your peers are now the people you have to give hard feedback to. You have this sense that all eyes are on you - and maybe, just maybe, some folks would be happy to see you fail. So, there is no room for mistakes. And, it seems, no room to give yourself grace.

As I stepped into community leadership roles over the last few years, I was excited to give back, make a difference, and have a voice. But having a voice feels scary AF when you go to open your mouth for the first time in front of a new audience. How can you instill quickly build trust and demonstrate integrity? How can you solicit support while sharing new ideas and opinions?

Most opportunities to lead come too fast. You feel ill-prepared. You question if you are the right person or the right “fit” for the job. You are. You’ve been here before. You’ve figured it out. And, you’re sure as hell going to figure it out this time too.

In this episode, I talk through why owning the title of leader might feel conflicting to you, 3 key responsibilities in any leadership role, and what to do when you find yourself in a leadership role that you don’t feel totally prepared for.

We love the sponsors that make this show possible! You can always find all the special deals and codes for all our current sponsors on our website: https://shamelessmom.com/sponsor

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864: Permission to Unload the Mental Load of Motherhood Apr 10, 2024

The mental load of motherhood is the invisible yet relentless responsibilities, from managing household chores to coordinating family schedules, which often fall disproportionately on mothers. This burden not only involves physical tasks but also includes the (often more exhausting) emotional and cognitive labor of anticipating and attending to the needs of their children and family members.

The Motherload (aka the mental load of motherhood) includes the 175 running lists you keep in your head in every single moment of #everydamnday.

It includes:

every school form you need to sign tonight
how much creamer you have left in the fridge
how many rolls of TP you have in the house
when you need to call your mom
what bills you need to pay by next Wednesday
when the kids have their next day off school
every single email you need to reply to today and which ones can wait until tomorrow
what time the babysitter is coming on Friday
which hotel you need to book for spring break
which of your kid’s friends can’t have peanuts
which of your kid’s friends you need to buy bday gifts for
which socks your kid will NOT wear
how many pairs of clean undies every single person in the household has left before you have to do laundry again
what you’re having for dinner tonight and tomorrow and the next night and the next night and the next night and the next night
which kid will eat crusts
which kid will eat carrots
Have any of the children had any water today?

You are a living, breathing library of information. You are basically hosting an entire internet system right inside your head.

It’s a lot. Too much. So overwhelming and often maddening.

And sometimes downright unfair.

The Motherload is exhausting on so many levels.

I want to give you some hope. But I’m going to warn you that this will require some work (I promise to keep it simple!) on your part. But the work will be REWARDING. The work will lessen the load!

When it comes to The Motherload, we tend to make it really hard on ourselves. We get in our own way over and over. We get stuck in perfectionism and martyrdom, making ourselves completely miserable.

Listen in as I give you 4 methods to manage the madness. These simple methods are going to dramatically improve your life and create space in your head (who doesn’t need more space in their head?!)

We love the sponsors that make this show possible! You can always find all the special deals and codes for all our current sponsors on our website: https://shamelessmom.com/sponsor

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863: Julie and Ryan Neale: Mother & Son Neurodiversity Advocacy on College Campus Apr 08, 2024

Julie Neale is a life and leadership coach, mom to two neurodivergent boys, and creator of Mother’s Quest, the Mother’s Quest Podcast, and the Live Your EPIC Year Planner. Started in 2016, Mother’s Quest provides inspiration, coaching, and community for mothers who want to live their version of an E.P.I.C. life while raising their children. At the age of 50, Julie received a diagnosis of ADHD, realizing that she is also neurodivergent. The diagnosis explained a lot and has provided a window for her to understand better what it’s like for her children to embrace their differences while finding strategies to address the challenges. This year, Julie is serving on the UCLA Parents' Council. She looks forward to working alongside her son Ryan, from a parent perspective, to support neurodivergent students and their families at UCLA.

Ryan Neale is a neurodivergent sophomore at UCLA, planning to double major in Communication and Disability Studies with a minor in Film Studies. He is part of the College Scholars Program at UCLA and recently was selected as part of the 2023 Chancellor's Leadership Program cohort. He is passionate about neurodiversity advocacy and sharing his own experiences to pave the way for others. He is currently a staff member at the Bruin Resource Center, where he is a student lead on a new campus-wide neurodiversity initiative to make UCLA more inclusive for students like him. This summer, he served on staff for the Stanford Neurodiversity Project - Research, Education, and Advocacy Camp for high schoolers wanting to create neurodiversity advocacy projects. He was also a speaker at the 2021 Stanford Neurodiversity Summit and has been a guest host on the Mother’s Quest Podcast. Ryan was diagnosed with autism at the age of 18 months old and also identifies with ADHD and anxiety.

April is Autism Awareness Month. April 2nd is Autism Awareness Day. I was so honored to have Ryan and Julie here to talk about neurodiversity, including autism, and all that Ryan is doing to build inclusive spaces for kids like him on college campuses.

Listen in to hear Ryan and Julie share:

Ryan’s optimism around the neurodiversity movement, esp in collegiate environments
Ryan’s autism diagnosis at 18 months and his experience of learning of his diagnosis at age 13
Ryan’s disconnection from his diagnosis given his propensity for rich connections
How Julie was diagnosed with ADHD when going through menopause
The difference in the ways Ryan and Julie accepted and integrated their respective diagnoses
What Ryan’s transition into college life has been like
How Ryan has leaped into neurodivergence advocacy at UCLA

Links mentioned:

Connect with Julie: https://mothersquest.com
Connect with Ryan: www.ryanjneale.com
Mother’s Quest on IG: www.instagram.com/mothersquestpod
Ryan on IG: www.instagram.com/ryan.neale04
Ryan on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryan-neale-031112176/
Autism Story Telling Project in San Fransisco: https://www.autismstorytellingproject.com/
Spark Course about Ryan’s college experience
Mother's Quest Podcasts with Ryan related to neurodiversity:
https://mothersquest.com/ep-93-learning-outside-the-lines-in-college-with-neurodivergent-advocates-ryan-neale-jonathan-mooney/
https://mothersquest.com/embracing-neurodiversity-and-being-an-adult-with-julie-lythcott-haims-and-ryan-neale/
https://mothersquest.com/ep-18-yolo-you-only-live-once-and-other-milestone-reflections-with-ryan-neale/

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862: A Year from Now Nothing Will be the Same Apr 01, 2024

A few weeks ago, my dear friend Dana shared a post to her IG stories that said, “A year from now nothing will be the same.”

I immediately took a pause. Dang. What a true statement that I hadn’t previously considered. When I think about where I was this time last year, there are so many things I couldn’t have predicted happening over the last year. My husband’s layoff, a layoff that is still enduring 10 months later. Going to grad school. A number of professional opportunities. A handful of personal breakthroughs, as well as some losses.

When I think about what life could hold a year from now, I realize that there is so much coming that I don’t know about. Yikes! Or… Yay??? I’m not sure which. Maybe a bit of both.

Wherever you are today, the moment you are in will pass. The things that are hard today will be different a year from now. The things that are great right now will have shifted and evolved - maybe gotten even better, maybe disappeared. And, there are a whole bunch of things coming your way that you don’t know about yet. Big things. Great things. Hard things.

So, how can you hold space for what’s to come so you’re not devastated by the hard things or unable to engage in the great things? In this episode, I will walk you through 3 ways you can stay open to possibility as life gets ready to life all over you over the next year.

We love the sponsors that make this show possible! You can always find all the special deals and codes for all our current sponsors on our website: https://shamelessmom.com/sponsor

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861: Tressa Beheim: Entrepreneur & Expat Supporting Ethical Businesses Mar 27, 2024

Tressa Beheim is an online business manager and strategic partner who supports women entrepreneurs in all that they do. She’s a project manager, back-office coordinator, and a people wrangler who knows product development and online marketing. She goes beyond the typical Online Business Manager with nearly 15 years of experience and knowledge plus the ability to help her clients execute their big (and small!) visions in the real world.

Tressa is one of those extremely organized, type-A people and it aligns perfectly with her role as a strategic partner. Running a micro agency allows her to utilize everything in her toolbox, knowledge and business acumen attained through an MBA, skills mastered through years in a corporate position, and managing businesses since 2009 to help her clients thrive. She is from the United States and has lived abroad in Leipzig, Germany since 2016 with her husband and two daughters.

Listen in to hear Tressa share:

What it’s like being an expat in Germany
What it’s like raising 12 and 14-year-olds in a country different from what she grew up in?
The difference in kids’ independence in Germany and the US
How she started her business as a virtual assistant when her daughters were very young
The cost of carrying tons of 5-minute tasks on your To-Do List
The unexpected gifts of having someone else as a decision-maker and action-taker in your business
How to know when you need more strategic help in your business

Links mentioned:

We love the sponsors that make this show possible! You can always find all the special deals and codes for all our current sponsors on our website: https://shamelessmom.com/sponsor

Interested in becoming a sponsor of the Shameless Mom Academy? Email our sales team at sales@adalystmedia.com

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860: What’s Stopping You from Saying Yes? Mar 25, 2024

When given the opportunity to try something new, unfamiliar, or uncomfortable, it’s often easier to say NO than YES. It’s typically pretty easy to justify your NO, too.

Nope, I’m too busy right now.

Nope, that sounds terrifying.

Nope, I’m just not ready yet.

For some, NO is a default that prevents critical growth. But, every NO has a cost. When you say NO are you considering all that you’re saying NO to? Often your NO to an opportunity is also a NO to growth, excitement, validation, affirmation, a new level of success, a new skill, new relationships, and an enhanced sense of self.

When you look at what’s stopping you from saying YES, it is likely self-limiting thoughts, uncomfortable emotions or feelings, and/or limited resources. These can all be very valid objections to missing out on an opportunity. But, sometimes it is well worth pushing back on your thoughts, feelings, emotions, and even resource limitations to consider the value of saying YES while recognizing all the possibilities and potential that this YES could carry.

In this episode, you will have a chance to take a close look at what’s stopping you from saying YES and how you can get out of your own way to make choices that invite growth, advance success, and amplify your sense of self in significant ways.

We love the sponsors that make this show possible! You can always find all the special deals and codes for all our current sponsors on our website: https://shamelessmom.com/sponsor

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859: Dr. Amy Porto: The Overlap of Food Elitism, Healthism, and Supremacy Culture Mar 20, 2024

Dr. Amy Porto is an anti-diet registered dietitian, nutrition professor, and certified intuitive eating counselor. As an expert in her field with over 20 years of experience, Dr. Porto speaks the truth about nutrition. Her purpose is to disrupt mainstream diet culture with real science, a dash of humor, and a little bit of common sense. And while she holds a BS in Biochemistry and a PhD in Nutrition Science, she believes you shouldn’t need a PhD to decode food labels at the grocery store. Breaking down complex information about food and nutrition into digestible bite-sized pieces of information is her passion — plus, she loves a good pun. Amy’s ultimate goal is to help you trust your body and reclaim your relationship with food.

This is Amy’s second time on the show and I couldn’t be more thrilled to have her back. Every once in a while I have a guest who makes me think, “Maybe we should start a podcast together or take our show on the road”... Amy is one of those guests. I could talk to her and learn from her all day every day.

Listen in to Amy share:

What food elitism is and how it shows up in society
The dangers of putting food in a hierarchy
Why the “Dirty Dozen” food list is not worth your worry
Why language matters so much when we speak about food and the dangers of labeling foods as bad, trash, fake food, junk food, clean food, etc
How food elitism contributes to discrimination toward people who are food insecure
Her thoughts on healthism and the morality of health
How our judgments around food are whitewashed and part of the Supremacy culture we live in
How you can start to unfold your own biases around food, nutrition, and health
Why you should avoid health & wellness practitioners who weaponize fear to sell to you

Links mentioned:

Connect with Amy: Amyporto.com
Learn about Amy’s Eat Better Club: Amyporto.com/links
Amy on IG and threads: @dr.amyporto
Amy on FB
Pesticide Counter: https://www.safefruitsandveggies.com/

We love the sponsors that make this show possible! You can always find all the special deals and codes for all our current sponsors on our website: https://shamelessmom.com/sponsor

Interested in becoming a sponsor of the Shameless Mom Academy? Email our sales team at sales@adalystmedia.com

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858: How to Listen if You’re a Talker Mar 18, 2024

This will not shock you.

I am a talker.

As an extrovert with ADHD who has 1 million opinions and a good story to go with any situation, I’m never at a loss for words. Perhaps this is how we arrived at 858 podcast episodes!

I’m also aware that if I want to show up as the best version of myself I have to really practice being a good listener. Given my propensity toward nosiness, sometimes listening comes easy. However, in a heated discussion or a lively room, I want to say all the things. And, I’m aware that sometimes this can leave others feeling unseen or unheard.

As my child has developed my propensity for words (all the words, all the time), I have become increasingly aware that listening is something that must be practiced. For us talkers, listening doesn’t come naturally - or easily!

Being a great listener shows consideration, care, kindness, and empathy. These are all very important to me. So, I’m invested in doing a better joy to listen to understand versus listening to reply. There is a big difference.

Over the last few years, I’ve been paying attention to how some of the best communicators around me listen. I’ve been taking notes. In this episode, I’ll share the listening skills I have observed and am working on developing. If you’re a better talker than a listener, this one’s for you!

We love the sponsors that make this show possible! You can always find all the special deals and codes for all our current sponsors on our website: https://shamelessmom.com/sponsor

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857: Sivan Hong: Understanding, Celebrating, and Advocating for Neurodivergent Kids Mar 13, 2024

Sivan Hong is both the author and illustrator of the top-selling children's series, The Super Fun Day Books. Her acclaimed titles, including Benny J. and the Horrible Halloween, George J. and the Miserable Monday, Emily D. and the Fearful First Day, Avery G. and the Scary End of School, and Joey T. and the Winter Holiday Worries, depict the victories of neurodiverse children as they tackle difficulties with perseverance and bravery. Furthermore, The Super Fun Day Books are available in Spanish and as audiobooks, ensuring they resonate with all kinds of learners. Her influential work has garnered attention from multiple news outlets.

In addition to her literary pursuits, Sivan actively serves as a Trustee on the Board of the Rita Allen Foundation, using her vast expertise and passion to effect positive change. Away from her professional endeavors, Sivan cherishes her roles as a wife and mother to two delightful children. The family, which includes their beloved dog and cat, lives in Connecticut.

Listen in to hear Sivan share:

What her life as a neurodivergent woman and mother to two neurodivergent children looks like
A comparison of the academic structures of traditional classroom settings and classrooms specifically for neurodivergent kids
How the term neurodiverse came into common use, what it means, and what it doesn’t mean
Why it’s so important for “neuro-typical” people to understand neurodiversity
The tremendous losses that occur societally when we aren’t open to creating accommodations for neurodiversity
The importance of being a proud self-advocate as a neurodivergent person
The role of “neuro-typical” people in advocating for neurodivergent people
The problem with framing diagnoses from a position of deficits rather than strengths or uniqueness

Links mentioned:

Get Sivan’s Books: The Super Fun Day Books
Connect with Sivan: sivanhong.com
Sivan on IG
Sivan on FB

We love the sponsors that make this show possible! You can always find all the special deals and codes for all our current sponsors on our website: https://shamelessmom.com/sponsor

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856: How Moms Can Become Thought Leaders Mar 11, 2024

Happy 8th Birthday to the SMA! The show turns 8 on March 15th. To celebrate I created an episode about one of my favorite topics this year: advancing women's and mom’s thought leadership.

What does it mean to be a thought leader? You might think it requires a bunch of degrees or building a cult-like following online. Neither of these are necessary. A thought leader is someone who shares their expertise and passion with the world in a way that calls people in and inspires people to see things in a new way. Thought leaders often challenge assumptions and disrupt the status quo. While we often see thought leaders do this in highly visible ways, you can also be a thought leader in a way that is authentic to who you are. You don’t have to stand on the world’s largest stage, with the world’s largest microphone.

Women don’t tend to position themselves as thought leaders because we haven’t been socialized to believe we have a unique POV, special talents to build community around an idea, or the skills to guide people to see things from a different perspective. However, the truth is we do this #everydamnday in various capacities as moms.Moms are perfectly poised for thought leadership because we see the world in ways that others don’t - because we have had to break through barriers and smash glass ceilings to be seen, heard, held, and valued. As a result, we are smart, scrappy, creative, innovative, resilient, tenacious, efficient, and productive in ways that others are not.

So, the truth is either you already are a thought leader OR you are poised to become one starting right now.

If you choose to advance your thought leadership new and unexpected doors will open for you. Opportunities that you didn’t even know you wanted will start presenting themselves - this is literally how the Shameless Mom Academy was born 8 years ago this week!

Thank you for being part of the Shameless Mom Academy whether you have listened to one episode or all 856 over the last 8 years. I appreciate you.

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855: Heidi Carlson: How to Navigate Complex Mother-Daughter Dynamics Mar 06, 2024

Heidi Carlson is a Certified Master Life, Relationship, and Self-Empowerment Coach who helps women navigate complex mother-daughter dynamics.

Raised as the youngest of five children to young immigrant parents in an arranged marriage, Heidi faced unique challenges stemming from her parents’ limited life and relationship experience. Growing up in a culture that prioritized people-pleasing over self-prioritization left her without essential life skills, compounded by her parents’ struggling marriage, further complicating her understanding of a healthy relationship.

At 19, Heidi's transformative journey began with deep self-discovery and personal growth. Heidi now embodies self-compassion, prioritizes herself, communicates effectively, and maintains boundaries. Her journey also transformed her relationship with her mother.

Over the years, Heidi has guided countless women on similar personal growth and healing paths. She is a respected guiding force, inspiring women to take control of their lives and mend their mother-daughter relationships.

Listen in to hear Heidi share:

Her experience being the youngest of 5 kids, born to immigrant parents who were married at a very young by way of an arranged marriage
How her family’s circumstances suppressed her identity
How her family dynamics and her trying relationship with her mom led her down a path of personal discovery
The impact of her being labeled her mom’s “Mini Me” and how that contributed to her struggles with her identity
The significance of healing mother-daughter relationships to show up differently in all areas of your life
How consistency played a big role in healing herself and her relationship with her mom
What it feels like to shift from someone who was chronically self-sacrificial in relationships to someone who uses her voice, sets boundaries, asks for what she needs in relationships, and goes after what she wants despite other’s opinions

Links mentioned:

Connect with Heidi: heidicarlsoncoaching.com
Email Heidi: heidi@heidicarlsoncoaching.com
Heidi on LinkedIn
Heidi on FB
Heidi on IG

We love the sponsors that make this show possible! You can always find all the special deals and codes for all our current sponsors on our website: https://shamelessmom.com/sponsor

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854: Why I’m Going to Grad School Mar 04, 2024

This feels very surreal. But, yes, I’m going to grad school! This is a decision that seemed to come quickly out of nowhere, but it was also always right there. It feels fast, but right on time. I feel unprepared yet 100% ready. I’m so excited but also nervous. At the end of the day, it feels RIGHT. And, that feels GOOD.

A big part of this decision came as I was considering that I have another 20 years (at least) to invest in my career path. I have no desire to change what I’m doing today, but I also feel like I want some grounding and intentionality as I make decisions around what I’m delightedly calling My Next 20.

As I started thinking about My Next 20, I asked myself:

Where do you want to be at the end of your career?
How do you want to use all the work you’ve done for the last 25 years to inform your work for the next 20 years?
What decisions can you make now that will give you options and flexibility over time?
How can you continue to create work opportunities for yourself that bring you purpose, meaning, and joy?
In what directions are you most excited to learn and grow?

Navigating these questions gave me a fairly quick and clear sense of the direction I wanted to head and helped me see that a master's degree would support this direction.

In this episode, I talk more about why I’m going back to school, why I chose the program I chose, what I want to do with the degree, and how I’m combatting my inner critic as I return to studying, writing papers, and being in new and uncomfortable territory.

I hope this episode will help you also consider what you want to create for yourself over your Next 20!

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853: Nadia Davis: Home Is Within You Feb 28, 2024

Nadia Davis is a mom, attorney, victims’ rights advocate, kundalini yoga instructor, and author of Home Is Within You: A Memoir of Recovery and Redemption and has a podcast of the same name. She is a survivor of trauma and abuse, a near-fatal car accident, addiction, and public shaming. Nadia has a lifetime record of passionate work and dedication to improving the lives of others. She has received numerous awards for her work, including the John F. Kennedy Jr. Service Award. Nadia works for justice in keeping moms with their kids while seeking treatment, and for more compassionate methods of treatment and restorative justice. She has a BA from UCLA and a JD from Loyola Law School.

Listen in to hear Nadia share:

Her young life of seeking acceptance and assurance as the youngest of 7 children
How her lack of safety as a child led to her narrow zone of tolerance as an adult
How she was forced to face her childhood trauma after enduring public shaming, blackmail, and addiction
The steps she took to start healing
Simple steps anyone can incorporate to start a healing practice
How to build a home within that gives us the personal autonomy that is often (almost always) missing from our lives

Links mentioned:

Connect with Nadia: www.nadia-davis.com
Nadia’s Book: Home is Within You: Transforming Shame into Power
Nadia’s Podcast: Home is Within You: Transforming Shame into Power
Nadia on FB
Nadia on IG
Nadia on TT

We love the sponsors that make this show possible! You can always find all the special deals and codes for all our current sponsors on our website: https://shamelessmom.com/sponsor

Interested in becoming a sponsor of the Shameless Mom Academy? Email our sales team at sales@adalystmedia.com

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852: How to Manage Motherhood Exhaustion & Burnout Feb 26, 2024

This is one of those episodes where once I started down the rabbit hole, I couldn’t find my way back out. I was digging through research and information on motherhood, burnout and exhaustion and every piece of information led me to more info that I didn’t know I needed. At a certain point, I realized I was building list upon list for you all. This onslaught of information helped me see the pervasiveness and insidiousness of burnout and exhaustion that profoundly impact mothers.

The truth is we are all tired. Beyond tired. Most of us don’t even know it. We are walking around in a state of malaise that we see as normal. We don’t recognize who we are anymore, and we don’t have a clue how to find ourselves again. Plus, who even has time to find themselves given all the immediate and urgent tasks that fill our days, nights, and dreams (or nightmares??)

In this episode, we will dig into the symptoms and causes of motherhood exhaustion and burnout. Then, we dig into solutions. What are the simple things you can do to bring you back to yourself and step away from the habits and mindsets that are creating a state of perpetual exhaustion and burnout in your life?

We love the sponsors that make this show possible! You can always find all the special deals and codes for all our current sponsors on our website: https://shamelessmom.com/sponsor

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851: Priya Krishnan: Childcare Culture Shifter and Culture Shaper Feb 21, 2024

Priya Krishnan, Chief Digital, and Transformation Officer at Bright Horizons, is an entrepreneur who founded India’s leading child care and schooling service provider with more than 150 company-owned, company-operated centers across the country. At Bright Horizons, she leads client relationships for the US, International M&A, and innovation projects. Priya joined Bright Horizons after founding and running KLAY, a high-quality childcare organization, which has grown to become India’s largest child care. She initially started the business to enable women to return to work after childbirth. She won numerous entrepreneurship recognition awards, as her startup venture expanded to 180 company-owned, company-operated centers across the country, staffed with empowered employees taking care of more than 16,000 children. Priya’s company went on to provide high-quality child care services onsite, and worked with varying workplace models to help companies create employee solutions.

Priya also founded a not-for-profit school for marginalized children which has been recognized worldwide for its pedagogy and approach to blended learning. Priya has had a global career in IT consulting across Singapore, New York, and London, working with companies including Accenture, PwC, EDS, and HP. She holds a bachelor’s degree in computer engineering and has an MBA from London Business School.

Listen in to hear Priya share:

Her life mantra: Failing fast, failing cheap, and learning fast
What inspired her work to build a childcare system in India - leading her to become a sought-after visionary and national leader in childcare
Her contribution to set a national standard of 6 months maternity leave in India and a national mandate for companies to provide childcare
How alignment in values has impacted her career trajectory and called her to build a career around intergenerational family systems
Why childcare is a critical component of cultural infrastructure - and how childcare is a triple bottom line impact in terms of how it positively or negatively impacts the entire society
Her invitation to design work around life vs life around work

Links mentioned:

Listen to Priya’s Podcast: The Work-Life Equation
Connect with Bright Horizons: https://www.brighthorizons.com/
Bright Horizons on IG
Bright Horizons on FB
Bright Horizons on LinkedIn
Priya on LinkedIn
Priya on Twitter/X

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850: Why and How to Champion Other Women Feb 19, 2024

Are you a high-five person? My husband and I spent a weekend with a couple years ago who high-fived each other all the time. After that weekend, my husband said to me, “They high-five a lot. We are just not high-five people.” Don’t get me wrong, we loved this couple. But we didn’t think we would ever share their enthusiasm for high fives.

What’s ironic now is that I’ve built an entire legacy around high-fiving women, more or less. When I think of high-fiving others it can look like a lot of things - a compliment, a congrats, a comment of support. When someone else high-fives me, literally or figuratively, it feels so good!

It takes almost nothing to be a cheerleader and champion of other women, yet it can make all the difference in the world. Think of how great it feels when someone shows up to let you know they are happy for you, impressed by you, or grateful for you. High-fives matter.

Women championing one another is a must. This is how we model to our children how women treat women. This is how we make space for other women in a world that, in many instances, doesn’t make space for women. This is how we can see others and be seen ourselves.

In this episode, I share 6 ways you can champion other women in loud & proud ways, as well as quietly. After you listen in, think about how you can immediately go champion another woman by giving her that literal or figurative high-five to let her know, “We are in this together. I got you. I see you.”

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849: Dr. V Boykin: From Prison to PhD While Finding Power in the Most Vulnerable Moments Feb 14, 2024

Going back to school after 40 is not for the faint of heart. Dr. Vrnda 'V' Boykin knows this well returning to school in 2017 and obtaining her BS in Marketing Management, MS in Management and Leadership, Master of Business Administration, and Doctorate of Business Administration in Organizational Leadership. Dr. V’s expertise is in creating equitable work experiences for women. Dr. V established clear evidence to illustrate the importance of social support systems in tackling workplace equity through simple shifts in the social environment.

Bravery is in Dr. V's bones and she is known for her commitment to innovation. Viewing education as the most effective tool in achieving equity, V utilizes her skills and knowledge to disrupt and redefine leadership training and enablement programs resulting in increased performance and profitability within the technology space.

Listen in to hear Dr. V share:

Her recent accomplishment of getting her PhD and becoming one 4.4% of black women with a doctoral degree
Her life path from being a very young mother and stripper on food stamps who ended up in the prison system to then getting 4 degrees, including a PhD, in a mere 7 years
How she used her time in prison, and how she decided to move forward from that time in her life
How she sits with shame and how and why she has worked so hard to reconcile that for herself and other Black women
The fine line between vulnerability and power and how dancing and stripping allowed her to step away from vulnerability and into her power
The legacy she is building around creating equity and belonging in the workplace, as well as what true equity in the workplace looks like for women and moms
The major caveat around the “bringing your full self to work” movement, especially for people carrying marginalized identities
How providing services for women and moms benefits organizations
Her tagline and call to action: stop talking about my attitude and start talking about my accomplishments

Links mentioned:

Connect with Dr. V: drvboykin.com
V on LinkedIn

We love the sponsors that make this show possible! You can always find all the special deals and codes for all our current sponsors on our website: https://shamelessmom.com/sponsor

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848: Why Your Inner Critic Is So Loud Feb 12, 2024

You know that voice in your head that makes you doubt yourself, says nasty things to yourself, beats yourself up, compares you to others, and tells you you are not enough? That’s your inner critic. She can be a real nightmare! If you’re anything like most women I know, you probably give her way too much airplay. You hear her as she clears her throat to step up to the mic and then you listen intently as she rants about your weaknesses and shortcomings. Worst of all, you believe her.

Your inner critic keeps you quiet, small, fearful, and frustrated. Because she has been with you for so long, you likely don’t realize she has set up shop as your default voice. You may find she is the loudest voice in your head. As the loudest voice in your head, she inhibits your decision-making and action-taking. She tells you you’re not worthy, capable, qualified, or ready to do the things you want to do or say the things you want to say. She has stolen your voice and stunted your growth as a woman and a leader in the world.

In this episode, I walk you through how your inner critic came to be and how she got so loud. I hope that once you see how she was born you can permit yourself to permanently kick her to the curb. She is a product of the patriarchy and she really doesn’t deserve another ounce of your precious time or energy. Sometimes, we see things we can’t unsee or hear things we can’t unhear. I think you’ll find when you learn the roots of your inner critic, you can no longer sit idly by and let her go on. Because the reality is that you are worthy, capable, qualified, and ready to do the things you want to do or say the things you want to say. She, on the other hand, is NOT.

We love the sponsors that make this show possible! You can always find all the special deals and codes for all our current sponsors on our website: https://shamelessmom.com/sponsor

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847: Maria Ross: Empathy in Action Feb 07, 2024

Maria Ross is a speaker, leadership trainer, author, and empathy advocate who believes cash flow, creativity, and compassion are not mutually exclusive. She’s spent decades helping forward-thinking leaders and teams connect and engage through empathy to accelerate growth and impact. Maria has authored multiple books, including her most recent, The Empathy Edge, and hosts The Empathy Edge podcast. Maria understands the power of empathy on a personal level: In 2008, shortly after launching her business, she suffered a near-fatal ruptured brain aneurysm that inspired her memoir, Rebooting My Brain. Her next book The Empathy Dilemma: How Successful Leaders Balance Performance, People, and Personal Boundaries, arrives Fall 2024.

Listen in to hear Maria share:

How she shifted from her work as a brand strategist to empathy expert
How motherhood pushed her to really dig into bringing her empathy work into the
workplace
Different examples of what empathy looks like in the workplace - and what the absence of it looks like
How empathy in the workplace must be a combination of compassion + action
Myths around empathy
The significance of action behind your empathy - and how action can look for different people
How we can (and why we should) use empathy in the overlap of our personal & professional lives
What to do in an interaction with someone who is not being empathetic

Links mentioned:

Connect with Maria: https://www.red-slice.com
Maria’s Podcast: The Empathy Edge
TedX Talk
LinkedIn
Instagram
Threads
Twitter/X
Facebook
Maria on YouTube
Book: Roadmap for Revolutionaries

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846: Time Management Tips for Getting (Important) Stuff Done Feb 05, 2024

In no universe am I a time management expert. However, it is something I get asked about all the time. While I am not a time management expert, I have had to learn to manage time in very strategic ways for my brain to maximize all I want to get done in a day (without feeling like I’m in constant chaos).

I get better and better with time management every year that I am a business owner and a mom. Because it’s necessary for survival, haha…

I’ve implemented a handful of time management tricks that have created mental ease and a ton more focus time for me over the years. These strategies are have allowed me to build multiple businesses simultaneously while enjoying motherhood for a good chunk of every day, and while keeping up with multiple community volunteer commitments.

I’m sharing my tactics with you in case applying even one of them might bring you mental ease, more focus, and greater productivity with less stress.

Listen in to hear me share:

How I manage my calendar on a daily, weekly, and monthly basis
How I use categorized checklists to guide me weeks and each specific day of the week
The ways I use “focus mode” and “pause” functions on various tech platforms to remind me when it’s time to focus
The ways I use timers to complete tasks and manage energy

We love the sponsors that make this show possible! You can always find all the special deals and codes for all our current sponsors on our website: https://shamelessmom.com/sponsor

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845: Tracy Crowley: Successfully Navigate the Motherhood >> Back to Workforce Transition Jan 31, 2024

Tracy Crowley is an author and entrepreneur who is passionate about helping stay-at-home moms. As a former stay-at-home mom with a side hustle, she knows the day-to-day challenges stay-at-home-moms face when they think about returning to work. After returning to work she realized she had gone through a process others could follow, so she started writing. The result was her Growing Back to Work workbook. Her work life has spanned everything from running her own business to retail to network marketing and now having a full-time career. She has been married for almost 30 years and has raised two boys. She loves connecting with people and partnering with moms to help them be successful.

Listen in to hear Tracy share:

Her process of deciding to re-enter the workforce and how she was able to create a system around her process
How her side hustles and work in a network marketing and networking groups prepared her to re-enter the workforce
How to take skills from motherhood and turn them into translatable skills for the workplace - while also creating metrics to support your skills and strengths
How to start quickly and easily preparing for a shift in work and return to the workforce
The magic of giving yourself 12-18 months to begin your career transition - if you can
How to leverage the heck out of little bits of time

Links mentioned:

Tracy’s podcast: https://www.goodlifestories.com/
Connect with Tracy, get the book, and get her newsletter: https://tracycrowley.life/
Tracy on FB

We love the sponsors that make this show possible! You can always find all the special deals and codes for all our current sponsors on our website: https://shamelessmom.com/sponsor

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844: Rest Is Your Birthright, Not a Reward Jan 29, 2024

Over the last few years, I have heard the discourse on rest evolve dramatically. More and more books are coming out on the importance of rest. Doctors, therapists, and thought leaders are addressing the ways our chronic hustling has harmed us as individuals and as a society. This is great and necessary progress.

It is very hard to reprogram a society that was built on devaluing rest, even going so far as labeling anything that’s not explicitly productive as “lazy”.

Last year, I read Rest is Resistance by Tricia Hersey and my eyes were further opened to how our inability to rest is all part of Supremacy culture. Not resting isn’t new. It’s part of an over 400-year-old, very intentionally built system.

As you think about what you want and what you need for yourself this year, I want to invite you to explore your relationship with rest. Is resting hard for you, even downright uncomfortable? Do you have a hard time giving yourself permission to do nothing? Do you use rest as a reward when, in reality, it is your birthright?

In this episode, you will have the chance to explore your roots with rest as well as your current relationship with rest. If you find rest to be uncomfortable, I’m right there with you. This episode is for us! Let’s make this the year that we reframe our relationships with rest and model what rest looks like to those around us so they may build healthier relationships with rest, shall we?

Link mentioned:

Book: Rest Is Resistance by Tricia Hersey

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843: Diana Fryc: Finding Your Superpowers When You Don’t Fit the Mold Jan 24, 2024

Diana Fryc is a Shameless Mom and stepmom who was raised by immigrant refugee parents. Her father is a holocaust survivor. Professionally, she is a marketing executive with 20 years of experience advising brands from Fortune 50 companies to start-ups on how to address their toughest growth challenges. As partner and CMO of branding firm Retail Voodoo, Diana uses her expertise in brand development, innovation, consumer markets, marketing, and packaging systems to help clients generate meaningful and sustainable growth. Tireless and determined in every element of her work, Diana believes that business should be a force for good. She uses her networking superpowers to drive change in the food, beverage, and wellness industries - specifically in the areas of employment diversity, food equality, and the promotion of sustainable supply chain. She is also the founder and host of The Gooder Podcast where she interviews the powerhouse women leading on every level in food, beverage, and wellness.

Listen in to hear Diana share:

How her work with Jane Goodall impacted her work and professional journey in a profound way
Her experience being raised in the US by immigrant refugee parents and navigating being “in the middle” of so many aspects of her identity - not fitting in in many places and always feeling like an outsider
The impact of learning her Dad was a holocaust survivor in her twenties
How she has been able to use “finding common ground by acknowledging differences” as a superpower
How she has used her values and layered identities to build a company around her personal philosophy to “do good”
What she loves and what she struggles with as a stepparent
Her experience getting her MBA as a mom of a middle schooler and high schooler

Links mentioned:

Connect with Diana and follow her work: Retail-voodoo.com
Diana’s Podcast: Gooder Podcast
Diana on LinkedIn
Retail Voodoo on LinkedIn
Retail Voodoo on FB
Diana on IG

We love the sponsors that make this show possible! You can always find all the special deals and codes for all our current sponsors on our website: https://shamelessmom.com/sponsor

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842: How to Face Your Future with Ease and Confidence Jan 22, 2024

Looking forward can be exciting. It can also be very scary. It’s easy to put off our future lives because the uncertainty can feel too great, the stakes too high.

As I’ve been working with clients and teams over the last few years, it has been so thrilling to see how we can shift what we see as possible when we take some intentional time to look back and find evidence of what we are capable in order to harness that capability moving forward.

As the world has flipped itself upside down over and over again in my last 20+ years as an entrepreneur, I have had the opportunity to experience some deep lows followed by very high highs. Over the last few years, I have found myself better able to sit in sticky moments and look toward an uncertain future with ease and even excitement.

This is because I’ve had to spend a lot of time collecting past evidence as proof that:

I can figure out really complicated things.
I’m good at adapting to changing times (even if I hate it).
My creativity allows me to be nimble and agile.
My intuition is strong and is usually right on the money.

These are all things that I long thought I sucked at. But when I started forcing myself to look back before making moves forward, I was able to see my track record. I was able to see all this proof that I was actually good at things I had been telling myself I was horrible at. Recognizing this has given me a tremendous amount of power over my decision-making and action-taking in recent years.

In this episode, I walk you through a few ways you can use your past successes and failures to collect the right evidence to help you make bold moves with ease and confidence moving forward.

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841: Dr. Catherine McCarthy, Dr. Heather Tedesco, and Jennifer Weaver: Raising a Kid Who Can Jan 17, 2024

Dr. Catherine McCarthy, Dr. Heather Tedesco, and Jennifer Weaver are all mental health professionals who jointly co-authored RAISING A KID WHO CAN, a simple but comprehensive how-to parenting manual designed for the post-pandemic world. They were able to recognize that most parents' depleted attention and energy is in constant conflict with their desire to be guided by the most current, evidence-based information and best how-to strategies when it comes to their kids and mental health.

What I love about this book is that it’s organized for easy skimming and designed to be useful at any stage in a child’s life. The book devotes one short, impactful chapter per principle, including Resilience, Attention and Self-Control, Psychological Flexibility, Self-Motivation, Compassion, and Gratitude. The result is a new approach to a parenting guide that takes a holistic approach to nurturing a child’s development and helps parents get right to the information they need right when they need it most.

Listen in to hear Catherine, Heather, and Jennifer share:

Their invitation to parents to embrace and stay in this "The Age of Adaptability" without feeling chronically overwhelmed
The beauty of "the Age of Adaptability" for our kids
How to use a Validation Sandwich to help you or your child in a moment of struggle or unpredictability
How they formatted their book to be a guide you could immediately put to use without having to do heavy reading
The significance of knowing the WHAT, the WHY, and the HOW in how you parent in specific situations
The 10 Essentials of Raising a Kid Who Can
How to manage some of the paradoxes of parenting that often make us feel like we are getting it wrong
The problem with trying to “fix” your child’s feelings

Links mentioned:

Learn more: Raisingakidwhocan.com
Get the Book: Raising a Kid Who Can
Connect with Heather: www.drtedesco.com
Connect with Jennifer: https://weaverandassociates.net
Book: How to Talk So Kids Will Listen & Listen So Kids Will Talk
Raising A Kid Who Can on IG

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840: Questions to Ask Yourself as You Expand Your Visibility in 2024 Jan 15, 2024

As I’ve kicked off the year with my business consulting clients and corporate clients, the topic of expanding visibility keeps coming up. It’s an important topic for anyone entering a new year!

As you think about what you want to make happen for yourself as a mother, an employee, a team member, a community member, a business owner, a partner, or a friend, how do you want to expand upon who you are now in order to get your needs met, have your voice heard, share your gifts and ideas, and have an impact in the spaces you inhabit over the next 12 months?

It’s a big question, isn’t it?! Don’t worry, I got you.

In this episode, I talk through 4 questions to ask yourself as you consider how you want to grow this year. Then, we talk through the actual steps to take to make this happen.

As I’ve been working with clients over the last two weeks, I’ve seen them light up as they have considered what is possible and started to put together action steps to move toward possibility. The overwhelm and uncertainty of a new year can be a lot. Taking some time to reflect on you can make a huge difference in terms of feeling ready, confident, and competent.

You got this. Promise.

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839: Stefanie Wilder-Taylor: Drunkish… A Story of Loving and Leaving Alcohol Jan 10, 2024

Stefanie Wilder-Taylor is a past guest of the SMA, one of my very favorite podcasters, my beloved pandemic memoir writing teacher, and author of Drunkish: A Memoir of Loving and Leaving Alcohol - coming out January 16th

In addition to all these roles, Stephanie is a TV personality, and cohost of the popular podcast For Crying Out Loud. She co-created and hosted the late-night comedy parenting show Parental Discretion with Stefanie Wilder-Taylor for NickMom on Nickelodeon. Her books include Sippy Cups Are Not for Chardonnay; Naptime Is the New Happy Hour; It’s Not Me, It’s You; I’m Kind of a Big Deal; and Gummi Bears Should Not Be Organic. She’s appeared on Good Morning America, 20/20, The Dr. Oz Show, Dr. Phil, Larry King Live, and Today. She lives in Los Angeles with her husband, her three delightful teenagers, and her dog, Penelope.

Listen in to hear Stefanie share:

How she rationalized her addiction for decades
Her slow burn to full-blown problematic drinking
Her lowest moment of driving her children while drunk
How she had to shift her identity from an author who writes about “mom drinking” to writing about being a sober mom
How she managed her diagnosed anxiety after getting off alcohol and Xanax
How she was outed after 10 days of sobriety by the New York Times

Links mentioned:

Connect with Stefanie: Stefaniewildertaylor.com
Book: Drunkish: A Memoir of Loving and Leaving Alcohol
Stefanie on IG
@fcolpodcast across all platforms

We love the sponsors that make this show possible! You can always find all the special deals and codes for all our current sponsors on our website: https://shamelessmom.com/sponsor

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838: What Moms Need Most in 2024 Jan 08, 2024

As you welcome in a new year, perhaps you’re giving some consideration to changes you want to make. I want to invite you to be gentle with yourself as you enter this year. Sometimes we try to make so many changes to kick off a year that we are almost immediately too overwhelmed to follow through on any of them for the long haul.

I always encourage moms to give themselves the entire month of January and even into February to settle into the new year, set goals, and start taking action steps. Your last 6 weeks have likely been a chaotic explosion of fun, festivities, fatigue, drama, confusion, and feeling not so grounded. Give yourself a minute to reground yourself for the new year.

As you walk gently through this process of grounding yourself and growing some intentional roots for 2024, think about what YOU really want and need most right now. Collectively, we all need more help, more support, more validation, more connection, more resources, more open and authentic communication, and more opportunities and time for personal growth beyond motherhood. But, what do YOU specifically need most?

In this episode, I will talk you through what moms need most right now so that you may have some verbiage to express your needs to others as well as see how you might be able to show up for the other mothers around you. If we can all be more transparent about what we need, we can more openly acknowledge and take responsibility for the fact that we belong to each other and we truly need each other.

I got you and I know you got me. That truth can bring comfort to us all. I am so excited to do 2024 with you!

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837: Kat Vellos: Secrets to Attracting Better Friendships in 2024 Jan 03, 2024

A new year is always a good time to reflect on the state of your current relationships. As I considered which past guests could bring the most value to you as you kick off 2024, I immediately thought of Kat Vellos, who specializes in helping people develop meaningful friendships in adulthood. Sometimes it can feel like a dirty little secret in adulthood, “I don’t have many friends.” So, we keep it to ourselves. This Best Of conversation is an invitation to openly and proudly pursue the friendships you have long been craving in 2024.

Kat Vellos is a trusted expert on the power of cultivating healthy teams and meaningful friendships in adulthood. Formerly a UX designer at Slack, Pandora, and multiple startups, her work today focuses on helping people design belonging into their lives and workplaces. She is the author of We Should Get Together: The Secret to Cultivating Better Friendships. Her work has been featured in The New York Times, TED Talks, Forbes, Real Simple, Communication Arts, SF Design Week, Lesbians Who Tech, and many more.

Listen in to hear Kat share:

The difference between meeting people and actually making friends
The 4 reasons it gets harder to make friends as we age
The specific challenges for moms in making friends
How our relationships evolve (for better or worse) as our various identities evolve
The significance of reciprocity in healthy adult friendships
The important role of curiosity in friendship
How to maintain strong friendships even when you’re on separate life paths
Steps to take to invest in a new friendship
Specific steps we can take to invest in the relationships we want to grow and preserve

Links mentioned:

Connect with Kat: weshouldgettogether.com
Get Kat’s Book: We Should Get Together: The Secret to Cultivating Better Friendships
Kat on IG
Kat on Twitter

We love the sponsors that make this show possible! You can always find all the special deals and codes for all our current sponsors on our website: https://shamelessmom.com/sponsor

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836: Aubrey Gordon: Reconsidering Your Relationship With Your Body in 2024 Jan 01, 2024

When I was considering which episodes of the SMA I wanted to bring back for you this week, I went to see what my most downloaded episodes of the last couple of years have been. This interview with Aubrey Gordon was my most downloaded episode of this year. I think (and hope!) this is because you are all huge Aubrey fans AND I hope this episode's popularity is a reflection of this community’s openness and eagerness to have conversations around bodies, size, anti-fat bias, and fat activism. Sizeism, the discrimination toward a person or group of people based on their size or weight, remains the only socially acceptable form of discrimination and oppression - and it’s rampant. Since this interview, Aubrey has gone on to release her very own documentary, Your Fat Friend, which has received an abundance of awards and critical acclaim, packing theaters at film festivals and selling out theater after theater across the US and various other countries. As you consider your relationship within your body as you enter 2024, I invite you to listen and learn from Aubrey. She may be able to bring you peace and ease with your current body that you have never found before.

Aubrey Gordon writes under the pseudonym of “Your Fat Friend,” illuminating the experiences of fat people and urging greater compassion for people of all sizes. She is the author of What We Don’t Talk About When We Talk About Fat and her newest book, You Just Need to Lose Weight and 19 Other Myths About Fat People. Her work has reached millions of readers and has been translated into 19 languages. She is co-host of the Maintenance Phase podcast, a top-rated podcast since its launch in 2021, and a columnist with SELF magazine. Her work has also been featured in Health magazine, Vox, and Gay Mag, among others. She lives in the Northwest, where she works as a writer and organizer.

Listen in to hear Aubrey share:

What it was like for her to go from an anonymous online writer to a fully public figure
How the success of the Maintenance Phase has impacted her work
How women are conditioned to externally process and speak about their bodies and food constantly and how this is harmful in a myriad of ways
The importance of understanding thin privilege and recognizing if you benefit from thin privilege
Scripts and language for parents to talk to kids about bodies and fatness in a neutral way
How to talk to your kids about healthy eating without subscribing to your own internalized messages from diet culture

Links mentioned:

Connect with her at yourfatfriend.com and aubreygordon.net/
Book: What We Don’t Talk About When We Talk About Fat
Book: You Just Need to Lose Weight - And 19 Other Myths About Fat People
Podcast: Maintenance Phase
Aubrey on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook: @yrfatfriend

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835: Casey Davidson: Women, Alcohol, Anxiety (and Dry January!) Dec 27, 2023

Are you rethinking your relationship with alcohol as you approach 2024? Casey McGuire Davidson has been a guest on the SMA multiple times and she is my go-to referral partner when it comes to connecting women who are sober curious to sober coaches and communities. I chose Casey for this Best Of episode because I see so many women reevaluating their relationships with alcohol and I want you to make sure you don’t have to go it alone.

If you want to participate in Dry January with a fabulous group of women or are sober-curious and want to know what all the hype is about, you’ll want to go grab Casey’s Sobriety Kit (linked in the SN) so you can join her Dry January community!

Casey is a leader in the modern sober curious movement of women who are gray-area drinkers going alcohol-free. An ex-red wine girl turned Life and Sobriety Coach, Casey is passionate about helping women change their relationship with alcohol. She specializes in working with busy women with full calendars and overflowing to-do lists, who are doing all the things and then coming home and drinking to forget about all the things. Casey has helped thousands of women turn the decision to stop drinking from their worst-case scenario to the best decision of their lives.

Casey is the creator of The Free 30-Day Guide To Quitting Drinking and The Sobriety Starter Kit, and the host of The Hello Someday Podcast for sober curious women and gray area drinkers, ranked in the top 1% of all global podcasts.

Listen in to hear Casey share:

Where the concept of Dry January comes from
What it means and looks like to be sober curious
The science of alcohol and dopamine on our bodies and how it impacts our mindset, outlook, positivity, and joy in life
How alcohol use contributes to our stress levels and overall anxiety
Steps to manage dopamine if you’re choosing not to drink
The significance of the non-alcohol (NA) industry on the alcohol industry
Why alcohol works as an “Easy Button” AND is also a very maladaptive coping mechanism

Links mentioned:

Get Casey’s Sobriety Starter Kit and join her Dry January community: https://www.thesobrietystarterkit.com/
Connect with Casey: https://hellosomedaycoaching.com/
Get Casey’s Free 30-Day Guide To Quitting Drinking - 30 Tips For Your First Month Alcohol-Free https://hellosomedaycoaching.com/30-day-sober-guide/
Casey’s Podcast: The Hello Someday Podcast: https://hellosomedaycoaching.com/podcast/
Casey on Facebook
Casey on Instagram

We love the sponsors that make this show possible! You can always find all the special deals and codes for all our current sponsors on our website: https://shamelessmom.com/sponsor

Interested in becoming a sponsor of the Shameless Mom Academy? Email our sales team at sales@adalystmedia.com

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834: Dr. Tanmeet Sethi: Joy Is Your Birthright in 2024 Dec 25, 2023

Tanmeet Sethi is one of my favorite people I met in 2023. We immediately hit it off and found the sweetest friendship that feels like we have known each other forever. I have had the opportunity to listen to my dear friend Tanmeet talk about joy as a form of resistance multiple times this year. Every time my capacity for joy - especially in hard seasons - expands exponentially. I chose this episode to share as a Best Of episode as an invitation to you. I invite you to let joy in the new year- as your birthright and as a form of resistance. This interview will guide you on how to do that.

Tanmeet Sethi, MD, is the author of Joy Is My Justice: Reclaim What Is Yours. She is also a board-certified Integrative Family Medicine physician who has spent the last 25 years on the frontlines locally and globally practicing primary care and trauma work with the most marginalized communities. As a mother, she has received the impossible news that her youngest son has a fatal degenerative disease. She weaves together the expertise of both acquired knowledge with lived experience and translates them accessibly through the blend of ancient spiritual traditions and modern neuroscience. She is trained in Psychedelic Medicine, Integrative and Functional Medicine, and is a clinical researcher of psilocybin at the University of Washington.

Listen in to hear Tanmeet share:

How she came to embrace joy as an act of resistance and self-identify as a Joy Activist
How she has navigated mothering her son, Zubin, who was diagnosed with a fatal degenerative disease at age 3
The expansiveness of joy vs the narrow path of suffering
The important difference between happiness and joy
What her joy practice looks like when every day she sees there is something new to lose as her son’s condition worsens
How to fight against whitewashed wellness (“looking on the bright side” or “finding the silver lining" and how this dampens our power)
How to show up for people in your life who are going through grief - and things to avoid saying
The role of our nervous system in joy
How can we all step into joy activism and make your joy revolution your own

Links mentioned:

Connect with Tanmeet: www.tanmeetsethimd.com
Tanmeet’s Book: Joy Is My Justice
Tanmeet on IG
Tanmeet on FB

We love the sponsors that make this show possible! You can always find all the special deals and codes for all our current sponsors on our website: https://shamelessmom.com/sponsor

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833: Chantal Donnelly: How Moms Can Find Calm in a Stress-Inducing World Dec 20, 2023

Chantal is a mom, physical therapist, and author of SETTLED: How to Find Calm in a Stress-Inducing World. She is also the founder of the wellness company Body Insight Inc. She holds degrees in psychology and kinesiology from Occidental College and a master’s in physical therapy from Mount Saint Mary’s College in Los Angeles. Chantal is certified in Pilates, a practitioner of the Safe and Sound Protocol, and writer, producer, and star of the exercise and rehabilitation videos Strong Knees and Pain-Free at Work. Chantal helps people find relief from stress using a body-focused approach. She believes that stress fluency can make the world a better place.

Listen in to hear Chantal share:

Her stress quadrant model and how we exist on the stress matrix at all times
Why people internalize stress as a sign of weakness - and the cultural paradox of hustle culture + showing stress being a sign of weakness
How mothers internalize stress and need to manage stress differently than people who aren’t moms
The importance of normalizing the stress that mothers carry and understanding how stress impacts the ability to be patient and empathetic
How rushing and “hurry up-ing” creates dysregulation between our brains and bodies
How moms and dads experience stress differently and how same-sex parents experience stress differently
Counterintuitive, super simple, super quick (30 seconds) tools for self-regulation

Links mentioned:

Book: SETTLED: How to Find Calm in a Stress-Inducing World
Connect with Chantal: https://www.bodyinsight.com/
Chantal on IG
Chantal on FB
Resources and articles from Chantal: https://www.bodyinsight.com/press-articles

We love the sponsors that make this show possible! You can always find all the special deals and codes for all our current sponsors on our website: https://shamelessmom.com/sponsor

Interested in becoming a sponsor of the Shameless Mom Academy? Email our sales team at sales@adalystmedia.com

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832: 4 Unconventional Things for Moms to Release in 2024 Dec 18, 2023

Giving yourself permission to release a few unconventional things might just make motherhood more manageable in 2024. And, when one area of your life is more manageable, all areas of your life start to feel more manageable.

Society rewards moms for aiming high, hustling hard, and achieving at every turn. I’m going to invite you to get a little unconventional in 2024. Allow yourself to be average. An average mom. An average employee. An average volunteer. If you are a lifelong high achiever, I probably just lost you. You know you were not made for mediocrity. I get it. I’m not either. But, you also weren’t made to meet the extremely high demands that the world puts on mothers and women day after day after day - for eternity.

You were made to bend without breaking. My hope is that this episode helps you check yourself so you can see the ways you might be able to bend in 2024 so you don’t ultimately break. I’ve been bending a lot more over the last couple of years - sometimes by choice and sometimes by unchosen circumstances. Releasing constant high expectations, rigidity, and other people’s needs & norms has been a game changer.

In this episode, I invite you to release 4 things you maybe haven’t considered before. You might raise an eyebrow at first, but I’m pretty sure you’ll thank me later.

We love the sponsors that make this show possible! You can always find all the special deals and codes for all our current sponsors on our website: https://shamelessmom.com/sponsor

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831: Megan Flatt: Do Less Better Dec 13, 2023

Megan Flatt is a business growth strategist on a mission to make entrepreneurship easier. She believes you can have a thriving business, a community, and a life — and you don’t need more time, you need more focus. She’s the founder of Focus Sessions and the author of Focused: Reclaim Your Time, Ditch Overwhelm, and Do Less Better. Besides helping women and business owners focus, Megan is obsessed with lattes, post-it notes, and romance novels. Outside of work, you will find her focus turned to her husband and two kids, probably near the water, in the San Francisco Bay Area.

Megan and I met when we were in a business coaching group together years ago. You know when you meet someone who is annoyed by the same things as you and loves the same things as you - magic, right?! That’s Megan and me. We don’t talk often enough. But, whenever we have the chance to reconnect it’s gold. You’ll hear that in this conversation today!

Listen in to hear Megan share:

Book: Focused: Reclaim Your Time, Ditch Overwhelm, and Do Less Better
How building a business as new mom led her to see the danger of chronic hustle culture for women and moms
How hustle culture and norms around productivity & time management are a product of the Patriarchy
Her philosophy of “do less better”
Her process of getting into the focus flow when she leads focus sessions
How to reframe and reclaim your power in your boundaries around volunteering
The science of focus: focus is a skill that can be learned
The importance of understanding your hormones in order to hone your focus

Links mentioned:

Connect with Megan and try a complimentary Focus Session: focus-sessions.com
Learn more about Megan and her work: letscollective.co
Get Megan’s book: Focused: Reclaim Your Time, Ditch Overwhelm, and Do Less Better
Megan on IG: https://www.instagram.com/meganflatt/
Focus Sessions on IG: https://www.instagram.com/focussessions/

We love the sponsors that make this show possible! You can always find all the special deals and codes for all our current sponsors on our website: https://shamelessmom.com/sponsor

Interested in becoming a sponsor of the Shameless Mom Academy? Email our sales team at sales@adalystmedia.com

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830: Motherhood Tips to Keep Going In Tough Times Dec 11, 2023

Are you the kind of mother who keeps adding more and more things to your plate without giving any consideration to moving certain things OFF the plate to make space for the new stuff? Do you just keep piling and piling and piling until things start to fall off the plate, causing you great anxiety, or the entire plate breaks from the pressure and weight of too many things?

Ahhh, the overwhelm of motherhood.

Something I’ve noticed - especially among super driven, perfectionistic, people pleasing moms - is that we really struggle to deprioritize anything when certain things need to be prioritized. Instead, we just keep prioritizing alllll the things. Like, we want to prove we can handle all the pressure. We want that gold star for holding it all together - even in times of crisis. We want the extra credit. 110%. A++.

“I’m fine”, you tell yourself and everyone around you.

But you’re not.

And that’s ok.

When moms are going through something tough, a tough day or week or season, you have the opportunity to do things differently. You don’t have to keep doing all the things. In fact, the universe may be screaming at you to STOP DOING ALL THE THINGS.

In this episode, I talk through how to shift your mindset and your action steps in order to keep going without drowning in tough times. If you feel like you need permission to shift your expectations, say no, hold boundaries, take space, and let yourself laugh in the face of adversity, this episode is for you.

We love the sponsors that make this show possible! You can always find all the special deals and codes for all our current sponsors on our website: https://shamelessmom.com/sponsor

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829: Laura Morton: Anxious Nation: The Hidden Crisis Burying Our Youth Dec 06, 2023

Laura has been involved in the entertainment industry for over 30 years as a writer, Producer, and entrepreneur. She is the author of over 60 books and a staggering 21 New York Times bestsellers. Most recently, Laura co-directed, produced, and wrote the award-winning documentary, Anxious Nation, her first feature, focused on the crisis of anxiety in America, especially its impact on our youth and their families.

Anxious Nation is a deep dive into the hidden crises burdening our youth. Inspired by her own daughter’s battle with anxiety, Laura recognized the broader, global implications of this emotional turmoil, and Anxious Nation was born. The film unravels the rise in anxiety rates among our nation’s youth, especially post-pandemic, emphasizing the undeniable link between mental health and academic commitment. The documentary provides parents not just insight into this alarming trend but also equips them with practical strategies to tackle these unprecedented challenges.

Listen in to hear Laura share:

Her journey to becoming a single mom by choice

How she recognized that her daughter needed support for her anxiety

How we treat medical conditions in children with urgency but not mental health conditions

The stark data around girls and mental health and the massive shift in data pointing to teen girls' mental health struggles, consistent sadness, hopelessness, and suicidality - that we absolutely cannot ignore

The importance of sharing diverse stories around anxiety - culturally, socioeconomically, at all ages and developmental stages

What you can do right now to support your child’s mental health even if you’re on a waitlist to access services

How to help your child channel their anxious energy

Links mentioned:

Anxious Nation on IG
Watch Anxious Nation and get on the Anxious Nation Newsletter: https://anxiousnation.com/
Book: The Anxiety Audit by Lynn Lyons
Book: The Conscious Parent by Dr. Shefali Tsabary

We love the sponsors that make this show possible! You can always find all the special deals and codes for all our current sponsors on our website: https://shamelessmom.com/sponsor

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828: How to Close Out Your Year in a Positive and Purposeful Way Dec 04, 2023

I’ve been very aware over the last few years how tempting it is to dub each year as a “dumpster fire”. I definitely don’t want to negate or bypass all the incredibly difficult things we have all been through collectively and individually over the last few years. But, I do think we do ourselves a disservice when we embrace an entire year as being awful.

In our house, it has been one of our most trying years as my husband has been laid off for over 6 months. But, it’s also been a year of many unexpected gifts as so many people have been incredibly thoughtful and generous to our family.

For the rest of my life, when I think back on 2023, I will never forget how awful his previous employer was AND how many sweet moments came as we navigated this wildly uncertain time as a family.

Both/and.

Always.

One of the most powerful things you can do as you close out one year and prepare to embark upon another is to take a few intentional steps to reflect back before you plan ahead. In this episode, I walk you through the system I have used over the years as I have coached tons of Shameless Moms, business coaching clients, and more recently, corporate teams through this process.

This year was probably pretty messy for you at times. That seems to be how the world works anymore. Just constantly PRETTY MESSY. And, I know in that mess you grew, maybe even thrived at times. I’m willing to bet you also did more, learned more, and developed your skills and mindset more than you’ve given yourself credit for, which perfectly positions you to go after every single thing you want in 2024.

We love the sponsors that make this show possible! You can always find all the special deals and codes for all our current sponsors on our website: https://shamelessmom.com/sponsor

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827: Nefertiti Austin: On Adoption, Race, and Neurodivergence Nov 29, 2023

Author and memoirist, Nefertiti Austin writes about the erasure of diverse voices in motherhood in the #1 Amazon bestseller Motherhood So White: A Memoir of Race, Gender and Parenting in America. Nefertiti's work around this topic has appeared in the New York Times, Washington Post, The Nation, Romper, Adoptive Families magazine, Parents Magazine, SheMedia and countless others. She has appeared on numerous podcasts and radio programs including “The Today Show”, and multiple NPR outlets. Lately, she’s writing about raising her neurologically diverse daughter and jokes that adolescence is no match for menopause.

Most importantly, Nefertiti is the proud adoptive Shameless Mom of two children and two Shipoos - Monsieur Lafayette and Siddhartha. Nef and I connected through a mutual friend and two time SMA guest, Debbie Reber. Debbie was kind enough to introduce us and Nef was generous enough to say yes to my invitation to come on the show.

Listen in to hear Nefertiti share:

What Black adoption looks like compared to typical white adoption
Her intentional journey of building her family as a single adoptive mom
How race and gender factor into parenting neurologically diverse children
How having a neurologically diverse child changed her life in ways she didn’t see coming
How she has had to explore her own triggers when it comes to her daughter's behaviors
How the murder of Trayvon Martin became a wake-up call for her responsibility of raising a Black son
What she wants white parents to know about how Black parents or parents of Black children parent from a place of fear
What visible allyship feels for Black parents and children and how white parents can be more assertive, if note aggressive, in their allyship

Links mentioned:

Connect with Nefertiti: Nefertitiaustin.com
Get Nef’s Book: Motherhood So White: A Memoir of Race, Gender and Parenting in America
Nefertiti on IG
Nefertiti on FB
Nefertiti on X

We love the sponsors that make this show possible! You can always find all the special deals and codes for all our current sponsors on our website: https://shamelessmom.com/sponsor

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826: Create Immediate Joy with a Mindful Moment of Gratitude Nov 27, 2023

Practicing gratitude is not intended to be another chore on your list. It is intended to bring you emotional ease, even joy, as you navigate any given day. It is intended to be a reliable support as you navigate tough moments or tough seasons. And, it’s intended to help you see what is possible if you’re paying attention.

I have had gratitude practices that felt a little chore-ish in nature. They were still valuable, but they didn’t stick long-term. They did, however, teach me how to quickly and easily center gratitude in sticky moments, which has proven invaluable at times.

I have also had gratitude practices that have brought (and still bring) me immense joy. Knowing I can lean into these any time I need them feels like a superpower.

Mostly, knowing how to access gratitude has provided a grounding and rootedness that has shifted how I see the world, how I show up in the world, and how I interact with the world. And, I’m starting to see how it’s shifting how my child shows up and interacts with the world too, which is pretty great.

In this episode, we will talk through ways to integrate a variety of gratitude practices to help you find a good “fit” for you so you can feel grounded and find joy in hard moments.

We love the sponsors that make this show possible! You can always find all the special deals and codes for all our current sponsors on our website: https://shamelessmom.com/sponsor

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825: Julie Ciardi: Live by Design, Not by Default Nov 22, 2023

Julie Ciardi is a business & mindset coach for women. Julie helps overwhelmed entrepreneurs create a plan to become CEOs and design their dream businesses. Julie is uniquely positioned to help women start or grow businesses.

Julie spent 20 years in a Fortune 50 company as a sales and marketing vice-president. She has also started & grown her own successful businesses. Julie opened a brick & mortar women's boutique taking it to 6 figures in 4 months. She also grew a network marketing business and became a top 2% leader. Ultimately, Julie sold & exited those businesses to build her current coaching business for women. She is on a mission to help women wake up on Monday mornings loving what they are about to do.

Julie was a past guest on the SMA. I loved our initial conversation years ago and was so excited when we had the opportunity to make this second conversation. I’ve watched Julie grow and evolve over the years and I’ve been dying to talk to her about it all - on mic. So, here we are!

Listen in to hear Julie share:

The power of going first in facing a fear or stepping into vulnerability
The identity transformation she found in deciding to go gray and how it has deeply impacted her life over the last 3 years
The lie she was told about having to “stand out” when trying to build a business
How she realized it was time to pivot at various points in her career
How she did things her own way in her 20-year career as an IBM executive
Why you must OWN YOUR NARRATIVE if you want to do things your way
The importance of choosing to live by design vs living by default
Her NOW Goal® Formula: (T+F)A3 = R
The Knowing/Doing Gap and why we tend to get stuck there for so long

Links mentioned:

Connect with Julie: www.julieciardi.com
Julie on IG
Julie’s Podcast: Brand
Book: The Top 5 Regrets of the Dying

We love the sponsors that make this show possible! You can always find all the special deals and codes for all our current sponsors on our website: https://shamelessmom.com/sponsor

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824: Spoiler Alert: Your Thoughts Are Not Facts Nov 20, 2023

Isn’t it funny (and not-so-funny) how we let our thoughts take up precious real estate in our head AS IF THEY ARE FACTS and each one is worthy and deserving of space?!

Your brain should not be an equal-opportunity employer. Not all thoughts are welcome. Not all thoughts deserve space. Our brain’s ability to conflate thoughts with facts is something we must be keenly aware of.

You suck.

You’re the only one who can’t seem to figure this out.

You’re not ready.

It’s too hard.

You’ll never make it.

You’re not as smart as… strong as… witty as… qualified as… organized as… successful as…

All of these = thoughts. Not facts. Yet, boy oh boy do we give them prime real estate.

The things we would never EVER say to others are the things we say to ourselves and then we unequivocally believe them as if they are facts.

Problematic much???

In this episode, we talk through how to:

Stop telling yourself trash (lies) you wouldn’t ever tell other people
Start catching your default thoughts that are not true and are likely to cause harm
Evaluate your thoughts objectively and rationally
Ask yourself essential questions to discern thoughts from facts
Find evidence that supports facts and shuts down rotten thoughts

We love the sponsors that make this show possible! You can always find all the special deals and codes for all our current sponsors on our website: https://shamelessmom.com/sponsor

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823: Tosha Schore: A Feminist Model to Parenting Boys Peacefully Nov 15, 2023

Tosha Schore a Shameless Mom to three mostly grown sons (ages 16, 18, and 20), as well as a parent coach and the founder of Parenting Boys Peacefully, where she is on a mission to create a more peaceful world, one sweet boy at a time. She is also co-author of “Listen: Five Simple Tools to Meet Your Everyday Parenting Challenges,” which has been translated into five languages. Tosha works with parents to care for themselves, connect with their boys deeply, set limits lovingly, and play wildly. She has been featured on Dr. Shefali’s Parenting Mastery Summit, GoZen’s Anger Transformation and ListenUp! Summits, and has spoken to audiences at the Institute for Child Psychology, the Diversity in Parenting Conference, the Davidson Institute, Lawrence Livermore Laboratory, and been on a boatload of podcasts!

Tosha and I met at a conference where I was speaking on podcasting. When she came up to me after my talk to tell me a little about her show, I knew she would make a fantastic guest for the SMA.

Listen in to hear Tosha share:

Her roots in feminism and her alarm about having 3 sons
How she wrapped her head around maintaining her identity as a strong feminist and a mom of boys
How the feminist movement has left behind boys and men
How the patriarchy has harmed women, obviously, but also most men and most definitely our sons
The importance of advocating for boys despite their behaviors that we might not enjoy or approve of
Why our boys need safe spaces to make mistakes
Common mistakes that parents make in trying to stop aggression
Her five-step practice to stop aggression

Links mentioned:

Connect with Tosha: www.parentingboyspeacefully.com
Free Resource PBP 10 Day Reconnect: www.parentingboyspeacefully.com/reconnect
Tosha’s Course: Out with Aggression
Tosha on FB
Tosha on Youtube
Tosha on IG
Tosha on LinkedIn

We love the sponsors that make this show possible! You can always find all the special deals and codes for all our current sponsors on our website: https://shamelessmom.com/sponsor

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822: 4 Ways to Bring Joy to Your Holiday Hustle Nov 13, 2023

The “most wonderful time of the year” is just around the corner.

But is it the most wonderful time?! Haha!

Every year, I record a holiday episode where I help you prep for the holiday season in a way that I hope will bring peace, ease, and joy to your December. Usually, I share this episode in early December. This year, I’m sharing it early because I want you to start creating that peace, ease, and joy you’re craving now!

Every holiday season brings new circumstances. Your kids are a year older than last year. Your parents are a year older than last year. Your work (and therefore vacation/time off) situation may be totally different. Your financial situation might be different. Your relationships might be different.

It’s worth reflecting each pre-holiday season on “What’s most important this year?” You may answer this question very differently than last year.

In this episode, I offer you 4 invitations to:

Determining your magic-making moments
Build better boundaries where needed
Create inner calm
Take time now to prep for your time off

I will share what has worked well for me and for members of our community over the last few years in hopes you might get some sparks on how you can intentionally make this the most wonderful time of the year for yourself and your family - for real!

We love the sponsors that make this show possible! You can always find all the special deals and codes for all our current sponsors on our website: https://shamelessmom.com/sponsor

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821: Katie Ferraro: Shameless Mom of 7 and Baby-Led Weaning Expert Nov 08, 2023

Katie Ferraro R.D. is on a mission to help parents and caregivers give their babies a safe start to solid foods without spoon-feeding. Katie is a registered dietitian, mom of 7 (quads, twins, and a singleton), baby-led weaning expert, and host of the top-rated parenting podcast called BABY-LED WEANING MADE EASY.

In addition to her work educating tens of thousands of parents about baby-led weaning, Katie is an Associate Professor of Nutrition at the University of California San Francisco Graduate School of Nursing and an Assistant Clinical Professor of Nutrition at the University of San Diego School of Nursing and Health Science. She is a Lecturer in the Exercise and Nutrition Science program at San Diego State University and has authored a number of textbooks and chapters on clinical and infant nutrition.

I knew I was going to love learning about Katie as a Shamelessmom Mom of 7! But I also learned so much about feeding and baby-led weaning that I can even apply to feeding my picky 11-year-old. This conversation is for parents of littles, of course. But, you might be surprised at the golden nuggets you’ll be able to find for older kids as well.

Listen in to hear Katie share:

How she grew her family from 0 to 7 kids in 3 years
The evolution of parenting 7 children over the last 9 years
How she shamelessly asked for and received help to care for her babies
What baby-led weaning and how it inspired her work today
Misconceptions about baby-led weaning
How to engage your kids who are past the age of baby-led weaning in the benefits of baby-led weaning
The 3 rules of engagement for parents feeding your kids (when, where they sit, what they eat)) and the three rules for keeping kids autonomous feeding/eating (how much to eat, if they actually eat any)

Links mentioned:

Baby Led Weaning for Beginners Workshop + 100 First Foods List: https://babyledweaning.co/
Katie’s podcast: Baby-Led Weaning Made Easy
Katie and Baby-Led Weaning on Instagram, Twitter Pinterest, and TikTok: @babyledweanteam
Katie and Baby-Led Weaning on YouTube
Katie on LinkedIn

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820: Ideas on How to Keep Your Kids Talking To You Nov 06, 2023

I am not a parenting expert and I don’t always make the right parenting choices. I’m definitely not sure we get it right with screen time, candy, or bedtime at our house… But the most important thing to me as my child enters his tween era is that he trusts me and believes he can talk to me when things are hard. There are a few things that I have done really consciously and consistently over the years that are paying off as V gets older. There are also some new things that I’m trying that have been effective. I wanted to share them with you as we all venture through Shameless Motherhood. You are not alone in this journey. We are in it together. As Glennon says, we belong to each other.

When our children struggle, it’s easy to immediately assume blame, become consumed with doubt, and feel really stuck in dysfunctional patterns. Sharing our fumbles and our wins can not only help us process but also help us feel less alone on this journey which can feel incredibly isolating and confusing at times.

I hope this episode gives you a new tool or two while also giving you hope. You got this!

We love the sponsors that make this show possible! You can always find all the special deals and codes for all our current sponsors on our website: https://shamelessmom.com/sponsor

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819: Dr. Angela Lauria: Navigating the World After an Adult Autism Diagnosis Nov 01, 2023

Dr. Angela E. Lauria is the founder of The Author Incubator™ and creator of the Difference Process™ for writing a book that matters. In 2018, The Author Incubator was ranked #275 on the Inc. 500 fastest-growing companies and #87 on Entrepreneur Magazine’s Entrepreneur 360. Angela won the Stevie Award’s Coach/Mentor of the Year Award and her program, The Author’s Way, was named Coaching Program of the Year and she was named by Entrepreneur Magazine as one of the top 10 most inspiring entrepreneurs to watch – one of only 2 women.

I’ve seen Angela’s work online for years as we’ve circled each other around various mutual friends. For a while now I’ve had a sense that she could be a really great guest for the show. Then, about a year ago I started noticing how she was showing up differently online. She talked really openly about her autism diagnosis at age 39. She was writing incredible posts about how she experiences the world as a person with autism. I have learned so much from her. So, I finally reached out to ask her to come join us in the SMA. I am so grateful she said yes. This is an incredible conversation.

Listen in to hear Angela share:

What led to her autism diagnosis at the age of 39
How her diagnosis allowed her to feel like she could finally start her life and her career
What masking is and how people with various neurodivergences mask in order to fit into the world
How she learned to set boundaries to self-regulate in a world that's not designed for people with autism
Why labeling autism or any neurodivergence or a person with disabilities or differences as a person with superpowers is inappropriate and leads to “inspiration porn”
How the brain of a person with autism differs from an the brain of an allistic (non-autistic) person in terms of how the brain integrates information
What self-care might look like for a person with autism - and how it looks very different than self-care for allistic people

Links mentioned:

Work with Angela: Differencepress.com
Book: It. Goes. So. Fast: The Year of No Do Overs by Mary Louise Kelly
Angela’s Podcast: The Autistic Culture Podcast
Angela’s Personal FB
FB/IG/TikTok/LinkedIn: @differencepress

We love the sponsors that make this show possible! You can always find all the special deals and codes for all our current sponsors on our website: https://shamelessmom.com/sponsor

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818: What’s Becoming More True for You? Oct 30, 2023

I knew stepping into September I was taking a big inhale that I wouldn’t be able to release until October 28th.

Over the last 2 months, things I have been working toward and dreaming of for years finally came to life. Things that used to feel big, hard and so scary felt more full of ease than ever before. Other things fell in my lap that proved harder than I imagined, but I was able to meet them head-on with a decent amount of confidence and grace.

As I have started to exhale, it’s been really interesting, even fun, to step back and see what is more true for me now than it was 2 months ago. As I processed my insights, I realized so much of what I have noted about what’s becoming more true for me is also what I’m hearing many clients say is also becoming more true for them. So, I decided to share this all with you because I sense some of these things are becoming more true for you. And, I don’t want you to miss the opportunity to make note of the magic.

We love the sponsors that make this show possible! You can always find all the special deals and codes for all our current sponsors on our website: https://shamelessmom.com/sponsor

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817: Omi Bell: From Shameless Teen Mom to Shameless Female Founder Oct 25, 2023

Omi Bell is a multi-talented computer scientist, business strategist, and serial entrepreneur. She also has a background in performance, K-12 Education, and IP Strategy. Her innovative approach to creating access to social and financial capital has earned her recognition as a leading voice in the industry, as well as praise from prominent figures such as Robert F. Smith and Daymond John.

As the founder of and CEO of Black Girl Ventures, Omi has made it her mission to provide resources and support to underrepresented entrepreneurs. Under Omi’s leadership, Black Girl Ventures has funded over 300 women founders representing about $10MM in revenue, creating over 3,000 jobs for the US economy and raising $5M in financial and social capital. Her impact extends beyond her organization, as she continues to be an advocate for social justice and equity in the business world.

Listen in to hear Omi share:

How women disassociate from their bodies over the course of their life and how hard it is to get out of your head and back in your body later in life
The mental shift for moms from “what do we need?” in earlier stages of motherhood vs “what do I need?” in later stages of motherhood
How being a 17-year-old mom laid the foundation for her to become the founder and CEO of Black Girl Ventures
How she went from renting out her living room as an Airbnb to make money to becoming a female founder who funds other black-owned companies
How she used the “template” of megachurches to build her business around community (without being culty)
The responsibility of owning and USING your creativity to show up in the world, as well as permission to step into your creativity by just dipping your toe in the water as a first step

Links mentioned:

Get Omi’s Book: Originate, Motivate, Innovate: 7 Steps for Building a Billion Dollar Network

Connect with Omi: omisworld.com

Omi on IG/Threads: @omibell

Connect with Black Girl Ventures: blackgirlventures.org

Black Girl Ventures on IG

We love the sponsors that make this show possible! You can always find all the special deals and codes for all our current sponsors on our https://shamelessmom.com/sponsor

Interested in becoming a sponsor of the Shameless Mom Academy? Email our sales team at sales@adalystmedia.com

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816: 5 Mindset Resets to Amplify Your Joy in Motherhood Oct 23, 2023

What we expect motherhood to look like (snuggles, rainbows, and roses!) vs what motherhood actually looks like (chaos, crying, and pure exhaustion) can be pretty jarring. There are these moments of pure joy that we could have never imagined and then - alllll the other moments. Often not pure joy…

There are a number of factors that contribute to our joy depletion over time as we rear our brood. Everything from trying to conform to social norms to sinking deep into the comparison trap, to massive daily overwhelm, and complete loss of our sense of self.

Today we will talk through 5 mindset resets that will amplify your joy in motherhood. These 5 mindsets center YOU, not your child(ren). My hope is that they allow you to stand apart from your child(ren) in order to find yourself amidst the chaos.

Book mentioned Joy Is My Justice by Tanmeet Sethi

We love the sponsors that make this show possible! You can always find all the special deals and codes for all our current sponsors on our website: https://shamelessmom.com/sponsor

Interested in becoming a sponsor of the Shameless Mom Academy? Email our sales team atsales@adalystmedia.com

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815: Kristal DeSantis: Raising Boys Within a Model of Healthy Masculinity Oct 18, 2023

Kristal DeSantis is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and Certified Clinical Trauma Professional with specializations in sex therapy, couples, and men's mental health issues. She is the creator of the STRONG Relationship Therapy Model of trauma-informed attachment-based couples therapy. She is joining us in the SMA today to talk about boys' mental health, the importance of healthy masculinity, and the impact of seeing healthy relationships on children's mental, emotional, and relational well-being.

This was an incredibly powerful and critical conversation about teen boys and mental health. Please listen and share with the moms of boys in your life.

Listen in to hear Kristal share:

How the socialization of male masculinity impacts boys’ mental health
How our current tropes of masculinity are harmful to young boys
Positive coping mechanisms for teen boys to reduce stress and build resilience
The significance of validating your child as a human with inherent worth - not worth they have to earn
The 4 Positions of Conversation that can positively impact parent/child communication
Tips on how we can reduce the stigma around mental illness and help teen boys feel more comfortable talking about their struggles and seeking help
Why we are seeing staggering rates to suicide in boys

Links mentioned:

Connect with Kristal: www.strong.love
Get Kristal’s Book: STRONG: A Relationship Field Guide for the Modern Man
Kristal on Twitter
Kristal on IG
Kristal on Threads
Kristal on FB
Kristal on TikTok

We love the sponsors that make this show possible! You can always find all the special deals and codes for all our current sponsors on our website: https://shamelessmom.com/sponsor

Interested in becoming a sponsor of the Shameless Mom Academy? Email our sales team at sales@adalystmedia.com

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

814: How Shaming Undermines Trust and What to Do Instead Oct 16, 2023

Shame is integrated into our society in all sorts of explicit and subtle ways. Sometimes we can see it right away and call it out. Other times, we quietly internalize it, not realizing that it’s undermining our self-worth while building up our protective armor to the point that our truest gifts can no longer shine through.

Some of us were raised by parents who used shame as a weapon.

Some of us have bosses who use shame as a weapon.

Some of us have been taught, mentored, or coached by leaders who use shame as a weapon.

When we have models and mentors who use shame as a form of control, power, or manipulation, sometimes we don’t know any better than to do the same thing ourselves once we have the opportunity to yield some control or power over others.

In this episode, we will explore how shame does the opposite of what the shamer wants it to do while breaking our spirit in the process; how shame, even subtle shame, destroys the trust and integrity of a relationship; and 5 approaches you can use instead of shame to build healthy relationships while co-creating solutions that strength rather than undermine our bonds with one another.

We love the sponsors that make this show possible! You can always find all the special deals and codes for all our current sponsors on our website: https://shamelessmom.com/sponsor

Interested in becoming a sponsor of the Shameless Mom Academy? Email our sales team at sales@adalystmedia.com

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813: Natalie Silverstein: How to Raise Kids Who Want to Give Back Oct 11, 2023

Natalie Silverstein, MPH is an author, speaker, consultant, nonprofit founder, and passionate advocate for family and youth service. Her first book, Simple Acts: The Busy Family’s Guide to Giving Back, was published in 2019 and was named one of the Top Books for Parents Who Want to Raise Kind Kids by HuffPost. Her second book, Simple Acts: The Busy Teen’s Guide to Making a Difference was published in July 2022. She is the host of the award-winning podcast, Simple Acts, Big Impact: Celebrating Teen Changemakers.

I got so much out of this conversation with Natalie. I love her philosophy that the best way to feel more hopeful about the world, while also adding meaning to our own lives, is to be of service to others. She is also brilliant at involving teens in this mission by offering manageable, actionable steps to help them start being of service in their communities.

Listen in to hear Natalie share:

How she found her passion for writing and serving her community in a massive way at age 50
Her belief is that our current generation of youth are huge leaders in service and contributions to communities
How raising kids who engage in service work creates grounded and grateful kids
The health data on volunteering - how it gives “helpers high” and contributes to physical & emotional health, as well as increases life expectancy
How volunteering in the community decreases a teen's chances of engaging in risky behaviors
Creative ways to get younger kids engaged in service to others
How to engage teens and tweens in service work that is rewarding and meaningful to them - and guided by their strengths, gifts, and passions
How having kids being of service brings deep meaning and joy to their lives

Links mentioned:

Join my October Retreat for Women Entrepreneurs: Influence & Ignite: Be the CEO and Thought Leader You Were Born to Be: shamelessmom.com/bizretreat
Free Guide: Simple Acts: A Busy Teen’s Guide to Making A Difference
Natalie’s 2024 Simple Acts Day by Day Planner
Book: Simple Acts: The Busy Family’s Guide to Giving Back
Book: Simple Acts: The Busy Teen’s Guide to Making a Difference
Podcast: Simple Acts, Big Impacts: Celebrating Teen Changemakers
Natalie on IG

We love the sponsors that make this show possible! You can always find all the special deals and codes for all our current sponsors on our website: https://shamelessmom.com/sponsor

Interested in becoming a sponsor of the Shameless Mom Academy? Email our sales team at sales@adalystmedia.com

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812: 4 Invitations for When You’re About to Try Something Scary Oct 09, 2023

It’s easy to conflate being new at something with being BAD at something. The first time I went skiing I was not good at it. So, I deemed myself a bad skier. When I had to speak in front of the class in high school, I would shake uncontrollably and black out. I wouldn’t remember anything I said as I walked back to my seat in a full sweat. So, I deemed myself a bad public speaker.

Perhaps your child is like this too. Tries soccer once. Doesn’t score a goal. Retires from soccer. Cause - “I’m so bad at soccer, Mom!”

If you look back over the course of your life, I bet you could see patterns where you tried new things and were pretty darn bad at them. How often did you give yourself the grace to note, “Here I am learning something new. Look at me learning!”

I was at an event recently where someone announced she was an awful public speaker, yet every time she spoke the most

beautiful, thoughtful, perfect melody of words came out of her mouth.

Sometimes when something is new to us, we immediately assume we are bad at it.

Sometimes when something is uncomfortable or scary, we immediately assume we are bad at it.

Sometimes when something brings up a lot of sensation (shaking, sweating, nausea, blacking out!) we immediately assume we are bad at it.

But, what if learning, discomfort, and sensation are the direct path to becoming great at something???

In this episode, I offer you 4 invitations to carry with you for those moments when you’re about to try something new, or you’re feeling terrified of doing something that makes you feel ridiculously uncomfortable, or you find yourself standing in a pool of your own sweat as you blackout while beautiful words come pouring out of your mouth.

Link mentioned:

Join my October Retreat for Women Entrepreneurs: Influence & Ignite: Be the CEO and Thought Leader You Were Born to Be: shamelessmom.com/bizretreat

We love the sponsors that make this show possible! You can always find all the special deals and codes for all our current sponsors on our website: https://shamelessmom.com/sponsor

Interested in becoming a sponsor of the Shameless Mom Academy? Email our sales team at sales@adalystmedia.com

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

811: Ophira Eisenberg: Parenting is a Joke Oct 04, 2023

Ophira Eisenberg is a standup comedian, writer, and the host of the new comedy podcast Parenting Is A Joke with iHeart Radio and Pretty Good Friends. She also hosted NPR’s Ask Me Another, where she interviewed hundreds of celebrities including Sir Patrick Harris, Rosie Perez, Yo-Yo Ma, Awkwafina, Roxanne Gay, Nick Kroll, Chelsea Handle, and more. She’s appeared multiple times on CBS’s The Late Late Show, Comedy Central, HBO, The New York Festival and is a regular host and teller on The Moth Radio Hour. Her stories are included in three of The Moth’s best-selling collections, including the most recent: How To Tell A Story: The Essential Guide to Memorable Storytelling from The Moth. Her memoir, Screw Everyone: Sleeping My Way to Monogamy was optioned for a television series, and her new comedy special, Plant- Based Jokes is streaming on YouTube. Her solo show, Leaving A Mark: A Comedy About Scars, recently made its Off-Broadway review to rave reviews and won the Women in the Arts & Media Award for Solo Show Scripts.

Ophira came back to the SMA for a second time because I adore her, and so she and I could talk very irreverently about motherhood - again. This time we also discussed what it means to be an “aging” woman or mother in your industry - the good, the bad, the ugly.

Listen in to hear Ophira share:

Her journey as a stand-up comedian working evenings in NYC who was also a mom and having no other moms around her living that lifestyle
What inspired her podcast, Parenting is a Joke
What it's like to be working in comedy as a mom in her 50’s vs her 20’s & 30’s
The contrast of what is universally experienced for men, vs women comics
How she prepares herself to be confident on stage - even if she feels like she’s faking
The tenacity and resilience she has navigated having been in comedy for decades in an industry that requires constant reinvention

Links mentioned:

Join my October Retreat for Women Entrepreneurs: Influence & Ignite: Be the CEO and Thought Leader You Were Born to Be: shamelessmom.com/bizretreat
Connect with Ophira: https://www.ophiraeisenberg.com/
Ophira’s Podcast: Parenting is a Joke
Ophira on IG/Twitter/FB/TikTok: @ophirae

We love the sponsors that make this show possible! You can always find all the special deals and codes for all our current sponsors on our website: https://shamelessmom.com/sponsor

Interested in becoming a sponsor of the Shameless Mom Academy? Email our sales team at sales@adalystmedia.com

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

810: When It’s Easier to Just Not Oct 02, 2023

I know what it’s like to just not.

Just not try the new sport.

Just not sign up for the art class.

Just not join the group of people whom I assume are smarter than me.

Just not take that professional leap.

Just not attend the event with people who seem to have it all figured out.

Just not chase a dream.

Just not admit I really want something.

Just not believe I’m worth it.

I’m curious if you ever get a case of the Just Nots?

Perhaps this happens to you when you think something miiiight be kinda cool, but then you decide it feels too risky, too scary, or too vulnerable. You start to make up a bunch of reasons that it’s just not the right time. Just not the right fit for you.

Just not the next right step. And you end up Just Not doing the damn thing.

And then, you find yourself sad, mad, disappointed, full of regret, maybe feeling some shame, and likely making promises about how next time you Just Will.

In this episode I talk through what the Just Nots look like and how they can impact your life. Then, we dig into the Just Wills - the fun stuff - where all sorts of magic happens.

It’s ok if you’re typically a Just Not kinda person. But, I think (hope) this episode nudges you to be a little bit more of a Just Will person.

Link mentioned:

Join my October Retreat for Women Entrepreneurs: Influence & Ignite: Be the CEO and Thought Leader You Were Born to Be: shamelessmom.com/bizretreat

We love the sponsors that make this show possible! You can always find all the special deals and codes for all our current sponsors on our website: https://shamelessmom.com/sponsor

Interested in becoming a sponsor of the Shameless Mom Academy? Email our sales team at sales@adalystmedia.com

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

809: Ariel DeNey Rainey: Black Motherhood in America and Million Black Mom March Sep 27, 2023

Ariel DeNey Rainey is a Global Creative Strategist and Urban Family Advocate whose work is inspired by her drive to galvanize moms and professionals to fight for change. She is also the mastermind behind the Hustle Mommies nonprofit organization and movement where she has connected hundreds of mothers to careers, personal development, celebrity engagement, grants and scholarships, and a plethora of other resources. Under Ariel’s leadership, the Hustle Mommies organization has multiple prestigious awards and accolades, most notably from President Barack Obama and The Obama Foundation.

Since the 2020 pandemic, the Hustle Mommies helped to bury 16 kids who have been affected by inner-city gun violence. This led to the creation of the PAINT THE HOOD ORANGE initiative, a campaign to support efforts to end hood trauma within Black, urban neighborhoods, as well as the TASK FORCE AGAINST GUN VIOLENCE, which is now advocating for policy change surrounding gun violence.

Hustle Mommies is currently planning the first ever Million Black Mom March taking place in May 2024 where their current campaign is BLACK MATERNAL NEEDS MATTER - and all Shameless Moms are invited!

Listen in to hear Ariel share:

How being a teen mom of 2 inspired the work she does today with her non-profit, Hustle Mommies
How government policy has destroyed safety across Black communities
The current state of Black motherhood in America
Why Hustle Mommies created the Urban Mom Collective National Coalition for Black Moms and how they are committed to policy change and how this is so critical in the wake of extremely harmful groups like Moms For Liberty
Her mission around PAINT THE HOOD ORANGE and TASK FORCE AGAINST GUN VIOLENCE
How white women can show up in advocacy and activism with humility and graciousness to listen and learn BEFORE speaking and offering support
How she recently ended up at the White House to share her work with Hustle Mommies
The Hustle Mommies Million Black Mom March in Washington DC in May 2024

Links mentioned:

Join my October Retreat for Women Entrepreneurs: Influence & Ignite: Be the CEO and Thought Leader You Were Born to Be: shamelessmom.com/bizretreat
Connect with Hustle Mommies: www.hustlemommies.org
IG: @arieldeney @thehustlemommies
Twitter/X: @ushustlemommies

We love the sponsors that make this show possible! You can always find all the special deals and codes for all our current sponsors on our website: https://shamelessmom.com/sponsor

Interested in becoming a sponsor of the Shameless Mom Academy? Email our sales team at sales@adalystmedia.com

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

808: Resilience Rant + 6 Ways to Raise Your Resilience Sep 25, 2023

Today we are digging into the truth about resilience. Resilience has been branded as something that an individual should strive to have when facing adverse conditions. Resilience has been explained as something one can grow over time - which is true. We do become more resilient as we face more hardships. But, when we think of resilience in this way, we can quickly see how resilience is then required much more of certain people. In fact, we see that the most resilience is required of the people with the fewest resources. This feels backward, doesn’t it?

Perhaps we need to look at the roots of the systems that set some folks up to require a lifetime of resilience to merely survive.

When we look at resilience through this lens, we see…

The system tells you, “Practice resiliency!” when the system was not built with any tools or resources to support your resiliency.

The system tells you resiliency is your job alone when the system is beating down and failing large marginalized groups on a mass scale.

The system tells you resiliency is about the last few years, all you’ve been through, and how well you’ve adapted. When in truth the system has been beating down women, mothers, POC, and marginalized communities for centuries.

The system tells you resiliency is a problem solved through self-care when self-care won’t make any difference if you have to jump right back into the structures that harm you after your bubble bath.

The system tells you, “Look at you! You’re strong! You’re adaptable! You’re the model of resilience!” without acknowledging that it has no plans to evolve or change to make your life easier. Instead, you will have to be your strongest, most adaptable, most resilient self #everydamnday until you die.

When we take on our own resiliency as a personal project, the system keeps winning. The system is upheld. The system functions exactly as it was intended to.

This episode explores how you can take care of yourself as you try to fit a tiny bandaid (your resiliency habits) on a large wound (the system in which, perhaps, you were never expected to fully succeed.)

Links mentioned:

Join my October Retreat for Women Entrepreneurs: Influence & Ignite: Be the CEO and Thought Leader You Were Born to Be: shamelessmom.com/bizretreat
Book: Joy is My Justice by Tanmeet Sethi
Book: Burnout by Emily Nagoski and Amelia Nagoski
Book: Rest is Resistance by Tricia Hersey

We love the sponsors that make this show possible! You can always find all the special deals and codes for all our current sponsors on our website: https://shamelessmom.com/sponsor

Interested in becoming a sponsor of the Shameless Mom Academy? Email our sales team at sales@adalystmedia.com

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

807: Dr. Amy Hoyt: Symptoms of Trauma and How to Start Mending Trauma Sep 20, 2023

Dr. Hoyt is certified in Traumatic Stress Studies and is the founder of Mending Trauma, a digital mental health company that specializes in trauma recovery. As a former professor, Dr. Hoyt led research teams in Africa looking at mass trauma, agency, and forgiveness. She transitioned into the online mental health space during the pandemic in order to help fill the growing mental health need.

Dr. Hoyt is obsessed with teaching others to reprogram their brains and heal their nervous systems so they can break generational cycles and live with more joy. She is a mom of 5 kids, 3 of whom are differently abled. She lives with her husband and children in the Ozark mountains.

I appreciated this conversation with Amy beyond measure. As weird as it sounds, I love talking about trauma, especially with a seasoned expert. I had so many lightbulb moments with Amy, as I realized some of my own symptoms of trauma. Whether you have endured small or large-scale traumas in your life, it’s likely you will see yourself in parts of this conversation - allowing you to connect some dots that may lead to some healing.

Listen in to hear Amy share:

What trauma is by definition:
The symptoms of trauma
The symptoms of trauma that are more prevalent in moms
The difference between hypervigilance and hyperarousal
The difference between trauma and toxic stress
The power of being benevolently curious
The two ways trauma is passed down to our children: genetically and through our own behavioral interactions with them
How to use micro steps to start processing your trauma in gentle ways
The importance of processing the collective trauma of COVID and its impact on our daily lives, our work, and motherhood

Links mentioned:

Join My September Retreat for Women Leaders at Work: Influence & Ignite: Be the Boss Your People Have Been Waiting For: shamelessmom.com/leaders
Join my October Retreat for Women Entrepreneurs: Influence & Ignite: Be the CEO and Thought Leader You Were Born to Be: shamelessmom.com/bizretreat
Connect with Amy and her Team: www.mendingtrauma.com
Take the Trauma Quiz to find out your trauma response: www.mendingtrauma.com/quiz
Amy’s Podcast: The Mending Trauma Podcast
Amy on IG
Amy on FB
Mending Trauma on FB
Amy on LinkedIn

We love the sponsors that make this show possible! You can always find all the special deals and codes for all our current sponsors on our website: https://shamelessmom.com/sponsor

Interested in becoming a sponsor of the Shameless Mom Academy? Email our sales team at sales@adalystmedia.com

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

806: Managing Your Expectations vs Your Reality Sep 18, 2023

5 years ago, my husband and I celebrated our 10-year wedding anniversary in New Orleans. It was a ton of fun. It was near the end of that trip that we started talking about, “What will we do for 15 years??”

Of course, 15 years felt like decades away at the time. And it kind of was. While 5 years is 5 years no matter how you measure it, the way the world has changed over the last 5 years feels like a lifetime of change at breakneck speed.

5 years ago, we talked about how it would be so fun to celebrate our 15-year anniversary in Napa, with dinner at the French Laundry (a super fancy restaurant we had heard about through our restaurant industry friends.)

This plan seems silly now. Spending that kind of money on a meal when my husband has been unemployed for months. And, even before his layoff, our priorities have shifted and evolved as the world has shifted and evolved.

With so many unknowns, we had decided we would just go out to dinner at a modest local restaurant.

And, it was perfect! It was exactly what we needed on that day. We didn’t need the thing we thought we wanted 5 years ago.

While we once had these lavish expectations for this occasion, our reality called for something else. And that something else was exactly what we needed.

That doesn’t mean that the lavish expectation isn’t still sitting with me. It is. But I have trained myself to let go of expectations because reality has shown up to laugh in my face so many times over the last few years. I know I’m not alone in this. I know most (all?) of you have also experienced this!

So, as we navigate this world of managing our expectations vs. our realities, how do we sit with outcomes? In this episode, I share 6 outcomes I’ve experienced from sitting in reality when my expectations have been stolen, shifted, or flipped upside down.

Links mentioned:

Join My September Retreat for Women Leaders at Work: Influence & Ignite: Be the Boss Your People Have Been Waiting For: shamelessmom.com/leaders
Join my October Retreat for Women Entrepreneurs: Influence & Ignite: Be the CEO and Thought Leader You Were Born to Be: shamelessmom.com/bizretreat

We love the sponsors that make this show possible! You can always find all the special deals and codes for all our current sponsors on our website: https://shamelessmom.com/sponsor

Interested in becoming a sponsor of the Shameless Mom Academy? Email our sales team at sales@adalystmedia.com

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

805: Heather Salazar: Cancer Survivor and Change Maker Sep 13, 2023

Heather Salazar is the President and CEO of Pink Ribbon Good. As a breast cancer survivor, Heather knows firsthand what many women and men really need during their cancer battle: support. Through her work with Pink Ribbon Good, Heather makes sure individuals fighting breast and gynecological cancers are supported with healthy meals, rides to treatment, housecleaning kits, and peer support and education– all at no cost to the patient, and all because no one travels this road alone. Heather graduated with a bachelor's degree in psychology from Wright State University in Communication and Social Work. Heather and her family have been featured in People magazine, on The Today Show, and the Tamron Hall Show.

Heather and I decided to release this episode at this time because September is Gynecological Cancer Awareness Month and October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. It is likely that every single person who listens to this episode has had their life touched in some way by these kinds of cancers. If you haven’t yet, you will.

Listen in to hear Heather share:

How she grew her family by adopting a baby whose mom, Alexis, had stage 4 cancer
The loss of Alexis and then Heather’s own breast cancer diagnosis shortly after Alexis’s death
How she started Pink Ribbon Good - as someone who hates pink ribbons
How she was able to charge forward and make assumptions that she would be successful in her mission even when she had self-doubt
How she is supporting food-insecure and transportation-insecure people who are in breast and gynecological cancer treatment
The sage advice of her investor, Pat, who gave her 45K and told her to go find doers, donors, door openers

Links mentioned:

Join My September Retreat for Women Leaders at Work: Influence & Ignite: Be the Boss Your People Have Been Waiting For: shamelessmom.com/leaders
Join my October Retreat for Women Entrepreneurs: Influence & Ignite: Be the CEO and Thought Leader You Were Born to Be: shamelessmom.com/bizretreat
Connect with Heather and Pink Ribbon Good: Pinkribbongood.org
Pink Ribbon Good on Twitter
Pink Ribbon Good on IG
Heather on IG

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804: Sometimes It’s Better to Take the Long Route Sep 11, 2023

We are naturally programmed to find the shortest route from Point A to Point B. We want to be fast and efficient. We don’t want to waste time with unnecessary detours. We want to check the box that signals DONE. Mission accomplished. Task completed.

However, if you look back at anything you’ve done in life that took a little extra time or required a detour (that might have been very frustrating at the moment), you can likely see some sort of gift or a little bit of magic that you wouldn’t have been able to receive if you swiftly moved from Point A to Point B without interruption, distraction or detour.

It is the detours and the squiggly, indirect routes from Point A to Point B that create space for unique opportunities to build relationships, learn some of life’s best lessons, charter new territory, practice a new skill, fumble and fail your way forward, grow in ways you didn’t know you needed to grow, find little bits of magic you didn’t know you were looking for.

In this episode, I talk through why the squiggly, indirect route is often the best route - even if you’re the kind of person (like me!) who doesn’t like to waste a single moment on something that appears to be unnecessary at the onset.

Links mentioned:

Join My September Retreat for Women Leaders at Work: Influence & Ignite: Be the Boss Your People Have Been Waiting For: shamelessmom.com/leaders
Join my October Retreat for Women Entrepreneurs: Influence & Ignite: Be the CEO and Thought Leader You Were Born to Be: shamelessmom.com/bizretreat

We love the sponsors that make this show possible! You can always find all the special deals and codes for all our current sponsors on our website: https://shamelessmom.com/sponsor

Interested in becoming a sponsor of the Shameless Mom Academy? Email our sales team at sales@adalystmedia.com

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

803: Susie Pettit: Codependent Parenting & Parenting Tweens/Teens Sep 06, 2023

Susie Pettit has been helping women live the lives they love for over 20 years. She is the podcast host of the Love Your Life Show, offers the super successful Parenting Teens Survival Course, and runs a monthly membership for Midlife Warriors. She is a certified Parent, Life + Wellness Coach, and a mom of 5 sons ages 18-25.

Susie helps women live lives that feel as good on the inside as they look on the outside. She spent more than half her life living a life she did not love; as a people pleaser and codependent perfectionist in constant pursuit of a ‘Martyr of the Year’ award.

She has the breadth of experience to teach firsthand about setting healthy boundaries, beating your inner critic, conscious parenting, and how to use mindfulness-based tools to beat overwhelm and anxiety.

Listen in to hear Susie share:

The benefits of parenting with faith in the universe over fear
What codependent parenting looks like
Steps to raise more confident, less anxious kids
The importance of parenting your tweens/teens/young adults differently than you parented your 0-9 year olds - moving from the role of “manager” to “consultant”
Your 3 most important jobs as a parent:
Some assumptions parents make that lead to unnecessary conflict or drama in the house
Her 5 Pillars of Parenting Teens

Links mentioned:

Join My September Retreat for Women Leaders at Work: Influence & Ignite: Be the Boss Your People Have Been Waiting For: shamelessmom.com/leaders
Join my October Retreat for Women Entrepreneurs: Influence & Ignite: Be the CEO and Thought Leader You Were Born to Be: shamelessmom.com/bizretreat
Susie’s special tips for Shameless Moms: https://smbwell.com/sara
Link to Co dependency quiz: smbwell.com/coda
Connect with Susie: smbwell.com
Susie on IG
Susie on FB
Get Susie’s newsletter: smbwell.com/subscribe
Susie’s Parenting Teens Program: smbwell.com/parenting
Susie’s Life Coaching Program: smbwell.com/lifeschool

We love the sponsors that make this show possible! You can always find all the special deals and codes for all our current sponsors on our website: https://shamelessmom.com/sponsor

Interested in becoming a sponsor of the Shameless Mom Academy? Email our sales team at sales@adalystmedia.com

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

802: Your Invitation to Take Back Back-to-School Sep 04, 2023

Before you jump to conclusions about the title of this episode, rest assured that I am not suggesting we take away back-to-school and live in eternal summer. Quite the opposite. Get those kids in school. Keep them there. For a very long time. No more summers, 3-day weekends, mid-winter breaks. None of it. All school, all the time. Ha!

Can you tell I’m thrilled that it’s finally back-to-school season?!

In this episode, I’m inviting you to Take Back Back-to-School by taking back this season to center yourself. You very likely just spent the last 3 or so months centering your kids, your family, and perhaps your extended family in one million ways. NOW?? This is your time.

September is pretty much New Years for moms. Happy New Year! We made it!!

Now that you made it, what will you do with this time, this season, these last 4 months of 2023?

I’m going to invite you to take this time for you. Make it about your needs. Center yourself.

In this episode, I’ll share 3 ways you can get started.

Happy September, Mamas! Happy New Years! WE MADE IT!

Links mentioned:

Join My September Retreat for Women Leaders at Work: Influence & Ignite: Be the Boss Your People Have Been Waiting For: shamelessmom.com/leaders

Join my October Retreat for Women Entrepreneurs: Influence & Ignite: Be the CEO and Thought Leader You Were Born to Be: shamelessmom.com/bizretreat

We love the sponsors that make this show possible! You can always find all the special deals and codes for all our current sponsors on our website: https://shamelessmom.com/sponsor

Interested in becoming a sponsor of the Shameless Mom Academy? Email our sales team at sales@adalystmedia.com

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

801: Ange Matthews: How to Make Your Money Make More Money Aug 30, 2023

Angela E. Matthews is an Investor, Investment Coach, and the founder of the Happy Investor Method™, where her goal is to make investing accessible and fun for all. As an experienced investor and investment trainer, she has conducted workshops, seminars, and one-on-one coaching with thousands of individuals and businesses from all walks of life. A first-generation investor, she was making $40,000 a year and had six figures in debt when she taught herself how to generate multiple 6 figures passively in the stock market, and has since helped others make thousands of dollars doing the same.

I absolutely loved this conversation. Ange took something that I find so daunting and unapproachable - the stock market - and made it simple, fun, and accessible! If you’re at all curious about making your money make more money for you in low-stakes ways (like $50, not $10,000!), you will love Ange and this conversation.

Listen in to hear Ange share:

How she self-funded her 8-month maternity leave
The power of making money make money for you
The mistakes she made early on in investing and how you can avoid the same mistakes
Specific steps to take to start investing in low-stakes ways in order to grow your learning curve and confidence
Why she works as a passive investor and how she differs from a day trader
How to choose companies to invest in
What apps to use for buying stocks
The deep significance of building generational wealth for her and her children

Links mentioned:

We love the sponsors that make this show possible! You can always find all the special deals and codes for all our current sponsors on our website: https://shamelessmom.com/sponsor

Interested in becoming a sponsor of the Shameless Mom Academy? Email our sales team at sales@adalystmedia.com

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

800: Behind the Scenes of 800 SMA Episodes! Aug 28, 2023

800!! UNREAL.

I always joke that I am nothing if not consistent. Over the last 7.5 years, we have put out a new SMA every single Monday and Wednesday. And now we are up to 800! WOW.

For funsies, I want to take you a bit behind the scenes for this episode. So, I’m answering some of the most common questions I get about hosting the show. I hope you enjoy this peek behind the curtain (and the little bit of tea that I spill.)

In this episode, I answer these questions:

Do you ever run out of episode ideas or things to talk about?
Do you have a favorite interview?
Do you have a least favorite interview?
Have you ever not aired an interview?
What have been the biggest surprises over the course of 800 episodes?
What life lessons have you learned after creating so many episodes?
How has the podcast opened doors to new opportunities?

Also… THANK YOU. Whether you’ve tuned in to all 800 episodes of the show or you’re a newer listener, it is a HUGE honor to be in your ear. I do not take it lightly. Thank you for inviting me in. I truly love spending time with you each week. I see you and I appreciate you.

Xoxo, Sara

We love the sponsors that make this show possible! You can always find all the special deals and codes for all our current sponsors on our website: https://shamelessmom.com/sponsor

Interested in becoming a sponsor of the Shameless Mom Academy? Email our sales team at sales@adalystmedia.com

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

799: Kristi Fischer and Kelly Winkler: How to Use Mindfulness for All Ages Aug 23, 2023

Kelly Winkler and Kristi Fischer are both moms, former classroom teachers, yoga teachers, kids, yoga teachers, and trainers for Kidding Around Yoga. Both have had extensive experience working with children in various capacities and now are very passionate about sharing what they have learned with families and educators. In their podcast, Mindful Conversations with KAY, Kristi and Kelly share research-based tools and strategies to help increase mindfulness, self-awareness, connection, self-regulation, and peace in the home and classroom. In these fun and insightful conversations, they take a deep dive into all things kids yoga and mindfulness.

Listen in to hear Kelly and Kristi share:

How their experience as Shameless Moms (raising 6 kids between the 2 of them) led to their interest in and need for mindfulness practices
How Kelly’s teen daughter’s OCD led her to a meditation practice and inspired Kelly’s work with kids and mindfulness
Specific mindfulness techniques that can be used across different development stages
How to cue your kids into their body sensations before they get to a point of emotional dysregulation
The significance of modeling mindfulness to your kids
How educators can integrate mindfulness into their curriculum

Links mentioned:

Podcast: Mindful Conversations with KAY
Connect with Kristi and Kelly and Kidding Around Yoga Resources: www.kiddingaroundyoga.com
KAY on IG
KAY on FB

We love the sponsors that make this show possible! You can always find all the special deals and codes for all our current sponsors on our website: https://shamelessmom.com/sponsor

Interested in becoming a sponsor of the Shameless Mom Academy? Email our sales team at sales@adalystmedia.com

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

798: 8 Weird Things That Happen to You in Motherhood Aug 21, 2023

This is a lighter episode that I’m hoping will give you a few laughs you didn’t even know you needed.

I have so many “Nobody warned me!” moments in motherhood. On top of that, as a direct result of motherhood, I have these entirely new personality attributes that I never saw coming. Some of them are great. Some are downright alarming. I’m here for them all.

In this episode, I share 8 weird things that happen to you in motherhood (that no one warns you about). I think some, if not all, of these will make you laugh. I hope you see yourself, laugh at yourself, and laugh right alongside me. And then, please join me on Instagram (@shamelessmomacademy) to share the weird things that have happened to you in motherhood that no one ever warned you about!

We love the sponsors that make this show possible! You can always find all the special deals and codes for all our current sponsors on our website: https://shamelessmom.com/sponsor

Interested in becoming a sponsor of the Shameless Mom Academy? Email our sales team at sales@adalystmedia.com

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

797: One Shameless Thing: Embrace Change Aug 17, 2023

A few years ago, I was listening to a podcast interview with Brene Brown and Jim Collins and she shared this quote from Jim Collins’ book, Good to Great, “Uncertainty is chronic. Instability is permanent. Disruption is common.” Hearing this made me so mad that I immediately stopped listening. I later returned to the interview because I knew this was a lesson I needed to learn. A lesson around embracing change - and especially about embracing change as a constant.

This week I am giving you ONE SHAMELESS THING to Embrace Change in order to manage your mindset in a world that seems to be evolving much faster than we can keep up with!

ONE SHAMELESS THING is created with one thing in mind - to give you ONE thing - just ONE thing - to make today a better day. My purpose is to give you the hope, optimism and POWER you need to make today whatever you want to make it - even if life is throwing you one curveball after another.

Enjoy this shorty episode. And know that I am in this with you. Always.

We love the sponsors that make this show possible! You can always find all the special deals and codes for all our current sponsors on our website: https://shamelessmom.com/sponsor

Interested in becoming a sponsor of the Shameless Mom Academy? Email our sales team at sales@adalystmedia.com

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

796: Nadia Ahrens: Grief, Loss, and Soul Work Aug 16, 2023

Nadia Ahrens is a psychotherapist and spiritual life coach. A graduate of Columbia University, she's been helping women heal for over twenty years. Nadia believes that we all struggle and have trauma and tragedy to grow from, herself included. She shares her experience of losing her eight-year-old son in 2016, so she can be a beacon for others. Along with working 1:1 with her clients, she also leads workshops, online groups, and retreats. Nadia is also a hypnotherapist and uses this creative and spiritual modality in her work. Using a blend of clinical expertise and hypnotherapy, she helps women turn their wounds into wisdom.

I have worked with Nadia personally and referred others to her as well. Her work is so transformational. I am so excited to share her magic with you all.

Listen in to hear Nadia share:

How to be intentional about how to give the best of us, not the rest of us
How she managed the grief of losing her son Jack when he was 8 years old
How she shifted from waiting to die to choosing to live after Jack’s death
Why she made herself sit in the black hole of grief before she started making her way out
How to check in on a grieving friend in a thoughtful and intentional way
The concept of soul work especially as you navigate hard moments or season
The importance of holding space for “this is happening for me” vs “this is happening to me”
What hypnotherapy is and what it is not - the myths and the truth around this powerful form of trauma healing

Links Mentioned:

Connect with Nadia: nadiaahrenscoaching.com
Get details on Nadia’s Fall Retreat: email nadia.ahrens@gmail.com
Nadia on FB
Nadia on IG
FB Group

We love the sponsors that make this show possible! You can always find all the special deals and codes for all our current sponsors on our website: https://shamelessmom.com/sponsor

Interested in becoming a sponsor of the Shameless Mom Academy? Email our sales team at sales@adalystmedia.com

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

795: Who You Are Anywhere Is Who You Are Everywhere Aug 14, 2023

WHO YOU ARE ANYWHERE IS WHO YOU ARE EVERYWHERE.

Who are you when you don’t have anything to gain?

Who are you when no one is watching?

Who are you when someone who has less than you needs something you have?

Who are you when you see someone struggling?

Who are you when there is an opportunity to share your time and resources?

Who are you when there is an opportunity to perform a random act of kindness for a stranger?

Last week, I was out on a bike ride and got a flat tire 5 miles away from home. I got off my bike to fix my flat and realized I had the wrong pump and without a valve adapter, there was no way I could re-inflate my tire. I did not have a valve adapter.

I sat there in the rain for about 20 minutes - sitting in the wet dirt on the side of the trail, with my bike disassembled.

The number of cyclists who rode passed me: at least 30.

The number of people who acknowledged a woman sitting in the rain on the side of a trail with a broken down bike: 0

When no one stopped for me after 15 minutes or so, I started trying to flag people down.

I called out to folks as they approached me, “Excuse me, do you have a….”

And my voice would trail off as they whizzed by me without any sort of acknowledgment.

If you’re the person who whizzes by the woman in the rain with the broken down bike, I’m going to assume you are also the person who walks by the person experiencing homelessness and acts like they are invisible. I’m going to assume you are the person who speaks in meetings without asking those who look or think differently than you for their ideas and opinions. I’m going to assume are not teaching your children how to treat people who are different than you with kindness and compassion because you are not demonstrating that yourself (unless perhaps it benefits you.)

In this episode, I share how I finally got help, as well as how to check yourself in terms of how you show up for others.

We love the sponsors that make this show possible! You can always find all the special deals and codes for all our current sponsors on our website: https://shamelessmom.com/sponsor

Interested in becoming a sponsor of the Shameless Mom Academy? Email our sales team at sales@adalystmedia.com

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

794: One Shameless Thing: Use Your Voice Aug 10, 2023

Using your voice can be downright scary. But it can also be the most powerful tool you have. When you use your voice you expand and extend your edges. You move that line where your comfort zone ends and your discomfort begins and your comfort and capacity around using your voice grows tremendously.

This week I am giving you ONE SHAMELESS THING to Use Your Voice in order to stand up for yourself, the people you love, and the ideas you want to share with the world.

ONE SHAMELESS THING is created with one thing in mind - to give you ONE thing - just ONE thing - to make today a better day. My purpose is to give you the hope, optimism, and POWER you need to make today whatever you want to make it - even if life is throwing you one curveball after another.

Enjoy this shorty episode. And know that I am in this with you. Always.

We love the sponsors that make this show possible! You can always find all the special deals and codes for all our current sponsors on our website: https://shamelessmom.com/sponsor

Interested in becoming a sponsor of the Shameless Mom Academy? Email our sales team at sales@adalystmedia.com

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

793: Sabrina Justison: What Happens to a Mother When Her Son Is Incarcerated for Murder Aug 09, 2023

Content Warning: this episode talks about murder and the prison system.

Sabrina Justison is a curriculum developer, speaker, and writer, wife to Fred, and mom or step-mom to 7 grown kids, plus grandmother to 6. She is also the Founder and Executive Director of the non-profit, PrisonCare. One of those grown kids is "J," who is mentally ill and in prison, serving a very long sentence for murder. Sabrina is an advocate for people like J who are incarcerated, in particular those living with mental illness.

The need for sweeping prison reform is undeniable for sure, but in the meantime, while we wait for legislation and funding, no matter WHAT our politics are, we can offer tangible support to the people inside the fence, simply because they are in need, and they matter. In particular, the mental health needs of prison residents AND corrections staff are overwhelming. For example: on average, three Corrections Officers die by suicide every day in the US. Incarcerated individuals are more than twice as likely to be significantly mentally ill than those outside of prisons.

Through PrisonCare, Sabrina is committed to humazing people who are incarcerated and supporting the mental health of our incarcerated community members and Corrections Officers.

Listen in to hear Sabrina share:

What it has been like to be the mother of a child who is serving a very long prison sentence for murder
How she took her background in psychology and the arts to found her non profit, PrisonCare
How she started to pick up the pieces and move forward after her son was incarcerated
The critical lack of mental health support in prisons and jails
How we, as a society, have completely dehumanized prisoners and created a system that is harmful to prisoners and all of society
The surprising parallels and similarities between the lives of the prisoners and Corrections Officers in the prison system
What PrisonCare does and how to adopt a prison

Links mentioned:

Learn about Prison Care: prisoncare.org
Connect with Sabrina: sabrinajustison.com
The Prison Care Podcast: theprisoncarepodcast.buzzsprout.com
Sabrina on Facebook
Prison Care on FB
Private PrisonCare FB Group
Sabrina on Instagram
PrisonCare on IG
Sabrina on Twitter
PrisonCare on Twitter
Sabrina on LinkedIn
PrisonCare on LinkedIn

We love the sponsors that make this show possible! You can always find all the special deals and codes for all our current sponsors on our website: https://shamelessmom.com/sponsor

Interested in becoming a sponsor of the Shameless Mom Academy? Email our sales team at sales@adalystmedia.com

We love the sponsors that make this show possible! You can always find all the special deals and codes for all our current sponsors on our website: https://shamelessmom.com/sponsor

Interested in becoming a sponsor of the Shameless Mom Academy? Email our sales team at sales@adalystmedia.com

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

792: Perfectionism as a Patriarchal Social Construct Aug 07, 2023

Our patriarchal society has created tons of social constructs that lead us to unknowingly behave in ways that benefit some (men) while holding others back (including but not limited to: women, people of color, members of the LGBTQIA+ community, people with neurodiversities, people with disabilities, and people with larger bodies)

Over the years, I’ve talked about mom guilt as a social construct and imposter syndrome as a social construct. Both of these social constructs are part of a system that intentionally makes women and moms think and behave in specific ways that ultimately limit how they show up in the world. These limitations create more space for others (men) to have more opportunities to find success, build wealth, and amass power.

I recently started doing some thinking on perfectionism as a social construct. Once I started thinking this through, I knew there had to be research to back up my hypotheses. So, I went and found it. In today’s episode, I’m going to talk about perfectionism as a social construct. We will dig into different forms of perfectionism, as well as how you can start to reject perfectionism in order to get out of your head and get on with your life. Buckle up. This is a good one!

Links mentioned:

NYU Article: Problematizing Perfectionism: A Closer Look at the Perfectionism Construct

Harvard Business Review Article: Perfectionism Is Increasing, and That’s Not Good News

We love the sponsors that make this show possible! You can always find all the special deals and codes for all our current sponsors on our website: https://shamelessmom.com/sponsor

Interested in becoming a sponsor of the Shameless Mom Academy? Email our sales team at sales@adalystmedia.com

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

791: One Shameless Thing: Quit Something Aug 03, 2023

There should be no shame in your quitting game. For years now, I have preached to my clients, “Be a quitter!” Rather than always adding more to your plate in an effort to overdo, overproduce, and over-prove yourself, how about releasing things from your plate as your needs, desires, values, and schedule change over time?

This week I am giving you ONE SHAMELESS THING to Quit Something in order to make more space for the things that are most important and fulfilling to your right now.

Enjoy this shorty episode and know that I am in this with you…Always!

We love the sponsors that make this show possible! You can always find all the special deals and codes for all our current sponsors on our website: https://shamelessmom.com/sponsor

Interested in becoming a sponsor of the Shameless Mom Academy? Email our sales team at sales@adalystmedia.com

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

790: Jill Shroyer: How to Conquer Sticky Situations Aug 02, 2023

Jill Shroyer is the CEO & Founder of Expedition HR and a past member of my Tenacious Mama Business Mastermind. Jill has 20+ years working in HR, having held positions across four industries from HR Assistant to Executive Level roles. Jill is thrilled to be entering her 5th year as a business owner where she refers to herself as an Expert Sticky Situation Solver.

Jill has shared her work with me over the years, especially as she wrote her best-selling book, Conquer Sticky Situations.

While she uses her principles primarily in the corporate realm, her 5 step formula to conquering sticky situations is 100% relevant to other aspects of life - relationships, parenting, and navigating community groups. I asked her on the show because I know her approach will be relevant to aspects of your life as you navigate sticky situations and tough conversations!

Listen in to hear Jill share:

How she went from feeling “mediocre” in life to feeling confident in hard, sticky, and uncomfortable forms of leadership
The power of changing your beliefs to challenge your narrative and change your outcomes
Why we shy away from sticky conversations and how can we rewrite the narrative about our ability to sit in tough moments and conversations
Her 5-step formula for dealing with tough conversations
Her 3-prong approach to the 5-steps that are "where the magic happens" in sticky conversations
How to use the 5-step framework to go after what you want - like asking for a raise!

Links mentioned:

Connect with Jill: Expeditionhr.com
Get Jill’s Book: Conquer Sticky Situations
Jill on LinkedIn
Jill on Facebook

We love the sponsors that make this show possible! You can always find all the special deals and codes for all our current sponsors on our website: https://shamelessmom.com/sponsor

Interested in becoming a sponsor of the Shameless Mom Academy? Email our sales team at sales@adalystmedia.com

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

789: Brain Tricks to Manage Your Mindset in Tough Times Jul 31, 2023

If you’re anything like me, tough times might send you into a tailspin of brewing, stewing, and rumination around all the things that are not working out for you. While it’s totally appropriate (and necessary!) to feel all the feels when the universe seems to be working against you, it’s dysfunctional, if not harmful, to allow yourself to sit in these feelings for too long. At some point, you have to take responsibility for how you want to manage your mindset.

When you are looking to shift your mindset from brewing, stewing, and ruminating to something more functional (and enjoyable), there are a few ways that you can trick your brain to whip it back into shape and allow it to work with you rather than against you.

In this episode, we will talk through these 5 different ways you can “rearrange your brain” in order to keep going and move forward even when hard moments end up lasting for entire seasons. When you give your brain the opportunity to let yourself escape, release urgency, create the correct proof, and come up with creative options, everything can start to shift for you.

We love the sponsors that make this show possible! You can always find all the special deals and codes for all our current sponsors on our website: https://shamelessmom.com/sponsor

Interested in becoming a sponsor of the Shameless Mom Academy? Email our sales team at sales@adalystmedia.com

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

788: One Shameless Thing: Shut Down Overwhelm Jul 27, 2023

It is so easy to become confused, if not consumed, by what the outside world says is important versus what you need to focus on for yourself and those closest to you right in this moment based on your specific needs right in this moment.

This week I am giving you ONE SHAMELESS THING to Shut Down Overwhelm in order to discern what you really need to be focusing on right now.

Enjoy this shorty episode. And know that I am in this with you. Always.

We love the sponsors that make this show possible! You can always find all the special deals and codes for all our current sponsors on our website: https://shamelessmom.com/sponsor

Interested in becoming a sponsor of the Shameless Mom Academy? Email our sales team at sales@adalystmedia.com

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

787: Taylor Morrison: The Broken System Within the Self Care Industry Jul 26, 2023

Taylor Elyse Morrison turned being bad at self-care—and being firmly convinced of every human’s potential—into a career. She’s the founder of the media company Inner Workout, and the author of a book by the same name. Recently named one of Fortune’s 10 Innovators Shaping the Future of Health, Taylor is tired of aspirational 'wellness as usual.' Instead, she builds businesses, content, and experiences that make well-being and personal development more accessible. You're just as likely to see Taylor facilitating a workshop at a Fortune 100 as you are to see her talking about TikTok and body image with a high school class. Wherever she goes, Taylor's sure to use her coaching, mindfulness, and movement training to meet people where they're at and offer actionable steps toward creating a world without burnout.

As someone who also believes a lot of the self-care industry is just a big marketing scheme, I was very excited to talk to Taylor about her experience and expertise. This conversation did not disappoint. I think you’ll learn a lot from Taylor and take a different look at what “self-care” means to you!

Listen in to hear Taylor share:

The difference between self-care and self expertise
The problem around accessibility in the self-care industry
How to make choices by asking yourself, “Is it myself or is it the system that is the problem?” when you’re questioning yourself and your needs
How to start grounding yourself and growing your roots in your self expertise
The importance of knowing how your inner wisdom speaks specifically to you
How to become a better communicator as you become a better self expert

Links mentioned:

Connect with Taylor: Innerworkout.co
Take the Assessment: Innerworkout.co/take-care-profile
Get Taylor’s book: Inner Workout
Taylor’s Podcast: Inner Warmup
Taylor on IG: @taylorelysemorrison and @innerworkout

We love the sponsors that make this show possible! You can always find all the special deals and codes for all our current sponsors on our website: https://shamelessmom.com/sponsor

Interested in becoming a sponsor of the Shameless Mom Academy? Email our sales team at sales@adalystmedia.com

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

786: 5 Simple Steps to Leaving a Legacy You’re Proud Of Jul 24, 2023

What will people say about you at your funeral? When you attend a funeral and hear all the lovely things people say about the person who has passed on, you may find yourself thinking, “What will people say about me when I am no longer here?”

While you certainly should not live your life constantly worrying about what others are thinking and saying about you, it is worth considering the legacy you are building and whether or not you might want to be more intentional about your legacy.

I was at a funeral recently and as multiple people spoke about the person who had passed, I noted how the same words and themes came up over and over again. It made me pause and think about the words and themes people might use to describe me and the life I have lived if something awful were to happen to me right now.

In this episode, I talk through how to build a legacy in simple ways, starting now. This isn’t intended to upend your life so you can go be someone totally new. Rather, it’s intended to give you some guidelines and guardrails (some of which you’re likely already following) to keep living in a direction that you love while building something you feel great about.

We will talk through 5 Legacy Leverages (ways you can leverage building your legacy right away) as well as 5 Legacy Leaches (the things that quickly take away, distract, or totally deter you from building a legacy you love.

We love the sponsors that make this show possible! You can always find all the special deals and codes for all our current sponsors on our website: https://shamelessmom.com/sponsor

Interested in becoming a sponsor of the Shameless Mom Academy? Email our sales team at sales@adalystmedia.com

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

785: One Shameless Thing: Renew Joy Jul 20, 2023

This shorty podcast episode is created with one thing in mind - to give you just ONE thing to make today a better day. You’re busy enough. You don't need 37 more things to do today. Let this one shameless thing guide you through your day today.

My purpose is to give you the hope, optimism and POWER you need to make today whatever you want to make it - even if life is throwing you one curveball after another.

Today I’m giving you One Shameless Thing to help you Renew Joy! My good friend Tanmeet Sethi accurately tell us that “joy is a birthright”. You do not need to earn joy. It is an essential life ingredient. I’m going to invite you to invite joy in today!

Enjoy. And know that I am in this with you. Always.

We love the sponsors that make this show possible! You can always find all the special deals and codes for all our current sponsors on our website: https://shamelessmom.com/sponsor

Interested in becoming a sponsor of the Shameless Mom Academy? Email our sales team at sales@adalystmedia.com

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

784: Andrea Ippolito: How to Make Baby Feeding More Inclusive Jul 19, 2023

Andrea Ippolito is the CEO and Founder of SimpliFed, a virtual baby-feeding support platform. She previously was a faculty member at Cornell University, a Presidential Innovation Fellow based out of the White House, and Co-founder of Smart Scheduling (acquired by Athenahealth). She is a Shameless Mom to a 5-year-old, a 2-year-old, and a brand new little one born last month. Her journey through motherhood inspired her mission to provide better feeding support to mothers with newborns and infants.

You know baby feeding is a topic near and dear to my heart, as I struggled so desperately to feed Vinnie in his first 6 months of life. It had a tremendous impact on my mental health and on his physical health. I was so thrilled to meet Andrea and dig into this really important topic.

Listen in to hear Andrea share:

How her struggles around breastfeeding led her to found SimpliFed
The ways in which our current baby feeding infrastructure is broken
The perfect storm that created our formula shortage
How SimpliFed is an inclusive baby feeding company, not just a breastfeeding company
The truth about women-led companies: Women-led companies are more profitable, more innovative, and have more impactful missions and outcomes
The significance of a mom-founded, mom-led company creating formula and support for moms
What needs to be done to create systems that actually support women’s health

Links mentioned:

Get Simplified Resource: www.SimpliFed.com
SimpliFed on IG
Reach out to SimpliFed Text Support: 888-458-1364

We love the sponsors that make this show possible! You can always find all the special deals and codes for all our current sponsors on our website: https://shamelessmom.com/sponsor

Interested in becoming a sponsor of the Shameless Mom Academy? Email our sales team at sales@adalystmedia.com

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

783: One Shameless Thing: Own Your Power Jul 17, 2023

My purpose is to give you the hope, optimism and POWER you need to make today whatever you want to make it - even if life is throwing you one curveball after another.

Today I’m giving you One Shameless Thing to help you Own Your Power! You are more qualified and capable than you know. I want you to use that to your advantage #everydamnday.

Enjoy. And know that I am in this with you. Always.

We love the sponsors that make this show possible! You can always find all the special deals and codes for all our current sponsors on our website: https://shamelessmom.com/sponsor

Interested in becoming a sponsor of the Shameless Mom Academy? Email our sales team at sales@adalystmedia.com

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

782: One Shameless Thing: Honor Rest Jul 13, 2023

My purpose is to give you the hope, optimism and POWER you need to make today whatever you want to make it - even if life is throwing you one curveball after another.

Today I’m giving you One Shameless Thing to help you Honor Rest! It’s high time you allowed yourself to rest - without guilt.

Enjoy. And know that I am in this with you. Always.

We love the sponsors that make this show possible! You can always find all the special deals and codes for all our current sponsors on our website: https://shamelessmom.com/sponsor

Interested in becoming a sponsor of the Shameless Mom Academy? Email our sales team at sales@adalystmedia.com

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

781: Suzy Rosenstein: The Significance of Kindness and Living a Regret Free Life Jul 12, 2023

Suzy Rosenstein, MA is a master certified life coach and host of the popular podcast for midlife women, Women in the Middle, with over 1 million downloads. Having wasted five years being stuck herself, she knows how frustrating and painful it can be. She uses her upbeat approach with the serious topic of aging to help you get clear about what you want, get unstuck and live your best life. Girlfriend, there’s more fun to be had! She offers a free guide, 10 Questions to Reimagine your Life After 50.

Suzy and I were in a business coaching group together back in 2018. We recently had a “catch up call” to check in with one another. On that call Suzy shared a really incredible story with me and I immediately knew I wanted her to share it here on the pod. Luckily, she said YES! Her story goes to show that you just never know what surprises you can create in your life, no matter your age or stage, if you remain open to possibility.

Listen in to hear Suzy share:

What it was like to lose her lose her mom at age 5 and dad at age 12

Her “bracelet story” that was 70 years in the making that reconnected her to her mom

The significance of kindness and how that impacts Suzy’s reconnection to her mom

Her invitation to live a regret proof life and how to do that

The significance of really intentionally pursuing happiness as you age

Links mentioned:

Connect with Suzy: https://suzyrosenstein.com/
Suzy’s Free Guide: Top 10 Questions to Reimagine Your Life after 50 Guide
Suzy’s podcast: Women in the Middle: Loving Life After 50
Women in the Middle Ep 93: My Unique Midlife Perspective From Losing My Parents as a Kid
Women in the Middle Ep 267: A Bracelet, Kindness & a 70-Year Journey: A Shocking Midlife Surprise
Suzy on FB
Suzy on IG
Suzy on Twitter

We love the sponsors that make this show possible! You can always find all the special deals and codes for all our current sponsors on our website: https://shamelessmom.com/sponsor

Interested in becoming a sponsor of the Shameless Mom Academy? Email our sales team at sales@adalystmedia.com

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

780: One Shameless Thing: Find Fun Jul 10, 2023

My purpose is to give you the hope, optimism and POWER you need to make today whatever you want to make it - even if life is throwing you one curveball after another.

Today I’m giving you One Shameless Thing to help you Find Fun! You deserve more fun in your life, right?!

Enjoy. And know that I am in this with you. Always.

We love the sponsors that make this show possible! You can always find all the special deals and codes for all our current sponsors on our website: https://shamelessmom.com/sponsor

Interested in becoming a sponsor of the Shameless Mom Academy? Email our sales team at sales@adalystmedia.com

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

779: One Shameless Thing: Walk Toward Your Fear Jul 06, 2023

Woohoooo! Thank you for tuning into these shorty Thursday episodes. I love to hear that you’re loving this content.

This week I am giving you ONE SHAMELESS THING to Walk Toward Your Fear. Enjoy. And know that I am in this with you. Always.

We love the sponsors that make this show possible! You can always find all the special deals and codes for all our current sponsors on our website: https://shamelessmom.com/sponsor

Interested in becoming a sponsor of the Shameless Mom Academy? Email our sales team at sales@adalystmedia.com

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

778: Cindy Muchnick: Navigating Your Teen’s Journey in a Competitive World Jul 05, 2023

Cindy Muchnick, MA, is a graduate of Stanford University and has been working in education for the past 25+ years as a former Assistant Director of College Admission, high school teacher, educational consultant, and author of five other education-related books. Her essays have appeared in Zibby Magazine, Your Teen Magazine, College Confidential, Raising Teens Today, The Los Angeles Times, and The Mom Experience, among others. She is also an experienced and always-learning mother of three sons and a daughter, ages 25 (a teacher/graduate student), 21 (college), 18 (college) and 16 (high school junior). Cindy speaks professionally to parents, students, teachers, and business groups on topics such as study skills, the adolescent journey, college admission, and now the parent compass movement.

Listen in to hear Cindy share:

Why she decided to write a book about college and college admissions in the wake of the college admissions scandal of 2019
What a parent compass is and how to find & follow your true north as a parent
The significance of truly seeing the child you have, not the child you want to inauthentically create
When and how to help your kids be a self-advocate at school
How to be open to all the options your kid might have after high school (4-year degree, gap year, pursuing a fine art or trade and community college, etc)

Links mentioned:

Buy Cindy’s Book: The Parent Compass: Navigating Your Teen’s Wellness and Academic Journey in Today’s Competitive World
Connect with Cindy: cynthiamuchnick.com
Facebook
Instagram
Twitter
LinkedIn

We love the sponsors that make this show possible! You can always find all the special deals and codes for all our current sponsors on our website: https://shamelessmom.com/sponsor

Interested in becoming a sponsor of the Shameless Mom Academy? Email our sales team at sales@adalystmedia.com

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

777: What You Win When You Lead With Curiosity Jul 03, 2023

If you have an anxious, jumpy brain like me, you might have a constant, urgent need to talk, share, contribute, make your point known, be seen, be a fixer, and get the right answer out before anyone else in the room…

Do ya feel me?!

However, what is gained by sharing (shoving?) our thoughts and ideas with others at breakneck speed can just as quickly be lost when we skip the opportunity to step back, get curious, really listen, and dig into engaging and enriching conversations.

So, how do we do this - especially if it’s not how your brain was innately designed?! In this episode, we will talk about how you can become a more curious person and better relationship builder by:

Identifying as a great question asker
Listening actively without formulating your response
Expanding conversations instead of managing or dominating them
Suspending judgment and the need to immediately respond to or counter everyone who thinks differently than you
Showing genuine interest in others and their thoughts & ideas
Embracing silence

As you integrate these curiosity practices, you will find yourself enjoying (winning!)

Deeper, richer relationships
More safe and trusting relationships
Empathy toward those who might have different lived experiences than you
The ability to see, understand, and embrace diverse viewpoints
A departure from always needing to be right to always being open-minded

We love the sponsors that make this show possible! You can always find all the special deals and codes for all our current sponsors on our website: https://shamelessmom.com/sponsor

Interested in becoming a sponsor of the Shameless Mom Academy? Email our sales team at sales@adalystmedia.com

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

776: One Shameless Thing: Take Imperfect Action Jun 29, 2023

Woohoooo! Thank you for tuning into these shorty Thursday episodes. I love to hear that you’re loving this content.

This week I am giving you ONE SHAMELESS THING to Take Imperfect Action. Enjoy. And know that I am in this with you. Always.

We love the sponsors that make this show possible! You can always find all the special deals and codes for all our current sponsors on our website: https://shamelessmom.com/sponsor

Interested in becoming a sponsor of the Shameless Mom Academy? Email our sales team at sales@adalystmedia.com

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

775: Shirin Etessam: Reclaim Your Soul (and Life) in 6 Weeks Jun 28, 2023

Shirin Etessam is an entrepreneur, seasoned media executive, and transformational speaker. She has produced films, original television series, and specials, created several companies, and led campaigns for some of the world’s most recognized companies (ABC, CBS, Discovery, BBC, Facebook, Apple, Intel, Virgin, and many more). A proud member of the LGBTQIA+ community, Shirin founded OML TV, a popular platform dedicated to streaming and curating quality, queer female, video content, and OML Originals, a female-led production company telling diverse female stories through a vast spectrum of film and television genres. Today, Shirin guides seekers in her six-week program, Free to Be, to disconnect their human “being” from their human “doing” to find true and lasting fulfillment. She lives in Marin County, California, with her wife and two children.

Listen in to hear Shirin share:

What soul work is and why it’s so important in this day and age
How soul work is different than spirituality and different than “woo-woo” practices
Her 6-year “Magical Mystery Tour” of having to reconnect with her soul when she lost her partner and co-parent of 13 years and became a single parent of a 5 and 7 year old
The framework she uses to help people reclaim their souls through a 6-week process
How to use her framework of taser, shield, filter, and hug to determine how to hold space for each person in your life
The importance of avoiding spiritual comas and spiritual bypassing

Links mentioned:

Connect with Shirin: https://www.shirinetessam.com
Get Shirin’s Book: Free To Be
Shirin on FB
Shirin on IG
Shirin on TikTok

We love the sponsors that make this show possible! You can always find all the special deals and codes for all our current sponsors on our website: https://shamelessmom.com/sponsor

Interested in becoming a sponsor of the Shameless Mom Academy? Email our sales team at sales@adalystmedia.com

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

774: Dr. Gertrude Lyons: Rewrite Your Mother Code Jun 26, 2023

Dr. Gertrude Lyons is the Founder and CEO of Rewrite The Mother Code, as well as a faculty member at Wright Graduate University. Dr. Lyons is a leading-edge trainer and educator in human emergence, lifestyle, parenting, leadership development, career, relationship satisfaction and success, and women’s development. She is on a mission to help women reclaim their lives through mothering and create a safe space where women can express their dreams, fears, and truths around motherhood. Dr. Lyons firmly believes we are all mothers, and together we can support and empower one another to be the best versions of ourselves.

Listen in to hear Gertrude share:

How all women are mothers and how she is expanding the traditional definition and framework around mothering
What the Mother Code is and how she is inviting each one of us to rewrite the Mother Code
Specific steps you can take to mother yourself
Questions to ask yourself as you write your own Mother Code
How to check in around the feelings of fear, hurt, anger, sadness, and joy each day to be grounded, centered and present
3 steps to start rewriting your Mother Code today

Links mentioned:

Connect with Gertrude: www.drgertrudelyons.com
Gertrude’s Podcast: Mot(her)
Gertrude on IG
Gertrude on LinkedIn

We love the sponsors that make this show possible! You can always find all the special deals and codes for all our current sponsors on our website: https://shamelessmom.com/sponsor

Interested in becoming a sponsor of the Shameless Mom Academy? Email our sales team at sales@adalystmedia.com

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

773: One Shameless Thing: SHINE Jun 22, 2023

Woohoooo! Thank you for tuning into these shorty Thursday episodes. I love to hear that you’re loving this content.

ONE SHAMELESS THING is created with one thing in mind - to give you ONE thing - just ONE thing - to make today a better day. My purpose is to give you the hope, optimism, and POWER you need to make today whatever you want to make it - even if life is throwing you one curveball after another.

This week I am giving you ONE SHAMELESS THING to SHINE. Enjoy. And know that I am in this with you. Always.

We love the sponsors that make this show possible! You can always find all the special deals and codes for all our current sponsors on our website: https://shamelessmom.com/sponsor

Interested in becoming a sponsor of the Shameless Mom Academy? Email our sales team at sales@adalystmedia.com

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

772: Monica Plath: Creating Care Transparency for Our Children and Aging Parents Jun 21, 2023

As a working mom of two active toddlers, Monica Plath intimately knows the anxieties parents and caregivers face when they are apart from their children. That’s how she came up with her idea for Littlebird, a wearable tracking device that offers parents and caregivers peace of mind and real-time data about their children. In the middle of the pandemic, Monica found herself on ZOOM while nursing a newborn and meeting with software developers to meet milestones for deployment. During this time, she also wrote a children's book for charity and created a wine for moms from unused grapes from an award-winning vineyard --- all from rural Yakima Washington. The pandemic enabled her to go digital, file 4 patents, raise 2 million in pre-seed money, and resource the best minds in the business to create Littlebird while raising 2 small children as her marriage was falling apart.

Listen in to hear Monica share:

Her reluctance around being a tech founder, but then shifting to embrace it
What inspired her to create Little Bird when she was pregnant with a toddler under toe and knew she needed a way to support and monitor her toddler to keep him safe
How Little Bird answers these questions in real-time:
Is my child safe?
What is my child doing?
How is my child feeling?
The power and importance of “care transparency”
How our current care economy is underserving parents
Her advice to other moms out there with an idea and how to take initiative to get started

Links mentioned:

Get a Littlebird: www.littlebird.care use promo code SHAMELESS to save $50 on your Littlebird
Monica on Instagram & Twitter: @monicamplath
Littlebird on Instagram & Twitter @littlebirdcares
Monica on Linkedin https://www.linkedin.com/in/monicaplath
Littlebird on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@littlebirdcares

We love the sponsors that make this show possible! You can always find all the special deals and codes for all our current sponsors on our website: https://shamelessmom.com/sponsor

Interested in becoming a sponsor of the Shameless Mom Academy? Email our sales team at sales@adalystmedia.com

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

771: How to Improve Adaptability in Motherhood and Life Jun 19, 2023

A couple of years ago, I was listening to Brene Brown’s podcast and she shared this quote from Jim Collins that made me so mad I had to stop the episode: “Uncertainty is chronic. Instability is permanent. Disruption is common.”

Brene shared this quote in the middle of the pandemic when things were at an all-time low for so many.

The reason I was so mad was because she and Jim were so right. It wasn’t just the pandemic that made uncertainty, instability, and disruption chronic, permanent, and common. This is how the world always has been and always will be. I wasn’t prepared for that last part. It will always be this way. It was as if I had been living in this dreamland in which I had convinced myself that at some point I would arrive at this beautiful destination where everything would finally be certain, stable, and free of disruption.

Thanks for wrecking my dream Brene and Jim!

But when I continued to think about this, I realized that I had already proven over and over and over again how adaptable I was. Life, career, relationships, and - most certainly - motherhood had trained me to adapt, pivot, change gears, and take share right turns on a very regular basis.

The same is true for you. Perhaps you haven’t noticed, but you too are adaptable AF. But if you aren’t owning and honoring you may be missing out on really juicy opportunities and invitations to make decisions that allow for great expansion and possibility in your life.

In this episode, we will talk about how to improve your adaptability in motherhood and life by:

Honoring your scrappiness
Owning your creative problem-solving skills
Checking your ego
Embracing change as a constant
Becoming comfortable being uncomfortable
Committing to long-term growth mindset

We love the sponsors that make this show possible! You can always find all the special deals and codes for all our current sponsors on our website: https://shamelessmom.com/sponsor

Interested in becoming a sponsor of the Shameless Mom Academy? Email our sales team at sales@adalystmedia.com

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

770: One Shameless Thing: Ask For Help Jun 15, 2023

Woohoooo! Thank you for tuning into these shorty Thursday episodes. I love to hear that you’re loving this content.

This week I am giving you ONE SHAMELESS THING to Ask For Help. Enjoy. And know that I am in this with you. Always.

We love the sponsors that make this show possible! You can always find all the special deals and codes for all our current sponsors on our website: https://shamelessmom.com/sponsor

Interested in becoming a sponsor of the Shameless Mom Academy? Email our sales team at sales@adalystmedia.com

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

769: Meg Zucker: Born Extraordinary: Empowering Children with Differences and Disabilities Jun 14, 2023

Meg is an attorney and leader in anti-money laundering and financial crimes on Wall Street. She is also the founder and president of Don’t Hide It Flaunt It® (DHIFI), which is a non-profit whose mission is to advance understanding, tolerance, and mutual respect for people's differences. It provides “flaunt it” Social Emotional Learning (SEL) and anti-bullying programming to public and private schools, universities, community service organizations, and diversity, equity, and inclusion programs at Fortune 500 companies.

Meg is a high-demand speaker and activist who has been featured on the TODAY show. Meg’s writing has appeared in Parents Magazine, USA Today, Scholastic Storyworks, The Jewish Forward, The Mighty, Motherwell, and Scary Mommy. The Zucker family was also the subject of a TLC special, “My Extraordinary Family.” Meg recently released her first book, Born Extraordinary: Empowering Children with Differences and Disabilities.

Listen in to hear Meg share:

Her experience being born with ectrodactyly - the absence of one or more central digits of the hand or foot
The difference between the labels of “difference” and “disabilities” and how to use them appropriately
How she has taken on the attitude Let Go and Let Live in order to let her kids with ectrodactyly figure out their capabilities
The gift of her husband accepting her unconditionally before she accepted herself unconditionally
How her son being bullied led her to start her non-profit, Don’t Hide It, Flaunt It.
The fine line between cruelty and curiosity when it comes to interacting with people who are different than yourself
Why kindness is a great goal, but not sufficient on its own when it comes to teaching your kids about being inclusive

Links mentioned:

Connect with Meg: www.megzucker.com
Meg on IG: @MegZucker and @justflauntit_
Meg on FB and Twitter

We love the sponsors that make this show possible! You can always find all the special deals and codes for all our current sponsors on our website: https://shamelessmom.com/sponsor

Interested in becoming a sponsor of the Shameless Mom Academy? Email our sales team at sales@adalystmedia.com

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

768: How Your Lack of Transparency Is Harmful to Others Jun 12, 2023

For years I tried to attain what my mentors had. I assumed that once you got to a certain place in life, you would be all set - forever. You would finally know how to manage all the things and feel confident in all the things. I kept desperately hoping I could find the level of mastery my coaches had because then life would be full of ease.

For a number of years in a row, I chose ease as one of my “words of the year”. I chose this word because when I looked around it seemed others had actually found this elusive ease. My coaches, random people I followed on Instagram, other school moms - all seemed to have it. I figured if they could find it so could I - DAMMIT.

But over time - one by one - I started to see cracks. People who seemed to “have it all together” offered glimpses into their real lives. There was definitely much less ease than I expected. Sometimes, there was no ease at all. Instead, there was uncertainty, struggle, raw pain, and sometimes straight-up trauma.

When we only show the world our pretty, shiny parts, we are doing a disservice to all women. It is in showing up with transparency (as long as it is safe to do so), that we allow other women to do the same.

We have been socialized to give 110%, to actively desire and desperately pursue perfectionism, to quietly keep our struggles behind closed doors. This greatly harms women while upholding and benefitting the Patriarchy.

By only showing the shiny parts of our lives and withholding the more authentic pieces of ourselves, we harm other women by:

Creating unreal and unreasonable expectations for other women
Upholding the social construct of perfectionism (that only exists for women)
Perpetuating loneliness and isolation for women (and moms especially)
Undermining authentic connection and the collective growth of women on a societal level
Eroding the collective mental health of women & moms
Impairing and inhibiting your relationships

In this episode, I talk through how we have been socialized to hide certain parts of ourselves, why this works out great for men, and how you can start to practice transparency in safe ways in order to show up more authentically and create space for other women to do the same.

We love the sponsors that make this show possible! You can always find all the special deals and codes for all our current sponsors on our website: https://shamelessmom.com/sponsor

Interested in becoming a sponsor of the Shameless Mom Academy? Email our sales team at sales@adalystmedia.com

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

767: One Shameless Thing: Practice Courage Jun 08, 2023

Woohoooo! Thank you for tuning into these shorty Thursday episodes. I love to see that you’re loving this content.

This week I am giving you ONE SHAMELESS THING to Practice Courage. Enjoy. And know that I am in this with you. Always.

We love the sponsors that make this show possible! You can always find all the special deals and codes for all our current sponsors on our website: https://shamelessmom.com/sponsor

Interested in becoming a sponsor of the Shameless Mom Academy? Email our sales team at sales@adalystmedia.com

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

766: Angela Kim: Inner Work, Play, and Radical Radiance Jun 07, 2023

Angela Jia Kim founded Savor Beauty, a natural skincare and facial spa brand inspired by Korean beauty and self-love rituals. She is also a former international, classical concert pianist. Called “the unexpected beauty virtuoso” by MindBodyGreen, she created the award-winning skincare in her kitchen, became an accidental entrepreneur, and built a multimillion-dollar enterprise around the philosophy of manifesting beauty, brilliance, and balance.

She has led hundreds of women empowerment workshops and her Savor Beauty Self-Care Planner has sold over 100,000 copies. A highly recognized skin and self-care expert, her skincare and spas in New York City have been chosen as “Best of New York” and featured in top publications such as The New York Times, Vogue, Elle, People, Allure, Well+Good, and more.

Listen in to hear Angela share:

Her commitment to staying inspired by inspiring others
The importance of inner work and how to make it delicious and desirable
Her drastic reinvention of self from concert pianist to building a multimillion-dollar skincare line
The gift of play and making mistakes in creating her own skincare line after having to work with high perfectionism as a pianist
How she let creativity fuel her as she built her business selling skincare products while nursing her 1-month-old daughter at outdoor NYC markets in the middle of winter
How to create self-care routines that are playful and creative
How she defines self-care as an action for which your future self will thank you
Her philosophy of GIVE GIVE GET and how to use this philosophy to inspire your life in new ways

Links mentioned:

Get Angela’s Beauty Tips: savorbeauty.com
Get Angela’s Planner: savorbeautyplanner.com
Join Angela’s Weekly Email: radicalradiance.com/
Get Angela’s book: angelajiakim.com/
Savor Beauty’s newest product: Radiance Sun Milk SPF 50+
Angela on IG

We love the sponsors that make this show possible! You can always find all the special deals and codes for all our current sponsors on our website: https://shamelessmom.com/sponsor

Interested in becoming a sponsor of the Shameless Mom Academy? Email our sales team at sales@adalystmedia.com

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

765: Guest Panel: Prepping Your Family for Pride Jun 05, 2023

Happy Pride, my friends! A couple of weeks ago, I had the absolute honor to moderate a panel of LGBTQIA+ leaders who were collaborating in support of The Pride and Joy Foundation as they had an incredible conversation about how to support our LGBTQIA+ youth during Pride month (and all year long!) When the conversation was over, I asked Executive Director of the Pride and Joy Foundation founder (and past SMA guest), Elena Joy Thurston, if we could share the recording of this conversation as a podcast episode. I just knew our community would love to learn from these leaders. I’m so grateful Elena said “YES!” And shout out to her producer Jessica Whipple who brilliantly edited our conversation so it could be used as podcast content.

On the panel, we have:

Junior Mintt (she/her), a “Black Transwoman, Drag Preacher, and Businesswoman”

Kalyela Josephs (they/she), a “Queer Spiritual coach” whose work has focused on helping families of color understand how to integrate LGBTQ+ culture into their family culture.

Rae McDaniel (they/them) recently released their groundbreaking book, “Gender Magic”. They are also a licensed therapist supporting individuals and families with gender transition.

Elena Joy (she/her), an ExMormon mom of four kids who has also been featured in the award-winning documentary “CONVERSION”, has a viral TEDx talk, and is now the volunteer Executive Director of Pride and Joy Foundation.

C Rizleris (they/them), a contributing writer for the Pride and Joy Foundation, as well as a member of the Transgender Task Force Committee for the city of Greensboro, NC.

Listen in to hear this panel discuss:

What drag is and what it is not
How we can engage in healthy and supportive conversation around gender identity with our youth
How to talk about non-supportive friends & family about gender identity
How you can use Pride Month to increase your allyship with the LGBTQIA+ Community
How to create safety & well-being for our youth all year long - beyond Pride month
The best ways to engage rural conservative communities in Pride Month activities
How can you support your youth with various intersectionalities (IE: ethnic background, neurodivergence, etc) during Pride month

Links mentioned:

Podcast: Out of Queeriosity
Book: Gender Magic by Rae McDaniels
Connect with Kalyela: kalyelaj.com
Connect with Rae McDaniel: rae-mcdaniel.com
Connect with Elena and/or Support the Pride and Joy Foundation: https://www.prideandjoyfoundation.com/
Connect with C Rizleris: crizleris.com/
Pride and Joy Foundation on IG
Elena Joy Thurston on IG
Junior Mintt on IG
Rae McDaniel on IG
C Rizleris on IG
Jessica Whipple on IG

We love the sponsors that make this show possible! You can always find all the special deals and codes for all our current sponsors on our website: https://shamelessmom.com/sponsor

Interested in becoming a sponsor of the Shameless Mom Academy? Email our sales team at sales@adalystmedia.com

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

764: One Shameless Thing: Shut Down Negative Self-Talk Jun 01, 2023

Woohoooo! Thank you for tuning into these shorty Thursday episodes. I love to see that you’re loving this content.

This week I am giving you ONE SHAMELESS THING to Shut Down Negative Self-Talk. Enjoy. And know that I am in this with you. Always.

We love the sponsors that make this show possible! You can always find all the special deals and codes for all our current sponsors on our website: https://shamelessmom.com/sponsor

Interested in becoming a sponsor of the Shameless Mom Academy? Email our sales team at sales@adalystmedia.com

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

763: Emily Paulson: On Sales, Sisterhood and Supremacy in MLMs May 31, 2023

Emily Lynn Paulson is a Shameless Mom of 5 and the author of Highlight Real: Finding Honesty and Recovery Beyond the Filtered Life, and the forthcoming Hey, Hun: Sales, Sisterhood, Supremacy, and the Other Lies Behind Multilevel Marketing (May 2023). She has given two powerful TEDx talks, both challenging the status quo of parenting, alcohol use, and feminism as we know it. Paulson has also been featured in major publications such as the Today Show, New York Times, Washington Post, The Seattle Times, Chicago Tribune, Next Question with Katie Couric, and the Tamron Hall Show.

I found Emily and her work by way of Instagram and was instantly obsessed with the conversations she was having around the cult-like behavior of MLMs. As she was sharing about the overlap between MLMs, cults, and Supremacy culture, I knew

I had to reach out to ask her to come on the show.

I know so many moms have participated in MLMs at one time or another. This conversation is in no way intended to shame, but to shed light. Whenever I talk about MLMs in a negative light, I get messages from women who say, “But the MLM I’m in is different.” Maybe it is, but I want to make sure you have as many tools as possible to be a critical thinker and observer of what happens inside the organizations that benefit and profit from your participation.

Listen in to hear Emily share:

What inspired her first book, Highlight Reel, on her journey to sobriety
What an MLM (multilevel marketing) company is, why they are so seductive, and how they are problematic, if not harmful
The commonalities between the seductiveness of mommy wine culture and MLM culture
The exploitative nature of targeting moms in MLMs
The connection between MLM culture and White Supremacy
How those working in “women’s empowerment” can be part of systematic brainwashing and indoctrination

Links mentioned:

Connect with Emily: emilylynnpaulson.com
Emily’s Sober Mom Squad: sobermomsquad.com
Emily on IG: instagram.com/emilylynnpaulson
Emily on TikTok: tiktok.com/emilylynnpaulson

We love the sponsors that make this show possible! You can always find all the special deals and codes for all our current sponsors on our website: https://shamelessmom.com/sponsor

Interested in becoming a sponsor of the Shameless Mom Academy? Email our sales team at sales@adalystmedia.com

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

762: Mental Health May and a Personal Update May 29, 2023

Two years ago, I shared that I had been newly diagnosed with General Anxiety Disorder and PTSD. I was 0% shocked by the GAD diagnosis and 100% shocked by the PTSD diagnosis. But, as I dug more into some circumstances and my reactions, I was able to more clearly understand how this diagnosis came to be.

A year ago, I gave an update on my mental health. It felt right to let you all know how things were going. I think the more we talk about mental health and normalize the ups and downs all of us experience, the less stigma there will be around mental health struggles and the more people will feel safe and comfortable asking for help.

A lot has happened in the world and in my life in the last two years. Increasingly, it felt like some of the things that had supported my mental health over the years (decades even) were working less. Also, I found myself feeling less hopeful. I didn’t necessarily feel hopeless, but I definitely felt less hopeful.

I also became almost certain that I was managing undiagnosed ADHD and I was confused about where my anxiety ended and my possible ADHD began. Or maybe they were one and the same??

And, I just felt so ridiculously tired. Not I-need-to-take-nap tired. More like my-mind-has-been-on-overdrive-for-47-years-and-it-might-crash-at-any-time tired. I stopped being able to prioritize tasks. I forgot a lot of random things that I would normally never forget. I became worse and worse with time management.

During this time, I didn’t miss any deadlines. I didn’t let down any clients (that I know of!) I was able to be my usual over-performer self. But I had this overwhelming sense that the way I was existing was no longer sustainable. So, I reached out to a local therapy practice to be evaluated for ADHD.

In this episode, I share what my assessment was like and how this experience was as odd as my experience of being diagnosed with GAD/PTSD. Are there any “normal” psychiatrists out there?! My experience tells me no…

That said, I’m on a new path that I’m open to sharing in hopes it will give you permission to always be open to exploring your own mental health.

IMPORTANT NOTE: If you are struggling with your mental health, call your primary care doctor and ask for help. Call your therapist or psychiatrist if you have one. If you are in WA or OR, you can reach out to Mindful Therapy. If you do not have a medical professional you can reach out to, please dial 988 and they will help you find someone.

We love the sponsors that make this show possible! You can always find all the special deals and codes for all our current sponsors on our website: https://shamelessmom.com/sponsor

Interested in becoming a sponsor of the Shameless Mom Academy? Email our sales team at sales@adalystmedia.com

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

761: One Shameless Thing: Say No May 25, 2023

I am bringing you this short form podcast, a minisode if you will, as a part of a mini-series. If you love this 3rd shorty episode each week, please let me know by leaving a review on Apple Podcasts, dropping a comment, or DMing me. If I get great feedback from you, I might just continue sharing a 3rd ep each week :)

This week I am giving you ONE SHAMELESS THING to Say No. Enjoy. And know that I am in this with you. Always.

We love the sponsors that make this show possible! You can always find all the special deals and codes for all our current sponsors on our website: https://shamelessmom.com/sponsor

Interested in becoming a sponsor of the Shameless Mom Academy? Email our sales team at sales@adalystmedia.com

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

760: Rae McDaniel: Gender Expression, Gender Exploration & Gender Magic May 24, 2023

Rae McDaniel (they/them) is a non-binary Speaker, Author, Therapist, Certified Sex Therapist, Coach, and Transgender Diversity and Inclusion Educator.

Rae helps audiences gain the sheer audacity to be themselves in the world through play, pleasure, and possibility.

Their book Gender Magic, coming out on May 31st, is a first-of-its-kind practical guide to achieving gender freedom with joy, curiosity, and pleasure for transgender and non-binary individuals, gender explorers, and those who love them. They have been featured in The New York Times, The Chicago Tribune, Time, and Women’s Health, and spoken at Rutgers University, University of Chicago, University of Illinois Chicago, Soho House, The Wing, and Rachel’s Rodgers’ Millionaires Summit.

Rae is also the founder and CEO of Practical Audacity, a Gender & Sex Therapy practice in Chicago, serving over 300 clients yearly.

When Rae isn’t educating audiences and bettering the world, they can be found drinking too much coffee, snuggling with their dog Gizmo (who might actually be a gremlin), or sipping whiskey with a good book.

Listen in to hear Rae share:

How their journey as a queer, non-binary person inspired their work
How their work as a therapist serving trans & non-binary people inspired their book, Gender Magic
The significance of integrating Play, Pleasure, and Possibility in gender exploration
The importance of knowing/understanding what we are moving toward vs what we are running from, when considering our own choices and/or when we are considering the choices of those around us
What the spectrum of gender expression looks like - well beyond the binary of only male and female
How our gender evolves as we evolve over the course of our lives
How freedom around gender expression deeply enhances and impacts the entire world
Question to ask yourself if you’re struggling to accept or understand non-binary, trans people
The importance of being the loudest advocate and ally you can be right now

Links mentioned:

Rae on SMA Episode 516: Taking The Suffering Out Of Transitioning for Trans People
Connect with Rae: http://www.rae-mcdaniel.com
Get the book: Gender Magic: https://www.gendermagic.com
Rae’s Therapy Practice: https://www.practicalaudacity.com
Instagram: @theraemcdaniel and @practicalaudacity
Rae on TikTok
Rae on FB

We love the sponsors that make this show possible! You can always find all the special deals and codes for all our current sponsors on our website: https://shamelessmom.com/sponsor

Interested in becoming a sponsor of the Shameless Mom Academy? Email our sales team at sales@adalystmedia.com

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

759: 5 Questions to Ask Yourself When Things Are Hard May 22, 2023

I thought after 3 hard years, we had all earned at least 3 years of ease.

But, no.

The collective experience of enduring and existing in incredibly challenging times seems to have shifted from a universal experience to an individual experience. 3 years ago we were all in it together. Today, we are all enduring alone.

Significant workplace challenges, supporting our struggling children, losing loved ones, many of us cascading into our own mental health and/or addiction crises, and the list goes on…

There is a lot of hard sh*t happening all around me - and mostly behind closed doors. It seems almost everyone I know is suffering in some sort of monumental way - and very privately.

I’m generally a glass-half-full person. I would say I’m pretty resilient. But I do have a threshold under which I cry uncle for sure.

As I’ve hit that threshold a few times recently, I’ve tried to pay close attention to the questions I can ask myself that help me STAY. In the past I sat in hard moments and tried to push through, to move forward. But sometimes moving forward feels too hard. Too heavy of a lift. What are the questions that allow us to just STAY HERE, not necessarily the ones that force us to take on the world?

I know some women who have opted out - permanently - in recent months. The pain too great. Too overwhelming.

Sometimes, it’s ok to just STAY HERE and not necessarily need to take on the gargantuan task of actually moving forward.

In this episode, I talk you through 5 questions to ask yourself when you are in a hard moment - when you are committed to staying here but need to think through how to manage the moment.

IMPORTANT NOTE: If you are struggling to stay here, please reach out to help. Call your primary care doctor and ask for help. Call your therapist or psychiatrist if you have one. If you are in WA or OR, you can reach out to Mindful Therapy at https://www.mindfultherapygroup.com, as I recently did. I was able to get an appointment within a week. If you do not have a medical professional you can reach out to, please dial 988 and they will help you find someone. The world needs you to stay here.

Link mentioned:

Suicide Hotline: Dial 988 or go to 988lifeline.org

We love the sponsors that make this show possible!

You can always find all the special deals and codes for all our current sponsors on our website: https://shamelessmom.com/sponsor

Interested in becoming a sponsor of the Shameless Mom Academy? Email our sales team at sales@adalystmedia.com

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

758: One Shameless Thing: Hold your Head Up High May 18, 2023

I am bringing you this short form podcast, a mini-sode if you will, as a part of a mini series. If you love this 3rd shorty episode each week, please let me know by leaving a review on Apple Podcasts, dropping a comment, or DMing me. If I get great feedback from you, I might just continue sharing a 3rd ep each week :)

This week I am giving you ONE SHAMELESS THING to Hold Your Head Up High. Enjoy. And know that I am in this with you. Always.

We love the sponsors that make this show possible! You can always find all the special deals and codes for all our current sponsors on our website: https://shamelessmom.com/sponsor

Interested in becoming a sponsor of the Shameless Mom Academy? Email our sales team at sales@adalystmedia.com

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

757: Julie Lewis and Jenny Koenig: Mothering as a 38 Year Aids Survivor May 17, 2023

Julie Lewis, a 38-year AIDS survivor, was infected with HIV in 1984 but not diagnosed until the early 1990s when she was given three to five years to live. After years of silence about her disease, she found an unlikely community of friends to fight alongside and began using her story to make a difference. Her experiences as a woman living with AIDS offers insights about grief and loss, caregiving, spirituality and the importance of community in the midst of tragedy.

In 2020, Julie completed her 30/30 Project in celebration of her 30 years of living with AIDS. This resulted in 30 new healthcare facilities serving women, girls, and families in 9 countries. These facilities have allowed for over 715,000 patient visits, 127,000 HIV tests, and the safe delivery of over 9,000 babies.

Jenny Koenig is a writer and Grammy Nominated Music Video Producer. She’s passionate about channeling her creativity into ways to raise money for nonprofits, including the 30/30 Project. She was a co-creator and Executive Producer for All in WA: A Concert for COVID Relief, which raised over $110 million for COVID related causes. She’s learning how to juggle life as a new mom to her 6 month old daughter. Jenny is a longtime friend of Julie Lewis and jumped at the chance to help her tell her story.

Listen in to hear Julie and Jenny share:

What it was like to receive her HIV diagnosis as a mom of a 2, 4, and 6 year old - and be given only 3-5 years to live
Her decision to tell her 6 year old, Ryan, about her HIV status - knowing full well that he would not be able to keep the family secret
How Ryan shared Julie’s status and broke the seal on “going public” with her status
What it was like to feel like she was parenting on borrowed time
The moment when she realized she had lived to see all the things she thought she would never get to experience
The reality of Julie’s survivor guilt as she has outlived so many friends from the AIDS community
The African women and moms who inspired her 30/30 Project to build 30 hospitals for 18 organizations across 9 countries
The sweet, unlikely, and incredibly special friendship of Julie and Jenny (Julie’s daughter’s college roommate)

Links mentioned:

We love the sponsors that make this show possible! You can always find all the special deals and codes for all our current sponsors on our website: https://shamelessmom.com/sponsor

Interested in becoming a sponsor of the Shameless Mom Academy? Email our sales team at sales@adalystmedia.com

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

756: 5 Ways to Get Out of the Mom Comparison Trap May 15, 2023

I want to tell you that I’m a few steps ahead of you and I don’t ever compare myself to others. But that would be a bold faced lie.

The truth is, I do compare myself to others. Sometimes I even get angry when I see others who seem to have it all,or folks who seem to have all the good things just randomly and effortlessly fall into their laps out of nowhere.

But, here’s the thing. At the wise(ish) age of 47, I’m starting to know better. I know to always look past the surface. I know things are never as picture perfect as they seem for others. When I find myself spinning in the that “she has it all and you don’t” inner talk, I have to catch myself and (loudly) remind myself:

That’s not true.
This lie is holding you back.

In this episode, I talk you through 5 Ways to Get Out of the Mom Comparison Trap in order to see your own power in every instance, acknowledge what is true and what is NOT, and ultimately find more mental ease as you navigate a world that will always present you with picture perfect aspirations.

Link mentioned:

Parent Prep for Pride Month 2023! Join me on Tuesday, May 16th for a virtual panel to learn how to use this Pride Month 2023 as a powerful way to increase the safety and wellbeing of our LGBTQ+ youth: www.PrideandJoyParents.com

We love the sponsors that make this show possible! You can always find all the special deals and codes for all our current sponsors on our website: https://shamelessmom.com/sponsor

Interested in becoming a sponsor of the Shameless Mom Academy? Email our sales team at sales@adalystmedia.com

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

755: One Shameless Thing: Release Self-Doubt May 11, 2023

I am bringing you this short form podcast, a mini-sode if you will, as a part of a mini-series. If you love this 3rd shorty episode each week, please let me know by leaving a review on Apple Podcasts, dropping a comment, or DMing me. If I get great feedback from you, I might just continue sharing a 3rd ep each week :)

This week I am giving you ONE SHAMELESS THING to Release Self Doubt. Enjoy. And know that I am in this with you. Always.

Link mentioned:

Parent Prep for Pride Month 2023! Join me on Tuesday, May 16th for a virtual panel to learn how to use this Pride Month 2023 as a powerful way to increase the safety and well-being of our LGBTQ+ youth: www.PrideandJoyParents.com

We love the sponsors that make this show possible! You can always find all the special deals and codes for all our current sponsors on our website: https://shamelessmom.com/sponsor

Interested in becoming a sponsor of the Shameless Mom Academy? Email our sales team at sales@adalystmedia.com

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

754: Brenda Zane: How to Talk to Your Kids About Fentanyl May 10, 2023

May 9th was National Fentanyl Awareness Day. When past SMA guest, Brenda Zane, reached out to ask if we could have a conversation to raise awareness around this day, I knew I had to say yes. Talking about drugs, especially fentanyl, is scary and uncomfortable for sure. But if this conversation can help one family or save one child it’s well worth it.

Brenda Zane is a family advocate, certified parent coach & facilitator with The Partnership to End Addiction, host of the podcast Hopestream, and founder of a nonprofit organization, Hopestream Community. She’s passionate about serving parents of kids who struggle with substance misuse and mental health. Brenda's oldest son struggled with an addiction to a high-risk lifestyle and illicit drugs for over 5 years. After nearly losing him to multiple fentanyl overdoses, Brenda left her marketing career to serve other families dealing with the fear, confusion, and feelings of helplessness of having a child who's misusing drugs or alcohol.

Listen in to hear Brenda share:

How her teen son overdosing on fentanyl twice in 3 days in 2017 informed her work today
The 3 things you need to know about fentanyl as a parent
Myths and truths about fentanyl and its various forms
Where kids are quickly and easily getting pills online
How to talk to your kids about fentanyl and what age to start the conversation
How to keep open communication with your kids about drugs over the years
The connection between neurodiversities and addiction
What to do if you’re worried your child might be experimenting with drugs

Links mentioned:

Parent Prep for Pride Month 2023! Join me on Tuesday, May 16th for a virtual panel to learn how to use this Pride Month 2023 as a powerful way to increase the safety and well-being of our LGBTQ+ youth: www.PrideandJoyParents.com
Connect with Brenda and her community: www.hopestreamcommunity.org
Podcast: Hopestream
Brenda on SMA Episode 454: Parenting Your Teen Through Addiction
Book: Beyond Addiction: How Science and Kindness Help People Change

We love the sponsors that make this show possible! You can always find all the special deals and codes for all our current sponsors on our website: https://shamelessmom.com/sponsor

Interested in becoming a sponsor of the Shameless Mom Academy? Email our sales team at sales@adalystmedia.com

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

753: Navigating the Mental Load of Motherhood May 08, 2023

If you feel like you are carrying a lot all the time, you are. The mental load of motherhood is so much. Too much.

You become somewhat numb to it over time. You don’t realize you’re chronically tired, overwhelmed, anxious and emotionally drained because it feels normal. Because it is normal, sadly.

This is motherhood.

That feeling that you don't recognize yourself, you can’t remember who you were before kids and you’re not sure who you’ll be when the kids no longer need you? Normal.

The whiplash from the rapid changing of hats from mom to professional to family project manager to community caregiver that has your head spinning? Normal.

The realization that you’re always making trade-offs that come at a cost to your time, energy, and joy? Normal.

I’m not saying this to make you feel worse - only to point out how normal this is. You are not alone.

What if in acknowledging all of this, you could see that change is necessary and possible?

In this episode, we talk through 4 ways you can navigate the mental load of motherhood in order to find more mental ease, more joy, and more comfort in your daily life.

Links mentioned:

Parent Prep for Pride Month 2023! Join me on Tuesday, May 16th for a virtual panel to learn how to use this Pride Month 2023 as a powerful way to increase the safety and well-being of our LGBTQ+ youth: www.PrideandJoyParents.com
Other SMA episodes about the mental load of motherhood:
Ep 305: 4 Ways to Manage the Mental Load of Motherhood
Ep 411: How to Create More Mental Space in Motherhood

We love the sponsors that make this show possible! You can always find all the special deals and codes for all our current sponsors on our website: https://shamelessmom.com/sponsor

Interested in becoming a sponsor of the Shameless Mom Academy? Email our sales team at sales@adalystmedia.com

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

752: One Shameless Thing: Practice Forgiveness May 04, 2023

Welcome to ONE SHAMELESS THING! I am bringing you this short form podcast, a minisode if you will, as a part of a mini-series. If you love this 3rd shorty episode each week, please let me know by leaving a review on Apple Podcasts, dropping a comment, or DMing me. If I get great feedback from you, I might just continue sharing a 3rd ep each week :)

This week I am giving you ONE SHAMELESS THING to Practice Forgiveness. Enjoy. And know that I am in this with you. Always.

Link mentioned:

Parent Prep for Pride Month 2023! Join me on Tuesday, May 16th for a virtual panel to learn how to use this Pride Month 2023 as a powerful way to increase the safety and well-being of our LGBTQ+ youth: www.PrideandJoyParents.com

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

751: Dr. Amy Conrad: How to Model (Imperfect) Health Habits to Your Kids May 03, 2023

Dr. Amy Conrad is a board-certified pediatrician, founder of Kinder Digital Pediatric Clinic, host of Ask Doctor Amy (Youtube, podcast), anthropologist, and believer in good information that empowers modern parents to raise healthy kids. As a working mom, she understands the struggle parents face today with an overabundance of conflicting information. Instead of adding to the noise, Dr. Amy cuts through the clutter to pave a more natural, instinctive path to parenting by putting the focus back on the child and family.

Dr. Amy and I had a fantastic conversation about how to support your child’s physical and mental health.

Listen in to hear Amy share:

3 things parents can do to give their kids a healthy foundation in life
The importance of modeling health, not just preaching health
The significance of modeling imperfection - that it’s ok and normal to be imperfect in your habits
How to help your kids make positive choices around their physical & mental health as they get a little older
How we can nurture our kids’ mental health and give them the “anchors” they need to feel supported and connected
The current culture of parenting in Western culture and how we can choose from a variety of options and alternatives rather than accepting the Western culture status quo
What modern working parents need to support their kids in a society that offers them so little time & resources to support
The importance of your child having multiple attachment figures

Links mentioned:

Parent Prep for Pride Month 2023! Join me on Tuesday, May 16th for a virtual panel to learn how to use this Pride Month 2023 as a powerful way to increase the safety and well-being of our LGBTQ+ youth: www.PrideandJoyParents.com
Connect with Dr. Amy: Askdoctoramy.com
Dr. Amy on Youtube: @askdoctoramy
Dr. Amy on IG
Dr. Amy on LinkedIn
Podcast: Ask Doctor Amy
Book: Hold Onto Your Kids by Gabor Mate and Dr. Gordon Neufeld
Book: Bringing up Bebe

We love the sponsors that make this show possible! You can always find all the special deals and codes for all our current sponsors on our website: https://shamelessmom.com/sponsor

Interested in becoming a sponsor of the Shameless Mom Academy? Email our sales team at sales@adalystmedia.com

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

750: How to Recover from Shining Extra Bright May 01, 2023

For 750 episodes (750!!!) I have been preaching to you about shining.

“STOP SHRINKING and START SHINING”, I have said over and over again.

Today, I want to acknowledge there is a cost to the shining if we don’t keep an eye out for our own physical, mental and emotional regulation and restoration. We need to give ourselves time and space to rest and recover after we run all over town shining like a mother.

What does shining look like to you? Perhaps something like this:

Trying something new that is physically, mentally or emotionally taxing
Stepping into a new level of visibility or exposure in your community or work
Being vulnerable in front of your peers
Having a hard conversation
Doing something you’re scared of
Showing up for intense work
Holding space for others

When you challenge yourself to show up and SHINE in any of these ways, it’s equally important to show up and REST afterward. Today, we talk through 4 ways you can recover from your extra bright, shiny (and awesome) endeavors, so you can keep going without burning out on shining.

Link mentioned:

Parent Prep for Pride Month 2023! Join me on Tuesday, May 16th for a virtual panel to learn how to use this Pride Month 2023 as a powerful way to increase the safety and wellbeing of our LGBTQ+ youth: www.PrideandJoyParents.com

We love the sponsors that make this show possible! You can always find all the special deals and codes for all our current sponsors on our website: https://shamelessmom.com/sponsor

Interested in becoming a sponsor of the Shameless Mom Academy? Email our sales team at sales@adalystmedia.com

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

749: Dr. Tanmeet Sethi: Joy as Justice and an Act of Resistance Apr 26, 2023

Tanmeet Sethi, MD, is a board-certified Integrative Family Medicine physician who has spent the last 25 years on the frontlines locally and globally practicing primary care and trauma work with the most marginalized communities. As a mother, she has received the impossible news that her youngest son has a fatal degenerative disease. She weaves together the expertise of both acquired knowledge with lived experience and translates them accessibly through the blend of ancient spiritual traditions and modern neuroscience. She is trained in Psychedelic Medicine, Integrative and Functional Medicine, and is a clinical researcher of psilocybin at the University of Washington.

Tanmeet and I had such a fantastic conversation here that we immediately scheduled a time to meet in person following this interview. A couple of weeks ago, I got to go on a walk with her and her dog (who is the cutest thing in the world - don’t tell Piper). It was such a fun and inspiring conversation that brought me so much JOY. Tanmeet radiates joy in so many ways and I’m so grateful to call her a new friend.

If you’re in Seattle, please come meet Tanmeet, Ijeoma Oluo, and me in person at her book launch at Elliott Bay Books on May 3, 2023.

Listen in to hear Tanmeet share:

How she came to embrace joy as an act of resistance and self-identify as a Joy Activist
How she has navigated mothering her son, Zubin, who was diagnosed with a fatal degenerative disease at age 3
The expansiveness of joy vs the narrow path of suffering
The important difference between happiness and joy
What her joy practice looks like when every day she sees there is something new to lose as her son’s condition worsens
How to fight against whitewashed wellness (“looking on the bright side” or “finding the silver lining" and how this dampens our power)
How to show up for people in your life who are going through grief - and things to avoid saying
The role of our nervous system in joy
How can we all step into joy activism and make your joy revolution your own

Links mentioned:

Parent Prep for Pride Month 2023! Join me on Tuesday, May 16th for a virtual panel to learn how to use this Pride Month 2023 as a powerful way to increase the safety and well-being of our LGBTQ+ youth: www.PrideandJoyParents.com
Meet Tanmeet, Ijeoma Oluo (and me!) at Tanmeet’s Book Launch on May 3rd: https://www.elliottbaybook.com/events/20230503
Connect with Tanmeet: www.tanmeetsethimd.com
Tanmeet’s Book: Joy is my Justice
Tanmeet on IG
Tanmeet on FB

We love the sponsors that make this show possible! You can always find all the special deals and codes for all our current sponsors on our website: https://shamelessmom.com/sponsor

Interested in becoming a sponsor of the Shameless Mom Academy? Email our sales team at sales@adalystmedia.com

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

748: Why You Should Collect Hard Things Apr 24, 2023

What if you could carry around all the hard things you’ve done in your life as little stones of courage in your purse/backpack/fanny pack/back pocket?

What if you could hold the hard things you have endured in reverence as a means of honoring how they have informed who you have become up to this date in time?

What if you could see the hard things you have achieved as proof and evidence of all the incredible things you are capable of from this day forward?

I want to invite you to collect hard things as proof, as evidence, as defining moments, as resume builders that give you power each and every day as you step into all the possibilities that are stretched out ahead of you.

In this episode, I talk about what it means to “collect hard things” and all the benefits of collecting hard things when it comes to building resiliency, tenacity, and self-trust.

Link mentioned:

Parent Prep for Pride Month 2023! Join me on Tuesday, May 16th for a virtual panel to learn how to use this Pride Month 2023 as a powerful way to increase the safety and wellbeing of our LGBTQ+ youth: www.PrideandJoyParents.com

We love the sponsors that make this show possible! You can always find all the special deals and codes for all our current sponsors on our website: https://shamelessmom.com/sponsor

Interested in becoming a sponsor of the Shameless Mom Academy? Email our sales team at sales@adalystmedia.com

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

747: Dr. Amy Porto: Untangling Your Relationship with Nutrition & Diet Culture Apr 19, 2023

Dr. Amy Porto is an anti-diet registered dietitian, nutrition professor, and certified intuitive eating counselor. As an expert in her field with over 20 years of experience, Dr. Porto speaks the truth about nutrition. Her purpose is to disrupt mainstream diet culture with real science, a dash of humor, and a little bit of common sense. And while she holds a BS in Biochemistry and a Ph.D. in Nutrition Science, she believes you shouldn’t need a Ph.D. to decode food labels at the grocery store. Breaking down complex information about food and nutrition into digestible bite-sized pieces of information is her passion — plus, she loves a good pun. Amy’s ultimate goal is to help you trust your body and reclaim your relationship with food.

Listen in to hear Amy share:

The cultural impact of podcasts like Maintenance Phase and why accessible & approachable anti-diet, anti-fat bias information & content is so critical right now
The process of unlearning when learning about nutrition
The importance of language around food, and how we talk about food as it relates to ourselves and, even more importantly, to others
The morality of “optimal health”
The elitism of diet culture, cleanses, detoxing, and fasting
Nourishing yourself from a place of self-care/self-love vs self-control

Links mentioned:

Thank you to our sponsors this month:

Fearless Finance: Get on-demand, comprehensive financial planning by the hour without all the headaches, high fees, and commitments that come with traditional financial advisors. Go to fearlessfinance.com and use the code SHAMELESS to save $50 on your first planning meeting.

Heather Chauvin: If you’re ready to feel energized, encouraged, present, confident, intentional, and aligned, take Heather’s Energy Finder Quiz: Heatherchauvin.com/shameless

iHerb: Get your health in check with great products and great pricing. Get 22% off your first order when you use the code SHAMELESS at iherb.com.

Luvbuglearning.com: Support your child’s social-emotional learning with the world's first social-emotional gaming platform. Go to Luvbuglearning.com and sign up for a 7-day free trial, or simply download from the APP store and subscribe.

Peloton: Get access to a massive workout library and save up to $400 on Bike, Tread, and Row packages before April 2, 2023, at onepeloton.com.

Ritual: Ritual’s Essential for Women 18+ is a multivitamin you can actually trust. Ritual is offering my listeners 10% off during your first 3 months. Visit ritual.com/shameless10 to start Ritual or add Essential for Women 18+ to your subscription today.

Rothys: For stylish, comfortable, sustainably made shoes, shop Rothy’s. Get $20 off your first purchase at rothys.com/SHAMELESSMOM.

StrollerCoaster: A Parenting Podcast!: Need another podcast in your parenting podcast library, check out StrollerCoaster: A Parenting Podcast! wherever you listen to the SMA.

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746: Erika Tebbens: How to Be an Action Taker and Changemaker Apr 17, 2023

Erika Tebbens is a Growth Strategist for visionary entrepreneurs, leaders, and changemakers looking to make their mark doing things differently—and leave a legacy of meaningful impact. She works with established service providers, consultants, and coaches to create customized growth plans without complex systems, sleazy sales tactics, or working more hours.

Erika recently released her first book, You’ve Got This!: A Counterintuitive Guide to Powerful, Inevitable Changemaking and is also the host of the Sell it, Sister!® podcast.

With nearly 20 years of experience running successful businesses, from solo operations to multimillion-dollar retail teams, she knows there’s no one “perfect” way to operate — only one that’s perfectly aligned with your strengths, values, and vision. And she’s passionate about helping women & gender-expansive business owners grow their revenue with more ease because money has the power to make positive change.

Listen in to hear Erika share:

How her book was inspired by people who were taking action after seeing her take action - and the discomfort she has around “being an inspiration” to others
How we settle and minimize our impact on the world when we under qualify ourselves over the course of our lives
How women can start to get over this notion that we have to “be somebody” to be qualified to be a changemaker in this world
The importance of owning and honoring your stories in order to qualify yourself in powerful (and perhaps more public) ways
How life could be different if we normalized being deeply flawed people
How the smoke & mirrors of social media hold us back from being changemakers
Why you might need to be selfish if you want to be a changemaker

Links mentioned:

Connect with Erika
Download a free chapter of Erika’s book: ErikaTebbens.com/book
Get Erika’s Book: You’ve Got This!: A Counterintuitive Guide to Powerful, Inevitable Changemaking
Erika on IG

Thank you to our sponsors this month:

Fearless Finance: Get on-demand, comprehensive financial planning by the hour without all the headaches, high fees, and commitments that come with traditional financial advisors. Go to fearlessfinance.com and use the code SHAMELESS to save $50 on your first planning meeting.

Heather Chauvin: If you’re ready to feel energized, encouraged, present, confident, intentional, and aligned, take Heather’s Energy Finder Quiz: Heatherchauvin.com/shameless

iHerb: Get your health in check with great products and great pricing. Get 22% off your first order when you use the code SHAMELESS at iherb.com.

Luvbuglearning.com: Support your child’s social-emotional learning with the world's first social-emotional gaming platform. Go to Luvbuglearning.com and sign up for a 7-day free trial, or simply download from the APP store and subscribe.

Peloton: Get access to a massive workout library and save up to $400 on Bike, Tread, and Row packages before April 2, 2023, at onepeloton.com.

Ritual: Ritual’s Essential for Women 18+ is a multivitamin you can actually trust. Ritual is offering my listeners 10% off during your first 3 months. Visit ritual.com/shameless10 to start Ritual or add Essential for Women 18+ to your subscription today.

Rothys: For stylish, comfortable, sustainably made shoes, shop Rothy’s. Get $20 off your first purchase at rothys.com/SHAMELESSMOM.

StrollerCoaster: A Parenting Podcast!: Need another podcast in your parenting podcast library, check out StrollerCoaster: A Parenting Podcast! wherever you listen to the SMA.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

745: Tameka McNair: Conquering Uncertainty: From Poverty to Powerful Thought Leader Apr 12, 2023

Tameka McNair is the author of Conquering Uncertainty - Don’t Concede Too Soon, Your Victory Awaits You. She holds an undergraduate degree in Industrial Engineering with a focus in Human Factors and an MBA with a focus in Leadership. Currently, she is a Director at Microsoft driving digital employee experience success.

Her unique style, personality, and commitment to walking in her authentic truth have all played a major role in navigating her life and career. Inspired by her own journey from poverty to becoming a powerful thought leader, Tameka encourages others to pursue their dreams despite the various challenges they may face. Tameka is a long-time advocate of DEI work and has helped establish employee resource groups to push DEI initiatives. She is an active mentor to both adults and youth in underserved communities and is passionate about encouraging youth and minorities to explore STEM careers. She is also the co-founder of the Women In Energy Conference.

Always looking at what’s ahead of her, Tameka aspires to become the CEO of a Fortune 100 company.

Listen in to hear Tameka share:

Her mission statement: to empower everyone she encounters and help them discover their purpose
Her experience being an engineering student and a single mom to twin boys - one of whom had a stroke at 6 weeks old
How she went from being a little girl in poverty to a single mom in survival mode to thought leader and mission-driven leader
The significance of owning your stories and writing them in a way that gives you power - even in moments where you might feel powerless
How to use being underestimated as a form of fuel
Her goal to be a CEO of a Fortune 100 Company - in order to make space for others to dream
Her decision-making to conscientiously be the “1st generation of many things” in her life in spite of judgment from others
How your success will make other people uncomfortable and what to do about it

Links mentioned:

Connect with Tameka: www.tamekamcnair.com
Book: Conquering Uncertainty: Don't concede too soon...your Victory awaits you
Tameka on Linkedin
Tameka on Tiktok
Tameka on Instagram:
Tameka on Twitter

Thank you to our sponsors this month:

Heather Chauvin: If you’re ready to feel energized, encouraged, present, confident, intentional, and aligned, take Heather’s Energy Finder Quiz: Heatherchauvin.com/shameless

iHerb: Get your health in check with great products and great pricing. Get 22% off your first order when you use the code SHAMELESS at iherb.com.

Peloton: Get access to a massive workout library and save up to $400 on Bike, Tread, and Row packages before April 2, 2023, at onepeloton.com.

Rothys: For stylish, comfortable, sustainably made shoes, shop Rothy’s. Get $20 off your first purchase at rothys.com/SHAMELESSMOM.

StrollerCoaster: A Parenting Podcast!: Need another podcast in your parenting podcast library, check out StrollerCoaster: A Parenting Podcast! wherever you listen to the SMA.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

744: How to Identify and Manage Parenting Burnout Apr 10, 2023

Are you burnt out on parenting?

The root cause of parenting burnout is an imbalance between the demands of parenting and the rewards. How often do you get to the end of a day of parenting and think, “This was a really hard day.” If that’s happening more often than not, listen up…

Parenting burnout is very common, but not so commonly talked about. It’s not super cool to run around town letting folks know you're burned out on raising your kids. But the truth is… you may very well be burned out on raising your kids!

A May 2022 study by Ohio State University researchers surveyed 1,300 parents and found 68% of female parents were burned out and 42% of males parents were burned out. They also found two-thirds of working parents reported being burned out.

Additionally, 75% of parents with a history of personal anxiety reported experiencing parenting burnout. And, parents whose children had been diagnosed with ADHD or anxiety were more likely to experience burnout.

You can tell by these numbers that parenting burnout is very real - even if no one is talking about it. So, let’s talk about it and normalize it, shall we?! This will allow us to all lean on one another and perhaps even heal.

In this episode, I talk through the symptoms of parenting burnout, factors that increase parenting burnout, and strategies to start healing from parenting burnout.

This is an important episode. Listen in and share with others you think may need support around this topic.

Link mentioned:

Article: Identifying Signs & Symptoms of Parental Burnout

Thank you to our sponsors this month:

Heather Chauvin: If you’re ready to feel energized, encouraged, present, confident, intentional, and aligned, take Heather’s Energy Finder Quiz: Heatherchauvin.com/shameless

iHerb: Get your health in check with great products and great pricing. Get 22% off your first order when you use the code SHAMELESS at iherb.com.

Peloton: Get access to a massive workout library and save up to $400 on Bike, Tread, and Row packages before April 2, 2023, at onepeloton.com.

Rothys: For stylish, comfortable, sustainably made shoes, shop Rothy’s. Get $20 off your first purchase at rothys.com/SHAMELESSMOM.

StrollerCoaster: A Parenting Podcast!: Need another podcast in your parenting podcast library, check out StrollerCoaster: A Parenting Podcast! wherever you listen to the SMA.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

743: Dr. Heidi Brocke: Understanding and Navigating Toxic Relationships Apr 05, 2023

Dr. Heidi Brocke is a Toxic Relationship Awareness & Healing Specialist. After spending 14 years in an extremely emotionally and narcissistically abusive relationship she broke the chains and turned her past into her passion. She left her 24 years career in healthcare to use her life experience and education to be the person she needed when she herself was trapped in the darkness of an unhealthy relationship to provide hope, healing, and freedom to those whose lives have been affected by toxic relationships, emotional abuse, and narcissistic behaviors.

Through education, Dr. Heidi presents the understanding needed to empower others to walk through fear and into their freedom. She has helped hundreds rid and heal their toxic relationships and hosts the popular podcast, It’s Not Normal It’s Toxic: Rid Your Life of Toxic People. She’s an international keynote speaker, recipient of Empowering Women in Business of The Year award by Inspiring Lives Magazine, and has been featured in both Forbes and Time Magazines for the dedication given to her clients and for her work in the toxic relationship area.

Listen in to hear Dr. Heidi share:

What it looked like for her to be in a toxic relationship and how she ended up having to leave her 3 daughters to escape her husband
The components of a toxic personality and the tactics people with toxic personalities use to create security for themselves, which is their primary goal
What abuse can look like in toxic relationships - and why it can be hard for victims to identify
Her four-part framework to help women in toxic relationships - whether it’s with a partner, friend, family member, or co-worker
What a “toxic tear down” is and how to recognize it
How she was able to reestablish her relationships with her daughters after being separated from them for 5 years

Links mentioned:

Connect with Dr. Heidi: coachingwithdrheidi.com
Take Dr. Heidi’s Toxicity Profile Analysis: https://coachingwithdrheidi.com/toxicity-analysis/
Podcast: It’s Not Normal It’s Toxic: Rid Your Life of Toxic People
Get Dr. Heidi’s Course: Freedom Me Course
Dr. Heidi on Facebook
Dr. Heidi on LinkedIn
Dr. Heidi on Instagram

Thank you to our sponsors this month:

Heather Chauvin: If you’re ready to feel energized, encouraged, present, confident, intentional, and aligned, take Heather’s Energy Finder Quiz: Heatherchauvin.com/shameless

iHerb: Get your health in check with great products and great pricing. Get 22% off your first order when you use the code SHAMELESS at iherb.com.

Peloton: Get access to a massive workout library and save up to $400 on Bike, Tread, and Row packages before April 2, 2023, at onepeloton.com.

Rothys: For stylish, comfortable, sustainably made shoes, shop Rothy’s. Get $20 off your first purchase at rothys.com/SHAMELESSMOM.

StrollerCoaster: A Parenting Podcast!: Need another podcast in your parenting podcast library, check out StrollerCoaster: A Parenting Podcast! wherever you listen to the SMA.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

742: 5 Advantages of Positive Thinking Apr 03, 2023

The timing of this episode is pretty ironic. I was walking home from dropping Vinnie off at school this morning and couldn’t shake this ominous, anxious feeling. I was thinking about some projects I have coming up and had these little wee bits of self-doubt creeping in. Then I popped on to social media to see that the entire rest of the world 100% had their lives figured out on this Monday morning and my wee bits of self-doubt blossomed into a rapid onset of Comparisonitis.

A few hours later, I sat down to look at my content calendar and see that I’m supposed to talk to you all about positive thinking today. Haha. I see you Universe - just smiling down on me…

So, here’s the thing. Positive thinking is a critically important coping skill and the advantages of positive thinking cannot be overstated. But those of us who tout it certainly are not incapable of waking up with a case of the Mondays, as I did today. The power of positive thinking is that you can use it as a tool to navigate a tough moment or as a way to ground yourself #everydamnday. It can be a cornerstone of your life if you so choose.

When it comes to the long-term integration of positive thinking as a coping skill, the advantages of positive thinking become glaring and beautifully evident. In fact, there are 5 advantages of positive thinking that are especially impactful across your lifetime.

5 Advantages of Positive Thinking:

Resiliency and grit
More rewarding personal and professional lives
Enhanced relationships and kindness toward others
Improved physical health, esp heart health and immunity
Decreased symptoms of depression and anxiety*

*This is definitely not to suggest that positive thinking is a treatment for clinical depression or anxiety. We talk this through in the episode. If you are experiencing symptoms of depression or anxiety, please talk to your doctor.

In this episode, I talk you through 5 advantages of positive thinking and 4 ways to use positive thinking as routine coping skills in your daily life.

Thank you to our sponsors this month:

Heather Chauvin: If you’re ready to feel energized, encouraged, present, confident, intentional, and aligned, take Heather’s Energy Finder Quiz: Heatherchauvin.com/shameless

iHerb: Get your health in check with great products and great pricing. Get 22% off your first order when you use the code SHAMELESS at iherb.com.

Peloton: Get access to a massive workout library and save up to $400 on Bike, Tread, and Row packages before April 2, 2023, at onepeloton.com.

Rothys: For stylish, comfortable, sustainably made shoes, shop Rothy’s. Get $20 off your first purchase at rothys.com/SHAMELESSMOM.

StrollerCoaster: A Parenting Podcast!: Need another podcast in your parenting podcast library, check out StrollerCoaster: A Parenting Podcast! wherever you listen to the SMA.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

741: Erika Hayasaki: Somewhere Sisters: Born Together, Raised Apart, Then Reunified Mar 29, 2023

Erika Hayasaki is a Shameless Mom of 3. She is the author of Somewhere Sisters, the true story of twin girls who were born in Vietnam separated at birth and raised in different parts of the world. Somewhere Sisters was nominated as an NPR Best Book of 2022. She is also the author of The Death Class, a former 2021-22 Knight-Wallace Reporting Fellow, and a 2018 Alicia Patterson Fellow. She has received awards from the Association of Sunday Feature Editors, the Society for Features Journalism, and the American Society of Newspaper Editors.

Erika’s book is a stunning and captivating story of the intersection of nature vs nurture with twins, interracial adoption, identity, and the meaning of family. This was such a powerful conversation.

Listen in to hear Erika share:

About her book, Somewhere Sisters, the true story of twin girls, born in Vietnam and separated at birth, and raised in different parts of the world
How she reconstructed the sisters Ha and Loan’s stories and their reunion when they were 13
The science around nature vs. nurture from twin studies
The unexpected trauma that can come with twin and adoptee reunification that we don’t see play out in TV and movies
How she had to follow the journalistic truth of each person’s story in the book and not be connected to her own hopes for the girls and the story
The legislative loophole in which international adoptees are not automatically granted citizenship and the push for legislation to change it
The ethical considerations of interracial adoption
How sharing our layered identities with one another allows for a more connected human experience

Links mentioned:

Book: Somewhere Sisters
Erika on Twitter

Thank you to our sponsors this month:

care.com: Get the help you need to make it all work for your family at care.com/book.

Hello Fresh: Get farm-fresh, pre-portioned meals delivered right to your door! Go to HelloFresh.com/shameless65 and use code shameless65 for 65% off plus free shipping!

iHerb: Get your health in check with great products and great pricing. Get 22% off your first order when you use the code SHAMELESS at iherb.com.

Last Bottle Wines: Get 10% off your order when you use the code SHAMELESS at lastbottlewines.com.

Peloton: Get access to a massive workout library and save up to $400 on Bike, Tread, and Row packages before April 2, 2023, at onepeloton.com.

Rothys: For stylish, comfortable, sustainably made shoes, shop Rothy’s. Get $20 off your first purchase at rothys.com/SHAMELESSMOM.

StrollerCoaster: A Parenting Podcast!: Need another podcast in your parenting podcast library, check out StrollerCoaster: A Parenting Podcast! wherever you listen to the SMA.

Train Her Game - Free Training: Moms of teen daughter athletes! Help your daughter build confidence and overcome negative mindsets in athletics by attending this free training offered by Breanne Smedley, Host of the Elite Competitor Podcast: https://trainhergame.com/shameless

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740: How to Take Responsibility for Your Triggers Mar 27, 2023

I couldn’t help but dig into something I’ve been working on in live time: TRIGGERS.

It seems everybody is talking about their triggers these days - to the point that it’s almost cliche. In fact, the term is used so loosely that it can be insulting to folks who have experienced serious trauma and have triggers that deeply impact their ability to show up and function in the world.

I’ve made no secret about my PTSD diagnosis. Over the last couple of years, I have been exploring this diagnosis in therapy and more recently in a hypnotherapy session. I have learned so much. In today's episode, I’m sharing a bit about what I’ve learned as it relates to the things that trigger me.

It’s important to note that I am not a therapist or a mental health professional. I’m sharing this because I think some of you will be able to relate to and learn from my anecdotal experience.

If this episode triggers you or makes you curious about hypnotherapy, you can reach out to my hypnotherapist Nadia Ahrens at nadiaahrens.com.

Link mentioned:

Hypnotherapist Nadia Ahrens: nadiaahrens.com

Thank you to our sponsors this month:

care.com: Get the help you need to make it all work for your family at care.com/book.

Hello Fresh: Get farm-fresh, pre-portioned meals delivered right to your door! Go to HelloFresh.com/shameless65 and use code shameless65 for 65% off plus free shipping!

iHerb: Get your health in check with great products and great pricing. Get 22% off your first order when you use the code SHAMELESS at iherb.com.

Last Bottle Wines: Get 10% off your order when you use the code SHAMELESS at lastbottlewines.com.

Peloton: Get access to a massive workout library and save up to $400 on Bike, Tread, and Row packages before April 2, 2023, at onepeloton.com.

Rothys: For stylish, comfortable, sustainably made shoes, shop Rothy’s. Get $20 off your first purchase at rothys.com/SHAMELESSMOM.

StrollerCoaster: A Parenting Podcast!: Need another podcast in your parenting podcast library, check out StrollerCoaster: A Parenting Podcast! wherever you listen to the SMA.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

739: Kristyn Hodgdon: The Hidden Grief of Secondary Infertility Mar 22, 2023

When Kristyn Hodgdon reached out to me about coming on the SMA, it was a quick, easy, and emphatic YES! As you likely know, our family has gone through a lot around infertility - in trying to get pregnant with Vinnie and then again in pursuing a second pregnancy. I was so honored to speak with Kristyn, hear her story, and learn about how she helps other women.

Kristyn Hodgdon is the Co-Founder and Chief Creative Officer at Rescripted, the #1 global media platform for fertility, infertility, and pregnancy loss, offering technology tools & resources for wherever you are on your family-building journey. She is a professional writer, voracious reader, fierce fertility advocate, and proud IVF mom of twins. She lives in Long Island, NY with her husband Dan, and their two kids, Brooke and Charlie.

Listen in to hear Kristyn share:

Her journey to her PCOS diagnosis and then into her infertility
What is secondary infertility and how common it is
What it looks and feels like to make decisions around expanding your family when you know you can’t get pregnant naturally
The hidden grief of secondary infertility
What to say to friends & family who are experiencing infertility, secondary infertility, or pregnancy loss

Links mentioned:

Connect with Kristyn: www.rescripted.com
Rescripted on IG
Kristyn’s Podcast: Dear (In)Fertility

Thank you to our sponsors this month:

care.com: Get the help you need to make it all work for your family at care.com/book.

Hello Fresh: Get farm-fresh, pre-portioned meals delivered right to your door! Go to HelloFresh.com/shameless65 and use code shameless65 for 65% off plus free shipping!

iHerb: Get your health in check with great products and great pricing. Get 22% off your first order when you use the code SHAMELESS at iherb.com.

Last Bottle Wines: Get 10% off your order when you use the code SHAMELESS at lastbottlewines.com.

Peloton: Get access to a massive workout library and save up to $400 on Bike, Tread, and Row packages before April 2, 2023, at onepeloton.com.

Rothys: For stylish, comfortable, sustainably made shoes, shop Rothy’s. Get $20 off your first purchase at rothys.com/SHAMELESSMOM.

StrollerCoaster: A Parenting Podcast!: Need another podcast in your parenting podcast library, check out StrollerCoaster: A Parenting Podcast! wherever you listen to the SMA.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

738: Overcoming Fear of Rejection Mar 20, 2023

For many people, there are few worse things than rejection or the threat of rejection. The fear of rejection can cause anxiety, depression, and the most relentless stress. It can stop us from going after what we want and what we deserve. It can keep us stuck for a season - or a lifetime.

When you think about fear of rejection and what that might look like for you, I want you to consider what might drive your fear of rejection. What might the underlying causes be?

Some common causes of fear of rejection are:

Past life events
Past rejection or abandonment
Past trauma
Poor self-worth, self-esteem, sense of self
Susceptibility to anxiety, self-criticism

If you can identify where your fear of rejection stems from, it’s more likely you can talk your way through it and give it less power over you. For example, as a person who was abandoned by her father as a little girl and again as a 38-year-old woman & new mom, it is helpful for me to remind myself that my father was unable to show up for me for a myriad of reasons. Those reasons were his. They are not a reflection of my worth or my value. They are also not any indication of how others will treat me. In fact, every other human in my life has shown they are very capable of showing up and supporting me. When I talk myself through all this, I can see how I am very likely to be supported in my life no matter what I go after or if I screw up from time to time.

In this example, you can see where my fear of rejection might stem from as well as how I walk myself through it. You can see that in accepting my fear, labeling my fear, affirming my worth, and challenging my beliefs/past narratives, I’m able to walk my way right through this fear to a healthier place where I can show up for new things, hard things, big things, scary things - knowing that I don’t have to be perfect, get everything right, impress anyone or prove anything.

In this episode, I talk through 7 steps you can take to overcome the fear of rejection in order to show up for your life, go after what you want, and get all that you deserve.

Thank you to our sponsors this month:

care.com: Get the help you need to make it all work for your family at care.com/book.

Hello Fresh: Get farm-fresh, pre-portioned meals delivered right to your door! Go to HelloFresh.com/shameless65 and use code shameless65 for 65% off plus free shipping!

iHerb: Get your health in check with great products and great pricing. Get 22% off your first order when you use the code SHAMELESS at iherb.com.

Last Bottle Wines: Get 10% off your order when you use the code SHAMELESS at lastbottlewines.com.

Peloton: Get access to a massive workout library and save up to $400 on Bike, Tread, and Row packages before April 2, 2023, at onepeloton.com.

Rothys: For stylish, comfortable, sustainably made shoes, shop Rothy’s. Get $20 off your first purchase at rothys.com/SHAMELESSMOM.

StrollerCoaster: A Parenting Podcast!: Need another podcast in your parenting podcast library, check out StrollerCoaster: A Parenting Podcast! wherever you listen to the SMA.

Train Her Game - Free Training: Moms of teen daughter athletes! Help your daughter build confidence and overcome negative mindsets in athletics by attending this free training offered by Breanne Smedley, Host of the Elite Competitor Podcast: https://trainhergame.com/shameless

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

737: Jenn Cassetta: The Art of Badassery Mar 15, 2023

Based in Los Angeles, Jennifer Cassetta is a nationally recognized speaker, empowerment coach, and self-defense expert. She has worked with tens of thousands of professional women around the country to help them unleash their inner badass. Equipped with her 3rd-degree black belt in HapKiDo, Master’s degree in Nutrition, and health coaching certification, she develops programming that helps women feel strong, safe, and powerful from the streets to the boardroom. With clients that include: American Airlines, British Airways, Del Monte, Nike, Uber, and UBS, Jennifer has rocked hundreds of stages across the country with her superpower combination of engaging content and contagious enthusiasm.

Her new book, The Art of Badassery: Unleash Your Mojo With Wisdom of the Dojo, can now be found on bookshelves everywhere.

This was such a fun conversation. Jenn and I had the most instant chemistry and synergy. Get ready to laugh along with us and take some fantastic notes!

Listen in to hear Jenn share:

The Art of Badassery and how to unleash your mojo
The power of creating your Greatest Shits List
Her profound life experience of being just a few blocks from the Twin Towers during 911
How our Greatest Shits create our greatest weapons
The importance of Embracing the Suck and 3 strategies for bouncing back from the suck
3 steps to help you Find Your Roar
Why claiming/reclaiming your power is critical life work

Links mentioned:

Connect with Jenn: jennifercassetta.com
Book: The Art of Badassery: Unleash Your Mojo With Wisdom of the Dojo
Jenn on IG
Jenn on LinkedIn
Jenn on FB
Jenn on Tiktok

Thank you to our sponsors this month:

care.com: Get the help you need to make it all work for your family at care.com/book.

Hello Fresh: Get farm-fresh, pre-portioned meals delivered right to your door! Go to HelloFresh.com/shameless65 and use code shameless65 for 65% off plus free shipping!

Last Bottle Wines: Get 10% off your order when you use the code SHAMELESS at lastbottlewines.com.

Rothys: For stylish, comfortable, sustainably made shoes, shop Rothy’s. Get $20 off your first purchase at rothys.com/SHAMELESSMOM.

StrollerCoaster: A Parenting Podcast!: Need another podcast in your parenting podcast library, check out StrollerCoaster: A Parenting Podcast! wherever you listen to the SMA.

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736: 3 Ways Mom Guilt is Harming You Mar 13, 2023

I know I’m not supposed to have favorites, but I can’t help myself. One of my all-time favorite episodes to record was Mom Guilt Is a Lie. The reason I loved this episode is multipronged.

First, I pointed out to you that the mom guilt you feel (that is very real) comes from a massive lie fed to you by the Patriarchy.

Second, in making it clear where your guilt comes from, many of you would be able to release the grip that mom guilt has had on you over the years.

And finally, I knew that if you could see mom guilt as a myth, you could also become someone who questions other culturally ingrained messages for moms - liberating not only yourself from the constant marginalization of moms, but hopefully so many other moms around you too!

While I know many of you benefitted from that episode, I know that you are not miraculously healed. You are likely still struggling with mom guilt. My hope is that this episode will help you see how mom guilt plays a role in your life - likely a harmful role - so you may begin to heal from it.

In this episode, I talk through 3 ways mom guilt is harming you. Once you see the ways it is harming you, it’s likely you will see how you can start to let it go in order to show up for your life in new and liberated ways!

Links mentioned:

SMA Episode 327: Mom Guilt Is a Lie

Today's Parent Article: Why Mom Guilt Is the Biggest Lie of All

Thank you to our sponsors this month!

care.com: Get the help you need to make it all work for your family at care.com/book.

Hello Fresh: Get farm-fresh, pre-portioned meals delivered right to your door! Go to HelloFresh.com/shameless65 and use code shameless65 for 65% off plus free shipping!

Last Bottle Wines: Get 10% off your order when you use the code SHAMELESS at lastbottlewines.com.

Rothys: For stylish, comfortable, sustainably made shoes, shop Rothy’s. Get $20 off your first purchase at rothys.com/SHAMELESSMOM.

StrollerCoaster: A Parenting Podcast!: Need another podcast in your parenting podcast library, check out StrollerCoaster: A Parenting Podcast! wherever you listen to the SMA.

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735: Laura Robbins: STASH: The Intersection of Motherhood, Addiction, Race & Class Mar 08, 2023

Laura Cathcart Robbins is the host of the popular podcast, The Only One In The Room, and author of the memoir, STASH. She has been active for many years as a speaker and school trustee and is credited for creating The Buckley School’s nationally recognized committee on Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Justice. Her recent articles in Huffpo and The Temper on the subjects of race, recovery, and divorce have garnered her worldwide acclaim. She is a 2022 TEDx Speaker, and LA Moth StorySlam winner. Currently, she sits on the advisory boards of the San Diego Writer’s Festival and the Outliers HQ podcast Festival.

Laura is a longtime friend of the show and perhaps the most frequent guest of the show. She has shared her brilliance and her heart with us in so many ways over the last few years. Today, she is sharing her story with us in a new way - talking about the release of her stunningly breathtaking memoir, Stash. I was lucky enough to receive an advance copy of Laura’s book and read it on my way to & from London last fall. I found myself trying to contain my crying and cheering for my dear friend, Laura, on each flight. Her mommy heart broke mine in half as I read about her journey into deep addiction and then my heart healed right alongside hers as I saw her embrace recovery and say YES to herself and her boys over and over again.

Listen in to hear Laura share:

Her desire for her high profile marriage to “legitimize” her worth
Her path to crippling perfectionism and how it led her to a near fatal Ambien addiction
How Stash addresses the intersection of addiction, race, gender, motherhood and class
The misnomer that parents who are addicts choose drugs or alcohol over their children
The significance of her authoring this book as a Black women working through addiction and into recovery

Links mentioned:

Get the STASH and connect with Laura: theonlyonepod.com
Podcast: The Only One in the Room
Laura on IG
The Only One in the Room on IG

Thank you to our sponsors this month:

care.com: Get the help you need to make it all work for your family at care.com/book.

Hello Fresh: Get farm-fresh, pre portioned meals delivered right to your door! Go to HelloFresh.com/shameless65 and use code shameless65 for 65% off plus free shipping!

Last Bottle Wines: Get 10% off your order when you use the code SHAMELESS at lastbottlewines.com.

Luvbuglearning.com: Support your child’s social emotional learning with the world's first social emotional gaming platform. Go to Luvbuglearning.com and sign up for a 7-day free trial, or simply download from the APP store and subscribe.

Rothys: For stylish, comfortable, sustainably made shoes, shop Rothy’s. Get $20 off your first purchase at rothys.com/SHAMELESSMOM.

StrollerCoaster: A Parenting Podcast!: Need another podcast in your parenting podcast library, check out StrollerCoaster: A Parenting Podcast! wherever you listen to the SMA.

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734: What to Do When Your Partner Doesn’t Want to Grow Mar 06, 2023

As I’ve worked with women through growth and transformation over the last 20 years, I’ve had countless conversations about partners & spouses who, “just don’t get it.” Back when I was working with my personal training clients and boot camp members, women would come to be fraught about spending money without their husband’s approval.

When I started running programs inside the SMA, moms came to me so eager to participate but very uncomfortable about talking to their husbands about investing money in an online program with a coach they met on the internet, especially a coach selling “personal development for moms”.

I totally understand that it can be awkward to work on goals that aren’t connected to your partner, especially if you haven’t done that before. And… if that’s you, I want to invite you to consider why you haven’t taken steps to work on yourself independently in the past? Not from a place of judgment, but from a place of genuine curiosity.

As I’ve helped so many women show up for themselves and step into growth over the last 20 years, I’ve also seen the frustration that comes when you are growing, growing, growing, and hoping your partner will follow suit, and they’re like, “Nah, I’m good.”

There can be a decent amount of tension when partners are growing in different directions or one partner is committed to growth and the other is not.

As you’ve become more Shameless as a listener of this show, perhaps you’ve wondered, “How do I encourage my partner to make some of the changes I’ve made?”

In today’s episode, I talk through this tension. The tension of becoming more autonomous. The tension of codependency. The tension of doing your own work and letting a partner decide on their own what work they do or don’t do.

Thank you to our sponsors this month:

care.com: Get the help you need to make it all work for your family at care.com/book.

Hello Fresh: Get farm-fresh, pre-portioned meals delivered right to your door! Go to HelloFresh.com/shameless65 and use code shameless65 for 65% off plus free shipping!

Last Bottle Wines: Get 10% off your order when you use the code SHAMELESS at lastbottlewines.com.

Rothys: For stylish, comfortable, sustainably made shoes, shop Rothy’s. Get $20 off your first purchase at rothys.com/SHAMELESSMOM.

StrollerCoaster: A Parenting Podcast!: Need another podcast in your parenting podcast library, check out StrollerCoaster: A Parenting Podcast! wherever you listen to the SMA.

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733: Gabrielle Blair: Ejaculate Responsibly Mar 01, 2023

Gabrielle Blair a Shameless Mom of 6 and the founder of DesignMom.com. Started in 2006, it has been named a Website of the Year by Time magazine; praised as a top parenting blog by The Wall Street Journal, Parents, and Better Homes & Gardens; and it won the Iris Award for Blog of the Year. In 2015, Gabrielle published her New York Times bestseller, Design Mom: How to Live with Kids, a New York Times bestseller. Her second book, Ejaculate Responsibly, was just released and also became an instant New York Times Bestseller. Her writing is quoted and shared across the globe daily. If you follow her on Twitter, you know why. Gabrielle is also a founder of Alt Summit, the blockbuster annual conference for online content creators and creative entrepreneurs.

I met Gabrielle at an event this fall and was immediately completely captivated by her work around her new book, Ejaculate Responsibly. Gabbi is a force and this conversation is going to expand your head and heart in many ways. Listen in and share widely. The world needs this message - desperately.

Listen in to hear Gabrielle share:

Why she has always integrated “controversial” content into her parenting blog, Design Mom, and how that led to her writing Ejaculate Responsibly
Her mission to put men at the center of attention and center of responsibility when it comes to the conversation around unwanted pregnancies
Why the management of women’s fertility should be shifted to the management of MEN’S fertility since men are fertile 365 days a year and women are fertile for a mere 36 or so hours a month.
Why we have built a 100+ billion dollar women’s birth control industry around the idea that we don’t mind if women suffer as long as it makes things easier for men
The reality that most men are actually quite open to taking responsibility for their ejaculation if they are given the right information
How to talk to your kids about responsible ejaculation

Links Mentioned:

Gabrielle’s Book: Ejaculate Responsibly: A Whole New Way to Think About Abortion
See Gabrielle on tour: Book Tour: https://designmom.com
Check out Alt Summit: https://altitudesummit.com/
Gabrielle on Twitter and Instagram: @designmom
Amy Lang on the SMA: Birds & Bees & Kids
Amy Lang on the SMA: Sex Talk with Tweens

Thank you to our sponsors this month:

care.com: Get the help you need to make it all work for your family at care.com/book.

Hello Fresh: Get farm-fresh, pre portioned meals delivered right to your door! Go to HelloFresh.com/shameless65 and use code shameless65 for 65% off plus free shipping!

Last Bottle Wines: Get 10% off your order when you use the code SHAMELESS at lastbottlewines.com.

Rothys: For stylish, comfortable, sustainably made shoes, shop Rothy’s. Get $20 off your first purchase at rothys.com/SHAMELESSMOM.

StrollerCoaster: A Parenting Podcast!: Need another podcast in your parenting podcast library, check out StrollerCoaster: A Parenting Podcast! wherever you listen to the SMA.

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732: On Passion, Purpose, and Knowing When to Pivot Feb 27, 2023

One of the most common questions I’ve gotten over the years is, “Sara, how do I find my passion?” Often this question is followed by some lamenting over the fact that one has not yet found their passion.

Sometimes society tells us that if we are not committing our life’s work to something we are passionate about, we are wasting our time or our talent.

I would like to argue that sometimes it’s ok to do something you’re not 100% passionate about because it provides you security and stability (ie: a paycheck and benefits).

AND, I get it…. Doing meaningful work that is aligned with your passions and gives you a sense of purpose is highly desirable.

AND… the world needs your gifts! So, please don’t hold back from sharing them with us.

SO, how do you know when to go after what you’re passionate about?

How do you determine the thing you want to passionately pursue?

How do you know when it’s the right time to pivot?

Over the last 20 years, I’ve spent a lot of time building businesses around work that I’m deeply passionate about - work that gives me a massive sense of purpose. But there have also been moments (even seasons) where I have sat in pretty “MEH” situations in order to strategically plan my next pivot. In this episode, I share a few examples so you can see what this looks like in real life.

Maybe you’re ready to pivot right now or maybe you’re looking out at a 5-year plan toward your purpose. Either way, I got you - and this episode will give you some great insight.

Link mentioned:

Interested in Business Coaching with Sara? Email us at info@shamelessmom.com with the subject line: Business Coaching and we will send you details on Sara’s 6-month One-on-One Business & Leadership Coaching Package!

Thank you to our sponsors this month:

care.com: Get the help you need to make it all work for your family at care.com/book.

Full-Time VA: Check out this free training on how to be a virtual assistant that makes full-time income with part-time hours: thefulltimeva.com/Shameless. Owner Amanda Rush Holmes is also including a bonus free guide for SMA listeners - The VA Kickstarter Workbook!

Hello Fresh: Get farm-fresh, pre-portioned meals delivered right to your door! Go to HelloFresh.com/shameless65 and use code shameless65 for 65% off plus free shipping!

Last Bottle Wines: Get 10% off your order when you use the code SHAMELESS at lastbottlewines.com.

Rothys: For stylish, comfortable, sustainably made shoes, shop Rothy’s. Get $20 off your first purchase at rothys.com/SHAMELESSMOM.

StrollerCoaster: A Parenting Podcast!: Need another podcast in your parenting podcast library, check out StrollerCoaster: A Parenting Podcast! wherever you listen to the SMA.

Thrive Market: Get groceries and household essentials delivered right to your door. Join Thrive Market today and get 30% off your first order, plus a FREE $60 gift! Go to thrivemarket.com/shameless.

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731: Loria Yeadon: An Invitation to Be a World Changer Feb 22, 2023

Loria Yeadon is President and CEO at YMCA of Greater Seattle and the first woman and the first person of color to serve in this role in the 146-year history of the organization. She is an electrical engineer, a patent attorney by trade and training, and an accomplished non-profit and corporate executive with over 35 years of experience leading high-performing teams, managing P&Ls, and serving the community. She champions and advocates for equity and justice for all, especially youth and families in underserved communities. Yeadon currently serves on the Governor’s Social Supports Leaders Advisory Group for the State of Washington and on the Board of Directors for the Laird Norton Company. She formerly served on the Board of Directors of TiVo Corporation, Girl Scouts of the USA, Legal Momentum, and Stolen Youth. She was recently honored as a 2021 Women of Influence by the Puget Sound Business Journal and recipient of the 2020 Female Founders Champion Role Model Award. She is also a very proud Shameless Mom to 3 grown daughters.

Listen in to Loria share:

Her memories during segregation in Virginia and how things are not much different today
How her mission to raise her daughters to be world leaders and worlds changers informed her career
The impact of the pandemic on the YMCA as they recognized the importance of supporting families in deeply critical ways
The “false choice” moms were given in the pandemic
What happens in society when affordable childcare is hard or even impossible to access
Possible solutions around more affordable childcare
Her invitation to young women to move through the world more courageously
The very special way you can support the mission of the YMCA
The unique mission of the YMCA to be more than a building, but a movement forwarding communities

Links Mentioned:

Learn more about the YMCA and consider donating: www.seattleymca.org
YMCA on FB, IG, Twitter: @YMCASeattle
YMCA on LinkedIn
Loria on LinkedIn
Loria on Twitter

Thank you to our sponsors this month:

care.com: Get the help you need to make it all work for your family at care.com/book.

Hello Fresh: Get farm-fresh, pre-portioned meals delivered right to your door! Go to HelloFresh.com/shameless65 and use code shameless65 for 65% off plus free shipping!

Last Bottle Wines: Get 10% off your order when you use the code SHAMELESS at lastbottlewines.com.

Rothys: For stylish, comfortable, sustainably made shoes, shop Rothy’s. Get $20 off your first purchase at rothys.com/SHAMELESSMOM.

StrollerCoaster: A Parenting Podcast!: Need another podcast in your parenting podcast library, check out StrollerCoaster: A Parenting Podcast! wherever you listen to the SMA.

Thrive Market: Get groceries and household essentials delivered right to your door. Join Thrive Market today and get 30% off your first order, plus a FREE $60 gift! Go to thrivemarket.com/shameless.

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730: How to Quiet the Haters, the Doubters, and the Skeptics Feb 20, 2023

If your voice has value and you’re using it as an agent to heal yourself and help others, it’s your job to be aware of the external noise you allow to inform your thoughts, beliefs, and actions.

There will be people who try to diminish your voice, your power, and your credibility.

There will be people who do not believe you, who downright oppose you, who say you are not who you say you are.

There will be people who, out of their own insecurities, will deny your gifts, roll their eyes at your talent, and question your motives.

How will you handle those who are disrespectful, dismissive, diminishing, and doubtful of who you are becoming?

This is a big question. It can be a lot to wrap your head around as you choose a path of growth, power, and agency.

So YOU must know who you are and what you stand for.

In this episode, we will categorize the Haters, the Doubters, and the Skeptics in a meaningful way that will allow you to more clearly see how these folks take up space in your life.

Then we will walk through 3 questions to ask yourself as you navigate interactions and situations with these folks so that you may conscientiously decide who gets to have a vote in who you are becoming and who does not.

Your voice has value. Period. Even when others are questioning it, doubting it, or downright denying it.

Thank you to our sponsors this month:

care.com: Get the help you need to make it all work for your family at care.com/book.

Hello Fresh: Get farm-fresh, pre-portioned meals delivered right to your door! Go to HelloFresh.com/shameless65 and use code shameless65 for 65% off plus free shipping!

Last Bottle Wines: Get 10% off your order when you use the code SHAMELESS at lastbottlewines.com.

Rothys: For stylish, comfortable, sustainably made shoes, shop Rothy’s. Get $20 off your first purchase at rothys.com/SHAMELESSMOM.

StrollerCoaster: A Parenting Podcast!: Need another podcast in your parenting podcast library, check out StrollerCoaster: A Parenting Podcast! wherever you listen to the SMA.

Thrive Market: Get groceries and household essentials delivered right to your door. Join Thrive Market today and get 30% off your first order, plus a FREE $60 gift! Go to thrivemarket.com/shameless.

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729: Yvette Gentile and Rasha Pecoraro: Embracing the Spotlight and Facing Evil Feb 15, 2023

Sisters Yvette Gentile and Rasha Pecoraro are primarily recognized as the co-hosts of the wildly popular podcast “Root of Evil: The True Story of the Hodel Family and the Black Dahlia,” a 2020 iHeartRadio ‘True Crime Podcast of the Year’ nominee. The dark story of their mother Fauna Hodel’s life became a six-episode limited television series “I Am The Night,” which premiered in January 2019.

Yvette and Rasha have returned to the airwaves with a new weekly podcast, Facing Evil. In their latest venture, the siblings bring their unique perspective of growing up in a family with a dark history, to true crime with a focus on the victims and individuals at the heart of the stories.

Outside of podcasting, Yvette is also an actor, model, and sandal designer with her husband Gino. She is an avid yogi who trains for and practices classes specific to individuals confronting distress and long-term grief and pain.

Rasha was a fierce competitor on “The Biggest Loser” in 2006. Since then, she’s advocated for beauty at any size as a plus-size model and married her wife Vanna in 2010. She is a proud LGBTQ+ advocate and activist, mother, as well as an actor and voiceover artist.

Listen in to hear Rasha and Yvette share:

What it was like for Rasha to marry a man on national TV after being a contestant on the Biggest Loser - and then realize she was gay and come out out of the closet in a very public way
The impact of their unique sister relationship of being a gay-straight passing blond woman and a black biracial woman - standing side by side as sisters
What it’s been like for both Rasha and Yvette to embrace the spotlight in a big way as the layers of their family story is shared across multiple media platforms
The impact and imprint of many tragic true crime stories on US history
How they have intentionally stayed away from sensationalism and salaciousness in true crime podcasting, and instead opted for sharing humanity, compassion, and empathy in their stories

Links mentioned:

Thank you to our sponsors this month:

care.com: Get the help you need to make it all work for your family at care.com/book.

Hello Fresh: Get farm-fresh, pre-portioned meals delivered right to your door! Go to HelloFresh.com/shameless65 and use code shameless65 for 65% off plus free shipping!

Rothys: For stylish, comfortable, sustainably made shoes, shop Rothy’s. Get $20 off your first purchase at rothys.com/SHAMELESSMOM.

StrollerCoaster: A Parenting Podcast!: Need another podcast in your parenting podcast library, check out StrollerCoaster: A Parenting Podcast! wherever you listen to the SMA.

Thrive Market: Get groceries and household essentials delivered right to your door. Join Thrive Market today and get 30% off your first order, plus a FREE $60 gift! Go to thrivemarket.com/shameless.

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728: How Motherhood Fuels Inadequacy & What to Do About It Airs Feb 13, 2023

What if your feelings of inadequacy had nothing to do with you? What if they were because you have been conditioned as a woman and a mom that no matter what you do, it will never be enough? Perhaps you have been conditioned to believe that everyone else has it all figured out. Perhaps you are never validated or affirmed as a woman and a mom because society has systematically dismissed and diminished our value, our contributions, and our worth for centuries.

Perhaps those feelings of inadequacy, while very real, are not yours to own.

Perhaps the burden to alleviate those feelings falls on the systems and people who have diminished us. But they don’t know that. They don’t see that. And until they do, it’s up to us to undo their damage.

SO… let’s unravel it all so you can step back and see the bigger picture. In this episode, I walk you through 4 things that fuel inadequacy for most women and moms and then a 4 part framework to intentionally and permanently walk away from your feelings of inadequacy and into your worth, your gifts, and your talents

Thank you to our sponsors this month:

care.com: Get the help you need to make it all work for your family at care.com/book.

Hello Fresh: Get farm-fresh, pre-portioned meals delivered right to your door! Go to HelloFresh.com/shameless65 and use code shameless65 for 65% off plus free shipping!

Rothys: For stylish, comfortable, sustainably made shoes, shop Rothy’s. Get $20 off your first purchase at rothys.com/SHAMELESSMOM.

StrollerCoaster: A Parenting Podcast!: Need another podcast in your parenting podcast library, check out StrollerCoaster: A Parenting Podcast! wherever you listen to the SMA.

Thrive Market: Get groceries and household essentials delivered right to your door. Join Thrive Market today and get 30% off your first order, plus a FREE $60 gift! Go to thrivemarket.com/shameless.

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727: Rachel Luna: How to Give Yourself Permission to Offend Feb 08, 2023

Rachel Luna, author of Permission to Offend, is a highly sought-after international speaker & Certified Master Neuroscience Coach.. Named by Forbes as one of The 11 Most Inspiring Female Entrepreneurs To Follow On Instagram. She is a former US Marine who calls herself a magnet for miracles because despite losing both her parents to AIDS, struggling with eating disorders in her teens, and battling alcoholism and depression in her early 20s, Rachel has never allowed herself to be limited by life circumstances. Instead, she persevered and when she was diagnosed with triple-negative breast cancer in the summer of 2019, Rachel tackled it the same way she does everything - with confidence, faith, and love.

Through her top-rated podcast, Permission to Offend, and her new book of the same name, Rachel is inviting you to return to your truth, own it, and live fully self-expressed without fear of judgment, rejection, or defamation - so that you can step into your next level of elevation.

Listen in to hear Rachel share:

How she navigated her disappointment around motherhood and her struggle to bond with her daughters after their births
Her decision to leave the US Marines after becoming a mom
How she decided to become a life coach in her post-Marine life
How to acknowledge our Big 3 Fears: judgment, rejection, defamation
Strategies to be ready to “offend”
How to use curiosity as the key to clarity
How to engage in thoughtful but hard conversations with permission to offend

Links mentioned:

Connect with Rachel: www.rachelluna.biz
Book: Permission to Offend
Podcast: Permission to Offend
Take the Permission to Offend Quiz: Permissiontooffend.com/quiz
Rachel on Instagram

Thank you to our sponsors this month:

care.com: Get the help you need to make it all work for your family at care.com/book.

Full Time VA: Check out this free training on how to be a virtual assistant that makes full-time income with part-time hours: thefulltimeva.com/Shameless. Owner Amanda Rush Holmes is also including a bonus free guide for SMA listeners - The VA Kickstarter Workbook!

Hello Fresh: Get farm-fresh, pre portioned meals delivered right to your door! Go to HelloFresh.com/shameless65 and use code shameless65 for 65% off plus free shipping!

Rothys: For stylish, comfortable, sustainably made shoes, shop Rothy’s. Get $20 off your first purchase at rothys.com/SHAMELESSMOM.

StrollerCoaster: A Parenting Podcast!: Need another podcast in your parenting podcast library, check out StrollerCoaster: A Parenting Podcast! wherever you listen to the SMA.

Thrive Market: Get groceries and household essentials delivered right to your door. Join Thrive Market today and get 30% off your first order, plus a FREE $60 gift! Go to thrivemarket.com/shameless.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

726: Let Yourself Listen… to Yourself Feb 06, 2023

I suspect your daily life is loud, literally and figuratively. Noise from your kids, your partner, your boss, noise on social media, the news, and the entire world outside your door.

As you move through the world listening to all the noise, it’s easy to lose track of your own voice and your inner knowing. With all the outward listening, it’s easy to forget to listen inward.

I recently had a situation where I found myself feeling very uncertain, even physically uncomfortable, as my gut was telling me, “This doesn't feel right.”

While I love to rush through things in order to check them off my list, I made myself sit with this feeling and really listen to it. And I’m so glad I did. As I sat with this feeling, I made some requests of the people around me while this feeling took place. They were unable (or unwilling) to reassure me or provide any validation for what I was feeling, which confirmed my gut feeling: I shouldn’t stay in this situation.

In this episode, I share this entire situation and the steps I took to give myself the space and time to listen inward as this situation unfolded. I hope this gives you some guidance on how to do the same.

We are taught from the time we are wee little girls to prioritize the voices and comfort of others over our own. NO MORE. Give yourself permission to listen to you and prioritize YOU.

Thank you to our sponsors this month:

care.com: Get the help you need to make it all work for your family at care.com/book.

Hello Fresh: Get farm-fresh, pre-portioned meals delivered right to your door! Go to HelloFresh.com/shameless65 and use code shameless65 for 65% off plus free shipping!

Rothys: For stylish, comfortable, sustainably made shoes, shop Rothy’s. Get $20 off your first purchase at rothys.com/SHAMELESSMOM.

StrollerCoaster: A Parenting Podcast!: Need another podcast in your parenting podcast library, check out StrollerCoaster: A Parenting Podcast! wherever you listen to the SMA.

Thrive Market: Get groceries and household essentials delivered right to your door. Join Thrive Market today and get 30% off your first order, plus a FREE $60 gift! Go to thrivemarket.com/shameless.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

725: Monica Packer: The Most Important Thing for Moms to Know About Personal Growth Feb 01, 2023

Monica Packer is passionate about teaching practical-but-deep transformation. As a podcaster and coach, she guides women to find sustainable growth by adopting progress over perfection. Monica is a former middle school teacher, a forever Oprah fangirl, a perpetual cookie dough maker, and an ambitious walker (the last one is a joke . . . sort of). She is also the Shameless Mom to 4 awesome kiddos, with a 5th on the way!

This is Monica’s second time on the show and I just love how we were able to dig deep so quickly. This is a juicy conversation that you might want to listen to more than once. Prepare to take some notes!

Listen in to hear Monica share:

The most important thing for women to know about progress and personal growth
The lie that women fall for over and over again
The uncomfortable truth that growth is supposed to be slow
The magic of time and compassion and how to use compassion to give yourself permission in hard moments and seasons
The very specific process she uses to help women work toward any goal
How to reconcile that your identity is formed by behavior and habits
How men miss the mark when talking about women and their habits
What successful consistency actually (surprisingly) looks like for women

Links mentioned:

Connect with Monica: https://aboutprogress.com/
Past SMA interview with Sara and Monica: Prioritizing Progress Over Perfection
Monica’s Podcast: About Progress
Get Monica’s Habit Class: aboutprogess.com/habitclass
Monica on IG

Thank you to our sponsors this month:

Rothys: For stylish, comfortable, sustainably made shoes, shop Rothy’s. Get $20 off your first purchase at rothys.com/SHAMELESSMOM.

StrollerCoaster: A Parenting Podcast!: Need another podcast in your parenting podcast library, check out StrollerCoaster: A Parenting Podcast! wherever you listen to the SMA.

Thrive Market: Get groceries and household essentials delivered right to your door. Join Thrive Market today and get 30% off your first order, plus a FREE $60 gift! Go to thrivemarket.com/shameless.

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724: Find Your Edges and Sit in the Magic Jan 30, 2023

I had a really hard time relaxing over our holiday break. I knew January was going to be a big month for me in terms of work opportunities and I was feeling some nerves for sure. I kept telling myself to “just relax” until January kicked off, but my anxious brain could not. If you have an anxious brain like me, perhaps you can relate to how foolishly ineffective it is to tell yourself to “just relax”.

BUT… Now that we are IN January and I’m IN these opportunities, I’m having a blast. I’m running right up to some big edges of discomfort as I do new things and I’m having a great time seeing things come together.

As I was wrapping up last week, I had to remind myself:

“You are good at figuring out new things.”
“It feels really great to challenge yourself by finding new professional edges.”
“The high that comes after reaching a new edge is the best.”

As I mentioned, I have an anxious brain. I excel in worrying about things before they happen. Sometimes that worry exists for months before an event or life situation and it takes a lot out of me. I have done a lot of work to minimize this worry, but it definitely still creeps in at times.

I love challenging myself because I love - LOVE - the feeling of achievement. But I hate the feelings of worry (sometimes even dread) that can precipitate some of the best moments of my life. One of my top techniques to mitigate this worry is to really sit in the feelings that follow pushing my edges. I do this with skiing, with uncomfortable conversations, with new leadership opportunities, and when I’m working with new organizations - so pretty much anytime I’m doing something unknown or uncertain!

In this episode we talk about how to use these questions to lean into the magic of your new edges:

How did that feel?
How did you use your skills, gifts, and talents to accomplish what you wanted to accomplish?
What does this accomplishment tell you about yourself and the person you are becoming?

Cheers to a year of new edges, my friend!

Thank you to our sponsors this month:

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723: Dr. Neeta Bhushan: How to Handle “the Suck” Jan 25, 2023

As co-founder of the Global Grit Institute, a mental health training platform for leaders and coaches, co-founder of the Dharma Coaching Institute, training thousands to live their best lives, and a thriving coach in her own right, Neeta Bhushan has helped thousands of people move past their heartbreaks, failures, and disappointments. And after years of research into human behavior, observing people in their worst and best moments, being a mother of two small children, and failing more than a few times herself, Neeta knows what it takes to get back up no matter what bowled you over. Her new book, That Sucked, Now What? is a real-talk guide to personal growth that draws on and embraces the suck–and helps you break through to lasting, audacious resilience.

Listen in to hear Dr. Neeta share:

Her experience of losing her parents and brother all before age 19, and then finding herself in an abusive marriage - and how that impacted her life and work today
What makes our nervous systems so unique as moms, and why we are so dysregulated
Practices to reconcile + integrate your emotional nervous system
How to reframe your relationship with resiliency
Why it’s so important to celebrate and normalize sucky moments
What it looks like to be in a thriving stage in life and how to ignite your thriving stage

Links Mentioned:

Become a member of The Academy! Enrollment is open for a very short time: shamelessmom.com/academy
Get Neeta’s book pack and 5 free bonuses: thatsuckednowwhat.com
Connect with Neeta: neetabhushan.com
Neeta on IG
Neeta on FB
Neeta on Twitter
Neeta on Youtube
Neeta on LinkedIn

Thank you to our sponsors this month

Ritual: Ritual’s Essential for Women 18+ is a multivitamin you can actually trust. Ritual is offering my listeners 10% off during your first 3 months. Visit ritual.com/shameless to start Ritual or add Essential for Women 18+ to your subscription today.

Rothy’s: For stylish, comfortable, sustainably made shoes, shop Rothy’s. Get $20 off your first purchase at rothys.com/SHAMELESSMOM.

StrollerCoaster: A Parenting Podcast!: Need another podcast in your parenting podcast library, check out StrollerCoaster: A Parenting Podcast! wherever you listen to the SMA.

Thrive Market: Get groceries and household essentials delivered right to your door. Join Thrive Market today and get 30% off your first order, plus a FREE $60 gift! Go to thrivemarket.com/shameless.

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722: Mindset Magic: Turn Your Secret Lies Into Courageous Truths Jan 23, 2023

I’m in Arizona to lead a training tomorrow. I led part of this training online a while back and an attendee emailed me after and said, “Sara, my team NEEDS your training.” As we talked through what her team needs most right now, I got pretty excited. I knew I could leap right into “Secret Lies” with them and help them shift their mindset and the stories that take up space in their heads in big ways.

If you’re anything like - oh - every single human being, you likely walk around all day with different stories in your head. Stories about yourself, your life, your legacy, your past experiences, your qualifications, and your capabilities. So many stories. All day, every day.

As you navigate the world, do you ever stop to think, “Is the story I’m telling myself helping me or harming me?”

Oftentimes, women tell themselves stories that are diminishing and minimizing in a myriad of ways. Things like: You’re not good enough/smart enough/thin enough/qualified enough.

If you do this, it’s ok. Society has conditioned you to do it. It’s totally normal. But, it’s also totally harmful. Luckily it’s avoidable.

In this episode, I help you see how your secret lies might be standing in your way and how you might be able to reframe them in honest, authentic ways that give you a much greater sense of power, purpose, hope, and JOY in your everyday life.

Early in my personal training career, I had a boss shame me in a huge way. It started in his office where he degraded me. But it continued out into the main gym where he made a colleague of mine mentor me in front of all the other trainers - as if I was a brand new, completely inexperienced trainer when I was not. It was an awful - AWFUL - experience. But, having gone through that, I was able to show up for myself as a strong self-advocate a few years ago when someone tried to take me down in a very public way. I was also able to take a stand when my own father tried to publicly humiliate me on my business page about a year ago. If I hadn’t figured out how to reframe my secret lies into courageous truths waaaaay back in my personal training days, those incidents would have cost me so much more mental energy and anguish.

This is an invitation to get out of your head and into your truth - your most courageous truth. Let’s go.

Link mentioned:

Become a member of The Academy! Enrollment is open for a very short time: shamelessmom.com/academy

Thank you to our sponsors this month:

Ritual: Ritual’s Essential for Women 18+ is a multivitamin you can actually trust. Ritual is offering my listeners 10% off during your first 3 months. Visit ritual.com/shameless to start Ritual or add Essential for Women 18+ to your subscription today.

Rothys: For stylish, comfortable, sustainably made shoes, shop at Rothy’s. Get $20 off your first purchase at rothys.com/SHAMELESSMOM.

StrollerCoaster: A Parenting Podcast!: Need another podcast in your parenting podcast library, check out StrollerCoaster: A Parenting Podcast! wherever you listen to the SMA.

Thrive Market: Get groceries and household essentials delivered right to your door. Join Thrive Market today and get 30% off your first order, plus a FREE $60 gift! Go to thrivemarket.com/shameless.

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721: Aubrey Gordon: You Just Need to Lose Weight (And 19 Other Myths About Fat People) Jan 18, 2023

Aubrey Gordon writes under the pseudonym of “Your Fat Friend,” illuminating the experiences of fat people and urging greater compassion for people of all sizes. She is the author of What We Don’t Talk About When We Talk About Fat and her newest book, You Just Need to Lose Weight and 19 Other Myths About Fat People. Her work has reached millions of readers and translated into 19 languages. She is co-host of the Maintenance Phase podcast, a top-rated podcast in 2021 and 2022, and a columnist with SELF magazine. Her work has also been featured in Health magazine, Vox, and Gay Mag, among others. She lives in the Northwest, where she works as a writer and organizer. Connect with her at yourfatfriend.com, and as YrFatFriend on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.

I’m not sure if I can adequately describe the profound honor it is to have Aubrey as a guest on the show. Her work has touched me deeply over the last couple of years. She has a massive fan base that is not specific to moms, so I never thought she would say yes to joining me here. I also never thought she could be 100 times more amazing IRL than she is online - because she is already so damn awesome online. But she was an exceptional guest and an exceptionally generous interviewee - with her time, her teaching, and her laughter. To know her laugh is to love her laugh. If you know, you know.

Listen in to hear Aubrey share:

What it was like for her to go from an anonymous online writer to a fully public figure
How the success of the Maintenance Phase has impacted her work
How women are conditioned to externally process and speak about their bodies and food constantly and how this is harmful in a myriad of ways
The importance of understanding thin privilege and recognizing if you benefit from thin privilege
Scripts and language for parents to talk to kids about bodies and fatness in a neutral way
How to talk to your kids about healthy eating without subscribing to your own internalized messages from diet culture

Links mentioned:

Connect with her at yourfatfriend.com and https://www.aubreygordon.net/
Book: What We Don’t Talk About When We Talk about Fat
Book: You Just Need to Lose Weight - And 19 Other Myths About Fat People
Aubrey on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook: @yrfatfriend

Thank you to our sponsors this month:

Full Time VA: Check out this free training on how to be a virtual assistant that makes full-time income with part-time hours: thefulltimeva.com/Shameless. Owner Amanda Rush Holmes is also including a bonus free guide for SMA listeners - The VA Kickstarter Workbook!

Ritual: Ritual’s Essential for Women 18+ is a multivitamin you can actually trust. Ritual is offering my listeners 10% off during your first 3 months. Visit ritual.com/shameless to start Ritual or add Essential for Women 18+ to your subscription today.

Rothys: For stylish, comfortable, sustainably made shoes, shop Rothy’s. Get $20 off your first purchase at rothys.com/SHAMELESSMOM.

StrollerCoaster: A Parenting Podcast!: Need another podcast in your parenting podcast library, check out StrollerCoaster: A Parenting Podcast! wherever you listen to the SMA.

Thrive Market: Get groceries and household essentials delivered right to your door. Join Thrive Market today and get 30% off your first order, plus a FREE $60 gift! Go to thrivemarket.com/shameless.

Teachable: Join tens of thousands of creators turning their knowledge into scalable online businesses. Join a free plan at teachable.com/shameless to get started.

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720: 4 Anchors to Keep Moms Grounded in 2023 Jan 16, 2023

Getting grounded in a new year isn’t easy. As you recover from the mayhem of the holidays and try to find your footing in a new year, it can feel chaotic and a little frantic. This is why I always recommend (for moms especially) taking the better part of the month to ease your way into a new year.

As you’re easing your way in, you can start to plant some seeds and let them take root. Getting clear on what you’re moving away from and what you’re moving toward. Deciding what you are ready to release and what you’re ready to reclaim (or claim for the first time!) This all shifts from year to year as you and your kids’ needs shift. An annual assessment or check-in can be so helpful!

In this episode, I offer you 4 anchors to get grounded and stay grounded as you let those baby roots take hold this year. I talk through connecting with other powerful women, delicious routines to nourish your mind, body & soul, how to intentionally manage time, and the power of leaning into your gifts as you decide who you are becoming this year.

Links mentioned:

Get updates on upcoming enrollment for The Academy: shamelessmom.com/newsletter
Book: The Big Leap by Gay Hendricks

Sponsor info and promo codes:

Please find our sponsor information here: shamelessmom.com/sponsor/
Interested in becoming a sponsor of the Shameless Mom Academy? Email our sales team at sales@adalystmedia.co

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719: Casey Davidson: Women & Alcohol, Dopamine, Anxiety (and Dry January!) Jan 11, 2023

Casey McGuire Davidson helps busy women drink less + live more. She’s a leader in the modern sober curious movement of women who are gray area drinkers going alcohol-free. An ex-red wine girl turned Life and Sobriety Coach, Casey is passionate about helping women change their relationship with alcohol. She specializes in working with busy women with full calendars and overflowing to-do lists, who are doing all the things and then coming home and drinking to forget about all the things. Casey has helped thousands of women turn the decision to stop drinking from their worst-case scenario to the best decision of their lives.

Listen in to hear Casey share:

Where the concept of Dry January comes from
What it means and looks like to be sober curious
The science of alcohol and dopamine on our bodies and how it impacts our mindset, outlook, positivity and joy in life
How alcohol use contributes to our stress levels and overall anxiety
Steps to manage dopamine if you’re choosing to not drink
The significance of the non-alcohol (NA) industry on the alcohol industry
Why alcohol works as an “Easy Button” AND is also a very maladaptive coping mechanism

Links mentioned:

Sign up for my Plan & Prep Pajama Party: shamelessmom.com/pajamaparty
Connect with Casey: https://hellosomedaycoaching.com/
Get Casey’s Free 30-Day Guide To Quitting Drinking - 30 Tips For Your First Month Alcohol Free https://hellosomedaycoaching.com/30-day-sober-guide/
Casey’s Podcast: The Hello Someday Podcast: https://hellosomedaycoaching.com/podcast/
Get The Sobriety Starter Kit Online Course: https://www.thesobrietystarterkit.com/
Casey on Facebook
Casey on Instagram

Thank you to our sponsors this month:

Rothys: For stylish, comfortable, sustainably made shoes, shop Rothy’s. Get $20 off your first purchase at rothys.com/SHAMELESSMOM.

StrollerCoaster: A Parenting Podcast!: Need another podcast in your parenting podcast library, check out StrollerCoaster: A Parenting Podcast! wherever you listen to the SMA.

Teachable: Join tens of thousands of creators turning their knowledge into scalable online businesses. Join a free plan at teachable.com/shameless to get started.

Interested in becoming a sponsor of the Shameless Mom Academy? Email our sales team at sales@adalystmedia.com

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718: 3 Things for Moms to Quit in 2023 Jan 09, 2023

From time to time it’s essential to take a close look at some of our patterns and behaviors to see what we might want (read: need) to quit. Just as your kids are constantly growing and evolving, so are you. As your wants and needs shift, it’s important to recognize where you can quit certain patterns or behaviors to save yourself precious time and energy.

I have done a few “permission to quit” episodes over the years. I love these episodes because they are gentle invitations to you to take a critical look at some of the things you might be doing without realizing they are no longer serving you.

In this episode, I invite you to stop overgiving, overdoing, overproving; to stop setting goals based on other people’s agendas, opinions, or choices; and to stop quietly accepting old-school norms (that are quite likely misogynistic in nature.) Enjoy taking notes and then QUITTING ALL THE THINGS!

Link mentioned:

Thank you to our sponsors this month:

Rothys: For stylish, comfortable, sustainably made shoes, shop Rothy’s. Get $20 off your first purchase at rothys.com/SHAMELESSMOM.

StrollerCoaster: A Parenting Podcast!: Need another podcast in your parenting podcast library, check out StrollerCoaster: A Parenting Podcast! wherever you listen to the SMA.

Teachable: Join tens of thousands of creators turning their knowledge into scalable online businesses. Join a free plan at teachable.com/shameless to get started.

Interested in becoming a sponsor of the Shameless Mom Academy? Email our sales team at sales@adalystmedia.com

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

717: Rachel Nielson: Navigating the Evolving Ethics of Adoption Jan 04, 2023

Rachel Nielson is the host of the popular parenting podcast, 3 in 30 Takeaways for Moms. Each 30-minute episode gives 3 actionable takeaways to help women find more meaning in their unique motherhood experiences. Rachel lives in the mountains of Idaho with her husband and her two miracle children who arrived to their family through adoption and IVF. As a former high school English teacher, she loves to read, write, and talk about deep ideas...which has made podcasting a perfect career for her to do from home.

Rachel and I first connected as podcasters who shared side-by-side rankings in Apple Podcasts Kids & Family top charts. Some may have suggested we were competitors, but we immediately saw one another's work as complementary. When we had the opportunity to meet in person in 2020, we were able to see that as colleagues, friends, and confidants in this industry we could lean on each other and build a really special relationship that could support us as women, moms, and podcasters. I so treasure my sweet friendship with Rachel.

We have spoken about guesting on each other’s shows for years. To be honest, the challenge has been narrowing down what to talk about because we could talk to each other for days about so many things related to motherhood. But, I asked Rachel if she would be willing to talk about something deeply personal and special today - the adoption of her precious son, Noah.

Listen in to hear Rachel share:

Her family's journey into open adoption
How she honored and did her best to center her son’s birth mother, Katie, throughout the process of adoption
The unfathomable grief she held for Katie the day Noah was born
The trauma of adoption for adopted children, no matter how healthy relationships they have with bio parents and adoptive parents
How she and her husband navigated building and maintaining positive and healthy relationships with Noah’s bio parents, Katie and Drew
How Katie’s death by suicide shifted Rachel’s perspective on the ethics of adoption
What her family’s relationship with Drew looks like - how he is so significant and special in Noah’s life
What she wants prospective adoptive parents to consider before going through the adoption process

Links mentioned:

Register for my 2023 Plan & Prep Pajama Party: shamelessmom.com/pajamaparty
Connect with Rachel: 3in30podcast.com
Rachel’s Podcast: 3 in 30 Takeaways for Moms
Get Rache’s Course, 5 Days to More Meaning in Your Motherhood: 3in30podcast.com/sma
Rachel on Instagram

Thank you to our sponsors this month:

Rothys: For stylish, comfortable, sustainably made shoes, shop Rothy’s. Get $20 off your first purchase at rothys.com/SHAMELESSMOM.

StrollerCoaster: A Parenting Podcast!: Need another podcast in your parenting podcast library, check out StrollerCoaster: A Parenting Podcast! wherever you listen to the SMA.

Teachable: Join tens of thousands of creators turning their knowledge into scalable online businesses. Join a free plan at teachable.com/shameless to get started.

Interested in becoming a sponsor of the Shameless Mom Academy? Email our sales team at sales@adalystmedia.com

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

716: The ONE Thing to Do Just for YOU in January Jan 02, 2023

I am always already behind on January 1st. I’m late and disorganized and definitely underprepared. Pre motherhood, I would spend the last couple weeks of December reflecting on the year gone by and planning for the new year. I would spend time drafting lofty dreams and creating spreadsheets with goals and metrics. There would be graphs and charts and vision boards. I would wake up on January 1st READY.

Ready to start fresh.

Ready to live my crisp new dreams.

Ready to make sh*t happen.

Then I became a mom.

For the last 10 years, I have spent the holidays in chaos. Lovely, exhausting, magical, frantic weeks on end where I have no time, no childcare, and no energy to sit and dream about a new year.

As a result, I wake up every January 1st knowing that a bunch of people spent the last few weeks in quiet reflection and dreaming - but I did not. I spent it creating and managing magic for my child and family.

A few years ago I gave myself permission to let January be an entire month of beginning and becoming. I don’t need to start fresh, live my crisp, new dreams, or make sh*t happen right on January 1st. I have the whole month to figure out where I’m going. And, during that month, there is only ONE thing that needs to happen.

If this ONE thing happens, I know I’ll be set for the year. This ONE thing can happen on a Monday evening or a Thursday morning or a Saturday afternoon. This ONE thing can take 20 minutes or 2 hours. This ONE thing can happen on my terms.

In this episode, I will share the ONE thing and why it is critical to helping you create a vision and action plan for 2023.

Link mentioned:

Thank you to our sponsors this month:

Rothys: For stylish, comfortable, sustainably made shoes, shop Rothy’s. Get $20 off your first purchase at rothys.com/SHAMELESSMOM.

StrollerCoaster: A Parenting Podcast!: Need another podcast in your parenting podcast library, check out StrollerCoaster: A Parenting Podcast! wherever you listen to the SMA.

Teachable: Join tens of thousands of creators turning their knowledge into scalable online businesses. Join a free plan at teachable.com/shameless to get started.

Interested in becoming a sponsor of the Shameless Mom Academy? Email our sales team at sales@adalystmedia.com

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715: Dr. Sasha Heinz: Tools to Step Away from Perfectionism, People Pleasing and Paralysis Dec 28, 2022

Dr. Sasha Heinz, Ph.D., MAPP, is an academic who went mainstream, using her background as a developmental psychologist to become a mindset coach who teaches people the science of getting unstuck. An expert in positive psychology and adult development, Dr. Heinz has based her entire career on helping clients make real transformations, giving them the tools to develop their mental fitness by facing challenges and breaking our mind’s default modes for stress, self-criticism, and anxiety.

Dr. Heinz received her BA from Harvard, her Ph.D. in developmental psychology from Columbia, and her Master’s in Applied Positive Psychology from the University of Pennsylvania, where she also served as a faculty member. She was one of the first 33 people in history to receive a degree in Positive Psychology.

Listen in to hear Sasha share:

The growth curve all adults face - that no one talks about
The developmental edge that motherhood brings us to the moment we become mothers
How the self-help industry can be harmful to people
The difference between technical and adaptive problems
The 3 P’s of a socialized mindset: perfectionism, people pleasing, and paralysis
The concept of moving from a socialized mindset to being self-authored
The truth about “life hacks” and what is required for actual change and growth

Links mentioned:

Register for my Plan & Prep Pajama Party on January 23rd: shamelessmom.com/pajamaparty
Connect with Dr. Sasha: drsashaheinz.com
Sasha’s Mental Fitness Club: mindyourmind.com
Sasha on Facebook
Sasha on IG
Sasha on LinkedIn

Sponsor info and promo codes:

Please find our sponsor information here: shamelessmom.com/sponsor/
Interested in becoming a sponsor of the Shameless Mom Academy? Email our sales team at sales@adalystmedia.com

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

714: Viki Zarkin: The Only 12 Year Survivor of Stage 4 Metastatic Cancer Dec 26, 2022

Viki Zarkin was diagnosed with cancer in 2011, has been living with Stage 4 metastatic cancer for over 10 years, and is the only person in the world alive with this aggressive illness. She was diagnosed in her 40s when her doctor first told her to go home and get her affairs in order and at the time, she had 2 small children at home. Viki spent the next several years fighting for her life, advocating for herself, navigating through the healthcare world, and following her gut. Today, Viki is a beacon of hope for others, she’s a motivational speaker and coach on a national level and a successful author.

Viki inspires women to change the way they have been programmed to think and emphasizes the importance of starting with young women on how to believe in themselves, challenge the status quo, find their voices and listen to their hearts.

Listen in to hear Viki share:

Her diagnosis of stage 4 metastatic cancer 12 years ago
What happened when she grabbed her doctor by the neck when her doctor suggested she might not survive her diagnosis
What it was like working through stage 4 cancer treatment with children ages 8 and 11
What her life is like being treated every 28 days with chemo to manage her cancer
The side effects of long-term cancer treatments
What it has been like to mother while also managing cancer for 12 years
Her bargain with God and how that has played out
How to navigate power differentials in healthcare

Links mentioned:

Register for my Plan & Prep Pajama Party on January 23rd: shamelessmom.com/pajamaparty
Connect with Viki: iamtheone.com/
Viki on FB
Viki on IG

Sponsor info and promo codes:

Please find our sponsor information here: shamelessmom.com/sponsor/
Interested in becoming a sponsor of the Shameless Mom Academy? Email our sales team at sales@adalystmedia.com

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

713: Ruchika Tulshyan: How to Build a Bridge Toward Inclusion for Moms (And Everyone) - Airs 12-21 Dec 21, 2022

Ruchika Tulshyan is the author of Inclusion on Purpose: An Intersectional Approach to Creating a Culture of Belonging at Work (MIT Press). She’s also the founder of Candour, an inclusion strategy practice. A former international business journalist, Ruchika is a regular contributor to The New York Times and Harvard Business Review.

I first heard Ruchika speak on Brene Brown’s podcast, Unlocking Us. I became immediately obsessed with her work. I had the honor of hearing her speak at her book launch party here in Seattle and I’ve been fangirling over her ever since. The work she’s doing is so critically important and the way she does the work is so thoughtful and deeply impactful. I was so excited and so honored when she said YES to coming on the show.

Listen in to hear Ruchika share:

How being an immigrant and woman of color has impacted and challenged her as a mother
The social construct of imposter syndrome for women and how it parallels the social construct of mom guilt
Her challenges around being a working mom who travels for work and how she is treated differently than men in the same boat
The difference between diversity and inclusion and how current systems undermine inclusion, even if promoting diversity
Her BRIDGE framework for allies, advocates, and those wishing to lead in more inclusive and equitable ways across social systems

Links mentioned:

Join my 5th annual Plan & Prep Pajama Party on January 23rd: shamelessmom.com/pajamaparty
Connect with Ruchika and get Inclusion on Purpose: inclusiononpurpose.co
Ruchika on Twitter
Ruchika on Instagram
Ruchika on LinkedIn

Sponsor info and promo codes:

Please find our sponsor information here: shamelessmom.com/sponsor/
Interested in becoming a sponsor of the Shameless Mom Academy? Email our sales team at sales@adalystmedia.com

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

712: Three Important Final Questions to Ask Yourself in 2022 Dec 19, 2022

As you come to the close of another year, I am inviting you to pause for a moment to own and honor 2022. I know pausing and taking a moment to yourself in this busy season might sound like a ridiculous suggestion. WHO HAS TIME TO PAUSE?!

Perhaps you pause as you sip your coffee today. Perhaps you pause while taking a shower. Perhaps you pause as you walk the dog. Perhaps you pause for a few minutes before you go to bed.

Whenever & however you choose to pause, I want you to think through the following questions:

What am I most proud of from 2022?
When did I show up as the person I most want to become in 2022?
What did I learn about myself in 2022?

In this episode, I walk you through these questions and how you can frame them in order to get the most out of them. I share my personal answers with you so you can see the value in looking back before you move forward.

Link mentioned:

Join my 5th annual Plan & Prep Pajama Party on January 23rd: shamelessmom.com/pajamaparty

Sponsor info and promo codes:

Please find our sponsor information here: shamelessmom.com/sponsor/
Interested in becoming a sponsor of the Shameless Mom Academy? Email our sales team at sales@adalystmedia.com

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

711: Sarah Stevens: How to Talk to Your Kids About Bodies and Fatness Dec 14, 2022

Sarah Stevens is a former healthcare executive turned writer, speaker, and entrepreneur. After leaving her career in corporate healthcare in 2016, she founded The Beautifull Project - a storytelling collective that has reached tens of thousands of women across the globe with its powerful message about learning to take up space. Today, Sarah helps other people tell their stories through Branded, by Sarah Stevens, a small business offering a full suite of marketing services. She also serves as the Community Impact Officer at The Project of The Quad Cities, a nonprofit that serves people living with HIV and the LGBTQ+ community. Sarah is a gifted storyteller with a skill for using her own story as a woman navigating the world in a fat body to invite her audience to encounter the parts of themselves they hide away from the world, the parts they believe to be “too much.” Addressing everything from “too-big” bodies to a fear of failure that cripples confidence, Sarah amplifies a message that moves beyond a body-positive sentiment and creates a movement that makes room for everybody to tell their truth and take up space. She draws out confidence and courage. She believes in being free and full. And she will make a believer out of you, too.

This is Sarah’s third time on the show. I invited her back after finding myself in a parenting conversation around body image that I was worried I totally screwed up. I reached out to Sarah and asked if she would be interested in hashing this topic out on the show and she immediately said yes. This is a really important conversation, as the pervasiveness of diet culture continues to be so insidious, oppressive, and ultimately deadly, in our culture.

Listen in to hear Sarah and I discuss:

How my child casually throwing around words like “fat” and “chubby” threw me into a parenting tailspin
How to check your own body image trauma when talking to your kids
The importance of entering conversations with curiosity & compassion (vs lecturing and shaming)
The truth about the insidiousness of current diet culture in spite of the fact that so many of us think we know better than to fall victim to it
How to talk to your kids about fat without causing them to have an anti-fat bias (or “fatphobia”)
The systemic oppression that is very present and real for people living in fat bodies
How pushing kids to “make healthy choices” can be rooted in diet culture if we aren’t careful
The importance of teaching kids to learn to trust their bodies - and how difficult this is if you don’t trust your own

Links mentioned:

Join me for my 2023 Plan & Prep Pajama Party and save $50 with Early Bird Registration: shamelessmom.com/pajamaparty
Connect with Sarah: thebeautifullproject.com
Past SMA Interview with Sarah - Episode 571: How to Take Up Space and Love Yourself in the Process
Past SMA Interview with Sarah - Episode 366: The Beautifull Project: The Truth About Fatness and Thin Allies
Sarah on Facebook
Sarah on Instagram: @thebeautifullproject and @seeing_sarah
Sarah’s TED Talk: Stripped: The Art of Being Seen
Sarah’s Podcast: Beauti: The Interviews

Sponsor info and promo codes:

Please find our sponsor information here: shamelessmom.com/sponsor/
Interested in becoming a sponsor of the Shameless Mom Academy? Email our sales team at sales@adalystmedia.com

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

710: How I Managed My Messy Mindset in 2022 Dec 12, 2022

Vulnerable episode alert.

2022 was a year of a messy mindset for me. I made the choice to go after a lot of big things this year and many of them did not pan out for me. I think it’s great to reach for the stars. But sometimes when you only aim really high, you have a lot of misses. This is 100% OK! But, it can be tricky to internalize.

In this episode, I talk about how my mindset got messy this year and how I clawed my way through my own headspace over and over again. I dig into my history of PTSD and how my mindset can be prone to messiness as a result. I share with you the tools that have worked for me this year - because I’m guessing you might have had some messy mindset moments this year too. Or maybe you're stuck in a messy mindset moment right now?? If that’s the case, I got you.

Listen in to hear 5 ways I worked on managing my mindset when I felt like crawling under my desk and crying (which I sometimes did!)

It’s ok to be messy, friend. You are not alone.

Link mentioned:

Join me for my 2023 Plan & Prep Pajama Party and save $50 with Early Bird Registration: shamelessmom.com/pajamaparty

Sponsor info and promo codes:

Please find our sponsor information here: shamelessmom.com/sponsor/
Interested in becoming a sponsor of the Shameless Mom Academy? Email our sales team at sales@adalystmedia.com

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

709: Yoky Matsuoka: I’m Different and Different Is Good Dec 07, 2022

Yoky Matsuoka is the Founder & CEO of Yohana, an independently-led subsidiary of Panasonic, focused on building consumer technology products and services to help people live healthier and happier lives. As an accomplished executive and technologist, Yoky brings more than two decades of leadership experience to her role where she also leads global innovation and serves as the Managing Executive Officer of Panasonic Corporation.

Prior to Yohana, Yoky was a VP at Google, a CTO at Nest, a senior executive at Apple, and CEO of Quanttus, a health tech startup. She has also spent time as an endowed professor at Carnegie Mellon University and the University of Washington. She is the recipient of the MacArthur Genius Award for her work in robotics and neuroscience and the founder of YokyWorks Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to helping children with physical and learning challenges, focused on removing reading barriers to unlock the potential of every child.

She is also a Shameless Mom of four children, a dog, and a pet pig.

Listen in to hear Yoky share:

How she intentionally set goals and went after dreams based on what her mom regretted
Her choice to leave big tech and build Yohana right before the pandemic
How her mentality around “The best way to do it to do it myself” led her to build an innovative company that supports moms
Why embracing her attitude around “I’m different and different is good” has served her well her entire life
How the pandemic highlighted the need for the services she knew she wanted to create as she started to build her company
How to get out of your own way to quit tasks that don’t allow you to reach your bigger goals
Her powerful two-part mindset reset to release mom guilt

Links mentioned:

Get the SMA Newsletter to learn about our January 2023 events: shamelessmom.com/newsletter
Connect with Yoky: https://www.yokymatsuoka.com/
Learn more about Yohana: yohana.com
Yohana End of Year Promo: get a free trial and save 40% a month on your membership (or gift Yohana to someone!) at yohana.com with promo code ENDOFYEAR
Yohana on IG
Yoky on IG
Yoky on Twitter
Yoky on LinkedIn

Sponsor info and promo codes:

Please find our sponsor information here: shamelessmom.com/sponsor/
Interested in becoming a sponsor of the Shameless Mom Academy? Email our sales team at sales@adalystmedia.com

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

708: How to Better Manage the Holiday Hustle Dec 05, 2022

As moms, we naturally center our children (and often our partners and extended families) repeatedly over the course of the holiday season. As caretakers and givers (mayyyybe over givers?) we love to make all the magic happen for everyone. But what about making magic for yourself??

Over the course of the holidays, it’s easy to completely neglect yourself and sometimes even compromise your core values in the process.

Every year around this time, I record a holiday episode as an invitation to center YOU over the holidays.

An invitation to:

Prioritize your joy over other people’s expectations

Do things differently

Do less and breathe more

Reconsider what brings you joy

In addition to this invitation, I’m offering you 4 strategies to get what you want out of the holidays. My hope for you is that you get to the end of this month (and the end of 2022) feeling like you created all the joy you wanted for your family and yourself without overgiving, overdoing, over proving yourself in every moment of this season.

Listen in to get ideas on how to make all the magic without all the hustle this holiday season.

Link mentioned:

Get the SMA Newsletter to learn about our January 2023 events: shamelessmom.com/newsletter

Sponsor info and promo codes:

Please find our sponsor information here: shamelessmom.com/sponsor/

Interested in becoming a sponsor of the Shameless Mom Academy? Email our sales team at sales@adalystmedia.com

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

707: Vanessa Quigley: Tech Founder and Shameless Mom of 7 Nov 30, 2022

Vanessa Quigley is a renowned memory expert and mother of seven. In 2014, she co-founded Chatbooks to help families organize and enjoy their family stories. Vanessa's aha moment came when she found her youngest son clutching his most prized possession: a photo album his preschool teacher made for him.

Once an avid scrapbooker, Vanessa knew there needed to be a better solution for her photos stuck on her phone. Now millions of parents have printed their family memories with the Chatbooks app.

Vanessa was named Ernst and Young’s Entrepreneur of the Year in 2017, authored DIY advice book Real Moms, Real Hacks, and hosts The MomForce Podcast. In 2021, Chatbooks was named the #1 place to work for women in the United States, by Fortune magazine.

And… fun fact: Vanessa is Miss Utah 1994 and a professionally trained opera singer. In her downtime, you can find her in the mountains with her family, seeing the everyday magic.

Listen in to hear Vanessa share:

Her road to becoming a tech founder as a mom of 7
How her company Chatbooks was inspired by her experience in motherhood
How women differ from men in leadership and why it’s so critical for more of us to hold positions in leadership
How can we make more space for women and moms in tech
The massive struggle for childcare across our nation
The importance of flexible work schedules for everyone
What she wants the future of work to look like for moms
How she has intentionally created a culture at Chatbooks and the importance of actual integration of values
Her advice to moms who don’t feel seen/heard in the workplace

Links mentioned:

Get the SMA Newsletter to learn about our January 2023 events: shamelessmom.com/newsletter
Check out Chatbooks: Chatbooks.com
Podcast: The Mom Force Podcast
Vanessa on IG: @vanessaquigley
Chatbooks on IG: @chatbooks

Sponsor info and promo codes:

Please find our sponsor information here: shamelessmom.com/sponsor/
Interested in becoming a sponsor of the Shameless Mom Academy? Email our sales team at sales@adalystmedia.com

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

706: 4 Unconventional Ways to Cultivate Gratitude When Life is Hard Nov 28, 2022

Last Monday, on my 47th birthday, I sat down at my desk and decided it would be a good day to integrate some new software into my business.

Look, it’s never a good day to integrate new software, but it’s an especially rotten decision on your birthday.

Shortly after that awful life choice (and 13,000 messages on chat support with said software company), I accidentally deleted 84,628 emails. That is not an exaggerated number I made up. That is the literal amount of emails that I watched disappear from my inbox.

84,628.

Most of them were from the last 18 months. Many of them were filled with things like contracts and critical client information.

Needless to say, I spent a decent chunk of my birthday having VERY BIG feelings. The kind your 3-year-old has when you give them the orange cup instead of the green cup.

VERY BIG.

I yelled. I cried. I definitely dropped a few (like, 347) F-bombs.

I tried to remind myself of what my therapist recently shared with me. Based on research from brain scientist Dr. Jill Bolte Taylor, she told me that feelings are waves that rise and recede all day long. These waves last only 90 seconds. After that, we're simply re-stimulating our internal circuitry. In other words, if we stay stuck in horrible feelings for longer than 90 seconds it’s because we have created our own feedback loop keeping us there. This is great news because it tells us we have the power to move through feelings very quickly if we have the right skills in place.

This just made me madder, if I’m being honest. I knew that I was gonna need more than 90 freaking seconds. And how dare these doctors and therapists try to put limits on my ability to hold rage!

I had to dig deep into my coaching toolbox to coach myself on my birthday. While I definitely felt the universe was conspiring against me, I was determined to move through my big feelings in order to still find a way to find joy in my day.

In this episode, I talk you through how to use unconventional gratitude practices to get over yourself and get through sticky emotions - whether you deleted 84,628 emails or someone gave you the orange cup instead of the green one.

Link mentioned:

Get the SMA Newsletter to learn about our January 2023 events: shamelessmom.com/newsletter

Sponsor info and promo codes:

Please find our sponsor information here: shamelessmom.com/sponsor/
Interested in becoming a sponsor of the Shameless Mom Academy? Email our sales team at sales@adalystmedia.com

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

705: Mia Hemstad: Leaving Lethal Racism in the US to Find Safety Abroad Nov 23, 2022

Mia Hemstad is a mom, speaker, self-care coach, and the founder of No Longer Last, which is a movement that helps women prioritize their health, happiness, and well-being. Mia is an abuse survivor, and she lives with diagnosed PTSD and depression. She shares her healing journey online to fight mental health stigma and to help other people heal too. Mia's work has been featured in major media outlets such as Parents.com and Romper. Mia continues to write and teach from Portugal, where she recently moved with her husband and two kids.

Mia is a past guest of the SMA, as well as a Shameless Mom Con Speaker. She’s well-known and well-loved in our community. I’ve been watching her as she’s ventured across the globe to move her family to a safer country and I’ve been in awe of her entire experience. I asked her if she would be open to coming back on the show to talk us through what motivated their family’s move and what it’s been like as they’ve gotten settled in a new country. I’m so grateful she said yes.

Listen in to hear Mia share:

What inspired her family's move to Portugal - specifically around gun violence and lethal racism in her community, as well as across the US
The role of her mental health on her decision to move
How living in a safer place has changed her life
Her shift from being a self-sacrificial mom to giving herself permission to make such a different and bold move
How to discern resentment vs taking responsibility for your life in hard times

Links mentioned:

Connect with Mia: miahemstad.com
Mia's Free Portugal Visa Guide:.miahemstad.com/d7visa
Mia’s Podcast: The No Longer Last Journey: anchor.fm/mia-hemstad
Mia on IG
Mia on Youtube

Sponsor info and promo codes:

Please find our sponsor information here: shamelessmom.com/sponsor/
Interested in becoming a sponsor of the Shameless Mom Academy? Email our sales team at sales@adalystmedia.com

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

704: Let Your Kids See You Close the Deal Nov 21, 2022

Some of you know I’ve been car hunting for a few months now. It’s the worst time to buy a car. Like, the worst. But it’s been the worst time to buy a car for a couple of years now and will likely still be the worst time to buy a car for a couple more years. And, mama’s 2009 Nissan Murano might not have that many trips to the mountains left in her.

The time had come….

As I went through this whole car-buying journey, Vinnie saw me searching day in/day out on various online platforms. He had a lot of opinions and requests - most (ok, all) of which I could not honor.

“No, V, we’re not getting a Tesla. Or a Porsche. Or a Lambo.”

We are not fancy car people. We are very practical car people. Buy something that is a few years old and drive it for 10-12 years. I mean, we could not be more boring car people.

After months of searching, I found a fantastic Toyota Highlander Hybrid option down in Texas. We had it shipped up here via CarMax (CarMax is not a sponsor of this show, but they definitely should be. I am a huge fan.)

When the car arrived, we all went to see it and test drive it. It was the perfect car for us. We decided to move forward with the purchase.

My husband sat in on the initial sales process to ask a couple of questions, but then headed home. Vinnie and I stayed at the dealer and completed the process. I didn’t plan for V to watch me buy a car, but I’m so glad he did.

He saw a woman make a major household decision and purchase. He saw me fill out the paperwork, manage the financing, ask questions, request clarity, negotiate terms, and CLOSE THE DEAL.

Why does this matter?

It matters that our kids see us as powerful as possible. It matters that they see us manage the money, negotiate the terms, and sign the papers. It matters that they see us ask questions and require answers. It matters that they see us wield as much power as our partners.

This breaks down gender barriers and models equity in power and decision-making.

While I did not expect this car-buying experience to be a huge lesson in gender roles, it definitely turned into that. And I’m so grateful.

Where in your life are you actively breaking down gender stereotypes? Listen in to hear me break down different areas where we all might have some growth in this.

Sponsor info and promo codes:

Please find our sponsor information here: shamelessmom.com/sponsor/
Interested in becoming a sponsor of the Shameless Mom Academy? Email our sales team at sales@adalystmedia.com

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

703: Katie Krimitsos: How to Build Your “Self-Trust Wings” by Pushing Pause Nov 16, 2022

What do you get when you raise a girl in the Arizona desert with 5 siblings, a strong matriarchal mom, a soft-spoken feminist dad, and an innate desire to LIVE BIG? You get Katie Krimitsos - an ever-curious woman who continues her evolution as a loving being of light - who is having fun being a mom, wife, creator, and friend in this life. Whose softness and wisdom have often come as the result of painful experiences. Whose ego is always trying to get the best of her. Who's deeply in love with a Greek man she's definitely known in another life. Who's lived through 12-step programs, athletics, and half a dozen businesses. Who creates meditations for women as songs to light their souls and wants to save all the animals of the world. She believes life keeps on getting better the older she gets. And so far, she's right. ;)

This is Katie’s third time on the show. I keep inviting her back because she is always a good time and always full of so much insight that moms can immediately put into action in quick & simple ways that have big impact.

Listen in to hear Katie share:

How she listened to her own fears and worries as well as the world’s fear and worries in order to create meditations for women during the pandemic
How listening to her intuition has led her to success over and over again - and how anyone can do this
Specific steps you can take to develop a stronger sense of self-trust
How to build your “self-trust wings” in motherhood
A breakdown of what meditative practices can look like and how to integrate meditative practices that you actually enjoy, while learning to listen inward
The power of the pause in meditation and the space it opens up
The value of guided meditation, especially for those who struggle to sit in silence
How to use (simple and brief) meditative practices to separate yourself from the noise of the world
How to lean into self-trust to do things differently and give yourself permission to live an unscripted life

Links mentioned:

Katie’s Gratitude Giveaway: Leave a review for The Women’s Meditation Network to enter Katie’s Gratitude Giveaway
Connect with Katie and the Women’s Meditation Network: womensmeditationnetwork.com
Follow The Women’s Meditation Network on IG
Follow Katie on IG

Sponsor info and promo codes:

Please find our sponsor information here: shamelessmom.com/sponsor/
Interested in becoming a sponsor of the Shameless Mom Academy? Email our sales team at sales@adalystmedia.com

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

702: Work-Life Balance: A Patriarchal Social Construct That Holds Moms Back Nov 14, 2022

Work-life balance is a social construct. It is an idea and philosophy that is sold to women as something to be desired, something to be attained, and something to aspire to.

The myth that work-life balance can actually exist is a crappy bill of goods sold to us by the Patriarchy.

As feminism has evolved over the last few decades, we have been told, “YAY! Women can have it all.” But we have been given no resources and no support. There has been no systemic restructuring (philosophical or logistical) to shift our expected full-time household and parental contributions as we take on other societal roles.

We are told if we have better balance, we wouldn’t be so stressed out all the time.

We are told if we have better balance, we will be better moms and our kids will be more likely to thrive.

We are told we are lucky to live in an era where we can work full time (if not more) and also parent full time - cramming 48 hours of work into every 24-hour day.

Because we are told this myth is possible, we are left to feel inadequate, guilty, and resentful when we cannot figure out how to make it work.

When we are working, we feel guilty that we aren’t parenting. When we are parenting, we feel guilty that we aren’t working.

When men set aspirational goals around work-life balance and do things like, say, coach their kids' soccer team, we say, “Wow, he’s such an involved father.”

When is the last time you heard someone say, “Wow, she’s such an involved mom.”

We just are. Involved, engaged, ON… 24/7.

If you feel like you don’t have a work-life balance, it’s because there is no such thing.

So, how will you make peace with this crappy bill of goods we have been sold?

Sponsor info and promo codes:

Please find our sponsor information here: shamelessmom.com/sponsor/
Interested in becoming a sponsor of the Shameless Mom Academy? Email our sales team at sales@adalystmedia.com

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

701: Nikki Rausch: How to Stop Overcommitting Nov 09, 2022

CEO of Sales Maven, Nikki Rausch has the unique ability to transform the misunderstood process of “selling”. With 25+ years of selling experience, entrepreneurs and small business owners now hire Nikki to show them how to sell successfully and authentically. Nikki has written 3 books, all available on Amazon. And she has a podcast called Sales Maven which you can find on your favorite podcast platform.

Nikki and I have been in a few professional circles together over the last few years - podcasting, Seattle women entrepreneurs, online marketers… I’m always so impressed by how she shows up and her deep knowledge around selling in high integrity ways. She came in and did a training on selling with my business coaching clients last year and it was FAB. I asked her if she would be a guest on the SMA, with the caveat that I didn’t want to limit the conversation to selling because I know that’s not relevant to all of you. She suggested we talk about some of her other areas of expertise, like How to Stop Overcommitting. This was obviously a fast & easy HARD YES for me! I loved this conversation and can’t wait for you to listen in.

Listen in to hear Nikki share:

What are the most common reasons women overcommit
What is at risk when you overcommit
4 questions you suggest people ask themselves before committing
What you can say to buy yourself time to think about what you’re being asked for instead of giving a quick response that you might regret later
How to use silence in conversations as a way to build credibility
How you can get out of commitments with grace and integrity

Links mentioned:

Free ebook: Closing The Sale: yoursalesmaven.com/shameless
Connect with Nikki: yoursalesmaven.com/
Podcast: Sales Maven
Nikki on FB
Nikki on IG
Nikki on LinkedIn

Sponsor info and promo codes:

Please find our sponsor information here: shamelessmom.com/sponsor/
Interested in becoming a sponsor of the Shameless Mom Academy? Email our sales team at sales@adalystmedia.com

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

700: 7 Secrets Behind 700 Episodes of the SMA Nov 07, 2022

700 EPISODES!!! YAY, US!

700 times I’ve hit record.

700 times you’ve shown up to listen.

UNREAL.

I wanted to do something fun for you for this 700th episode. So, I decided to take you behind the scenes to answer some of the most common questions I get about the show.

Is it all about motherhood, diapers, and temper tantrums?
Do you ever run out of content?
Do you get sick of recording?
Do you ever have difficult guests? (pssst… YES.)
How do you show up so consistently? Is it exhausting?
What does your recording schedule look like?
What’s the future of the show?

I had so much fun answering these questions, spilling some tea (see #4), and letting you see what it’s like creating this show behind the scenes. Have fun listening in!

And thank you, THANK YOU for listening in. Whether this is your first episode or your 700th, I appreciate you being here. I do this for YOU. It is a true honor.

Lastly, if you want more of the SMA, let me know! I’m considering adding some additional episodes in 2023 (woo-hoooo!!) But, I want to know that you actually want more. If you want MORE, please leave a review and let me know what you love and what you want more of over at shamelessmom.com/review.

Link mentioned:

Want more episodes of the SMA each week?? Leave me a review and let me know: shamelessmom.com/review

Sponsor info and promo codes:

Please find our sponsor information here: shamelessmom.com/sponsor/
Interested in becoming a sponsor of the Shameless Mom Academy? Email our sales team at sales@adalystmedia.com

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

699: Britt Frank: The Science of Stuck Nov 02, 2022

Britt Frank is a licensed psychotherapist, trauma specialist, and author of The Science of Stuck. She holds a BA from Duke University and an MSW from the University of Kansas, where she later became an award-winning adjunct instructor. Britt is a Somatic Experiencing Practitioner and Level 3 training in Internal Family Systems.

I was introduced to Britt via a past SMA guest, Andrea Owen. Andrea suspected Britt and I would hit it off and she was spot on. Britt’s work involves all the mental health stuff I love to geek out on. We dig into a lot around trauma and dysfunction and dysregulation in this conversation. I think you will find Britt’s work to be as fascinating as I did! And you MUST read her book, The Science of Stuck - a brilliant compilation of stories, science, and strategies to help you heal your mind.

Listen in to hear Britt share:

How her “normal” upbringing made her dismiss her childhood trauma
How function and dysfunction can coexist in our lives for years, if not decades - and the costs to our lives over time
How dissociating into academics became her coping mechanism and why dissociation into high achieving is common for trauma survivors
The necessity of suffering in order to process grief and trauma and get to a place of peace and joy
Why celebrating tiny wins is a powerful brain hack that positively our nervous system
The impact of the global trauma over the last few years, including why our trauma responses might be coming down the road and could show up as PTSD if we aren’t aware of the trauma we have endured
Why trauma is inevitable and PTSD is preventable
How to set our children up to process their inevitable trauma
The #1 thing a parent can do for their children’s mental health

Links mentioned:

Sponsor info and promo codes:

Please find our sponsor information here: shamelessmom.com/sponsor/
Interested in becoming a sponsor of the Shameless Mom Academy? Email our sales team at sales@adalystmedia.com

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

698: Own Where You’ve Been in Order to Get Where You’re Going Oct 31, 2022

Last weekend, we hosted our Fall Retreat for our membership community. The theme of this retreat was Tap Into Your Intuition. One of the activities we did early in the retreat was build-out our Self Trust Resumes. We had members take a look at their past skills & strengths (those that are innate and those they have trained). Members were invited to take a close look at how their education, professional experience, and personal experiences have formed who they are and who they are becoming.

When we are looking toward goals and dreams, it’s easy to forget all the ways we have already qualified ourselves, making us perfectly poised to go after whatever it is we want right now.

When I was in London 2 weeks ago training a communications team of a Fortune 10 company, we invited folks to share stories from their past as proof of leadership abilities today. It was absolutely incredible to hear what folks came up with. Your past qualifies you to own your future.

When we push pause and create space to look back for a moment, we can find such clear and striking evidence of what we are capable of moving forward. But, when we are in the hustle and bustle of daily life, we quickly forget this. We are so busy getting through the chaos of the day or the season that we can’t see what we’re capable of in the future.

I want to invite you to push pause. Think of a goal you are working toward right now - whether it feels like a long term dream or an immediate fixation. Now, look back over the course of your life and find a few pieces of evidence that prove you are capable of going after big things, you are good at figuring out new things, and you are brave when embarking on an uncertain journey.

You have undoubtedly proven these things to yourself repeatedly over the course of your life. Once you start owning them, you will see how incredibly qualified you are to go after whatever it is you want right now.

Link mentioned:

Get on the waitlist to join the Academy: shamelessmom.com/waitlist

Sponsor info and promo codes:

Please find our sponsor information here: shamelessmom.com/sponsor/
Interested in becoming a sponsor of the Shameless Mom Academy? Email our sales team at sales@adalystmedia.com

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

697: Amber Hawley Part 2: Parenting Kids with ADHD Oct 26, 2022

Amber Hawley is a licensed therapist and lifestyle strategist who works with entrepreneurial individuals and couples with the emotional side of business. She is the owner of a therapy practice in Silicon Valley, and the host of The Easily Distracted Entrepreneur and Couples Fix podcasts. She is also a wife, a Shameless Mom of three kids, and a Marvel movie super fan. Amber originally worked in the tech industry but her love for people led her to pursue a career where meaningful relationships are at the center of everything she does. A lot of Amber’s work is centered around neurodiversity, as she brings her experience of having ADHD, as well as parenting children with ADHD to much of what she does.

As soon as Amber and I got started in this conversation, I knew we would need more time. I wanted to make sure to dig into ADHD as it relates to women, as well as ADHD as it relates to kids. Amber was so kind to agree to turn this into a two-part conversation. This is Part 2 of our conversation - all about kids and ADHD. In Part 1 (Episode 696), we talked all about women and ADHD.

Whether or not you are parenting a child with ADHD, your kid is in school with kids who have ADHD. This conversation can help you as a parent to your own kids, but also as a parent who supports other kids in your community.

Listen in to hear Amber share:

3 Types of ADHD in kids and how they manifest differently
How her 2 children with ADHD exhibit very different symptoms
The importance of acknowledging ADHD as a dopamine deficiency in the brain
The connection between anxiety and ADHD
When to seek a professional assessment for your child’s mental health
How a diagnosis can be helpful, even a powerful tool, especially if your child has a strong tendency to mask their symptoms
The layers of making decisions around medicating your child who has ADHD and different kinds of medications that can support children who have ADHD
How all parents and kids can be supportive of neurodivergent kids in the community
Some of the superpowers and superstrengths of kids with ADHD

Links Mentioned:

Connect with Amber: https://amberhawley.com/
Podcast: The Easily Distracted Entrepreneur
Amber’s work with couples
Dr Amen’s ADD 7 Types Quiz
Amber on FB
Amber on IG
Amber on LinkedIn

Sponsor info and promo codes:

Please find our sponsor information here: shamelessmom.com/sponsor/
Interested in becoming a sponsor of the Shameless Mom Academy? Email our sales team at sales@adalystmedia.com

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

696: Amber Hawley Part 1: What ADHD Looks Like in Women Oct 24, 2022

As soon as Amber and I got started in this conversation, I knew we would need more time. I wanted to make sure to dig into ADHD as it relates to women, as well as ADHD as it relates to kids. Amber was so kind to agree to turn this into a two-part conversation. In Part 1 (Episode 696), we will talk about women and ADHD. In Part 2 (Episode 697), we will talk about ADHD as it relates to kids.

Buckle up, friends. You are about to jump into the brains of two women with ADHD. We are loud & proud (and maybe a little chaotic - in the best way!) and can’t wait to share this convo with you.

Listen in to hear Amber share:

The multiple types of ADHD, and how women tend to experience ADHD
What is a hyperfocus hangover and why rest & recovery matters so much
Women’s symptoms of ADHD that don’t look stereotypical or like what you might expect
The benefits of getting an ADHD diagnosis
Strategies to help moms with productivity and focus

Links mentioned:

Connect with Amber: https://amberhawley.com/
Podcast: The Easily Distracted Entrepreneur
Amber’s work with couples: couplesfix.com
Dr. Amen’s ADD 7 Types Quiz
Amber on FB
Amber on IG
Amber on LinkedIn

Sponsor info and promo codes:

Please find our sponsor information here: shamelessmom.com/sponsor/
Interested in becoming a sponsor of the Shameless Mom Academy? Email our sales team at sales@adalystmedia.com

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

695: Kat Vellos: Secrets to Cultivating Better Friendships Oct 19, 2022

The hard truth is that it’s hard to make new friends as an adult. Sometimes it’s even hard keeping the friends we have. Friendship is just not as easy as it was when we had time to play with each other at recess everyday in our school days. But hope is not lost. Friendships are essential for our health and well being and there are some simple things you can do to establish and grow incredible friendships right now!

Listen in to hear Kat share:

The difference between meeting people and actually making friends
The 4 reasons it gets harder to make friends as we age
The specific challenges for moms in making friends
How our relationships evolve (for better or worse) as our various identities evolve
The significance of reciprocity in healthy adult friendships
The important role of curiosity in friendship
How to maintain strong friendships even when you’re on separate life paths
Steps to take to invest in a new friendship
Specific steps we can take to invest in the relationships we want to grow and preserve

Links mentioned:

Connect with Kat: weshouldgettogether.com
Get Kat’s Book: We Should Get Together: The Secret to Cultivating Better Friendships
Kat on IG
Kat on Twitter

Sponsor info and promo codes:

Please find our sponsor information here: shamelessmom.com/sponsor/
Interested in becoming a sponsor of the Shameless Mom Academy? Email our sales team at sales@adalystmedia.com

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

694: The Space Between Oct 17, 2022

I had a 4am realization last week. 4am realizations are the best…

My realization had to do with “the space between”. I realized that so much of my discomfort of the last few years has come from having to live in “the space between”.

The space where one thing has ended, but the next thing hasn’t started yet.

The space between realizing something has changed permanently and you cannot go back to what was and what lies ahead is scary.

The space between who you used to be and who you are becoming.

The space between what you once thought to be true and uncomfortable new truths.

The space between playing small and playing big.

The space between standing in your truth and waiting to see who will stand beside you.

The space between holding your breath and finally speaking up.

Perhaps some of these spaces between are familiar to you too?

In this episode, I share the agitation and impatience that tends to show up for me when I’m in the space between. Then, I walk you through 5 ways to navigate the space between.

The space between is uncomfortable, for sure. But it’s a necessary piece (errr, gift?) of growth. If you’re in the space between right now in one (or multiple) areas of your life, you are not alone. I’m in it with you, friend.

Link mentioned:

Leave a review for the SMA: shamelessmom.com/review

Sponsor info and promo codes:

Please find our sponsor information here: shamelessmom.com/sponsor/
Interested in becoming a sponsor of the Shameless Mom Academy? Email our sales team at sales@adalystmedia.com

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693: Shonda Moralis: How Moms Can Use Breathing and Mindfulness (Without Rolling Your Eyes) Oct 12, 2022

Shonda Moralis, MSW, LCSW is on a mission to help ambitious moms play big without burning out. Author of the award-winning book, Breathe, Mama, Breathe and Don’t Forget to Breathe, she is a Psychotherapist, Life Balance Coach, Therapreneur, and Podcast Host. Shonda serves on the board of Shanthi Project, an education nonprofit providing evidence-based mindfulness services to children and adults. She lives in Pennsylvania with her husband and two kids, loves to play outside, endeavors to practice what she preaches, and is perennially fascinated by what makes people tick.

The timing of this interview was so serendipitous. The day before I interviewed Shonda, my therapist told me I would really benefit from mindfulness meditation. I was skeptical, if not downright doubtful. So, I loved picking Shonda’s brain as we dug into all the ways mindfulness as a practice can shift our brains to help us achieve balance (although not in the sense you might assume), greater productivity, creativity, and overall energy.

Listen in to hear Shonda share:

Her experience raising two children 10 years apart in age
Her parenting philosophy: good enough is great
How “balance” shifts over the course of motherhood and should be a gentle recalibration over time, not massive sweeping overnight changes
How to integrate 1-5 minutes of mindfulness to shift your day - and the importance of keeping it short & doable
The science of mindfulness and how meditation changes the shape, function, and efficiency of your brain
The difference between mindfulness, meditation, and mindful breaks - and the benefits of each
How to use breath, becoming, and balance breaks in short (like 1 minute) ways to increase your calm, increase your energy, or restore a mindset of balance to your day

Links mentioned:

Connect with Shonda and get her free 5-minute mindfulness meditation: shondamoralis.net
Shonda’s podcast: Therapeutic Perspective Podcast
Shonda on Instagram
Shonda on Facebook
Shonda on Linkedin

Sponsor info and promo codes:

Please find our sponsor information here: shamelessmom.com/sponsor/
Interested in becoming a sponsor of the Shameless Mom Academy? Email our sales team at sales@adalystmedia.com

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

692: How to Build Traction by Taking Tiny Action Oct 10, 2022

When I’m working with private business & leadership coaching clients, one of the things we are always talking about is building traction. When you’re eager to grow and evolve in your leadership (in a business, the workplace, or your community), it’s easy to overlook the significance and impact of small (tiny!) actions over time.

Tiny action adds up. But you have to be paying attention. Notice how you are showing up to do the little things each and every day that further your growth toward your goals. Be methodical and strategic in taking tiny actions and tracking your traction. This can be done by tracking tiny wins as you tick little things off your To Do List, or writing down small accomplishments and achievements at the end of each day.

When I am in seasons of struggle and I feel like my growth is stunted or things are just not going the way I want, I commit to taking small, simple steps each day to keep going, while also noting the small (sometimes minuscule) wins each day that prove to me that simple action creates momentum (ie: traction!) and that always feels good.

In this episode, I talk through 5 ways to build traction by taking tiny action. Let’s keep going and growing together!

Sponsor info and promo codes:

Please find our sponsor information here: shamelessmom.com/sponsor/
Interested in becoming a sponsor of the Shameless Mom Academy? Email our sales team at sales@adalystmedia.com

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691: Denisha Seals: Owning Your Culture & Breaking Patterns of Intergenerational Trauma Oct 05, 2022

Denisha Seals was raised by her mother, a single parent, who had not had a childhood. She was a teenage mom in an abusive relationship. Unfortunately, the unresolved trauma from her mother’s past was projected onto Denisha from the time she was very young, leaving Denisha with low self-esteem and vulnerability to people who exploited her innocence.

A high school teacher helped Denisha realize she had a choice: to continue to hurt and to follow in her mother’s footsteps, or to start her own healing journey. She began counseling and realized that her traumatic childhood was not her fault.

Denisha is now engaged in converting the pain of the past into lessons that can be shared with people in a myriad of creative ways for the greater good. She is a writer and a speaker, impacting the world through her storytelling and powerful messages of hope.

Listen in to hear Denisha share:

Her documentary, HINT: Historical Intergenerational Nutritional Trauma, about the nutritional genocide of people of color
How her childhood trauma of incestual sexual assualt inspired her work and her support of her Indigenous culture
The significance of her Indigenous culture and African culture in her birth experience and how that informs how she shows up in the world today
How growing up as a Afro Indigenous child who had been neglected and violated in foster care and phases of homelessness impacted her youth
How she has intentionally shaped relationships and specific boundaries with her parents in order to heal
Her book, Butterflies In Me, written and designed to support children’s mental health
How she intentionally made her book inclusive of many children’s marginalized backgrounds and struggles from race to mental health

Links mentioned:

Sponsor info and promo codes:

Please find our sponsor information here: shamelessmom.com/sponsor/
Interested in becoming a sponsor of the Shameless Mom Academy? Email our sales team at sales@adalystmedia.com

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

690: How to Stop Defaulting to a Fixed Mindset Oct 02, 2022

Over the last few weeks, I have had the opportunity to speak to multiple groups on mindset. In researching and prepping for these conversations, I dug into some hard truths around our current culture. Namely, the fact that we are all enduring Collective Trauma - and no one is talking about it.

An article in Psychology Today (linked in this episode’s show notes) teaches that “Collective trauma is a response that can follow a variety of traumatic experiences. Situations that may elicit a collective trauma response may include but are not limited to: wars, natural disasters, mass shootings, terrorism, pandemics, systematic and historical oppression, recessions, and famine or severe poverty.”

It goes on to say collective trauma “can change the entire fabric of a community… In fact, collective trauma can impact relationships, alter policies and governmental processes, alter the way the society functions, and even change its social norms.”

Once we acknowledge that we are experiencing this, we can see how our mindsets have shifted to match this arduous cultural moment in history. In fact, it stands to reason that we have quite possibly (and very understandably) shifted our default mindset to a fixed mindset framework, instead of a growth mindset framework. As a refresh, fixed mindset vs growth mindset is the work of the great Carol Dweck. Author of the book Mindset - which every human should read!

In this episode, I explore why you might be defaulting to fixed mindset, how it’s limiting you, and how to shift out of it in order to see more opportunities, potential & possibility in your life - instead of defaulting to seeing obstacles & roadblocks. This isn’t to say the obstacles aren’t real. Things are hard. But let’s uncover how to hold space for two truths:

Things are hard.
You are resourceful and resilient and can make great things happen in your life.

Links mentioned:

Psychology Today article: What is Collective Trauma?
Book: Mindset by Carol Dweck

Sponsor info and promo codes:

Please find our sponsor information here: shamelessmom.com/sponsor/
Interested in becoming a sponsor of the Shameless Mom Academy? Email our sales team at sales@adalystmedia.com

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689: Amy Lang: Sex Talks with Tweens Sep 28, 2022

Amy Lang, MA has been a sexual health educator for over 25 years. With her lively, engaging and down-to-earth style she helps parents become comfortable and confident talking to their kids. Amy’s books, online solutions center and podcast, show parents they really can become their kids' go-to birds and bees source. Amy is still married to her first husband and they are getting the hang of parenting their recently launched man-child. She lives in Seattle WA.

Amy was on the show to talk about how to talk to younger kids about bodies a few years ago. This time she is back to talk about how to talk to your tweens about sex. Given that Vinnie turned 10 just a few days ago, I was in desperate need of this convo. Amy is an incredible educator who makes talking about sex one million times easier and more fun than anyone else I know.

Listen in to hear Amy share:

Why sex talk nearly always falls to the mom as a result of our own conditioning and experiences around sexuality
How to get tweens to listen to you when you talk about sex and sexuality
The importance of knowing how to talk about sex with your kids BEFORE you actually engage in conversation
The importance of knowing your values around sex/sexuality before you talk to your kids about it
How to make up or redo a conversation if you feel like you made a misstep
Why we don’t need to worry about giving our kids too much information on sex and sexuality
How to talk to our kids about sex in an inclusive way that honors a variety of sexual orientations
Why must talk to your kids about porn - no matter what you think your kid is or is not seeing on the internet
How to talk to your kids about porn in a really clear way
Specific steps to take to monitor, filter and bock web exposure

Links mentioned:

Amy’s Book: Sex Talks with Tweens
Amy’s Podcast: Just Say This
Connect with Amy: birdsandbeesandkids.com
Amy’s first interview on the SMA: Birds and Bees and Kids
Amy on IG
Amy on FB
Bark Parental Control app: Bark.us

Sponsor info and promo codes:

Please find our sponsor information here: shamelessmom.com/sponsor/
Interested in becoming a sponsor of the Shameless Mom Academy? Email our sales team at sales@adalystmedia.com

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

688: Get Great at Doing Things You’re Not Great At Sep 26, 2022

This one is for all my friends who have spent their lives collecting A+’s and doing all the extra credit.

I know perfectionism kept me in my own way for a lot of my first 20 years of life. If I couldn't do something to an A+ level, I didn't want to do it at all. In the last 15 or so years, I've learned that the fun, power, and momentum that allow me to have the most impact in the world comes when I am intentionally imperfect. Doing things well, but "good enough" instead of sitting on them until they are absolutely 100% A++ perfect.

In my mid-twenties, I started giving myself permission to try things I hadn’t done before. This was a huge departure from never trying anything new out of fear of failure and even more fear of looking foolish.

By my mid-thirties, as I was growing businesses, I learned that trying new things, giving myself the space to be a newbie, and sitting in the discomfort of learning were actually really rewarding.

Now, in my mid-forties, I am able to have so much FUN doing things I’m not great at. This is how I was able to learn to ski at age 42, get back into triathlons at age 46, try new things in my business, allow myself to be more creative, and laugh at my imperfections #everydamnday, while riding out the massive momentum that comes with staying in imperfect action and never taking myself too seriously.

In this episode, I talk you through what I’ve learned from getting great at doing things I’m not great at, why we stop ourselves from doing things we’re not great at, and what we gain when we get great at doing things we’re not great at.

This one is for my fellow perfectionists and recovering perfectionists. I GOT YOU.

Sponsor info and promo codes:

Please find our sponsor information here: shamelessmom.com/sponsor/
Interested in becoming a sponsor of the Shameless Mom Academy? Email our sales team at sales@adalystmedia.com

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

687: Peter Mutabazi: Street Kid Turned Foster Dad to 27 Children Sep 21, 2022

Peter Mutabazi is an entrepreneur, an international advocate for children, and the founder of Now I Am Known, a corporation that supplies resources that encourage and affirm children. A single father of one white son and foster dad to many, Peter is a former street kid who has worked for World Vision and the International Committee of the Red Cross and has appeared on media outlets such as the BBC and the TODAY show. A passionate and popular speaker, he currently lives in Charlotte, North Carolina.

I am so delighted to welcome Peter back to the show. He recently released his first book, Now I Am Known. When I heard he wrote a book about his experience of not being known and literally not having a name as a child living on the streets of Uganda through his present-day reality of having fostered 27 children, I knew I wanted him to come back for another conversation.

Listen in to hear Peter share:

The current makeup of his family includes an adopted son, 3 foster children, and 2 dogs
How his experience growing up as a street kid in Uganda informed his life and his commitment to helping other children who have traumatic pasts
How one stranger seeing him through a different lens changed his life entirely and how he has used that experience to see others through a different lens
How to meet your kids where they are at vs where you want them to be
His advice to those living in survival mode
His really important mission with his book, Now I Am Known
All the ways we belong to each other - as he supports foster kids, bio parents, and asks his community to step up and support him and other foster kids

Links mentioned:

[Time Sensitive] Become a member of The Shameless Mom Academy: shamelessmom.com/academy
www.NowIAmKnown.com
Peter on YouTube
Peter on Instagram
Peter on Facebook
Peter on TikTok

Sponsor info and promo codes:

Please find our sponsor information here: shamelessmom.com/sponsor/
Interested in becoming a sponsor of the Shameless Mom Academy? Email our sales team at sales@adalystmedia.com

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

686: What You Waste While You Wait Sep 19, 2022

We are really good at finding reasons to wait. And sometimes waiting is warranted. But often, we wait because we have made up a story that we are not yet ready, worthy, capable, or qualified. Often that story is a bold-faced lie.

When we wait to go after what we want, take action, or accomplish something that makes us proud, we waste our precious mental and emotional resources, our energy, and our TIME.

While we are waiting, we often compromise our values, stall our growth, and stay STUCK in a headspace that lends itself to self-doubt and negative self-talk.

I’m not a leap person. I don’t make big bold moves. But I am an action taker. I take small action steps to test the waters and collect data. Those small steps and pieces of data determine my next steps and move me toward what I want so I’m not stuck in the emotional and mental purgatory of waiting to accomplish something.

In this episode, I’m going to dig into what is wasted while you’re waiting. You’re costing yourself more than you know. You are ready. You are capable. You are qualified. Now.

Link mentioned:

For a limited time, become a member of The Shameless Mom Academy: shamelessmom.com/academy

Sponsor info and promo codes:

Please find our sponsor information here: shamelessmom.com/sponsor/
Interested in becoming a sponsor of the Shameless Mom Academy? Email our sales team at sales@adalystmedia.com

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

685: Fareedah Shaheed: Female Muslim Gamer Turned Family Internet Safety Expert Sep 14, 2022

Fareedah Shaheed is the CEO and Founder of Sekuva SehKOOvuh, where she helps parents and caretakers protect their kids online. She has taught thousands of people online security & safety, has hosted lunch and learns, and has delivered keynotes on the subject. She is a Forbes 30 Under 30 honoree and is currently serving on the Forbes board for the Under 30 community.

Fareedah was named Cybersecurity Personality of the Year 2020. And her work has been featured in Cisco, NASA, FOX 25, FOX 46, FOX Carolina, NBC Washington, The Grio, Yahoo!, AfroTech, The Every Mom, StartPage, TripWire, Infosecurity Magazine, and most recently on the NASDAQ. Fareedah is on fire when it comes to spreading her message. I connected with Fareedah via LinkedIn and as I got to know more about her work and her personal story, I knew she would be a fantastic guest. She did not disappoint!

Listen in to hear Fareedah share:

Her experience growing up as a third culture kid
How her identity as a Black Muslim gamer raised in Saudi Arabi inspired her work in cybersecurity
How her relationship with her mom especially informed her experience around her own cybersecurity
The significance of her mom embracing imperfection in order to create a more safe, secure and soulful mother/daughter relationship
What holistic online safety is and why it’s so much more important than blanket rules that might serve only as bandaids
The importance of connection over control and a strong parent/child bond in online safety
Why she champions parental therapy and therapeutic practices in order for parents to have a connection to self as a foundation to protect your child from the online world
First 3 steps to take toward cybersecurity for your child

Links mentioned:

From September 14th-20th only, become a member of The Shameless Mom Academy: shamelessmom.com/academy
Connect with Fareedah: Cyberfareedah.com
Join Fareedah’s Safe Kid Movement: safekidsmovement.com
Fareedah on all social media: @CyberFareedah
Fareedah’s podcast: The Accidental Arab

Sponsor info and promo codes:

Please find our sponsor information here: shamelessmom.com/sponsor/
Interested in becoming a sponsor of the Shameless Mom Academy? Email our sales team at sales@adalystmedia.com

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

684: 5 Important Lessons On Trying Something New Sep 12, 2022

Last weekend I did my first triathlon in 18 years. It was an incredible experience - which I almost put it off until next summer. I’m so glad I didn’t wait. I shifted a 12-month goal to a 2-month goal and it paid off - big time.

Whether you’re working toward a new goal or returning to a goal from the past, I want to invite you to take a look at how you’re approaching your goal. Your perspective and approach will deeply impact your experience and your outcomes.

When I did triathlons 18-22 years ago, it was so much work and so much stress. A lot of the training felt like a grind. It was all very intense.

You would think, at age 46 and being out of the game for so long, I would have felt that intensity and stress return as I took up training again. I did not.

I was really intentional about how I approached this goal. My approach allowed me to enjoy every moment of training and every second of race day.

In this episode, I talk you through 5 Important Lessons On Trying Something New in hopes that you can cut your deadlines on your goals in half in order to get to the finish lines faster - and with a ton more ease and joy!

Link mentioned:

Join my free workshop: How to Calm Your Chaos & Let Go of Your Crap: shamelessmom.com/calm

Sponsor info and promo codes:

Please find our sponsor information here: shamelessmom.com/sponsor/
Interested in becoming a sponsor of the Shameless Mom Academy? Email our sales team at sales@adalystmedia.com

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

683: Beth Syverson: Parenting a Child Through Addiction Sep 07, 2022

Beth Syverson is a mom of an 18-year-old son, Joey, who has been struggling with addiction and mental health issues for several years. She struggles with addiction as well, though not with the same substances as her son. This experience has given her empathy for her son's struggles. She has learned to maintain firm boundaries while still nurturing a positive relationship with Joey. She is walking beside Joey as he struggles with his recovery, while she works on her own personal growth and healing. Joey and Beth started Safe Home Podcast in August 2021 in order to help other families avoid the pain they've endured. They are committed to destigmatizing addiction and mental health, and they want to help as many families as possible by sharing their stories.

This is such an incredibly important topic and conversation. I’m so grateful to Beth for sharing courageously and vulnerably. It’s also important that you know, Joey gave consent, even encouragement, for his mom to have this conversation and share parts of his journey with this audience of Shameless Moms.

Listen in to hear Beth share:

The impact of her son’s in utero trauma and the first 7 months of his life in Japan
How Joey’s experimentation with vaping and nicotine led to life-threatening, full-fledged addiction
What to look for if suspect your child might be using - and the signs Beth missed when Joey was first using
How Joey’s first suicide attempt opened her eyes to his struggle with addiction
How to use curiosity as a tool in talking about substance use/abuse with your child in order to open up conversations instead of shutting down conversations
How she uses the CRAFT method: a special communication method to prioritize a relationship with someone who is on an addiction journey
The importance of removing shame from addiction
The boundaries she keeps in place while prioritizing their relationship
How she and Joey co-created a podcast, Safe Home Podcast, and why the show is so important to all parents of tweens and teens
Her #1 piece of advice for parents of struggling teens

Links mentioned:

Join my free workshop: How to Calm Your Chaos & Let Go of Your Crap: shamelessmom.com/calm
Connect with Beth and find her events: safehomefamilies.com
Listen to the Safe Home Podcast: anchor.fm/safe-home-podcast
Safe Home Podcast on FB
Safe Home Podcast on IG
Safe Home Podcast on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCYoW-LxFFes2EX71ENcFVCQ

Sponsor info and promo codes:

Please find our sponsor information here: shamelessmom.com/sponsor/
Interested in becoming a sponsor of the Shameless Mom Academy? Email our sales team at sales@adalystmedia.com

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

682: Look Up Sep 05, 2022

When we get overwhelmed or frustrated or feel the universe is working against us, we tend to drop our heads, metaphorically and literally. We stop seeing the good around us. We stop seeing potential. We stop seeing opportunity. We look down and miss the magic that is right in front of us, if not passing us by.

I’m only able to describe this because I’ve been there. When I feel overwhelmed or rejected or frustrated, it’s easy for me to start to shrink. And in that shrinking, I become fixed on the fact that I cannot fix what is broken and no one else can fix it, either.

Sometimes my husband will offer solutions and I will excitedly point out how they are all awful - because EVERYTHING IS WRONG AND BROKEN right now.

But when I step back for a moment - typically a few hours and a good workout - I can start to see how he may be right. There might just be a few options that could work just fine, even if they are not the exact options I initially had in mind.

This happened recently when we learned we would need to get a new car - that we were not planning for in 2022. I had a meltdown because there were just NO GOOD OPTIONS. To be fair, this is a really sucky time to buy a car, but… BUT… there are still options. As he laid out some options for us, I shut down. None of his options were my top picks for options. I went to bed quiet and grumpy. The next morning, I was able to see where he had some good points. There are options and a decent number of them are, well, decent.

If you’re a Type A person like me, you might be quick to look down, lock up, and to lock out possibilities when you feel like things are not working out for you. In this episode, I’m going to invite you to LOOK UP.

When we look up, everything shifts. There are options and alternatives galore - and often they are even better than what we originally thought we wanted.

Link mentioned:

Join my free workshop: How to Calm Your Chaos & Let Go of Your Crap: shamelessmom.com/calm

Sponsor info and promo codes:

Please find our sponsor information here: shamelessmom.com/sponsor/
Interested in becoming a sponsor of the Shameless Mom Academy? Email our sales team at sales@adalystmedia.com

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

681: Sue Holt: The Truth About Mom Rage Aug 31, 2022

Sue Holt is the founder of Mommy's Life Coach. Sue coaches moms who yell at their kids. She helps them to stop feeling guilty and enjoy being a mom. As a stay-at-home mom for the past 16 years to four children, Sue remembers sitting at the bottom of her steps with her head in her hands crying, not because she yelled so loud that her throat hurt from screaming at her daughter for spilling salad dressing on her new boots that Mom bought her, but because she felt guilty and ashamed. Sue created Mommy's Life Coach as a space to integrate, validate, acknowledge, encourage, and celebrate moms. Sue lives in Philadelphia with her hubby, four kids, and Irish Setter, Oscar. When Sue is not watching her 3 boys play ice hockey, lacrosse, baseball, track, football, or her daughter dance, sing, act, or play field hockey, she enjoys taking dance classes, working out, and relaxing on the beach.

Listen in to hear Sue share:

Why moms yell at their kids
How moms high expectations of themselves get in their own ways and contribute to mom rage and emotional dysregulation
How anger is often a mask for sadness, grief, and fear
The definition of mom rage and what it looks & feels like
How mom rage comes from an inner influencer and outer influencer
Why mom rage is shrouded in secrecy
5 Steps you can take to manage your mom rage
The correlation between identity loss in motherhood and mom rage

Links mentioned:

Join my upcoming free workshop, How to Calm Your Chaos and Let Go of Your Crap: shamelessmom.com/calm
Connect with Sue: mommyslifecoach.com/
Sue’s Podcast: The OutRAGEous Mommy Podcast
Sue on Instagram @mommyslifecoach
Sue on FB: The OutRAGEous Moms Facebook Group

Sponsor info and promo codes:

Please find our sponsor information here: shamelessmom.com/sponsor/
Interested in becoming a sponsor of the Shameless Mom Academy? Email our sales team at sales@adalystmedia.com

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

680: Are You Stuck in the Chaos & Crap of Post Pandemic Motherhood? Aug 29, 2022

A couple of months ago, we did our annual Shameless Summer Survey to find out what you all needed - where you were struggling most and what you were craving. Over and over again you said you were overwhelmed, exhausted, and stuck. You said you were tired of the constant chaos. You said you were craving calm.

I hear you.

It is common to feel all of this at any stage of motherhood, but when you layer in what mothers have endured over the past 2.5 years, it’s especially understandable that you would be feeling these feelings in the most overwhelming way.

We have been through a lot - A LOT - in the last few years and we are now expected to move on as if it’s all over and it’s all fine.

We are not fine.

And that is ok.

In this episode, I dig into why you're feeling the way you’re feeling and how to start to gently climbing your way out of the chaos and back to some at least intermittent calm in your daily life. I mean, I can’t make your kids leave you alone permanently, but I can give you some great tips on how to process and release some of your chaos & crap in order to create a sense of calm on a regular basis.

Link mentioned:

Join my upcoming free workshop, How to Calm Your Chaos and Let Go of Your Crap: shamelessmom.com/calm

Sponsor info and promo codes:

Please find our sponsor information here: shamelessmom.com/sponsor/
Interested in becoming a sponsor of the Shameless Mom Academy? Email our sales team at sales@adalystmedia.com

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

679: Trudi Lebron: White Women’s Roles in White Culture and ”White People Sh*t” Aug 24, 2022

Trudi Lebrón is the author of The Antiracist Business Book: An Equity-Centered Approach to Work, Wealth, & Leadership. Trudi is also the CEO of ScriptFlip! LLC and creator of the Institute for Equity Centered Coaching, a coaching and consulting firm, that helps entrepreneurs build antiracist businesses and become equity-centered coaches and leaders through their certification programs, consulting packages, and executive coaching. By the time Trudi was 16, she had two children and had dropped out of high school—all the odds were against her. Trudi holds a BA in Theater, a Master of Science in Psychology, and is currently ABD in her Ph.D. program in Social Psychology.

After recently reading Trudi’s book, I immediately asked her to come back on the show to talk about the role we all play in building and supporting communities, businesses, and organizations. Trudi always helps me see things in significant new ways while guiding me to become a better, more thoughtful, and inclusive citizen.

Listen in to hear Trudi share:

Why it’s important to be informed on anti-racist business practices whether you own a business, work for a business or purchase things from businesses
What is “White People Shit” and what white people need to know about White People Shit
How white culture is about being right and how that is problematic for all people
How hustle culture and creating a sense of urgency is a product of White Supremacy
Where practices around overworking come from
The responsibility each one of us holds in building anti-racist organizations - from our workplaces to our churches to our community centers and kids' sports leagues
What Community Agreements are and why they are so important anytime we gather people
The problem with white women’s rage - and how this is traumatizing for Black women

Links mentioned:

Join my free workshop, How To Calm Your Chaos & Let Go of Your Crap: shamelessmom.com/calm
Connect with Trudi: trudilebron.com
Book: The Antiracist Business Book: An Equity-Centered Approach to Work, Wealth, & Leadership
Podcast: Business Remixed
Trudi on Instagram

Sponsor info and promo codes:

Please find our sponsor information here: shamelessmom.com/sponsor/
Interested in becoming a sponsor of the Shameless Mom Academy? Email our sales team at sales@adalystmedia.com

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

678: 3 Tools to Cope With Rejection Aug 22, 2022

Brutal truth: I’ve experienced more professional rejection in 2022 than any other year in my 19 years of business.

I’m talking about this because no one talks about this side of growth, professional or otherwise. But, it is a very real and common experience when you decide to stretch yourself in new ways.

Rejection is often the result of an audacious act, a brave reach, or a leap into uncharted territory. Rejection comes on the backside of courage, determination, and vulnerability.

It’s easy to feel beaten down, if not completely swallowed, by rejection. It’s easy to overlook the fact that you stepped up to the plate in a bold way to say, “I’m here. I’m ready. I can do this.”

In the face of rejection, we typically say, “I’m not worthy”, instead of, “I was qualified for that and not getting it is not a reflection of my talent or worth.” Or, “I’m really proud of myself for trying. Now I feel ready and even more prepared to go for something else big like this.”

I pitched myself for something I really wanted this fall. I was rejected. At first I was mad, even hurt. A few days after getting that NO, another opportunity - a better one - came up for the same time. I realized that NO was a gift and made space for me to pitch the same thing to an even better organization.

It’s time we talk about rejection as a necessary part of growth instead of a quiet pool (ocean?) of shame.

In this episode, I’ll walk you through how I’ve been managing rejection as I uplevel and how you can do the same.

Link mentioned:

Join my free workshop: How To Calm Your Chaos & Let Go of Your Crap: shamelessmom.com/calm

Sponsor info and promo codes:

Please find our sponsor information here: shamelessmom.com/sponsor/
Interested in becoming a sponsor of the Shameless Mom Academy? Email our sales team at sales@adalystmedia.com

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

677: Sarah Stewart Holland and Beth Silvers: How to Talk About Politics, Power & Authority in Motherhood Aug 17, 2022

Sarah Stewart Holland and Beth Silvers host the popular podcast Pantsuit Politics, which was named one of 2021’s best shows by Apple Podcasts and has been featured in The New York Times, The Atlantic, Good Morning America 3, The Guardian, Elle Magazine, and Parents Magazine. They are also the authors of “I Think You're Wrong (But I'm Listening): A Guide to Grace-Filled Political Conversation” and “Now What?: How to Move Forward When We're Divided About Basically Everything”.

Sarah and Beth met in college before going their separate ways for law school. Sarah pursued a career in politics as a congressional staffer and campaign aide and Beth practiced law before serving as a human resources executive. Sarah lives in Paducah, KY, with her spouse, Nicholas, and children Griffin, Amos, and Felix. Beth lives in Union, KY, with her spouse, Chad, and children Jane and Ellen. Sarah’s dog, Cookie, and Beth’s dog, Lucy, are beloved (and involuntary) contributors to their work.

When I heard Sarah and Beth had a new book out, I immediately asked them to come on the show. The way they navigate and guide hard conversations in incredibly divisive times is so important and powerful. I always learn so much from them.

Listen in to hear Sarah and Beth share:

The difference between being a citizen vs being a consumer
How to talk to your kids about hard things
How to talk differently to boys vs girls about power & authority
The significance of moms owning their power, especially economic power, as a voting block
How society has carved moms into smaller blocks - on purpose - and how we need to sew ourselves together to hold more power
How moms can more effectively use your voice and your vote

Links mentioned:

Connect with Sarah and Beth and listen to Pantsuit Politics: https://www.pantsuitpoliticsshow.com/
Book: I Think You're Wrong (But I'm Listening): A Guide to Grace-Filled Political Conversation
Book: Now What?: How to Move Forward When We're Divided About Basically Everything
Pantsuit Politics on Instagram
Pantsuit Politics on Twitter
Pantsuit Politics on Facebook

Sponsor info and promo codes:

Please find our sponsor information here: shamelessmom.com/sponsor/
Interested in becoming a sponsor of the Shameless Mom Academy? Email our sales team at sales@adalystmedia.com

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

676: 3 Things for Moms to Say Yes to This Fall Aug 15, 2022

I know it’s not officially fall yet, but hear me out.... Fall is coming - fast. And I want you to be prepared.

As you straddle this end of summer/back to school/almost fall season, I want you to consider what you want for yourself, for your kids and out of motherhood. I always joke that September is January for moms. It’s when we start fresh, try new routines, recommit to things that serve us, dump the junk that doesn’t. It’s basically our New Year. Cheers to a New Year, friend.

As I was thinking through what I want for myself this fall, I was trying to get clear on what I want to say YES to and what I want to say NO to. I love defining these things for myself with each new season - recognizing that in each new season I have grown a bit, as has my child. We each need different things than the season before. I always want to honor that in how I show up for myself and how I show up in motherhood.

In this episode, I walk you through 3 things to say YES to as you walk into fall. My hope is that these 3 things will bring you clarity, ease and JOY!

I’m inviting you to say YES to a reorg of your needs, habits and routines, as well as those of your kids.

I’m inviting you to challenge yourself, your voice and your skills.

I’m inviting you to say YES to joy, celebration and fun.

I am inviting you to seriously consider your YESes and NOs as we broach this new season. Don’t let the wrong YESes fall out of your mouth so you don’t have space for the actual YESes you desire, my friend.

Link mentioned:

Get on the waitlist to join The Academy: shamelessmom.com/waitlist

Sponsor info and promo codes:

Please find our sponsor information here: shamelessmom.com/sponsor/
Interested in becoming a sponsor of the Shameless Mom Academy? Email our sales team at sales@adalystmedia.com

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

675: Dr. Lynyetta Willis: The 5 Step Empowered Path to Peace & Ease in Motherhood Aug 10, 2022

Dr. Lynyetta Willis is a psychologist, family empowerment coach, speaker, and award-winning author who helps frustrated families break free from Stable Misery™ and unhelpful parenting and partnership patterns, so they can create more harmony at home.

Over 20 years of journeying with countless clients led her to design the research-supported Elemental Living® Model and her P.A.T.H.S. Relationship Framework. These powerful tools help parents and partners improve communication, minimize overreactions, and transform intergenerational trauma. Her programs have supported parents across the globe - in South Africa, Israel, New Zealand, and Australia.

Dr. Willis’s multi-award-winning book, My Forgotten Self: A Story about a Girl, a Powerful Encounter, and a Universal Message, received high acclaim from individuals such as Dr. Shefali Tsabary, author of The Conscious Parent and “Oprah’s Parenting Expert”. Dr. Willis lives in Georgia with her husband and their two children.

Listen in to hear Lynyetta share:

How she was raised within the framework of the 4 horsemen: Pain, Blame, Shame and Avoidance
How she learned to navigate and negotiate the symptoms of her intergenerational dramas and traumas in order to heal
The difference between healing your mind through learning vs healing your body by working through trauma
What intergenerational dramas are and how they impact our lives across generations
The difference between stressors and triggers in parenting and how to handle them differently
Her 5 part PATHS framework to parenting in a more productive way
What Stable Misery is, how we unintentionally spend so much time here, and how to get out of Stable Misery

Links mentioned:

Free Workshop: Calm My Parenting Triggers
Quiz: What’s Your Parenting Trigger Score?
Connect with Dr. Lynetta: drlwillis.com
Dr. Lynyetta on IG
Dr. Lynyetta on FB
Dr. Lynyetta on LI

Sponsor info and promo codes:

Please find our sponsor information here: shamelessmom.com/sponsor/
Interested in becoming a sponsor of the Shameless Mom Academy? Email our sales team at sales@adalystmedia.com

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

674: Navigating the Loss of a Complicated Parent Aug 08, 2022

I sat down to write notes before recording this episode at least 14 times.

Each time I could not find a starting point. Or an ending point.

So, I decided to just hit record. With no notes.

In this episode I share my relationship with my dad with you. For the last 10 years, it was complicated and confusing. It was a relationship that never had closure, but ultimately has peace.

Since his passing, so many of you have reached out to share your love. Thank you. I appreciate you - so much.

I have also heard from many of you who have complicated and confusing parent relationships. I recorded this for you. When we have pieces of our lives that are complicated and confusing it helps so much to hear from others who have a similar lived experience. It makes you feel seen and held. It helps you feel less alone and more normal. I SEE YOU. You are not alone.

Sponsor info and promo codes:

Please find our sponsor information here: shamelessmom.com/sponsor/
Interested in becoming a sponsor of the Shameless Mom Academy? Email our sales team at sales@adalystmedia.com

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

673: Tanya Sheckley: Building Accessible Education to Honor Her Daughter’s Legacy Aug 03, 2022

Tanya Sheckley is Founder and President of UP Academy, an elementary lab school that values innovation, empathy, and strength and incorporates a unique neuro-development program for children with physical disabilities. Tanya’s vision and mission show it’s possible to celebrate differences, change what’s broken in the American education system and that all children can receive a rigorous, well-rounded education. She is the host of the Rebel Educator podcast, an Edpreneur, an International Speaker, and the author of her new book, Rebel Educator: Create Classrooms of Imagination and Impact.

As soon as I learned about what inspired Tanya to build her own school, I knew I wanted to have her as a guest on the show. She has a powerful and important story about education and how she will forever honor her daughter, Eliza.

Listen in to hear Tanya share:

How and why she intentionally build a school around her daughter Eliza’s legacy
Eliza’s story of living with Cerebral Palsy
Her journey of building international medical support around Eliza
How she navigated advocating for Eliza’s needs when Eliza was able to meet grade level expectations but was not expected to
What it looks like and feels like and smells like inside UP Academy
The benefits of mixed age and mixed ability classrooms
Examples of what accessible learning looks like
The importance of having children with disabilities and children without disabilities learning alongside one another
What she wants parents to know about parenting a child with disabilities

Links mentioned:

Learn more about UP Academy: upacademysf.com
Resources for Rebel Educators: rebeleducator.com
Connect with Tanya: Tanyasheckley.com
Book: Rebel Educator
Tanya on LinkedIn
UP Academy on FB
UP Academy on IG
Eliza’s story: https://www.upacademysf.com/elizas-story

Sponsor info and promo codes:

Please find our sponsor information here: shamelessmom.com/sponsor/
Interested in becoming a sponsor of the Shameless Mom Academy? Email our sales team at sales@adalystmedia.com

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

672: 6 Ways to Develop Your Sense of Agency Aug 01, 2022

I spent three days last week in a Trauma-Informed Practice Intensive for Coaches and Leaders. One of the things we kept coming back to over the course of these three days was making sure we, as coaches, are creating spaces that allow our clients a strong sense of agency.

While I won’t bore you with the super coachy stuff, I do want to share with you the juicy parts - the pieces I know will benefit you right away.

In this episode I dig into:

What is personal agency
Why is a sense of agency important
What are 6 ways to develop your sense of agency

It is my hope that developing your sense of agency will give you clarity and discernment around who you are and who you are becoming.

Links mentioned:

Article: https://www.mindful.org/seven-ways-to-develop-personal-agency/
Trudi Lebron: trudilebron.com

Sponsor info and promo codes:

Please find our sponsor information here: shamelessmom.com/sponsor/
Interested in becoming a sponsor of the Shameless Mom Academy? Email our sales team at sales@adalystmedia.com

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

671: Asha Frost: You Are the Medicine Jul 27, 2022

Asha Frost (she/her) is an Indigenous Medicine Woman and a member of the Chippewas of Nawash First Nation. She is from the Crane Clan, the totem of leadership, and believes in holding space from vision and heart. As an energy healer, homeopath, and mentor, Asha has guided thousands of people through profound and lasting transformation.

Impacted by generational trauma and colonization, Asha has been on a lifelong journey of reclamation. A lupus diagnosis sent her on a path of studying and practicing a multitude of energy Medicine modalities with many guides. She has blended this life experience with her innate gifts and the wisdom of her Ancestors. She loves sharing her Medicine in powerful ways through Ceremonies, teachings, and speaking events. Through this work, she loves seeing people reclaim their roots, find their healing wisdom, and rise into their power.

She is the author of You are The Medicine published by Hay House and has an Oracle Deck coming out next year. She is also a Shameless Mom to her 5 and 10 year old sons.

Listen in to hear Asha share:

The importance of acknowledging and not bypassing the trauma of the pandemic
How generational trauma and colonization led to her journey of reclamation
How her diagnosis of lupus at age 17 impacted her life
The costs of her assimilation when she was the only Indigenous child among white kids growing up
Her sense of responsibility to represent her people and her ancestors, even if imperfectly
Her vision for her book - to decolonize and storytell
The difference between Indigenous appropriation and appreciation - and what she wants white women to know about both
The Indigenous core wound of invisibility
The gift of connecting to your own lineage and land in order to access your ancestors

Links mentioned:

Connect with Asha: ashafrost.com
Book: You are The Medicine: youarethemedicinebook.com
Asha on IG
Asha on FB

Sponsor info and promo codes:

Please find our sponsor information here: shamelessmom.com/sponsor/
Interested in becoming a sponsor of the Shameless Mom Academy? Email our sales team at sales@adalystmedia.com

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

670: Getting to the Start Line Is Harder Than the Finish Line Jul 25, 2022

I’m training for my first triathlon in 18 years. It has definitely been a little daunting getting back into tri training. As I’ve been hopping in the water, onto my bike, and into my running shoes, I’ve been giving a lot of thought to the grit, fortitude, and tenacity it takes for us to get to any start lines in our lives.

When we cross a finish line, there is often a decent amount of fanfare. People show their support, give you all the accolades, and boost your confidence with cheers. But no one congratulates you for getting to the start line.

Getting to any start line typically involves quiet, vulnerable, and methodical decision-making. It takes overcoming self-doubt, shutting down negative self-talk, and deciding, “I am worthy, qualified, and capable to START.”

It takes a lot of grit, fortitude, and tenacity that no one ever sees and no one ever gives you credit for.

I would argue that it’s substantially harder to get to a start line than a finish line.

In this episode, I talk through what it looks like to get yourself to the start line and how to own, honor and embrace what a character-building experience it can be.

I SEE YOU approaching start lines in your life. I believe in you. I know you can do it. I am proud with you and so excited for you.

Sponsor info and promo codes:

Please find our sponsor information here: shamelessmom.com/sponsor/
Interested in becoming a sponsor of the Shameless Mom Academy? Email our sales team at sales@adalystmedia.com

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

669: Christina Roulund: Discovering & Recovering From Breast Implant Illness Jul 20, 2022

Christina Roulund is the founder of Size: Happy, a movement focused on helping women on their journey to self-love heal from and rebel against the unattainable standards that society inflicts on them, and instead... embrace their own unique beauty.

After suffering from Breast Implant Illness, Christina went through explant surgery and experienced nearly complete healing from the multitude of symptoms and side effects of having breast implants. She is now recognized as an expert in the Breast Implant Illness Community, helping other women reclaim their health and happiness through education on her blog at SizeHappy.net ...and through her Facebook group, Breast Implant Illness Rejuvenation & Education with Christina.

I was unaware of the prevalence of Breast Implant Illness until I did this interview. Fascinatingly, after doing this interview, I started hearing stories about BII from a number of women. This conversation is for anyone who has implants, knows someone with implants, who has struggled with your relationship with your breasts, or who has been unheard or unseen by the medical community.

Listen in to hear Christina share:

How women develop relationships with their breasts in youth and young adulthood
What motivated her to get breast implants in her early twenties
Her experience of enduring Breast Implant Illness
Her experience of being dismissed by her doctor for 3 years as she experienced BII symptoms
The relief she felt in self-diagnosing her BII and going through explant surgery
The trauma of being unseen and unheard by medical professionals
Initial steps to take to start to recover and relearn healthier, more joy-filled body talk

Links mentioned:

Connect with Christina: https://sizehappy.net
Christina on IG
Facebook Group: Breast Implant Illness Rejuvenation and Education With Christina
YouTube: Size Happy

Sponsor info and promo codes:

Please find our sponsor information here: shamelessmom.com/sponsor/
Interested in becoming a sponsor of the Shameless Mom Academy? Email our sales team at sales@adalystmedia.com

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

668: 10 Ways to Own Your Day 10 Minutes or Less Jul 18, 2022

You are not powerless.

I know motherhood, and heck, the state of the world, will try to make you feel differently on any given day.

It is easy to let outside circumstances dictate how you feel, how you show up, and what you think is possible in any given moment.

But, what if YOU could dictate how you feel, how you show up, and what you think is possible in any given moment?

Today, I’m sharing with you 10 Ways to Own Your Day in 10 Minutes or Less. These are little tricks I’ve been using for years to help me step back into my power when I feel rocked by circumstances outside myself - anything from my child having a massive meltdown to a tough day in my business to devastating world news.

Because I’m determined (like, fiercely determined) to show up for myself, my family and for you all, I’ve had to learn how to keep going and find my power in really sticky, if not impossible, moments. Once you know how to harness a few of these tricks, you can shift your energy and your power in mere minutes on any given day.

Being able to use these 10 Minute Tools will allow you to:

Listen inward and find guidance from your intuition
Shut down distractions
Gain clarity around what you choose to let in and focus on for the day
Be reminded of what is good in your life, what you are capable of, what you have to look forward to

You are not powerless. You have the opportunity to own #everydamnday.

Link mentioned:

Grab my free 15 Minute Manifest: shamelessmom.com/15mm

Sponsor info and promo codes:

Please find our sponsor information here: shamelessmom.com/sponsor/
Interested in becoming a sponsor of the Shameless Mom Academy? Email our sales team at sales@adalystmedia.com

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

667: Kimberly Didrikson: Learning Motherhood: The Intersection of Motherhood and Work Jul 13, 2022

Kimberly Didrikson is the founder of Learning Motherhood, a consulting agency and online community platform that helps women return to work after having a baby from feeling overwhelmed with motherhood and career to thriving in navigating the changes that occur when becoming a mother and also pursuing a career. Kimberly spent 15 years growing her career at a Fortune 100 company and as a director managed teams with portfolios of over $20 million in yearly sales... yet nothing prepared her for growing and birthing a child and returning to work. Determined to change how mothers are supported through this transition back to work, Kimberly created Learning Motherhood. Her passion runs deep in transforming the workplace to support working parents by also providing programs to assist organizations in creating a work environment that embraces families to strengthen company values. She is a workplace advocate for family-friendly policies including parental leave for all and national paid leave programs.

Listen in to hear Kimberly share:

How she’s reclaiming her Unicorn Space
How her career was massively connected to her identity and idea of success prior to having kids
How motherhood “played tricks” on her identity
The significance of millions of moms leaving the workforce during the pandemic
The specific long-term impact on the future of work when we consider moms leaving the workforce in droves
The significance of men being part of the parental leave conversation - and actually taking parental leave
Why parental leave should be gender-neutral, not labeled maternity or paternity leave
Steps you can take to speak up and ask questions about parental leave in your workplace

Links mentioned:

Connect with Kimberly: Learningmotherhood.co
Kimberly on IG
Kimberly on FB
Learning Motherhood on LinkedIn
Kimberly on LinkedIn
Podcast: Motherhood and Career Collide

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

666: Penny Decree: The Power of Affirmations While Raising Black Sons Jul 11, 2022

Born and raised in Detroit, Penny Decree began her career in construction management working on many of the commercial projects that dot the city’s downtown skyline. After deciding to start a family and giving birth to two boys, Penny wanted to make sure her sons saw themselves and were affirmed early on in the literature they read. She knew championing them and teaching them how to empower themselves at an early age would fortify their foundation as they grew older and faced new challenges as Black males growing up in America. Preparing them early for the societal forces that would work against them was a priority in her parenting strategy.

Penny began reciting morning affirmations with her two sons- who were toddler-aged at the time. Penny then decided to transform their affirmations into a book for them and others. Witnessing the power of affirmations in her own life and their little beginnings is what fueled the journey of writing and sharing her debut book, 'I Am Enough' with others.

Founding Decreed Publishing along with her two sons was the next step to continue the impact on Black youth. Together, they create empowering children’s books and products to help parents ground their children in truth and take control of their destinies.

Listen in to hear Penny share:

How she started to incorporate affirmations with her very young sons to help with anything from potty training to being young Black boys
How to use fluid and flexible affirmations with your kids as they grow and evolve
How she is using affirmations with Black boys so they can own their truth and their worth in a society that puts a target on their back
The importance of diversity in children's literature for Black kids and white kids
The reality of “both Americas” for Black people
The difference in reality between my white son and Penny’s Black sons playing with police cars at a young age
The dignity afforded white children vs Black children

Links mentioned:

Connect with Penny and buy her products: DecreedPublishing.com
Penny on FB
Penny on IG

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

665: Amanda Kingsley: Speaking Light Into Abortion Jul 06, 2022

Amanda Kingsley is a Certified Life Coach and Doula, and the host of the Speaking Light Into Abortion podcast. After her own unanticipated abortion as a mother of three, she recognized the need for a wider conversation around mental health and the complex emotional landscape of life after abortion. She reminds her audience that it’s okay to feel all the feelings after abortion and that we can honor our decisions by living the life we made our choice for.

Amanda and I set out to have this conversation in November of 2021. But a series of life events kept pushing out our recording date. How serendipitous that we would end up recording this just days after Roe vs Wade was overturned by the Supreme Court. It was hard to have this conversation as we were both still processing what this means for us - as citizens, women, and moms. But this conversation has never been more crucial. I am so grateful to Amanda for showing up and speaking up in the middle of this devastating season.

Listen in to hear Amanda share:

The story of her abortion when she was already a mom of 3
Myths and truths and things we often don’t consider about abortion
Some of the privileges she carried during her abortion experience
Permission to hold joy and pain simultaneously when enduring hard times
What she learned about abortion that she could only learn by going through it herself
The expansiveness that came out of her abortion experience
How she realized that 60-65% of women who have abortions are already moms and the anger that brought her
Who should be speaking up about abortion right now

Links mentioned:

Take my Shameless Summer Survey and win $100 gift card: shamelessmom.com/survey
Connect with Amanda: amandastarkingsley.com
Amanda on IG
Amanda’s Book: What I Wish: 100 love notes to help you survive, come alive, and thrive after abortion
Amanda’s Podcast: Speaking Light into Abortion

Sponsor info and promo codes:

Please find our sponsor information here: shamelessmom.com/sponsor/
Interested in becoming a sponsor of the Shameless Mom Academy? Email our sales team at sales@adalystmedia.com

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

664: How to Play the Long Game in Your Advocacy and Activism Jul 04, 2022

Let your rage be your fuel.

The rage I have carried over the last 6+ or so years has fueled so much of my work. But rage is not a long-term plan.

If you want to show up in advocacy, allyship, and activism you need more than rage. Rage will only take you so far. I want your rage to fuel you - it can be the gas that allows you to keep your foot on the pedal. But, I also want you to be able to sustain the long-term fight that is often required to make change. And that will require more than rage.

In this episode, I walk you through how to let your rage be your fuel while also not letting you get overly caught up in any one moment. The power of pacing yourself in your advocacy, allyship, and activism is what will allow you to stay in the work over the course of the next few decades - and that is what we need from you.

From the moment Roe vs Wade was decided in 1973, people (white men of privilege, to be exact) have been working to overturn it. They have worked on this diligently for 50 years. 50 years! While I don’t think it will take 50 years to codify abortion rights, I do believe we have a long haul in front of us. This goes for this fight and so many others.

Advocacy is an ongoing, long-term commitment. In this episode, I talk you through how to stay in this commitment over the long haul as well as how you can take action today.

We can use our rage for good. We can keep showing up, no matter how long it takes. We can get loud. We can get creative and innovative and scrappy AF. We can and will stay in this as long as is required.

Link mentioned:

Take my Shameless Summer Survey and win $100 gift card: shamelessmom.com/survey

Sponsor info and promo codes:

Please find our sponsor information here: shamelessmom.com/sponsor/
Interested in becoming a sponsor of the Shameless Mom Academy? Email our sales team at sales@adalystmedia.com

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

663: Amy Shlosberg: Women, Crime, and Our Dysfunctional Criminal Justice System Jun 29, 2022

Amy Shlosberg, Ph.D , is an Associate Professor of Criminology and Department Chair at Fairleigh Dickinson University where she teaches courses on Wrongful Conviction, Offender Reentry and Reintegration, Race and Crime, Penology, Comparative Justice Systems, Data Analysis and Research Methods. Her primary research focuses on miscarriages of justice, the negative implications of incarceration and issues surrounding reentry, with an emphasis on policy and procedural reform. She is also the co-host of two podcasts: Women & Crime and Direct Appeal

Amy and I connect via Instagram (where all the best relationships are born) and I immediately knew I wanted to have her on the show. The work she is doing in our criminal justice system is so important. And it’s so important that all of us US citizens understand the way our system works - and repeatedly fails to work. I learned so much in this conversation and I think you will too.

Listen in to hear Amy share:

How she got involved teaching people in prisons and why it lights her up
The impact of bringing university students into her prison classroom
What inspired her and her podcast co host to create Women & Crime
How women can be offenders and victims in our criminal justice system at the same time
Her thoughts on whether or not our current criminal justice system works
How the culture of poverty impacts our criminal justice system
Why people are wrongfully convicted and the role of bias in wrongful convictions
The problem with our bail system
Why she has hope for our criminal justice system in spite of its current

Links mentioned:

Take my Shameless Summer Survey and win $100 gift card: shamelessmom.com/survey
Connect with Amy: womenandcrimepodcast.com/
Podcast: Women and Crime
Podcast: Direct Appeal
Women and Crime on Instagram and Facebook: @womenandcrimepodcast

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662: How to Drop the Ball on Purpose Jun 27, 2022

Every time I’ve surveyed you all over the last 6 years, you have shared with me that overwhelm is one of your biggest struggles.

I HEAR YOU.

It seems no matter the season of life, if you are parenting, you are overwhelmed. Whether it’s the challenge of the constant caregiving logistics, that challenge of the state of the world, the challenge of holding emotional space for your children, or the challenge of trying to find some semblance of your own sense of self in all of this - IT IS A LOT. And it is CONSTANT.

Today, I’m giving you permission to start dropping some balls. Maybe one. Maybe two. Maybe, like 13???

In this episode, I walk you through how to determine which balls to drop and how to restructure time so you can keep the most important balls in the air.

I hope this episode helps you take a close look at what you can let go of in order to make space for more peace, joy and sanity.

Link mentioned:

Take my Shameless Summer Survey and win $100 gift card: shamelessmom.com/survey

Sponsor info and promo codes:

Please find our sponsor information here: shamelessmom.com/sponsor/
Interested in becoming a sponsor of the Shameless Mom Academy? Email our sales team at sales@adalystmedia.com

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661: Shari Leid: Identity Through Adoption, Internment, Career & Cancer Jun 22, 2022

Former litigator Shari Leid currently operates An Imperfectly Perfect Life, LLC, a professional mindset coaching business serving clients who are in those tricky middle age years, helping them create the life of their dreams. She is the author of the Friendship Flow transformational book series, which includes The 50/50 Friendship Flow: Life Lessons From and For My Girlfriends and Make Your Mess Your Message - More Life Lessons From and For My Girlfriends.

Shari’s life has been an incredible journey of identity shifting and identity shaping events that have led her to such a beautiful place of honoring who she is and how she wants to show up in the world and share her life with other women.

Listen in to hear Shari share:

Her story of being adopted from Seoul Korea in 1970 in the first wave of international adoptions by Japanese American parents who were interned during WWII
Her parent’s memories of living and working in internment camps
The impacts of her parent’s internment on her upbringing
How she ended up growing her family by 2 children in less than one year
How adopting her daughter brought her full circle in seeing her own adoption journey
Her massive shift in identity when she left a career as a litigating attorney to become a stay at home mom - and the major struggle to maintain her sense of self
The impact of her physical sense of self as she had double hip replacement from hip dysplasia and double mastectomy after a breast cancer diagnosis

Links mentioned:

Connect with Shari: animperfectlyperfectlife.com
Shari on LinkedIn
Shari on IG
Shari on FB
Shari on YouTube
Shari on TikTok

Sponsor info and promo codes:

Please find our sponsor information here: shamelessmom.com/sponsor/
Interested in becoming a sponsor of the Shameless Mom Academy? Email our sales team at sales@adalystmedia.com

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

660: 4 Ways for Moms to Get Across More Finish Lines Jun 20, 2022

As I’ve worked with moms over the last 19 (!!) years, I’ve noticed how quickly society sells us short. And how often we, in turn, sell ourselves short.

I want to invite you to cross more finish lines - BUT - not by working more or working harder. I want you to cross more finish lines, reach more goals, and live more of your dreams by simply owning and honoring who you are, where you’ve been and how that journey makes you completely magical, uniquely talented, and tough as nails.

Motherhood makes you a better leader, advocate, and citizen. Motherhood allows you to hone skills you never knew you’d need and maybe never wanted - master negotiator, thoughtful persuasionist, quick adaptor, highly efficient productivityist, and intentional & considerate champion of others. Motherhood positions you as an expert and an authority on compassion, connection, and unconditional love.

If you can own and honor these skills, the world opens up for you. But, we aren’t taught to own and honor these skills. Let’s change that.

In this episode, I’ll talk you through 4 ways you can leverage the gifts of motherhood in ways that can be mutually beneficial for you and for the world.

Sponsor info and promo codes:

Please find our sponsor information here: shamelessmom.com/sponsor/
Interested in becoming a sponsor of the Shameless Mom Academy? Email our sales team at sales@adalystmedia.com

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659: Jessica Sinarski: How to Own and Embrace Your Anger Jun 15, 2022

Jessica Sinarski is a highly sought-after therapist, speaker, and change-maker. Extensive post-graduate training and 15+ years as a clinician and educator led her to create the resource and training platform–BraveBrains. She makes brain science practical, helping parents and professionals become healers for hurting children. She is the author of the award-winning Riley the Brave series, Hello, Anger, and more.

This is Jessica’s third time on the show! Anytime she has a new book, I’m dying to get her back on the SMA. Jessica’s ability to help kids and parents understand brain science in order to support emotional management is incredible. I walk away from every conversation with Jessica feeling like I have a ton of new tools to support my child and myself.

Listen in to hear Jessica share:

What anger is and why it’s so crucial to talk about it now
The importance of recognizing anger as a protection mechanism
Why we need to recognize that anger is not bad
The vicious cycle of anger and shame
How mom overwhelm triggers anger
The importance of really accessing our anger and working through it vs avoiding it and stuffing it (which ultimately forces it to show up in dysfunctional ways)
How to explicitly ask for help with your anger or shame
Why it was important to her to write a book that honors anger, not shut it down

Links mentioned:

Connect with Jessica: www.bravebrains.com
Book Jess: info@bravebrains.com
Shop Books: www.rileythebrave.org/bookstorev2
Jessica on IG
Jessica on Twitter
Jessica on Facebook

Sponsor info and promo codes:

Please find our sponsor information here: shamelessmom.com/sponsor/
Interested in becoming a sponsor of the Shameless Mom Academy? Email our sales team at sales@adalystmedia.com

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

658: Lessons Learned Co-Chairing the PTA Jun 13, 2022

I have spent the last year co-chairing the Parent Association at Vinnie’s school. I have learned so much from this experience. I’ve stretched myself in new ways and humbled myself more than once. I’ve made incredible new friends and led in ways I never saw coming.

You may recall many occasions in which I encouraged moms to “Get off the PTA! Stop volunteering so much!” So, yes, I feel like a bit of a hypocrite sharing my commitment to our school’s Parent Association. But hear me out…

While I stand by the fact that moms over give and it’s a big problem, I am so grateful for this opportunity to show up and lead in new ways. I believe it has qualified me to lead in other new ways down the road. This role has allowed me to see myself as capable and qualified to do new things in my community that I never previously considered and that feels like a huge win and huge gift.

I’m not at all suggesting that you all go out and become Volunteer of the Year at your kids school. But, if you do choose to step into leadership in your community in a similar way, I think my lessons might help you.

To anyone from Vinnie’s school who might tune into this one, thank you for the opportunity to lead in this way and for affording me constant grace. I feel so fortunate to be a part of this community. It has been an honor to serve in this way.

Sponsor info and promo codes:

Please find our sponsor information here: shamelessmom.com/sponsor/
Interested in becoming a sponsor of the Shameless Mom Academy? Email our sales team at sales@adalystmedia.com

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

657: Miranda Anderson: Overcoming Perfectionism to Live More Adventurously Jun 08, 2022

As a speaker, teacher, podcast host and author, Miranda Anderson provides tools and inspiration for women to live a creative, adventurous, and intentional life. Starting out as a lifestyle blogger in 2007, Miranda now offers thousands of weekly listeners of the Live Free Creative podcast something new to think about, feel and DO as they move toward living the life of their dreams. In 2018, she published ‘More Than Enough’ to chronicle her family’s 12-month no-shopping challenge that both shaped their perspective and family culture, and informed some of her most popular content on sustainability and intentionality. Since then, she’s hosted online courses, creative retreats, and in-person workshops in her efforts to help those ‘go-getter at heart’ women who feel stuck by circumstances live a life more aligned with their dreams and values.

Listen in to hear Miranda share:

Her philosophy on “just going for it”, knowing full well she may fail
The massive impact of her 12 month no-shopping minimalism challenge, which inspired her book, More Than Enough
What she learned about herself and how she learned to listen to her intuition by not buying anything new for herself or her family of 5 for 12 months
How the 12 month challenge evolved and inspired her work today
How she helps moms adopt a sense of adventure as a mindset
Using adventure as a mindset and a lens to creativity, curiosity, connection, calm
The difference between perfectionism and striving in how we manage outcomes
How moms (especially risk averse or perfectionist moms) can practice being adventurous in low stakes way that can have big impact

Links mentioned:

Enroll in Momentum Mamas: shamelessmom.com/momentum
Connect with Miranda: livefreecreative.co
Join Miranda’s Grown Up Summer Camp July 14th-17th
Miranda’s Podcast: Live Free Creative
Miranda on Facebook
Miranda on Instagram
Miranda on Twitter
Miranda on YouTube
Miranda on Pinterest

Sponsor info and promo codes:

Please find our sponsor information here: shamelessmom.com/sponsor/
Interested in becoming a sponsor of the Shameless Mom Academy? Email our sales team at sales@adalystmedia.com

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

656: 5 Steps to Push Past the Fear & Noise Jun 06, 2022

Fear is a beast. Don’t get me wrong, fear can be functional. It can protect us from great harm. But, it can also hold us back from taking action. It can paralyze our heads and our hearts. It can prevent us from dreaming, doing, and becoming.

There are some very real reasons to carry fear right now. That will continue to be the case. So, how will you learn to navigate fear and all the internal and external noise that accompanies it?

Fear keeps us stuck.

Fear allows our inner critic to grow louder each and every day.

Fear keeps us stuck in inaction.

Right now, we cannot afford to sit in fear.

When we are feeling fear, everything constricts - our ability to see possibility and potential, our ability to be nimble and adaptive, our ability to see what else is true beyond our fear.

In this episode, I walk you through the ways that your fear might show up. Then, I share how to see it, listen to it, and continue to move through it - with it at your side instead of in your driver's seat.

Link mentioned:

Enroll in Momentum Mamas: shamelessmom.com/momentum

Sponsor info and promo codes:

Please find our sponsor information here: shamelessmom.com/sponsor/
Interested in becoming a sponsor of the Shameless Mom Academy? Email our sales team at sales@adalystmedia.com

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

655: Piers Kowalski: Shameless Transgender Dad Jun 01, 2022

Piers Kowalski is an average father of two with a not so average story.

Born and raised in Colorado, Piers lived and worked on the west coast for 11 years before moving back to Colorado with his wife. He started building a career in his dream field of performance psychology, his wife went back to school for nursing, and they had two children. They seemed to be living a typical life. But at the age of 36, Piers was seven years, two kids, and two dogs into marriage when he discovered he was transgender. He was afraid he was going to lose everything and everyone he loved.

On a mission to change the world, Piers shares his story of pain, self-discovery, fear, love, and hope to help others better understand the transgender experience, community, and humanity.

We have had parents of trans kids on the show in the past, but Piers is our first trans parent to come on the show. I am so grateful and honored that he said yes. This was a really special and important conversation. I hope you’ll listen and then share it widely.

Listen in to hear Piers share:

The unexpected process of realizing he was trangender at the age of 36
The choice he had to make to either live with his family as a women - internalizing destructive pain - or take the risk of transitioning to living in his full male identity and potentially lose everything that meant the most to him
The social conditioning of shame that creates immense and unnecessary pain for trans people
His experience coming out to his mom and where she made missteps out of love that ultimately caused harm
Simple steps cisgender people can support transgender people
His 4 part advice for parents of a child who identifies as trans/non-binary or who are gender expansive/diverse in their gender identity or expression

Links mentioned:

Sponsor info and promo codes:

Please find our sponsor information here: shamelessmom.com/sponsor/
Interested in becoming a sponsor of the Shameless Mom Academy? Email our sales team at sales@adalystmedia.com

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

654: How to Inspire Someone to Take Action May 30, 2022

How do you get people to do what you want them to do?

How do you help people make decisions that will benefit them?

How do you help people see the potential they have to be leaders, culture shifters, and culture shapers?

How do you move people to action?

This might sound daunting, I know. But here’s the thing… You are already doing this in your parenting. You help your children make decisions. You help your children see their potential. You walk them into opportunities that serve them. You probably also cheer for and champion your partners and friends when they are doing something great.

How can you take the next step to become someone who inspires others to take action, to step into their gifts to lead, to advocate for themselves and others?

You can do this. I’m going to give you 4 steps to do it. 4 steps to inspire your children, partner, parents, friends, and co-workers to become better action takers.

Sponsor info and promo codes:

Please find our sponsor information here: shamelessmom.com/sponsor/
Interested in becoming a sponsor of the Shameless Mom Academy? Email our sales team at sales@adalystmedia.com

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

653: Sonora Jha: How to Raise a Feminist Son May 25, 2022

Sonora Jha is the author of the memoir How to Raise a Feminist Son and the novel Foreign. After a career as a journalist covering crime, politics, and culture in India and Singapore, she moved to the United States to earn a Ph.D. in media and public affairs. Sonora’s op-eds, essays, and public appearances have featured in the New York Times, on BBC, and elsewhere. She is a professor of journalism and lives in Seattle.

I recently discovered Sonora and her book, How to Raise a Feminist Son, on Instagram. I got her audiobook and was hooked by the end of her introduction. Sonora is a phenomenal storyteller and truth teller. She is a magical combination of professor, comedian and friend as she digs into her life as a single mom who left India to bring her son to Seattle and raise him as a feminist as she built a family around them. I couldn’t be more excited and delighted to be sharing her with you all today.

Listen in to hear Sonora share:

How her 27 year old son is showing up as an activist for women’s rights today
What inspired her book, HOW TO RAISE A FEMINIST SON
How raising her son in the dark - at the movies - launched her and her son as a family unit into the world
How she intentionally built a family around her and her son - that did not include blood relatives
Why feminists can and should include men in their activism - and how we might need to check our biases and assumptions that men aren’t open to being feminists
How she redefined motherhood in order to raise a feminist son
Why it is important for men and boys to be intersectional feminists

Links mentioned:

Connect with Sonora: sonorajha.com
Book: How to Raise a Feminist Son by Sonora Jha
Book: Bad Feminist by Roxane Gay
Book: Inclusion on Purpose by Ruchika Tulshyan
Sonora on Twitter
Sonora on Instagram
Sonora on Facebook

Sponsor info and promo codes:

Please find our sponsor information here: shamelessmom.com/sponsor/
Interested in becoming a sponsor of the Shameless Mom Academy? Email our sales team at sales@adalystmedia.com

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

652: Madeline Reeves: Strategizing, Negotiating and Advocating for Your Needs at Work May 23, 2022

Madeline Reeves is the founder & CEO of Fearless Foundry, a creative consultancy that supports ambitious humans in building branding, marketing, and business development strategies that allow them to make a meaningful impact in the world. Madeline is an outspoken force for promoting equity, collaboration, and community in business and she spends her time working with clients, creating content, hosting the Finding Fearless podcast, and leading her growing team.

I have had the pleasure of interviewing Madeline as well as being interviewed by her and I can tell you she is the real deal. She walks the walk and lives the values she has posted on her walls and on social media. It’s been awesome getting to know her as we’ve guested on each other’s podcasts!

Listen in to hear Madeline share:

Her story of having the rug pulled out from under her in her corporate career
How to assess the cost of staying in a position that’s not working for you
The power and significance of negotiating and advocating for yourself even if you don’t get what you want
How to assess if a company is aligned with your core values and if they are actively LIVING their core values vs just plastering them on a wall
How having to go back to work 2 weeks postpartum fuels her work around parental leave policies
How to start building a strategy and plan if you want to make a career change or start your own business

Links mentioned:

Connect with Madeline: www.fearlessfoundry.com
Madeline’s podcast: Finding Fearless
Madeline’s interviewing Sara on Finding Fearless
Madeline on IG
Fearless Foundry on IG

Sponsor info and promo codes:

Please find our sponsor information here: shamelessmom.com/sponsor/
Interested in becoming a sponsor of the Shameless Mom Academy? Email our sales team at sales@adalystmedia.com

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

651: Luvvie Ajayi Jones: Be a Troublemaker and Raise a Troublemaker May 18, 2022

Luvvie Ajayi Jones is a two-time New York Times bestselling author, sought-after speaker, and podcast host who thrives at the intersection of humor, media, and justice. Her critically acclaimed books Professional Troublemaker: The Fear-Fighter Manual (2021) and I’m Judging You: The Do-Better Manual (2016) were instant bestsellers and established her as a literary force with a powerful pen. Her newest book Rising Troublemaker: A Manual for Teens is out NOW!

Luvvie is a proud disruptor who has been featured in NPR, Forbes, Inc, Fortune, Chicago Tribune, and more. She has disruptively graced the stages of Google, Facebook, Microsoft, Twitter, and Nike and many more top brands. Her renowned TED talk "Get Comfortable with Being Uncomfortable" has over 8 million views, has been transcribed into 23 languages, and has placed her in the Top 1% of TED Talks of all time.

Born in Nigeria, bred in Chicago and comfortable everywhere, Luvvie enjoys laying

around in her plush robe, eating a warm bowl of jollof rice in her free time. Her love

language is shoes.

Listen in to hear Luvvie share:

The importance and urgency of showing up in this very moment in history
How to be a Troublemaker in ways that are authentic and true to who you are
Why you must become a Professional Troublemaker yourself in order to raise a Troublemaker
Why Troublemakers need to ask more questions
How to circle back on missed chances to speak up
The 4 types of Troublemaker
3 things three things Rising Troublemakers can do every day to own your dopeness
The domino effect of using your words to have impact

Links mentioned:

Connect with Luvvie: luvvie.org/
Book: Rising Troublemaker: A Fear-Fighter Manual for Teens
Book: Professional Troublemaker: The Fear-Fighter Manual
Podcast: Professional Troublemaker
Luvvie’s Community: LuvvNation
Luvvie's Blog: https://awesomelyluvvie.com/
Luvvie on Social Media: @luvvie on all platforms

Sponsor info and promo codes:

Please find our sponsor information here: shamelessmom.com/sponsor/
Interested in becoming a sponsor of the Shameless Mom Academy? Email our sales team at sales@adalystmedia.com

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

650: 3 Steps to Build Your Summer Bucket List May 16, 2022

For a few years now I have walked you all through building Summer Bucket Lists. I love that a number of you have taken on this tradition with your families. It is such a fun and meaningful tradition.

When I told Vinnie I was going to record an episode on Summer Bucket Lists, he lit up. “Mom, it’s time to make ours!!” I asked him if he had any advice for all the Shameless Moms who are getting ready to make their Summer Bucket Lists and he told me, “You should put a lot of fun things on your list.”

So, FUN is the official #1 rule of Summer Bucket Lists.

In this episode I walk you through why Summer Bucket Lists are so special and meaningful as a family tradition. Then, I share a few (very loose) rules for building your Summer Bucket List. Lastly, I give you 3 steps/categories to use when creating your Summer Bucket Lists:

Old Traditions
New Adventures
Soul Nourishment (This one is just for you, mama. You’re welcome.)

After you listen to this episode, please create your Summer Bucket Lists and share them to inspire other mamas to make theirs. And make sure to tag me @shamelessmomacademy so I can see all the FUN you are planning this summer. (Don’t forget the FUN.)

Sponsor info and promo codes:

Please find our sponsor information here: shamelessmom.com/sponsor/
Interested in becoming a sponsor of the Shameless Mom Academy? Email our sales team at sales@adalystmedia.com

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

649: Neill Williams: How to Flip Your Mindset Around Productivity May 11, 2022

Neill Williams is a Master Certified Life and Productivity Coach, host of “The Unbusy Your Life” podcast, and creator of the Unbusy Entrepreneur Mastermind. Only after ditching her own belief that success was measured by the number of hours worked was Neill able to achieve true lifestyle freedom while juggling her roles as a mom, wife, Master Certified Coach, entrepreneur and employee. Now, she helps too busy high-achieving online entrepreneurs simplify their schedules to 30 hours or less for more time and lifestyle freedom.

Listen in to hear Neill share:

How she scaled her corporate job from 60 hours a week to 30 hours a week

Why she set a goal to quit working overtime hours after proudly being the employee with the most overtime hours for a long time

How to negotiate cutting work hours without cutting your salary

The two questions you should ask if you want to work fewer hours

The powerful difference between making a To Do List vs a Done List

How to shift your mindset around productivity and what you can get done in shorter time frames

Why she thinks “productivity” is an outdated concept that needs to be rethought

Why scheduling is a self care tool

How traditional jobs reinforce mom guilt and unnecessary busyness - and how the pandemic massively compounded this

How to catch yourself when you’re worrying about someone’s reactions to you

Links mentioned:

Connect with Neill: neillwilliams.com
Neill’s podcast: Unbusy Your Life
Neill on IG
Neill on FB

Sponsor info and promo codes:

Please find our sponsor information here: shamelessmom.com/sponsor/
Interested in becoming a sponsor of the Shameless Mom Academy? Email our sales team at sales@adalystmedia.com

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

648: My 3 Mother's Day Gifts to You May 09, 2022

I started dreaming up this episode last Sunday. The next day, the Supreme Court was outed on their plan to own our bodies. The next day, our family was hit with Covid.

By the time I sat down to record this, what I wanted to say shifted quite a bit. I was seeing this conversation through a totally different lens.

As you listen in, I want you to deeply understand how to honor yourself as well as how to keep showing up for the hard stuff - the stuff that is so critically important in our world right now. This episode gives you permission and guidance on how to do both.

In honor of Mother’s Day, let me confirm for you that you are an excellent mother. Full stop. And here are a few gifts I share with you, as you hold space for your excellence:

You don’t owe anyone anything
Your world can suck and be great simultaneously
The little ways you show up in the world are making a difference
BONUS - you gotta listen in for this one. (And it’s my favorite one!)

Sponsor info and promo codes:

Please find our sponsor information here: shamelessmom.com/sponsor/
Interested in becoming a sponsor of the Shameless Mom Academy? Email our sales team at sales@adalystmedia.com

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

647: Leah Carey: Good Girls Talk About Sex May 04, 2022

Leah Carey is a sex and intimacy coach and host of the podcast “Good Girls Talk About Sex.” She works with people eager to explore new avenues of their sexuality and fulfill their greatest desires, like: diving back into the dating pool after a long time away, having first-time queer experiences, investigating consensual non-monogamy, or learning how to communicate about kink.

This work was not an obvious life choice for Leah. Growing up with an abusive father, she learned to be a VERY “good girl.”

She got involved in a series of emotionally abusive relationships, always convinced that SHE was the problem – not pretty enough, smart enough, or sexually skilled enough. And because she wasn’t having pleasure during sex, so she was convinced she was broken.

At age 42, life threw Leah an opportunity to build a new story: with both parents gone and no siblings, she could put aside the family mythology of the “good girl.”

She began challenging her old beliefs about worthiness, attractiveness, and desirability. Watching her phenomenal growth, friends started seeking her out to help them do the same.

Today, Leah works with women JUST LIKE YOU to reflect their true sexual nature back to them, without the judgment, shame, or fear that can get in the way of seeing it for themselves.

Listen in to hear Leah share:

How growing up in an alcoholic and abusive household shaped her sexual identity
The challenge of healing trauma and overcoming sexual repression while her parents were still alive
The road trip that led her on her journey of sexual awakening
How her work with a sex worker was so healing and transformational
How going to a sex resort and not having any sex completely changed her relationship with her body for the better
Why connection and safety must trump sex even in trusted long term relationships
Why libido is likely not the issue holding back sex & intimacy in your life
Why moms are “touched out” and what to do about it
The current cultural shift in acceptance and normalization of sexual identities, practices and frameworks

Links mentioned:

Connect with Leah: LeahCarey.com
Leah’s podcast Good Girls Talk About Sex: GoodGirlsTalk.com
Leah on Instagram
Leah on Twitter
Leah on YouTube

Sponsor info and promo codes:

Please find our sponsor information here: shamelessmom.com/sponsor/
Interested in becoming a sponsor of the Shameless Mom Academy? Email our sales team at sales@adalystmedia.com

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

646: 3 Things I Didn’t Know I Desperately Needed on Vacation May 02, 2022

Last week we went on the spring break trip we had been planning for 4 years. We started planning this trip well before the pandemic hit and then had to cancel it and wait. And wait. And wait.

Over the last 2 years, we have done a decent job of taking time as a family to get away in ways that felt safe(ish). Things like road trips and camping trips. And these have all been great. But we were definitely missing bigger vacations and longer getaways to places further from home.

Last week, we spent a week on the tiny island of Isla Mujeres, just off the coast of Cancun, Mexico. It was the dreamiest trip (in spite of me completely throwing my back on Day 2.) The trip was dreamy because of its natural beauty - white sand beaches and the lightest turquoise water - but also because of how we managed the trip.

In this episode, I share 3 things that made this trip exactly the respite I didn’t know I desperately needed. I hope these 3 things inspire you to take a vacation this summer - in whatever way is accessible to you. I’m guessing you need a break - perhaps desperately so. You might not even realize how badly you need it. I certainly didn’t.

Listen in for some serious vacay inspo!

Sponsor info and promo codes:

Please find our sponsor information here: shamelessmom.com/sponsor/
Interested in becoming a sponsor of the Shameless Mom Academy? Email our sales team at sales@adalystmedia.com

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

645: Amy Green Smith: How to Walk Through Hard Conversations Apr 27, 2022

Amy Green Smith is a certified and credentialed life coach and hypnotherapist, masterful speaker, and personal empowerment expert. Amy uses her roles as coach, writer, podcaster, and speaker to move individuals to a place of radical personal empowerment and self-worth.

With acute focus on helping people “find their voice”, she is highly sought after for her uncommon style of irreverence, wisdom, and humor and has been a featured expert in Inspired Coach Magazine and on Fox 5 San Diego.

Amy and I were connected by our mutual friend - SHOUT OUT to Andrea Owen - who suspected we might hit it off. Well, we totally hit it off. I could have talked to Amy for days. Amy’s energy is infectious. The language in this episode matches the energy, so we have labeled this interview explicit. Hold on because you are in for a fantastic conversation.

Listen in to hear Amy share:

About her unexpected relationship with Eminem and cross stitch

The story of finding her voice and her confidence after growing up in an extremely conservative evangelical family

What happens if a person is emotionally flooded in a heated conversation

How to use a bridge statement in a hard conversation

How to use conversational consent in your conversation

Why “You are responsible for your intention, not your reception” in conversations, situations and relationships

Why people will not listen to other people if they don’t feel understood

What a boundary hangover looks and feels like

The defense mechanism of fawning that kept us safe when we were young, but has turned women into massive people pleasers

What happens when self-help goes wrong

Links mentioned:

Sponsor info and promo codes:

Please find our sponsor information here: shamelessmom.com/sponsor/
Interested in becoming a sponsor of the Shameless Mom Academy? Email our sales team at sales@adalystmedia.com

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644: Sarah Walton: How to Identify and Overcome High Functioning Co-Dependency Apr 25, 2022

Sarah Walton is a business mentor who’s been featured on The Today Show, speaks at women's conferences all over the world, and has helped hundreds of women start and grow businesses they LOVE. Originally from Salt Lake City, Sarah spent her 15-year corporate career in New York City, navigating the male-dominated world of tech, managing a P&L worth hundreds of millions of dollars, working closely with Marianne Williamson, mentoring dozens of women, and balancing motherhood at the same time. She’s the voice behind the Game On Girlfriend Podcast, and she's known for her weekly "Sarah Uncut" TV show on YouTube and LIVE "Coffee With Coach" streaming video conversations on Monday mornings.

When Sarah and I first started talking about things we could talk about on the show, she casually mentioned “high functioning co-dependency” and I immediately stopped her and exclaimed, “THAT’S IT.” There is quite possibly nothing my audience needs more. And, full disclosure… I knew I would benefit from this conversation too - and I did!! For better or worse, if you’re a high functioning, overachiever, people pleaser kinda person, I think you’ll learn a lot about yourself in this episode.

Listen in to hear Sarah share:

Her Grocery Store story that began her season of being a high-functioning co-dependence daughter
Why women are so high functioning and how this leads us to codependency
What keeps us locked into high-functioning codependency habits
The one question to ask yourself if you think you’re trapped in codependent habits
The devastating role of self betrayal in codependency
Dig into my own examples of high functioning codependency - yikes……
Why we, as women, are so reluctant to self-promote ourselves and market our brilliance

Links mentioned:

Connect with Sarah: sarahwalton.com
Sarah Uncut on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/SarahWalton1
Podcast: Game On Girlfriend
Book: The Gift of Failure
Sarah on IG
Sarah on FB

Sponsor info and promo codes:

Please find our sponsor information here: shamelessmom.com/sponsor/
Interested in becoming a sponsor of the Shameless Mom Academy? Email our sales team at sales@adalystmedia.com

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643: Nana Eyeson-Akiwowo: Overcoming the Societal Neglect of Moms in Their 4th Trimester Apr 20, 2022

Nana Eyeson-Akiwowo the co-founder of Fourth Phase aftercare boxes that support women in their 4th Trimester after giving birth. She is a social entrepreneur and seasoned humanitarian with a strong commitment to advocating adequate and accessible health care for all under-resourced women, children, and families. Fifteen years prior, after her dad suffered a heart attack in Ghana, Nana founded African Health Now (AHN), a global public health organization, to provide information and access to primary and maternity health care to women, children, and families living across Sub-Saharan Africa. To date, her work with AHN has serviced over 30,000 people in Ghana and Nigeria who are in need of basic health services readily available in America.

Before AHN and entering the world of non-profit work, Nana had a successful career in media, working for women's titles such as Honey, Suede, Essence, and Seventeen. Over the years, she has been repeatedly recognized for her philanthropic efforts, garnering multiple global awards.

Nana speaks English and Twi, the latter a language native to Ghana. She and her husband are the proud parents of a beautiful, eight-year-old girl. When she’s not working on Fourth Phase, she is in DIY heaven making balloon garlands, resurfacing furniture, and watching HGTV.

I immediately hit it off with Nana and want to go do DIY HGTV projects with her now! This conversation is as real and raw as they come. If your entrance into motherhood was not the stuff Instagram photos are made of, you will be able to deeply relate to Nana.

Listen in to hear Nana share:

Her journey into motherhood that defied every Instagram photo she had ever seen
How her non profit in Ghana inspired her work in maternal health care globally
How “fourth trimester” got added to the dictionary and why this is so important
What the fourth trimester is in definition
The massive gap of care for moms in the year after they give birth
The missions of Fourth Phase as a social impact maternal wellness brand that helps moms heal, feel, be heard in their 4th trimester
How Black moms are treated differently during and after childbirth
How she courted her co-founder, Marcia Cole, and how they started Fourth Phase as a team

Links mentioned:

Sponsor info and promo codes:

Please find our sponsor information here: shamelessmom.com/sponsor/

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642: 3 Simple Steps to Loving What You Already Have Apr 18, 2022

We all have days and seasons where we look around and think things like:

“Why is it so easy for everyone else?”

“If only I had what she has!”

“Why can’t I catch any breaks right now?!”

We look into other people’s apparently bright & lucious lives and feel twinges of envy, if not downright jealousy.

It happens to me, too. Trust me.

All of my childhood and youth I was surrounded by kids and families that had a lot more than me (materially, at least) and I spent so much time dreaming about what it must be like to live such a plentiful life.

What I’ve learned over the years is that everyone has more than me and no one has more than me. It all depends on how I want to look at my life on any given day.

In this episode, I walk you through 3 simple steps to loving what you already have so you can stop finding yourself in those moments of compare & despair and start finding moments of abundance, joy and MAGIC at every turn.

Sponsor info and promo codes:

Please find our sponsor information here: shamelessmom.com/sponsor/
Interested in becoming a sponsor of the Shameless Mom Academy? Email our sales team at sales@adalystmedia.com

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641: Cara Harvey: How to Be More Productive & Present and Prevent Burnout Apr 13, 2022

Cara is a Shameless Mom and Stepmom of 3. She works as a productivity coach and her mission is to help busy moms take massive action on their goals and 3x their productivity without overwhelm or burnout. . She does this via her blog, her wildly popular podcast - The Purpose Driven Mom Show, virtual community groups, and e-courses that help women learn to prioritize their lives!

Cara came on the show to talk about some of the most common struggles for moms: productivity, being present and preventing burnout. She has great tips on building micropriorities in order to stay in momentum and prevent losing motivation in your life.

Listen in to hear Cara share:

Why she left her teaching career and what inspired her current career
Her journey from building a 6 figure business to having to visit the food bank to feed her family
What it looked like to lose so much while managing her Postpartum Depression, Postpartum Anxiety and rage
The mindset shift that allowed her to build A Purpose Driven Mom
How to use seasonal productivity to organize your life
How to ID the season you are in in life in order to give yourself permission to be present in any season and appreciate it for what it is
The 4 microseasons to prevent burnout
How to use microproirities to reach your goals
The problem with simply relying on motivation to accomplish things
Her 15 Minutes Formula and the magical power of only 15 minutes

Links mentioned:

Connect with Cara: apurposedrivenmom.com
Cara on IG
Cara on FB
Get Cara’s 15 Minute Formula: the15minuteformula.com/free

Sponsor info and promo codes:

Please find our sponsor information here: shamelessmom.com/sponsor/
Interested in becoming a sponsor of the Shameless Mom Academy? Email our sales team at sales@adalystmedia.com

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640: How to Find Your People Apr 11, 2022

One of the most common struggles moms share with me is finding other mom friends. Making friends as a grown-up is so tricky. It can take a lot of time and energy - of which you have little (if any?) to spare.

My team and I recently created an Attraction/Amplification/Activation framework for my business coaching clients to help them build powerful business relationships. After I taught this framework, I realized it could be applied to friendships. So, that is what we are going to dig into in this episode.

Listen in to hear me share:

My Attraction/Amplification/Activation framework to finding awesome relationships
The 5 steps to attracting the right kind of friendships into your life
Specific conversation starters you can use with new folks you want to connect with and invite into your life
Ideas for new friend “dates”
How to connect with confidence when you might be feeling a little shy about inviting new friends into your life

Link mentioned:

Get my newsletter to learn about events where you can connect with other Shameless Moms: shamelessmom.com/newsletter

Sponsor info and promo codes:

Please find our sponsor information here: shamelessmom.com/sponsor/
Interested in becoming a sponsor of the Shameless Mom Academy? Email our sales team at sales@adalystmedia.com

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639: Kate Swenson: Forever Boy: A Mother's Memoir of Autism and Finding Joy Apr 06, 2022

Kate Swenson is a proud working mama of four living in suburban Minnesota. She lives for coffee, preaches kindness like her life depends on it and is continuously surprised by the twists and turns of motherhood. Her son Cooper was diagnosed with autism when he was three years old and since then life hasn’t slowed down. Her daily life consists of keeping tiny humans alive and writing, creating videos, and influencing. She launched Finding Cooper's Voice 5 years ago for a place to share her feelings and today it is almost a million people strong.

Listen in to Kate share:

How she wrote a book as a pregnant mom of 4 during the pandemic
The process of her son Cooper being diagnosed with autism
The taboo nature of grieving your child’s diagnosis
How she held grief and relief simultaneously after Cooper’s diagnosis
How she and her husband grieved differently, leading to their divorce and eventual reconciliation and remarriage
What communication looks like for Cooper as a non verbal child
How to use language in an inclusive way (special needs vs disabilty, autistic child vs child with autism)
The backlash and bullying she received after going viral talking about autism
Her new book Forever Boy: A Mother's Memoir of Autism and Finding Joy - and why every parent should read it

Links mentioned:

Join my business training: Build Your Courageous & Confident CEO Blueprint: shamelessmom.com/ceo
Connect with Kate: https://findingcoopersvoice.mysites.io
Kate on FB
Kate on IG
Book: Forever Boy: A Mother's Memoir of Autism and Finding Joy

Sponsor info and promo codes:

Please find our sponsor information here: shamelessmom.com/sponsor/
Interested in becoming a sponsor of the Shameless Mom Academy? Email our sales team at sales@adalystmedia.com

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

638: Sometimes Quitting Is Upleveling Apr 04, 2022

Quitting is often synonymous with failure or laziness or not enoughness. But the truth is… sometimes quitting is upleveling.

Recently, I was on a call with a coaching client and she was sharing some of the shame she was carrying around changing jobs 4 times in one year. As we talked through each job, she shared how her titles and roles became bigger and carried more responsibilities. She had made significant jumps in each new position. Then she charted out her salary in each position to see that she increased her salary with each new role, and over the course of the year, she doubled her salary. Doubled!

So, I asked her this:

Is it true that each job you quit allowed you to up-level in the next job?

When she realized this to be the truth, she became emotional, explaining that she never knew she could carry the title she now carries, nor support her family with this level of income.

Sometimes quitting is upleveling. In fact, sometimes the only way to up-level is to quit something.

When you quit one thing, you make space for the next thing. With every conscious choice to say NO to one thing, you make space for a YES somewhere else.

Whether you are quitting a job, a relationship, a task/chore, a role, spending your time or energy in a certain way, you are making space to move into jobs, roles, relationships, time & energy in a way that is more aligned with your values and who you are becoming. This is upleveling. This is growth. This is power.

Tune into this episode to learn more about the power of quitting and how to reframe quitting in your mind in order to step into growth in a more intentional way.

Link mentioned:

Join my business training: Build Your Courageous & Confident CEO Blueprint: shamelessmom.com/ceo

Sponsor info and promo codes:

Please find our sponsor information here: shamelessmom.com/sponsor/
Interested in becoming a sponsor of the Shameless Mom Academy? Email our sales team at sales@adalystmedia.com

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637: Sage B. Hobbs: How To Sit in Conversations About Race and Culture as a White Woman Mar 30, 2022

Sage B. Hobbs is the author of Naked Communication and the host of Race, Culture, & Beyond: A Naked Conversations Podcast Series. Sage’s passion for maximizing human potential, building emotional intelligence, and cultivating cultures of equity has led to over 20 years of experience working in public, private, and not-for-profit sectors. Her speciality is relational leadership and communication, enabling leaders and team members to create positive relationships and organizational cultures that ensure greater success and satisfaction.

With a commitment to continual learning of diversity, equity, and inclusion, Sage brings an equity lens to all of her work. She’s comfortable facilitating uncomfortable conversations in order to support the growth and impact that her clients seek.

Sage and I became friends after she was on my show for the first time a couple years ago. As her work has evolved to be more centered around DEI work, we have had some great conversations around what it means to be a white woman talking about race and culture in America. I know many of you are committed to diversity, equity and inclusion across your communities, so I thought this would be a really valuable conversation to have here.

Listen in to hear Sage share:

How we are building resilience in the smallest moments of joy right now
Her daily 10 minute practice with 3 girlfriends that has had massive impact over the last few months
Why she decided to launch her podcast, Race, Culture, and Beyond, and the considerations she made to create a show on race as a white woman
How she’s handled making inadvertent microaggressions on her show
The truth about being an ally, who gets to own that word and the significance of ally being a verb
How we can make equity a throughline in all the ways we show up in various communities
The power of choosing curiosity over assumption to de escalate conflict and come to a solution
How to make space for everyone, especially introverts and slower processors, in conversations

Links mentioned:

Join my April 6th business training, Build Your Courageous & Confident CEO Blueprint: shamelessmom.com/ceo
Podcast: Race, Culture, and Beyond
Connect with Sage: sagebhobbs.com
Sage on LinkedIn
Sage on Instagram: @sagebhobbs and @racecultureandbeyondpodcast
TV Shows: Queen Sugar and Remy
Book: Me and White Supremacy by Layla Saad

Sponsor info and promo codes:

Please find our sponsor information here: shamelessmom.com/sponsor/
Interested in becoming a sponsor of the Shameless Mom Academy? Email our sales team at sales@adalystmedia.com

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636: How to Get Grounded When Your World is Spinning Mar 28, 2022

“I feel like I’m floating above my body, watching myself move through the world.”

At least 3 coaching clients have told me this in the last week or so.

So many of us are navigating big seasons of change, growth, and transformation. Sometimes that is accompanied by feeling like your world is spinning out of control like you’re moving through your days with no sense of which way is up like your feet are not planted firmly on the ground.

This might be because the pace of life is just really fast right now. It might be because you are entering a new season of uncertainty. It might be because there has been a big professional shift for you. It might be because a significant relationship in your life has shifted - or ended.

Regardless of why you’re feeling this sensation of floating over yourself, it is absolutely possible to bring your feet back to the ground and feel yourself planted in the moment and in your day. It is possible to bring back a sense of awareness to what you CAN control when things feel out of control. It is possible to learn to return to yourself and feel a sense of ease in moments of dis-ease.

In this episode, I walk you through 6 ways you can get grounded when you feel like your world is spinning out of control. These are simple things you can do to get your feet planted beneath you in order to feel a sense or calm and power as you navigate a hard day or a hard season.

Link mentioned:

Join my April 6th business training, Build Your Courageous & Confident CEO Blueprint: shamelessmom.com/ceo

Sponsor info and promo codes:

Please find our sponsor information here: shamelessmom.com/sponsor/
Interested in becoming a sponsor of the Shameless Mom Academy? Email our sales team at sales@adalystmedia.com

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635: Deeann Graham: Head On: Stories of Alopecia Mar 23, 2022

Deeann Graham is the award-winning author of Head-On, Stories of Alopecia, and an alopecia coach/consultant, educator, and advocate. She was first diagnosed with alopecia areata (an autoimmune hair loss condition) when she was 7-years-old. She published Head-On, Stories of Alopecia to share stories and photos of people around the world who are living with alopecia, in order to provide a broad perspective on the journey of hair loss. Educating communities in order to empower others who have been diagnosed, especially in the beauty and medical industries, is an important part of Deeann's outreach. She is also the course creator of the Alopecia Roadmap, and host of the Alopecia Life podcast where she continues to educate and share stories to help others realize they are not alone.

Listen in to hear Deeann share:

Alopecia 101: what alopecia is and how it can manifest differently in people
The difference between alopecia and alopecia areata
What her life was like as a 7 year who experienced total hair loss
What it was like to not know anyone with alopecia like her for 30 years to then making 500 new friends with alopecia
Her decision to stop wearing wigs when her daughter was in the 2nd grade and how she handled kids at her daughter’s school talking about her
Where people experiencing hair loss can turn for support
What to say and what not to say to someone who is bald or balding

Links mentioned:

Join my free CEO training for small business owners: shamelessmom.com/ceo
Connect with Deeann: alopecialife.com/
Get Deeann’s Book: Head-On, Stories of Alopecia
Deeann’s Podcast: Alopecia Life
Deeann on IG
Deeann’s FB Group
Nonprofits: https://www.childrensalopeciaproject.org | https://www.naaf.org/

Sponsor info and promo codes:

Please find our sponsor information here: shamelessmom.com/sponsor/
Interested in becoming a sponsor of the Shameless Mom Academy? Email our sales team at sales@adalystmedia.com

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

634: Struggling with Self Worth? Start Here Mar 21, 2022

One of the most common struggles for women and moms centers around self-worth. Because we are taught from such an early age that we should look a certain way, act a certain way, desire certain things, reject certain things, we often spend a lot of our lives questioning ourselves.

We wonder if we are enough, if we are qualified, if we are making the right choice, if we should try harder if we should do things more like others are doing them,

We think about how we might be more perfect or polished or positive.

We assume other people have it all figured out.

We feel alone and isolated and confused.

Over the last 6 years, and in my 15-year fitness career before the Shameless Mom Academy, countless women have told me they struggle with self-worth.

If you struggle with self-worth, whether it’s been a struggle your entire life or it’s something that is hard for you in this particular season, this episode is for you.

Listen in as I walk you through 5 simple steps to start shifting your self-worth today.

Link mentioned:

Join my free CEO training for small business owners: shamelessmom.com/ceo

Sponsor info and promo codes:

Please find our sponsor information here: shamelessmom.com/sponsor/
Interested in becoming a sponsor of the Shameless Mom Academy? Email our sales team at sales@adalystmedia.com

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633: Reshma Saujani: The Future of Women and Work Mar 16, 2022

Reshma Saujani is a leading activist and the founder of Girls Who Code and the Marshall Plan for Moms. She has spent more than a decade advocating for women’s and girls’ economic empowerment, working to close the gender gap in the tech sector, and, most recently, championing policies to support mothers impacted by the pandemic. Saujani is also the author of the international bestseller Brave, Not Perfect, and her influential TED talk, “Teach Girls Bravery, Not Perfection,” has more than five million views. She began her career as an attorney and Democratic organizer, and she now lives in New York City with her husband, Nihal; their sons, Shaan and Sai; and their bulldog, Stanley.

I have been a long-time follower and admirer of Reshma’s work and her relentless commitment to her mission. I was so delighted when she said yes to this conversation. As you listen to Reshma share how she sees the future of work for women and moms in America, I think you will see yourself reflected over and over again as she offers story after story that Illuminates the impossible expectations put upon moms over the last two years.

Listen in to hear Reshma share:

What is the Future of Women and Work – and why is it different than we think
What women are looking for in an employer
The long term significance of 2.3 million women leaving the workforce in the last year
Her Marshall Plan for Moms, what came out of it, why it’s critically important in this historical moment
What all moms can do to be a part of the PAY UP movement to push through change for moms and women in the workforce across the country
Why it’s imperative that we “not waste a good crisis”
The constant cognitive dissonance for moms around being told we can have it all and not having access to having it
Why she is critical of the feminist movement and is still a Feminist

Links mentioned:

Connect with Reshma: reshmasaujani.com
Get Reshma’s Book: PAY UP: The Future of Women and Work
Reshma on IG
Reshma on Twitter

Please find our sponsor information here: shamelessmom.com/sponsor/

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632: How to Change Your State to Change Your Day Mar 14, 2022

Last week I got stuck. A cascade of hard events plus solo parenting for the week plus general pandemic/war/life fatigue caught up with me.

I don’t get stuck often. But every now and then, if I don’t check myself, a series of hard events will send me spiraling into a funkity funk funk.

Last week was a funkity funk funk week for sure.

After sitting in my funkity funk funk for a good 20 hours or so, I decided it was time to pull out my tools.

After many years of defunktifying myself, I know exactly what works for me. After 19 years of coaching women, I know what works for most folks.

If you happen to fall into your own funkity funk funks every now and then, this episode is for you. I’m going to walk you through exactly how to defunktify yourself by changing your state to change your day.

These tools are really simple, but ridiculously and predictably powerful. They WORK.

So, let’s defunktify, shall we?

Link mentioned:

Leave a review for the SMA: shamelessmom.com/review

Please find our sponsor information here: shamelessmom.com/sponsor/

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631: Margaret Ables and Amy Wilson: What Fresh Hell - Laughing in the Face of Motherhood Mar 09, 2022

Margaret Ables and Amy Wilson, are comedians, mothers, and hosts of the podcast What Fresh Hell: Laughing in the Face of Motherhood.

What Fresh Hell regularly ranks at the top of the Parenting and Kids and Family charts on Apple Podcasts, and has over five million lifetime downloads. In each episode Margaret and Amy discuss a parenting topic from their usually-completely opposite perspectives.

Amy Wilson is the author of When Did I Get Like This? The Screamer, The Worrier, The Dinosaur-Chicken-Nugget Buyer, and Other Mothers I Swore I’d Never Be (HarperCollins) and of Mother Load, a one-woman show which she toured to 16 cities after its hit off-Broadway run. She also appeared as a series regular in two sitcoms (Daddio on NBC and Norm on ABC). She and her husband live in New York City with their three kids.

Margaret Ables is a comedian and writer whose work has appeared on MTV, Comedy Central, Nickelodeon, and PBS. Margaret created television shows for Klasky Csupo (creators of Rugrats) and was the head of video production for Nickelodeon’s mom-centric channel NickMom. Margaret also teaches improv and public speaking in correctional facilities for the non-profit organization Rehabilitation Through the Arts. She and her husband live in Westchester, NY with their three kids.

I met Amy and Margaret via our mutual podcast editing team (SHOUT OUT to Christy and Allison!) Christy had a sense we might hit it off and, of course, she was spot on.

Listen in to hear Margaret and Amy share:

How they came together to create WFH and how each bring their unique strengths to create support for parents
how parenting changes and evolves us over the years
why we don’t need to fear or resist the constant growth that parenting provides
Why new ventures and unchartered territory feel so big and daunting as we approach them, but then so much smaller in hindsight
How parenting problems over the years. IE: little kids = lots of problems/easy to solve, big kids = fewer problems, harder to solve
The difference between “easy” parenting and satisfying parenting
What satisfying parenting looks like and how it can look sooo different than what you expected

Links mentioned:

Connect with Margaret and Amy: whatfresshhellpodcast.com
Podcast: What Fresh Hell
WFH on IG
WFH FB Group

Please find our sponsor information here: shamelessmom.com/sponsor/

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

630: 3 Simple Ways To Start Speaking Up Mar 07, 2022

I had the honor of speaking at an event for moms last week. My talk was “How to Play Bigger in Life without Asking Permission.” After my talk, there was time for Q&A and the question folks kept circling back to was, “How do I start to speak up so I can play a bigger game?”

A number of attendees noted they were so in the habit of not speaking up that they didn’t know where or how to start using their voices.

Because women have been socialized to stay small and quiet, we often have to really make a concerted effort to actually use our voices.

I gave these women three steps to start practicing speaking up:

Practice stating your preferences out loud
Practice stating your needs out loud
Practice sharing opposing opinions in neutral ways

These steps are intended to be practiced over time, in this order. Start out with low risk/low exposure steps. The stakes are typically pretty low when you’re stating a preference: “I prefer pepperoni pizza to sausage & mushroom.” Or, “I would prefer to watch Movie ABC vs Movie XYZ this evening.”

Once you’ve practiced #1 and #2 over time, you can move to higher exposure speaking up - where the risks and stakes are higher. This is where you can start to practice sharing an opposing opinion in a neutral way, “Thank you for sharing your opinion/experience. That hasn’t been my experience.” Or, “Thank you for sharing your opinion/experience. I see it differently.” Make sure to listen in to the episode to learn how to do #3 safely, this part is important!

Listen in to learn more about how to practice speaking up - in order to get what you want and, ultimately, in order to impact the world.

Please find our sponsor information here: shamelessmom.com/sponsor/

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629: Jen Kem: Staying Values Driven Through Having It All, Losing It All and Building It All Again Airs Mar 02, 2022

Jennifer Kem is a San Francisco Bay Area-based brand building and leadership expert who gets entrepreneurs seen, heard, and paid for being themselves.

She’s the creator of the Master Brand Method: a framework to develop powerful brand archetypes that win customers’ hearts, leveraging Jennifer’s 20 years of corporate experience and her launching of multiple companies.

What she is most passionate about in her work today is her legacy project: Femmefluence, a platform that supports women leaders to fully rise into their influence and affluence, so they can make an even greater impact in the world.

Jennifer serves up straight talk wrapped in love, because she understands entrepreneurs’ challenges. She built a retail business and became a millionaire at 32, only to lose it all in the recession two years later. She is now the successful owner of three million-dollar brand-building businesses and the mother of three children.

I’ve had the opportunity to overlap Jen in a few business groups over the last couple years and she is a force. I finally got to meet her a few months ago and I decided to ask her to be a guest on the show. I was elated when she said yes, as I know she has such a compelling story.

Listen in to hear Jen share:

Her experience of going through a violating event in her corporate career that changed the trajectory of her work and her life
How she went from having it all, to losing it all, to building it all again - all on her own terms as she navigated being a wife and mom
What happened when she built and then lost a 10 million dollar a year business
What it means to be Values Driven and why it’s crucial to know your values in life and work/business
How your values can guide you to make confident and clean decisions
How to find and define your values by clarifying your voids and violations

Links mentioned:

Please find our sponsor information here: shamelessmom.com/sponsor/

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628: The Power Of Taking Tiny Action Feb 28, 2022

There are times when we look at something we would like to accomplish and it just feels too far out of reach - like the work required to get us to that point is not only completely overwhelming but also elusive in nature.

When we consider taking action we think:

How will I find the time?

How will I find the energy?

How will I acquire the skills?

Do I even have what it takes?

By the time we get through this list of questions, we decide it’s too hard, will take too long, we definitely don’t have the skills and we don’t know where to begin to acquire them.

So, we do nothing.

I want to invite you to an alternative way to take action in your life: practice taking tiny action.

What is tiny action?

Tiny action is those little steps that we are tempted to skip entirely because we falsely assume they don’t matter or won’t make a difference.

But the truth is that if we want to become better action takers, taking tiny action might just be the prerequisite you didn’t know you needed.

Taking tiny action is taking any action step and making it smaller, less overwhelming, less time consuming, less frequent, less energy-consuming.

When we practice taking tiny action over time, we begin to see the effects of compound interest: 10 minutes of exercise each day that boosts energy and productivity
10 minutes of reading each day that inspires our work or our way of thinking
Yoga once a week that alleviates back pain
Date nights once a month that improve our marriage
Asking for what we need from our family once a week that leads to more personal time Speaking up at the monthly office meeting that leads to being considered for a new role at work

As we take action in these small ways, our identity starts to shift and we see ourselves as more capable, more confident, more courageous. We see ourselves as action takers who go after the things we want and actually get them!

This shift is not tiny. Taking tiny action leads to BIG shifts. In this episode, I share 4 ways taking tiny action gives you more power. Then, I share 3 simple steps to taking tiny action #everydamnday.

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627: Laurel Handfield: From Low Self-Worth And Self-Harm To Creating Books For Girls Of Color Feb 23, 2022

Laurel Handfield began her writing career years ago in a small, suburban town outside of Philadelphia, PA. In college, she majored in business marketing and after graduation, she worked in sales, marketing, and advertising. However, a trip to the Bahamas led to a shift in focus and a rediscovery of her true passion: writing.

Her vacation to the islands turned into an unexpected romance when she met and fell in love with her now-husband. After two years in a long-distance relationship, she decided to move to the Bahamas permanently. While life in the Bahamas was slower and more relaxed, she also discovered that her marketing career didn’t hold quite as much opportunity on the islands as it did in the United States, so she went back to creating. She wrote and ghostwrote over five full-length novels, including a fictional tale about the only Black family on the Titanic.

Today, Laurel creates coloring/activity books for young girls of color. She still calls the Bahamas home and enjoys the laid-back island life with her husband, three children, and two dogs.

Listen in to hear Laurel share:

Her journey of building her self esteem as a young Black girl and then a Black woman
The impact of being teased for her looks and physical attributes as a young girl
How the impact of her low self-worth led to self-harm in the form of an eating disorder
How she healed from her low self-esteem and eating disorder - and recognized what an epidemic there was around the struggles she was facing
What inspired her work to create books and coloring books for girls of color
How moms can affirm their daughter’s worth in different ways
Her advice to moms who might want to write a book

Links mentioned:

Join me in Jen Lumanlan’s 10 week Taming Your Triggers workshop: shamelessmom.com/taming
Connect with Laurel: www.happyislandpress.com
Laurel’s Books on Amazon: Happy Island Press
Laurel on FB
Laurel on IG
Laurel on TikTok

Please find our sponsor information here: shamelessmom.com/sponsor/

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626: Sara & Laura Cathcart Robbins Recap Their Dr. Phil Appearance and CRT Feb 21, 2022

Back in August of 2021, I got a text from my dear friend Laura Cathcart Robbins:

“Sara, I know this is crazy, but I’m going on the Dr. Phil show on Wednesday to talk about CRT and they’ve just asked me if I know of any white moms who might be willing to speak as an ally and I thought of you. Would this be something you would consider?”

I thought for a solid 30 seconds, felt like I might vomit, and then said YES.

The next day, I flew to LA to record the show.

It was a whirlwind event around a huge topic: Should Critical Race Theory be Taught in Schools?

This week, I asked Laura if she would come on the SMA (for the 3rd time - WHOOP!) to have a conversation around our experience and around Critical Race Theory in America.

If you’re not familiar with Laura, she is the host of the popular podcast, The Only One In The Room (you must subscribe!), and author of the forthcoming Atria/Simon& Schuster memoir, STASH (due out in spring of 2023). She has been active for many years as a speaker and school trustee and is credited for creating The Buckley School’s nationally recognized committee on Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Justice. Her recent articles in Huffpo and The Temper on the subjects of race, recovery, and divorce have garnered her worldwide acclaim. She is a LA Moth StorySlam winner and currently sits on the advisory boards of the San Diego Writer’s Festival and the Outliers HQ podcast Festival.

In this conversation, Laura and I dig into:

Why each of us said YES to appearing on Dr. Phil
Some of the behind the scenes surprises while taping the show
What Critical Race Theory actually is
Our takeaways from the conversation we had with 6 other guests on the show - all of whom had strong opinions and some very opposed to ours
What the media is actually talking about when they talk about “Critical Race Theory in schools”
Steve Bannon’s involvement in creating an intentionally divisive conversation for Conservatives to more easily pave the road to the White House
What is actually being taught in schools that is being misrepresented as Critical Race Theory
Why age appropriate race education is crucial in schools

Links mentioned:

Join me in Jen Lumanlan’s 10 week Taming Your Triggers workshop: shamelessmom.com/taming
Connect with Laura: theonlyonepod.com/
Podcast: The Only One In The Room
Laura on YouTube
Laura on IG

Please find our sponsor information here: shamelessmom.com/sponsor/

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625: Melissa Guida-Richards: What White Parents Should Know About Transracial Adoption Feb 16, 2022

Melissa Guida-Richards is a Shameless Mom to two little boys and the author of WHAT WHITE PARENTS SHOULD KNOW ABOUT TRANSRACIAL ADOPTION. Melissa uses her gift of writing to help other adoptees and adoptive families. Her work has been featured in The Independent, Zora, Insider, HuffPo, Level at Medium, Electric Literature, Hello Giggles. And she had a viral Huffpost Article, My Adoptive Parents Hid My Racial Identity For 19 Years. She is also a contributing writer for The Everymom.

I am in a Facebook group for writers and when Melissa shared a bit of her story in that group, I immediately reached out to ask her if she’d be willing to join me here on the podcast. I’m so grateful that she said yes.

Listen in to hear Melissa share:

Her adoption story of being adopted from an orphanage in Colombia, being raised in New York, and not being told she was adopted until age 19
The process of discovering she was Latina, not Portuguese Italian, as her family had led her to believe
The process of having her article, My Adoptive Parents Hid My Racial Identity For 19 Years, go viral
The evolution of her relationship with her parents in the years after discovering she was adopted
What inspired her to write her first book, What White Parents Should Know About Transracial Adoption
Important notes for white adoptive parents or prospective white adoptive parents
Her experience of finding her biological sisters and mom
How having her own children created an entire process of grieving around her adoption
How she’s connected to her Colombian culture as an adult and as a mom raising Colombian sons

Links mentioned:

Join me in Jen Lumanlan’s 10-week Taming Your Triggers workshop: shamelessmom.com/taming
Connect with Melissa: AdopteeThoughts.com
Melissa’s Book, What White Parents Should Know About Transracial Adoption
Melissa on IG

Please find our sponsor information here: shamelessmom.com/sponsor/

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624: 8 Top Triggers for Moms in 2022 Feb 14, 2022

For the last couple weeks, I have been talking about triggers in parenting - and life. I had to laugh as I was putting together content for this episode. As I was preparing my notes early one morning, Vinnie told me his “nose was burning.” He shared this about 7 minutes before we were supposed to leave for school. Of course.

Given the current Covid climate, I couldn’t just send him to school. We had to talk through a litany of symptoms, take his temperature, run a rapid Covid test… All the damn things required if one has the slightest inkling their child might be bringing germs to school.

The Covid test came back negative, but with a sore throat (aka “burning nose”) and a bit of congestion on board, V had to stay home from school. This was NOT the plan I had for my day. NOT AT ALL.

I found myself totally triggered in the middle of creating this episode on the top triggers facing moms in 2022. Talk about ironic timing…

I know I’m not the only mom who is super over the constant uncertainty of every single day, the endless pivoting of best laid plans, and the chronic fatigue of juggling 197 things #everydamnday.

In this episode, I share the 8 top triggers impacting moms right now as well. It is my hope that you will feel seen and held as reflect on all that you are being expected to manage right now. Then I offer you some “medicine” to support your mental and emotional health as you continue to show up day after day doing your very best.

As always, we are in this together. I’m losing my shit just as often as you… promise. Let’s stick together, shall we.

Link mentioned:

Join me in Jen Lumanlan’s 10 week Taming Your Triggers workshop: shamelessmom.com/taming

Please find our sponsor information here: shamelessmom.com/sponsor/

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623: Jen Lumanlan: Taming Your Triggers In Motherhood Feb 09, 2022

Jen Lumanlan holds a Masters in Psychology in Child Development and hosts the Your Parenting Mojo podcast, which is a reference guide for parents of children between the toddler and elementary years based on scientific research and the principles of respectful parenting. In each episode, she examines a topic related to parenting and child development from all sides to help parents understand how to make decisions about raising their children. She lives in California with her husband and daughter.

This is Jen’s second time on the show. She is back this time to talk about taming your triggers in parenting, which is a very timely topic, like every parent I know is feeling especially spread thin and beyond exhausted after enduring the last two years. We dig into the concept of parenting triggers and then Jen coaches me about a trigger that is very front and center in my own parenting journey right now. Please enjoy hearing me get uncomfortable!

Listen in to hear Jen share:

Why you’re feeling triggered by your child's behavior
How your parenting triggers might be connected to your own “little t” traumas or “big T” traumas of your past
How your own trauma of unmet needs impacts your parenting
The “magic bullet” to help you manage guilt and shame in hard parenting moments
Coaching me through raising an extrovert who likes to be really loud all the time
Scripts you can use to navigate conversations with your child so you can both get your needs met in hard moments
The connection between our parenting and smashing the patriarchy
The value in practicing repairing your relationship with your child after having a hard moment
How to work with her (and me!) in her 10-week workshop, Taming Your Triggers

Links mentioned:

Sign up for Jen’s free Masterclass on February 12th: How to Tame Your Triggers Around Your Child's Difficult Behavior: shamelessmom.com/triggers
Join me and enroll in Jen’s 10-week workshop, Taming Your Triggers between February 13th-23rd: shamelessmom.com/taming
Book: Set Boundaries, Find Peace

Please find our sponsor information here: shamelessmom.com/sponsor/

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622: You Don't Need To Be A Better Mom Feb 07, 2022

I was in a conversation with a coaching client the other day and we were hashing out some details around her company branding and mission. She is a badass coach who works with moms who want to learn how to prioritize themselves in order to shift the relationship to self and the way they parent to overcome things like mom rage and all the other overwhelming emotions that come with momming on any given day.

As we were talking through some ideas, she mentioned how the moms she works with want to “become better moms”. I found myself nodding along. Yes, of course! Who doesn’t want to be a better mom?!

The next morning. I found myself in the shower thinking about this conversation and I had a visceral reaction.

NO. WE DON’T NEED TO BECOME BETTER MOMS.

I get that we desire to be our very best for our kids.

And we always want to become better versions of ourselves.

I know so many of you listening are committed to growth and evolution and doing better when it comes to everything from the way you mother to the way you show up at work to the way you participate as a good citizen in your communities.

But, if we are carrying with us this constant idea that, “I need to be a better mom”, we are likely carrying guilt, shame and a strong sense of not enoughness.

It is quite possible that your desire to “become a better mom” is completely undermining the incredible mother you already are.

In this episode, I dig into how you can change your mindset around the mother you currently are in order to bring more joy and peace to mothering and life in general.

You are already an amazing mom. Full stop.

Link mentioned:

Sign up for Jen Lumanlan’s free Masterclass on February 12th: How to Tame Your Triggers Around Your Child's Difficult Behavior: shamelessmom.com/triggers

Please find our sponsor information here: shamelessmom.com/sponsor/

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621: Amy Henderson: How Motherhood Changes Your Brain And Makes You More Marketable Feb 02, 2022

Amy Henderson is one of our nation’s leading voices on the critical role of parenting and caregiving in developing the future of work. Amy has three kids and is the founding CEO of TendLab, where she has been working with companies and their parents’ groups at places like Salesforce, Accenture, Cloudflare, Airbnb, Lululemon, and many others to optimize the workplace for parents. As cited in Forbes for her "truly collaborative nature," Amy also started and co-leads the Fam Tech Founders Collaborative, a network of over 180 founders who are solving for the needs of caregivers.

A regular speaker and author advocating on behalf of the power of parenthood at work, Amy has been featured in and written for The Wall Street Journal, Forbes, Fortune, Fast Company, Slate, InStyle, and more. Her book, 'Tending: Parenthood and the Future of Work," was published by Nationbuilder Books in May 2021.

I got to hear Amy speak at an event for her book recently and I was blown away. I reached out to her (aka: stalked her down online) immediately after the event and asked her to join me for an interview. I’m so delighted and honored she said yes. Her work is not only brilliant, but absolutely critical, right now.

Listen in to hear Amy share:

Her stark realizations after having 3 kids under the age of 4 and having to figure out how to raise babies and her career
How parenthood changes all parents brains - regardless of whether or not you birthed your child
How parenthood unlocks parts of your brain forever - that qualify you to show up and lead in new and more dynamic ways for the rest of your life
Why the US is the only developed country in the world in which parenthood decreases your happiness instead of increasing it
The motherhood penalty in the workplace - PS: it’s REAL
How PTSD prepared her for being a working mom in America
5 things parenthood unlocks within you that makes you more capable and marketable if you choose to leverage them
What gives her hope for working moms in the US - and how COVID may have helped us in a certain sense

Links mentioned:

Book: Tending: Parenthood and the Future of Work
Connect with Amy: amyhenderson.org
TendLab: TendLab.com
Amy on LinkedIn
Amy on Instagram
Amy on Twitter
Amy on Facebook

Please find our sponsor information here: shamelessmom.com/sponsor/

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620: 5 Steps To Amplify Possibility In Your Life Jan 31, 2022

Are you the type of person who must keep moving forward in order to keep up hope? I definitely am.

When things get heavy and hard, if I sit down for too long, the weight of the world becomes heavier with every inhale. The walls start to close in on me, anxiety takes control of my brain, and it can take an uncomfortable, if not unreasonable amount of time to break down those walls.

I hate dealing with those walls, so I am careful not to let them close in on me.

I stay in motion. I make things happen. I keep up the momentum.

Even when things are hard.

This doesn’t mean I don’t rest. It just means that I KEEP GOING, even if I slow down a bit, even if I stop for a nap. It means I keep looking for the light, which sometimes means searching for the tiniest cracks to find the light only beginning to peek in. It means I look for reasons and purpose and people to guide me toward possibility.

We are in a time right now where possibilities can feel pretty limited. So, I wanted to share with you how I’m helping my clients amplify possibility as I coach individuals and groups through this relentless season.

In this episode I share 5 steps to help you amplify possibility right now:

Assume success
Step back to see the forest through the trees more regularly
Reconsider timelines and stop waiting for “someday”
Tighten and expand your circle as frequently as necessary
Find the edges and feel them

After you listen in, let me know how you will KEEP GOING and one step you will take to amplify possibility this week.

Link mentioned:

Leave a review for the show: shamelessmom.com/review

(Thank you!! Your reviews mean soooo much to me!)

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619: Terri Cole: How to Be A Boundary Boss In Motherhood and Life Jan 26, 2022

Terri Cole is a licensed psychotherapist, global relationship and empowerment expert, and the author of Boundary Boss-The Essential Guide to Talk True, Be Seen and (Finally) Live Free. For over two decades, she has worked with a diverse group of clients that includes everyone from stay-at-home moms to celebrities and Fortune 500 CEOs.

Terri has a gift for making complex psychological concepts accessible and actionable so that clients and students achieve sustainable change. She inspires over 450,000 people weekly through her blog, social media platform, signature courses, and her popular podcast, The Terri Cole Show.

When the opportunity to interview Terri landed in my inbox, I JUMPED. I have heard her speak a few times over the years and she is always FIRE. I cannot wait to share her genius here with you! Make sure to check out the free gift she is offering all Shameless Moms at boundaryboss.me/shameless.

Listen in to hear Terri share:

What boundaries are (your own personal rules of engagement) and why they matter
Disordered and dysfunctional boundaries
The importance of uncovering your downloaded boundary blueprint
The danger of the truth that: “Women are raised and praised to be self-abandoning codependents”
How to take small steps to better boundaries and pause all of your YESes
Why boundaries are crucial in parenting and what disordered boundaries in parenting can look like
How fear shows up and prevents us from setting healthy boundaries and speaking truthfully
How she works with people through The Real Love Revolution - via a deep dive into yourself

Links mentioned:

Learn about Terri’s course, Real Love Revolution: terricole.com/rlr
Terri’s free gift for Shameless Moms: boundaryboss.me/shameless
Podcast: The Terri Cole Show: https://terricole.com/itunes
Terri on IG
Terri on Twitter
Terri on FB
Terri on YouTube

Please find our sponsor information here: shamelessmom.com/sponso

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618: It’s Not What You Think… The Truth About Motherhood in 2022 Jan 24, 2022

We set mothers up to fail in this pandemic.

For decades before the pandemic began, we told moms they could and should DO IT ALL. While the intent was to give women permission to do all the things men do - we screwed this one up. Big time. Instead of giving moms the support they need (read: childcare and household support), we let them just keep adding to their plates in an effort to prove they can “do it all”.

After decades of piling on all the things and 2 years of a global pandemic, moms are breaking under the pressure and no one is talking about it.

I routinely hear moms say things like:

“I just need to get through this day/week/season.”

“I know I have it better than others so I really don’t want to complain.”

“It’s not that bad. I’m just a little tired. I can push through.”

But, the reality is… for almost 700 days now:

You haven’t had a break
Society hasn’t acknowledged the massive load you’ve carried for the last 2 years (or decades before that)
There is no end and no relief in sight
Social media makes it look like everyone else is faring just fabulously, so you really should figure your shit out
There are no solutions being presented that make anything easier - just temporary workarounds that might work for a hot second until the next dumpster fire

The truth is…

You don’t need to push harder
You don’t need to try to keep up
You don’t pretend this isn’t hard as hell
You don’t need to ignore or negate the impact of the last 2 years - even if you’ve “had it better than others”

What you really need is likely:

To be and acknowledged as someone who has (perhaps single handedly) kept the world spinning for an entire household
To recognize that you have endured Trauma and/or trauma over the last 2 years in the form of loss, grief, and chronic stress and it’s taken a toll on your nervous system and mental health
Connection and camaraderie with women who can hold you, hear you, learn with you and laugh with you
FUN

In this episode, I talk you through how to get past what you’ve been fed in order to get WHAT YOU NEED.

Link mentioned:

Join Momentum Mamas by January 25: shamelessmom.com/momentum

Please find our sponsor information here: shamelessmom.com/sponsor/

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617: Uzma Jafri and Zaiba Hasan: Mommying While Muslim Jan 19, 2022

Uzma Jafri grew up in Houston, the daughter of Muslim immigrants from Pakistan and India. Coming from a traditional Muslim family and being unapologetically Muslim, while still identifying with American culture, made Uzma hyperaware of the dangers that arise when people conflate culture and religion. Today, Uzma is a physician running her own practice in Phoenix, medical director of an assisted living and hospice agency, and clinical faculty to future physicians. Uzma’s most important full-time job is that of mom to her 4 kids.

Zaiba Hasan is an American Muslim who grew up biracial and bicultural. Born and raised in Chicago, Zaiba’s Irish/Pakistani heritage and interfaith upbringing gave her a head start on navigating between identities. She is frequently invited to speak at interfaith events since her background makes her a natural at bridging gaps between Muslims and non-Muslims in the United States. When she isn’t busy with podcasting, public speaking, fostering an interfaith community, or working on her Master’s Degree & Parent Coaching Certification, Zaiba can be found with her husband and their four children at one of their sporting events.

I am so honored to have Uzma and Zaiba on the show, as this is a critically important conversation for those who want to be true allies to our Muslim friends, neighbors, and community members.

Listen in to hear Uzma and Zaiba share:

The story of how two Muslim friends who hadn’t seen each other in 20 years decided to launch a podcast together
How Zaiba’s son being stopped at an airport as a 14-year old Muslim boy inspired their show, Mommying While Muslim
How creating a community and resource for Muslim moms ended up attracting a lot of white moms and evangelical men and the value of creating a space where listeners feel like they can be a fly on the wall with two Muslim moms
The significance of being in the last pre 911 generation of Muslims in America
The racial and religious profiling that happened and continues to happen post 911
How we expand our capacity to connect as humans when we listen in to the stories of people who are unlike us

Links mentioned:

Join Momentum Mamas: shamelessmom.com/momentum
Subscribe to the Podcast: Mommying While Muslim
Learn more about Uzma and Zaiba: mommyingwhilemuslim.com
Reach out to Uzma and Zaiba: salam@mommyingwhilemuslim.com
Uzma and Zaiba on IG

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616: Why Moms Need More Mentorship Jan 17, 2022

It’s not ok.

Mothers need mentorship. Desperately. And we’re not getting it - anywhere, really.

Because as a culture we leave moms to fend for themselves with ridiculously frugal resources to support their physical and mental health in the early years of motherhood, most moms are left feeling lonely and isolated as they care for their babies. Sometimes desperately so. And they have nowhere to turn.

In the absence of mentorship, moms feel like they are failing, like everyone else has it all figured out and they just need to “be strong” or pull themselves up by their bootstraps.

There is no guidance, let alone connection, companionship or camaraderie for struggling moms. There is no clear path through hard days or hard seasons. There is no normalization of how incredibly hard motherhood is.

There are plenty of beautiful instagram accounts that suggest you should be camera ready at all times and be hustling to post all your baby’s milestones and all your career wins, but no permission for you to be chronically overwhelmed and overstimulated, exhausted to the point of disorientation, disconnected to your former sense of self to the point of major anxiety and/or depression.

ENOUGH ALREADY.

In today’s episode, I break down what moms are missing out on when they don’t have mentorship, the harm we perpetuate as a society that doesn’t prioritize mother’s needs and 5 ways for you to find the connection and mentorship you’re likely craving.

Link mentioned:

Get SMA updates and an invitation to Momentum Mamas: shamelessmom.com/newsletter

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615: Sandra Etherington: How To Better Support Your Child Based On Their Innate Personality Type Jan 12, 2022

Sandra is a mom of a 6 year old and an 8 year old. She is the owner of Family Personalities and the co-host of the Family Personalities podcast, a show that brings personality type models into parenting. If this conversation fascinates you as much as it does me, definitely go subscribe to her show! Sandra uses her experience and training in Myers-Briggs personality type, to work with families, helping them parent more effectively and compassionately based on their children's unique wiring and needs.

I am obsessed with personality types. I believe that knowing your type gives you so much power to lean into who you truly are in all the best ways possible. This was a fantastic and deeply insightful conversation all around how knowing our personality type and our kid’s personality types can be hugely beneficial and helpful in supporting our kid’s needs.

Listen in to hear Sandra share:

How to use the Myers-Briggs to understand how you make decisions, how you get energy, how you take in information
How to best figure out your Myers-Briggs type - outside of standard assessments
Why is super valuable to know your kids type in order to see some of their “harder” behaviors in a positive light
How to use your child’s type to motivate them
Her experience of struggling to “go with the flow” when enduring 4 miscarriages and really looking at her type to learn how to step away in order to see the bigger and pivot
Learning about the NJ superpower: gleaning insight, taking in data/info and curating it to create something bigger

Links mentioned

Connect with Sandra: familypersonalities.com
Sandra on IG
Sandra on FB
Family Personalities Podcast: familypersonalities.com/podcast

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614: 3 Ways The Messages You’re Carrying From Childhood Are Holding You Back Jan 10, 2022

It is highly likely there are some messages you have internalized from your childhood that still have a stronghold on you. These may have been explicit messages shared by friends and family members or maybe quiet, subtle, more insidious messages that became a part of who you are without you even realizing it.

Whatever the case may be, these messages are holding you back. They are half truths at best and harmful lies at worst. They likely keep you stuck in self criticism, self doubt, and frequent not-enoughness.

These messages have likely created feedback loops in your brain that tell you stories and keep you repeating patterns that don’t serve you and possibly even bring you great struggle.

In this episode I share three messages that I carried from my childhood:

People can leave at any moment. And some people might not know how to love you.
Your body size is a reflection of your worth. Smaller is always better.
There are barely enough resources to get by. If anything unexpected happens, there won’t be enough.

These messages wove their way into my life in a variety of ways - some through observation, some were verbalized to me, and some were overheard (as I was/am a world class eavesdropper.)

I am sharing these 3 messages with you because it is likely you can relate to at least one of them. And you can also probably think of a few more that are unique to you.

If you carry messages like these with you and keep listening to them you will constantly struggle to see potential and possibility in your life. As we enter another season of uncertainty in the world, we can’t afford to carry messages that compromise possibility and potential. So, I’m going to invite you to change your messaging and your thought loops - starting now.

Link mentioned

Join my 2022 Plan & Prep Pajama Party: shamelessmom.com/pajamaparty

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613: Eliza Reynolds: How To Do Your Own Inner Teen Work In Order To Show Up For Your Teen Girl(s) Jan 05, 2022

Eliza Reynolds is a best-selling author, speaker, and professional big sibling who keeps it real. She’s spent the last 15 years creating space for preteen and teen girls to be their authentic selves, and now offers online mentorship programs teaching emotional intelligence, embodiment, body literacy, and more for big-hearted preteen and teen girls who are tired of faking it at Badass Girls.

I have a number of friends who have teen girls. I’m learning a lot about this world and - WOW - there is a lot to learn. I’m so grateful to Eliza for her generous work. And I’m very inspired to work on my own inner teen work. I didn’t realize that I had some stuff to heal until Eliza pointed it out. I hope you’ll join me in this venture, as I think it could be critical to our parenting.

Listen in to hear Eliza

The importance of doing our own inner teen work in order to support teens in our lives
The importance of socializing girls to trust themselves
Why we need to talk about the most intense parts of being a teen openly rather than shying away from it - like we probably did back when we were teens
How we can heal our own inner teen in order to help the teens in our lives
How to self regulate as a mom so you can respond rather than react in hard moments of parenting
The steps of moving from dependence to interdependence to independence in parenting
The 3 S’s of toxic mean girl culture
How toxic mean girl culture is still alive and well among grown women - and why it exists beyond the teen years
Why #girlpower is a weary anthem that we need to replace with actual action steps to dismantle systems of oppression and build actual self trust
Why performative confidence is dangerous and damaging
3 ways for any mom to show up for preteen and teen girls in your family and community

Links mentioned:

Sign up for my Plan & Prep Pajama Party
Connect with Eliza: me
Book: Hold On To Your Kids: Why Parents Need to Matter More Than Kids by Gordon Neufeld
Eliza on IG: @badassgirls.parents and @badassgirls.me
Free Resource: Badass Girls

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612: Little Steps That Build Big Courage in 2022 Jan 03, 2022

Happy 2022! As you take your first steps into this new year, I want to invite you to NOT leap into 18 resolutions that only last for 18 days. Instead, I’m going to offer you a more simple and more enjoyable alternative that will allow you to actually get what you want out of 2022 without complete overwhelm and massive risk of failure.

Here’s how this is going to go…

As you prepare to own 2022, I want you to make repeated small commitments over time. Here is a simple protocol to help you get started with your first desired action step:

Decide small action step you want to take
Schedule it
Share it with others
Practice it repeatedly
Recognize that each time you practice this, it is becoming more a part of who you are
Continually return to your core values - remembering that you are an action taker who takes small steps over and over and that is part of your SECRET SAUCE for cultivating courage and growth

In this episode, I walk you through this process step by step with examples to help you see exactly what it takes to step into more courageous action and exactly how life changing these practices can be.

Links mentioned:

LAST CHANCE for Early Bird Registration for my 2022 Plan & Prep Pajama Party: shamelessmom.com/pajamaparty

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611: Joree Rose: The Power Of Recognizing Transgenerational Patterns and Trauma Dec 29, 2021

Joree Rose, MA, LMFT, is a licensed marriage and family therapist, mindfulness and meditation teacher, coach, author, speaker, and she also leads mindfulness retreats around the world. Joree has helped thousands of people to live happier and more fulfilling lives through living with greater awareness and compassion, allowing them to decrease their stress, anxiety and shed unhealthy habits, patterns, and mindsets. Joree is host of the podcast ‘Journey Forward® with Joree Rose’ and has authored the newly released A Year of Gratitude, Daily Moments of Reflection, Grace and Thanks as well as 2 mindfulness books, Squirmy Learns to be Mindful and Mindfulness, It’s Elementary. Joree has been featured in prominent media outlets such as Oprahmag.com, NBCnews.com, Business Insider, KTLA News, and so many more!

I was recently a guest on Joree’s podcast and within the first few minutes of that conversation I knew I had to ask her to join us here/ I’m so glad she said YES. This is a fascinating and important conversation into the importance of recognizing all the dynamics at play with multiple generations of our families.

Listen in to hear Joree share:

How she’s navigating this season of her teen daughters getting ready to leave home and the evolving framework of her family shifting
The utter joy and devastation of your children growing up
How to recognize transgenerational patterns of over-enmeshment with your family and how to start to build healthier boundaries
How her mom’s family trauma led to transgenerational over-enmeshment and codependency - which was necessary for survival at one time, but dysfunctional over the course of generations
How she recognized her patterns of needing to create safety and security in order to “be happy”
Why she had the courage to get divorced
How she shifted the way she saw her entire world through adopting a mindfulness practice

Links mentioned:

Sign up for my Plan & Prep Pajama Party
Connect with Joree: Joree Rose
Podcast: Journey Forward with Joree Rose
Joree on IG
Joree on FB

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610: Why Your Identity Outside Of Motherhood Matters So Much Dec 27, 2021

In those first few months after becoming a mom, you start to feel like all your other identities are being stripped away. 97% of your attention goes to this baby and the other 3% is spread across your past identities like partner, friend, employee, athlete, artist, free spirit, independent woman - where you feel like you’re only showing up as a shell of your former self in any of these formerly cherished roles.

It took me a few years to figure out who I was beyond a mom. There was no going back to my old roles and identities because some just didn’t fit anymore and the ones that did still fit were dressed totally differently and felt so unfamiliar.

Yes, I was still a wife, but in an “I love you and can we not talk because I’m too tired to talk or listen” kinda way.

Yes, I was still a business owner, but in a “cut-to-the-chase, I only have time for the essentials” kinda way..

Yes, I was still a daughter, but in an “I can call you at nap time, and can only talk for 20 minutes because I also have to shower, eat lunch, prep dinner, do laundry, and clean the freaking breast pump parts” kinda way.

As I came out of this new mom fog (which took a solid 3 years, btw), I started to catch glimpses of who I was becoming:

A business owner who could move mountains with very little sleep
A daughter with healthier boundaries
A wife who could relax and have fun and talk about something other than the baby.
A friend who was ready for new friend adventures.
A colleague who was a fantastic listener and advisor.
A storyteller who could make people laugh and cry on demand.
A coach who could help people see their own power in their lowest moments.
An athlete who could dump 2 hour workouts of the past and squeeze in 20 minutes of sweat to feel like a total badass on any given day.
A student open to learning about the world and all people in new and different ways.

In this episode, I share how understanding the evolution of my identity (or rather identities) made a huge difference in my ability to show up for my life and really build a life I love that, yes, includes motherhood, but is not only about motherhood.

Links Mentioned:

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609: Elizabeth Milovidov: How To Use Connected Conversations In Digital Parenting Dec 22, 2021

Dr. Elizabeth Milovidov is a lawyer from California, a law professor in Paris, France, and a Digital Safety Consultant in Europe. Using her European/American focus on Internet, technology, and social media issues, she researches solutions to empower parents to guide their children in the digital age. She is the founder of DIGITALEM, a website, and community with resources and strategies for parents. Currently, she is an independent consultant for the Council of Europe (Children’s Rights and Education departments), Microsoft (Digital Safety), Family Online Safety Institute (digital parenting), and e-Enfance (Child online protection). She is an international speaker on digital parenting and safety and her work has been featured in WSJ, BBC, France 24, HuffingtonPost, Internet Matters, and other media outlets and organizations focused on child online safety.

Internet safety is such a huge and important topic. I’m so grateful to have Elizabeth here to dig deep into this today.

Listen in to hear Elizabeth share:

How she went from being a lawyer to digital safety consulting
The grief and growth that motherhood presented her
What digital parenting looks like
What are Connected Conversations and how to have Connected Conversations with your kids
Why 13 is the recommended minimum age for kids to get on social media - and why it should perhaps be 23 if we want to be aligned with full brain development
The one question you should go ask your kids about the internet right now
How to create space for your child to thrive in the digital environment while keeping risks lower
Creating a culture of “shared responsibility” around your child(ren)’s digital use, rather than relying on policing them online

Links mentioned:

Sign up for my Plan & Prep Pajama Party: shamelessmom.com/pajamaparty
Digitalem.org
@digiparentcoach
Facebook group: Digital Parenting Community
Movies: The Social Network, Screenagers

Thank you to our sponsor:

Talkspace: To match with your perfect therapist for a fraction of the price of traditional therapy, go totalkspace.com, Make sure to use the code SHAMELESS to get $100 off your first month and show your support for the show.

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608: 4 Things That Are Stopping You From Getting Started Dec 20, 2021

What are the stumbling blocks that are holding you back from starting?

More often than we’d like to admit we stop ourselves from starting. We make up all sorts of stories about why now is not the right time, how we’re just not quite ready, how we need more information or skills before we start, how we should wait until we have more time & energy.

Behind these stories are a lot of excuses we make in order to stay in our comfortable bubbles. But, if we’re being really honest with ourselves, we might have to admit that staying in our comfort zones gets pretty uncomfortable after a while. Staying comfortable for too long breeds a new kind of discomfort - regret, resentment, wondering “what if I had just started way back when??”

In today’s episode I talk you through 4 things that are stopping you from starting:

Insecurities and the stories you tell yourself as a result of them
A lifelong erosion of self trust
A lack of connection to your intuition
Infrequent practice using your voice and stepping into leadership and into action

As we dig into these 4 concepts, it is likely that you’ll be able to connect some dots that will allow you to start taking small steps toward the things you really want, the things you very much deserve and the things you are very much qualified to do.

Link mentioned:

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607: Cameron Normand: How Mom Culture Totally Misses The Mark For Stepmoms Dec 15, 2021

Cameron Normand is the host of The Stepmom Diaries podcast, co-founder of The Stepmom Summit, and founder and CEO of This Custom Life, where she provides stepmoms with tools and advice to help them embrace their blended family lives. She is a Certified Stepparent Coach, the creator of the BLENDED Family Formula For Stepmom Success, and author of The Stepmom’s Gratitude Journal.

Cameron received her BA from the University of South Carolina and her JD from Emory University School of Law. By day, she is a corporate politico in the Washington, D.C. area and serves on several non-profit boards. She was named one of the Washington Business Journal’s, “Women Who Mean Business.”

Cameron is known as “Cammie G” to four stepchildren. In her spare time, she loves pop culture, good coffee, spending time with her husband, and trying to achieve that elusive concept of “balance.”

I was so excited to have the opportunity, as I hae been wanting to include stepmoms in our conversations around Shameless Motherhood for some time now. I’m so grateful to Cameron for her openness in this conversation.

Listen in to hear Cameron share:

What it was like to become a stepmom to 4 kids, ages 8-14 - the speed bumps, the potholes, and the sinkholes
The importance of recognizing that the blended family is born out of loss
1300+ stepfamilies form everyday - why it’s important for us to recognize this as a society
The struggle for stepmoms to fit into mom culture
The importance of validation, compassion, and empathy for stepmoms
Her advice for stepmoms who might be struggling
Her BLENDED Family Formula of 7 steps to support stepmoms
Common misconceptions about stepmoms and how to reframe them

Links mentioned:

Join my 2022 Plan & Prep Pajama Party
Connect with Cameron
BLENDED Family Formula
The Stepmom Diaries Podcast
Stepfamily Magazine
Insta: @this_custom_life and @stepmomdiariespodcast
Cameron on Facebook
Facebook group for stepmoms
Cameron on Twitter

Thank you to our sponsor:

Talkspace: To match with your perfect therapist for a fraction of the price of traditional therapy, go to talkspace.com, Make sure to use the code SHAMELESS to get $100 off your first month and show your support for the show.

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606: 3 Lies To Let Go Of Before 2022 Dec 13, 2021

I have an invitation for you. As you move through these last 2 weeks of 2021, I'm going to invite you to let go of 3 little (ok, maybe not so little) lies that are likely holding you back.

Here are the lies:

Everybody else has it all figured out
Nobody gets it/gets me
There’s never enough time

If you felt a bit of contraction in your gut, like, “Ughhh, I’m totally stuck in that lie,” I got you.

What you feel is true for you - and completely valid. But are these stories you’re telling yourself around these lies legit and valid? AND, Are they serving you?

You can spin a story in your head in any direction - in a direction that serves you and encourages you to grow and evolve - OR - in a direction that halts you and hinders your growth and your ability to move forward on any given day.

In this episode, I share the truths behind these lies. It is my hope that these truths will help you rewrite the stories you’re telling yourself that are holding you back.

Only you can decide what you leave behind in 2021 and how you step boldly into 2022. To get all you want out of the next year, it might require letting go of some of the stories you’ve been telling yourself in 2021.

In this with you. Always.

Link mentioned:

Join my 2022 Plan & Prep Pajama Party

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605: Ronit Plank: When Your Mom Joins A Cult… And When She Comes Back Dec 08, 2021

Ronit Plank is a writer, teacher, and podcaster whose work has been featured in The Rumpus, The Atlantic, The Iowa Review, Writer’s Digest, The Washington Post, HuffPost, and The New York Times among others. Her stories and essays have been nominated for both the Pushcart Prize and The Best of the Net and she is author of When She Comes Back, a memoir about the loss of her mother to the guru Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh and their eventual reconciliation. Her short story collection Home Is A Made-Up Place won Hidden River Arts’ 2020 Eludia Award and will be published in 2022.

I met Ronit at an event a couple months ago and had an immediate connection with her. As I’ve read her book, When She Comes Back, I feel like we are long lost sisters at times. While we had different experiences growing up, we both had parents who abandoned us, creating this void of confusion in our lives that left us constantly questioning how to take up space.

If you’ve watched the docuseries Wild, Wild Country, some of Ronit’s story will be familiar, as the cult featured in the docuseries is the cult her mother joined.

Listen in to hear Ronit share:

Her experience of being born on a kibbutz in Israel and living separately from her parents as a baby and toddler
The effects of her mom leaving her and her little sister to follow a guru
How she maintained a relationship with her mom in spite of being repeatedly abandoning her
The challenge and conflicting emotions of having her mom be close to her after her daughter was born
What it’s been like for her to mother after not having a mother role model
The difference between the vulnerabilities we choose to share and those we must carry
How knowing someone’s story creates space for compassion in spaces where compassion might not otherwise exist

Links mentioned:

Get my newsletter to be notified of our 2022 Plan & Prep Pajama Party
Connect with Ronit and get the book: Ronit Plank
IG/Twitter: @ronitplank

Thank you to our sponsor:

Evite: Head over to Evite to choose from thousands of design options to create and send invitations for free.

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604: 4 Simple Steps To Create Peace & Ease Over The Holidays Dec 06, 2021

We are at that time of year where it’s easy to wake up every morning and feel like you're 5 days behind on everything. Work deadlines, gift lists, travel plans… It’s so much!

I want you to take a moment to imagine what it would be like to wake up each morning of this holiday season feeling a sense of peace and ease.

Last week, in our membership community, Momentum Mamas, we had a couple members share that they completely flipped Thanksgiving on its head this year. They broke all past traditions, planned something totally new - and way more full of ease - and had the VERY BEST Thanksgiving, as voted on by themselves and their kids. Less plans, less people, less old & stressful default traditions. More peace, more ease, more connections with the few you want to be closest to, new thoughtful & intentional traditions that made their hearts swell.

As these members shared their Thanksgiving stories, I reminded everyone: You can always rewrite the rules.

Sometimes we forget. We default to what we’ve done in the past or what others expect of us. The result is often stress, total overwhelm, and resentment.

Let’s rewrite the rules this year, shall we?

This year, I’m inviting you to:

Prioritize your joy over other people’s expectations
Doing things differently
Do less and breathe more
Reconsider what brings joy

Listen in to hear how to use these 4 invitations and how to apply 4 matching strategies to bring yourself more peace and ease this holiday season.

Cheers to rewriting the rules, my friends. I’m doing this right alongside you!

Link mentioned:

Get my newsletter to be notified of our 2022 Plan & Prep Pajama Party

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603: Laura Jack: Redefining and Reframing Grief and Rage Dec 01, 2021

As Founder of The Compassion Code Academy®, Compassionate Communication Coach, International Best Selling Author, and Trainer for The Grief Recovery Institute®, Laura Jack guides heart-centered leaders to relate, communicate and lead more compassionately through loss and change of any kind - without burning out.

I invited Laura to come on the show to talk about the story of losing her mom - a story of sudden tragedy, marked by heartbreak, grief, and ultimately, triumph.

Listen in to hear Laura share:

The story and deep impact of losing her mom in freak tragic accident in 2008
The unrooting of losing her mom and how she had to rebuild her sense of identity after that loss
How motherhood is a grieving experience that no one warned you about
How to redefine and reframe grief
How her former life as Little Miss Sunshine & Silver Linings diminished her capacity to be compassionate toward others and how she had to learn to stop suppressing negative feelings
How she found her “Monster Mommy” through her son after suppressing anger and hard feelings throughout her life
How she teaches moms to rage in a safe and productive way
How we are all constantly navigating grief and the key the managing the constant inevitable grief we endure

Links mentioned:

Learn about the Compassion Code Academy
Connect with Laura
Get Laura’s book, The Compassion Code
Laura on IG
FB: Living The Compassion Code and Laura Jack
Laura on LinkedIn

Thank you to our sponsors:

Talkspace: To match with your perfect therapist for a fraction of the price of traditional therapy, go to talkspace.com, Make sure to use the code SHAMELESS to get $100 off your first month and show your support for the show.
MamaZen: Go to your app store or Google Play and download MamaZen today. Use PROMO CODE: shameless for a FREE TRIAL so you can try MamaZen for yourself.
Bean Box: Order today at com/SHAMELESS20 and get 20% off purchases of $40 or more.

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602: How To Walk Through The World As The Woman You Are Becoming Nov 29, 2021

About 10 years ago I went on a bit of a shopping spree at Banana Republic. I was on a mission to buy “speaker clothes” - some slacks, blouses, and a cardigan or two. I considered a blazer, but that seemed too presumptuous of a speaking career I did not yet have. The blazer would come a few years later. I delighted in making space in my closet for my crisp new speaker clothes.

At the time, I was a gym owner. I wore workout clothes (often sweaty ones) all day #everydamnday. But I knew I wanted to be a speaker. On stages. Any stage would do.

So, I started walking through life as if I were a speaker. I bought the clothes, planned some talks, applied to speak at some events, added “Speaker” to my email signature and website.

It would be awhile before I actually got to speak in front of anyone outside of the gym I owned, where I was definitely already a speaker (as well as coach, motivator, and maybe even part preacher), but not the Banana Republic slacks wearing kind.

Trying to get on stages would eventually get under my skin - as I saw so many men land the speaking gigs I was applying for.

Ultimately, I launched my podcast, this podcast, in order to step into my role as a Speaker. I stopped waiting for others to invite me to their Banana Republic stages and I built my own damn stage. I had been walking through the world as a speaker for years waiting for invitations when I realized that I didn’t need anyone’s invitation. I only needed my own permission.

In this episode, I share 4 ways you can practice walking through the world as the woman you are becoming. Perhaps you are becoming a Banana Republic wear speaker. Perhaps something totally different. No matter what, you deserve to walk through the world clear and confident about who you are and where you are going - without expecting or waiting for anyone else’s invitation.

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601: Dr. Julia Colangelo: How To Find Your Flow #everydamnday Nov 24, 2021

Dr. Julia Colangelo is an award-winning mindfulness educator, flow expert, and founder of Hello Flow a consulting and educational company based out of Maui where she teaches on Flow, Purpose, Creativity, Zone of Genius, Alchemy, and Alignment. Dr. Julia teaches and presents worldwide how the science of flow decreases stress allowing us to align our values and actions.

Dr. Julia provides high-level executive consulting to public figures, celebrities, and thought leaders. She also teaches Mindfulness at Columbia University and speaks and trains at companies including LinkedIn, Convene, and Harvard in Tech. Her work has been featured in Glamour Magazine, The Washington Post, Huffington Post and more. A proud toddler mom and surfer raised in New Jersey, Julia’s equal parts hippie + hype.

I met Dr. Julia at an event a couple months ago where she was speaking on flow. I immediately knew I want her to be a guest on the show. She is going to teach you how to break all the rules in order to find your flow. Get ready for some serious inspiration.

Listen in to hear Julia share:

Why she doesn’t “follow the rules” when it comes to time management, productivity, and mom life
What is flow, how it looks different for every person and how it helps you in all aspects of your life
How to access your flow state and intentionally trigger it
How to prioritize humanness and self compassion in order to access your flow
How shame shows up when moms are trying to access flow
Why you might want to reconsider your YESes… When you say YES to everything you’re constantly saying NO to yourself
Symptoms of burnout and intentional steps you can make to prevent chronic burnout
How to take small steps to activating your flow state more routinely

Links Mentioned:

Apply for my Tenacious Mamas Business & Leadership Mastermind: info@shamelessmom.com
Julia on IG
Julia’s Podcast: Hello Flow Podcast
Connect: Dr. Julia Colangelo
Dr Julia’s Free Quiz: Flow Quiz
Julia’s Free Best 100 Days Workshop

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600: 6 Life Lessons Learned Over 600 Episodes Nov 22, 2021

600 EPISODES!

Unreal.

600 times I have hit record. 300 incredible guest interviews. 300 solo shows.

WOW.

Having a podcast is like having a child. It’s like the podcast just started yesterday and it also feels like she’s been a part of my life forever.

I have learned a lot over the course of 600 episodes. So many deeply impactful life lessons that I didn't see coming - and could have never anticipated when I started out.

In this episode, I share 6 life lessons I’ve learned over the course of 600 episodes. I am sharing these lessons because I know many of you are learning right alongside me.

With each lesson, I share a tip and the “secret sauce” behind making the tip work in a simple and consistent way in your everyday life.

I want to take a minute to make a few Thank You’s, as I’ve only made it to 600 episodes because I walk through every episode with so many special people by my side.

Thank you to my teammates over the last almost 6 years: Christy, Allison, Christie, Katie and Nikita. Your constant and unflinching support means so much to me.

Thank you to every single guest who has shown up so openly and generously to be in conversation with me. You have touched and expanded my heart in more ways than I can count.

Thank you to my loudest cheerleaders, Vince and Sheila (hi Mom!) You believe in me and build me up even when I’m tired and cranky. And you are the first ones who want to celebrate with me.

Thank you to Vinnie, who makes me more of a Shameless Mom #everydamnday. Without you, there would be no Shameless Mom Academy. I can’t say more about you because the tears will most certainly damage my keyboard.

Lastly, most importantly, thank you to every single listener - whether you have listened to 6 episodes or all 600. Thank you for trusting me. I know many of you have invited me into your ear for every single episode. It means so much to me that we have had the chance to spend time together 600 times. I’m beyond humbled and honored.

People always ask if I’m worried I’ll run out of things to talk about.

Never.

Here’s to 600 more.

Link mentioned:

Apply for my Tenacious Mamas Business & Leadership Mastermind: info@shamelessmom.com

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599: Monica Froese: Moms, Money and the Magic of Microeconomies Nov 17, 2021

Monica Froese is a digital product coach for women business owners and host of the popular podcast, Empowered Business. She has an MBA degree in finance and marketing and runs two brands Redefining Mom, a site for helping women thrive in both motherhood and business, and Empowered Business, where she’s committed to empowering 1000 women to earn $100,000 through digital products. She spent 11 years working for a Fortune 100 company running multi-million dollar marketing campaigns with large brands like Microsoft and HP. Now she provides online marketing education to small businesses that are looking to build a profitable revenue stream through digital products through her online courses and podcast.

I invited Monica on the show because I think it is so important that we have these conversations about women and money. They are hot button conversations for sure. And you know I never shy away from a hot button convo! Every single one of us was raised with a money story and we must constantly look at how we look at money and its role in our lives.

Listen in to hear Monica share:

How she landed at the White House seated in a round table conversation with President Barack Obama
The truth about the working mom tax - the price moms pay to play in corporate America
Why it’s critical for women to be financially independent
The double standard of men being automatically autonomous with their finances and women having to jump through hoops to have financial autonomy
How women can have more impact across multiple women’s lives through building microeconomies
What happens across our communities when more women have financial independence
Why mom guilt is a not real, but a social construct

Links mentioned:

Thank you to our sponsor:

MamaZen: Go to your app store or Google Play and download MamaZen today. Use PROMO CODE: shameless for a FREE TRIAL so you can try MamaZen for yourself.

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598: See Inside My Business: Pulling Back The Curtain (Part 2) Nov 15, 2021

I might have had too much fun with this…

The truth is I can geek out talking about business all day long. Why, you ask? Because stepping into my identity as a business owner and entrepreneur has allowed me to step into my role as a leader.

Before I had a business, I did not see myself as a leader.

A loudmouth? Maybe.

Outspoken? For sure.

But a leader? Nope.

When I started owning that I was, in fact, a business owner so many things shifted for me. I took my work more seriously. I valued my contributions to my clients at a higher level. I became so much more thoughtful and intentional about what I was building.

So, when you hear me geek out about this, I hope you understand it is in stepping up as a business woman that I’ve been able to step up as me: Sara Dean, the leader, and the legacy builder.

It is my hope that you find this for yourself - that magical place where you see yourself as a leader and legacy builder. Maybe it’s in your role in a traditional job, maybe it’s in the work you do to take care of your family, maybe it’s in the positions you hold in your community, and maybe, just maybe, it’s in your work as a business owner - like me.

Last week I had so much fun talking about some of the nuts and bolts of my business. This week I’m back for more - but this time I’m coming from a different angle. I’ll be talking about how I manage my mindset when things get tough, how I stay out of the comparison trap, how I manage haters, and some nitty gritty podcast details (because some of you are dying for the nitty gritty!)

I hope you enjoy this second week of me pulling back the curtain on my business. If you’re nosy like me, it’s really fun and fascinating to learn all the behind the scenes goodies of the people you know online.

Lastly, if you want specific business advice, join me on Thursday, November 18th at 5pm PT/8pm ET for a free business training: 3 Building Blocks You Need To Grow Your Business. You can sign up here: Shameless Mom

Link mentioned:

Join my free business training on November 18th

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597: Christine Michel Carter: MOM AF and Building Bridges That Support Black Maternal Health Nov 10, 2021

Featured in The New York Times and The Washington Post, Christine Michel Carter is the #1 global voice for working moms⁣. She is also the bestselling author of children’s book Can Mommy Go To Work? and adult novel MOM AF. In 2015, Christine created the first national mommy and me professional development networking event called Mompreneur and Me, which was featured in Adweek and Entrepreneur⁣. She's worked with the Congressional Caucus on Black Women & Girls, the U.S. Department of Labor and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce on maternal and child care related issues. She's also worked on the maternal initiatives of Vice President Kamala Harris and received a Congressional Citation from the U.S. Senate for going “above and beyond in ensuring that Black Moms and Moms of Color have access to important health information for their children and families.”

When an inquiry about connecting with Christine landed in my inbox it was an immediate and easy and loud YES from me. I knew she was someone I wanted to learn more from. I’m so grateful for her voice and tenacity.

Listen in to hear Christine share:

How she is showing up in all the facets of her identity right now - as a single mom of 2, a mom raising black son, a woman with multiple professional tracks in her career, and a daughter caretaking a parent
Her book, MOM AF, what makes it relatable to in ways that RH and Sheryl Sandberg, “I’m not going to tell you to wash your face or lean in”
The truth about healthcare for Black women vs white women and her own personal experience of discrimination after giving birth to her son
How systemic racism contributes to higher COVID rates among Black people and Black families
What we can do on societal, employment, government levels to support Black maternal health and mental health
Why she’s calling BS on traditional self care and the real truth about the notion of self care
Why “work life balance” isn’t real - and what is real about how moms manage time
How to relate to people in underrepresented groups - and find things in common in order to build relationships and bridges

Links mentioned:

Join my free business training on November 18th
Connect with Christine
Christine on Twitter and IG: @cmichelcarter
Christine on Facebook and LinkedIn: @Christine Michel Carter
Book: Can Mommy Go To Work
Book: MOM AF

Thank you to our sponsor:

MamaZen: Go to your app store or Google Play and download MamaZen today. Use PROMO CODE: shameless for a FREE TRIAL so you can try MamaZen for yourself.

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596: See Inside My Business: Pulling Back The Curtain (Part 1) Nov 08, 2021

“Sara, how do you run your business??”

Well, let me tell you….

I get asked business questions pretty much every single day. Everything from the nitty gritty on how to produce a podcast to how to support clients with varying needs to how to stay inspired and pumped up year after year to what kinds of software to use. SO MANY QUESTIONS!

While members of Tenacious Mamas, my business and leadership mastermind, can ask me these questions on our weekly calls, the rest of you don’t have a place to “pick my brain.” So I thought it would be fun to pull back the curtain a bit for you to see how I do things and WHY I do things the way I do.

In this episode, I’ll talk about some of the first steps you should take in building a business, as well as how to delegate, and when to know it’s the right time to scale. This is going to be so fun!

If you enjoy this episode, I hope you’ll join me for my upcoming free business training on November 18th. I’ll dig even further into these same topics and more. You can sign up for free here: shamelessmom.com/business.

Also, ANNOUNCEMENT… After my free business training, I’ll be opening up applications to Tenacious Mamas, my business and leadership mastermind. If you think you could benefit from business coaching with me, I highly recommend you come to the training and apply to Tenacious Mamas. I would love to see if we are a good fit for each other.

Link mentioned:

Join my free business training on November 18th

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595: Elena Joy Thurston: Living Out Loud After Enduring Life Threatening Conversion Therapy Nov 03, 2021

Elena Joy Thurston is an inspirational LGBTQ+ speaker, trainer, and founder of the nonprofit Pride and Joy Foundation. A Mormon mom of four who lost her marriage, her church, and her community when she came out as a lesbian, Elena’s viral TEDx talk on surviving conversion therapy has been viewed 40,000+ times and landed her media and speaking opportunities with ABC, CBS, Logitech, Penn State, and Michael’s. Elena Joy recently launched Pride and Joy Publishing, the only publisher of solely LGBTQ+ empowerment and business books.

I recently met Elena through a coaching program we are both in and I immediately knew I wanted to ask her to come on the show. She has an incredible story that she shares so generously. And her message is of the utmost importance.

Listen in to hear Elena Joy share:

Her journey through marriage in the Mormon church, to growing a family of 4 children, to realizing she had a built a life that was not true to who she was
Her experience of coming out as a lesbian as a Mormon mom of 4
How Mormonism encouraged her to disconnect from her body
How she was able to give up control over her body and actually step into her body
How finding opportunities to be embodied led her to realizing her sexuality
The fear of losing her children for eternity when coming out
Her experience of going to conversion therapy to “fix” her attraction to women
The intense gaslighting and traumatization of conversion therapy that her to suicidal thoughts
How she was able to finally own her sexuality and move out of her home and marriage and into a new life as a gay woman
Her advice and guidance to women who might be stuck in the closet

Links mentioned:

Thank you to our sponsor:

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594: Say Yes To What Others Won't Nov 01, 2021

I’ve been watching the ones who say yes over the past couple years. The ones who say yes when others won’t. The ones who say yes even when they aren’t certain they’ll be successful. The ones who say yes because they see possibility and potential.

Sometimes the ones who say yes are my mentors. Sometimes they are my clients. Sometimes they are my friends.

I’m always in awe. When you say yes, it inspires me to say yes. And I know you inspire many others to say yes too.

I recently got to go to my first in person conference since the pandemic - because two women I admire tremendously, Jess Kupferman and Elsie Esocobar, said yes. They said yes to hosting hundreds of women for the first time in 2 years and it was 3 days of magic that will stick with me for a very long time.

This episode is dedicated to the ones who say yes. Are you walking among them? If you are, KEEP GOING. If you’re not, it’s ok. Listen in and you might find yourself totally inspired in new ways.

Warning: you might become one of the ones who say yes.

Link mentioned:

Join my free business training on November 18th: shamelessmom.com/business

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593: Hitha Palepu: We’re Speaking - The Life Lessons of Kamala Harris Oct 27, 2021

Hitha Palepu is a woman of multitudes, which is what I loved most about her the first time she came on the show. She is a feminist, a lifelong politics enthusiast, a daughter of immigrants, and a mother raising feminist sons. These multitudes spill into her multi-hyphenated career as an entrepreneur, investor, writer, and speaker.

Hitha’s passion for the news and politics is captured in #5SmartReads, a Webby-honored social series that shares 5 must-read articles every day to keep her community informed without being overwhelmed. I follow Hitha’s #5SmartReads on Instagram as one of my primary sources for diverse, culturally significant, and reliable news resources. Hitha's also has a highly visible longtime blog, Hitha On The Go, which established her as an authority on lifestyle topics and gave way to her book, How To Pack, and collaborations with leading brands such as Headspace, Google, and Northwestern Mutual.

In her “day job”, Hitha is the CEO of Rhoshan Pharmaceuticals, where she oversees financing, partnerships, and strategy for the company. She is also an investor in innovative companies primarily founded by women and focused on women. She is a sought-after speaker on politics & the news, investing, entrepreneurship, work-life juggle, and motherhood.

Listen in to hear Hitha share:

The challenges of of balancing an amazing year of professional opportunities while struggling with showing up as a mom, wife, friend, daughter
Why she decided to write an entire book, We’re Speaking, about Kamala Harris
Why she wrote We’re Speaking as a play book on how to own your story, be a leader and tell your truth to the world
The most surprising thing she learned about Kamala - that had absolutely nothing to do with her political journey
The importance of Kamala’s own mother’s advice about being underestimated: “Don’t let anyone tell you who you are - YOU tell them who you are.”
The significance of showing up with your own unique sense of style in spite of other people’s opinions - in order to feel powerful and exude confidence
The truth about being at the top of her career - and owning that it’s not what she thought it would be
Her advice for moms who want to start to use their voice more often and/or more loudly but don’t know where to start

Links mentioned:

Join my free business training in November
Get the book: We’re Speaking by Hitha Palepu
Hitha on Instagram
Hitha on Twitter

Thank you to our sponsors:

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592: Don’t Let Doubt Be Your Default Oct 25, 2021

Do you catch yourself ruminating on why things are so hard, or spiraling into endless descents of negative self talk, or taking on a constant attitude of, “of course this isn’t going to work out the way I wanted it to”?

I’m wondering if, over the course of your journey through motherhood, and layering in the last 20 months of a pandemic, you’ve fallen into a pattern of letting doubt become your default?

You have every reason to own the relentlessness of this season. But if it’s compromising your mindset as you navigate your everyday life, it might be time to check in on your defaults.

You might be stuck in a pattern of seeing the glass half empty. You might find yourself constantly comparing your life to someone else’s and feeling nagging jealousy. You might be overcome with the shoulds - “I should be…”

If doubt has become your default, I’m inviting you to take another look at how you manage your thoughts. There is another way - a better way, I would suggest. A way that allows you to own hard truths while also seeing true and authentic possibility and potential in any moment.

Listen in to hear how to reset your default thinking so doubt stops being your default.

Link mentioned:

Join my free business training in November

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591: Jasmine Bradshaw: What To Do When Your Child (inevitably) Says Something Racist Oct 20, 2021

Jasmine Bradshaw is a researcher, anti-racist educator, and podcaster who truly believes that creating a more loving, inclusive, and just society starts within the sacred walls of our homes. Her podcast, First Name Basis, exists to give parents and caregivers the tools they need to raise anti-racist families. Each week we wrestle with hard questions and use the answers to create the world we want. A world where every single one of our children can be exactly who they are and reach their full potential. She hopes her community makes parents feel empowered and gives them the confidence they need to create lasting change in their sphere of influence.

I asked Jasmine to return to the show when I learned that she has a new online course opening up for enrollment, Ally Elementary. I know how invested you all are in raising anti racist children, so I asked Jasmine to come back to talk about how we can talk to our kids about race in an ongoing conversation - because anti racism work is work that has no final destination. While this is a heavy topic, Jasmine and I still manage to bring you a few good laughs. I hope you’ll learn a few things in this conversation and be inspired to keep the conversation going in Jasmine’s Ally Elementary course.

Listen in to hear Jasmine share:

Why anti-racist parenting is so critical for our children
Why anti racist education is controversial and why not talking about it perpetuates racism
Exact steps to take when your child (inevitably) says something racist
The 5 B’s of upholding anti racism in your family
How to have curious conversations around race and bias with other people
Why it’s the role of white people, not Black people, to call out discrimation, bias and harm when it happens
The importance of calling out systems of oppression as the problem around race - not skin color

Links mentioned:

First Name Basis podcast episode: Critical Race Theory
First Name Basis podcast episode: Oh No! My Child Said Something Racist
Free Race Talk Road Map: First Name Basis
Get on the WaitList for Ally Elementary
Connect with Jasmine
First Name Basis on IG
First Name Basis on Patreon

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590: 6 Reasons Moms Make Better Leaders at Work Oct 18, 2021

I’ve been sitting on this episode for awhile because it feels like a big responsibility to open up this conversation. The longer I sat on this topic, the more content I came up with - to the point that it seemed there might be no end to my list of “Reasons Why Moms Make Better Leaders At Work.”

I am releasing this list today while fully acknowledging that this is probably just the beginning of this conversation. It’s a damn good start.

Motherhood makes you a better leader. Full stop.

AND…

Motherhood makes you a better leader than others in the workplace. Full stop.

Whether it’s your ability to be endlessly patient with other people, ruthlessly diligent with your time, or relentlessly adaptable, innovative, and nimble - motherhood trains you to show up and show out in leadership in ways you never knew you were capable of. From productivity to creativity to advocacy to future thinking, motherhood trains you to lead like no other.

This episode is for those of you who haven’t quite realized your full potential in leadership in your work because you haven’t quite fully embraced the superpowers you harness as a women who has been trained by a top notch army of generals: your children - and an entire society that positions (forces) women to work their asses off without any recognition.

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589: Dr. Traci Baxley: Social Justice Parenting - Raising Allies & Activists Oct 13, 2021

Dr. Traci Baxley is a mother of five, consultant, educator and coach dedicated to supporting families, organizations and corporations in developing diversity & inclusion practices that lead to meaningful relationships, genuine belonging and high productivity. She is also the creator of Social Justice Parenting®, a philosophy that moves families from fear-based parenting to creating spaces of belonging through compassion, radical love and social justice engagement. Her book, Social Justice Parenting, comes out next week on October 19th. This is a book you definitely want in your home library.

As part of Traci’s book launch, I will be joining her for her virtual book launch party on October, 20th. This will be a one hour conversation with Traci and me, as well as audience members, as Traci shares stories from the book and talks through some of the most critical things we need to face if we want to parent our children through the lens of social justice values. Sign up to join Traci and me live for this virtual conversation at shamelessmom.com/justice.

Listen in to hear Traci share:

Why we must go beyond becoming allies and activists ourselves, and also raise our children to become activists
Her identity as a mother of 5 who has biracial children, neurodiverse children, and children with mental health struggles
The pushback she gets being in an interracial marriage
What fear based parenting looks like - especially in comparison to social justice parenting
How to start shifting gears into social justice parenting
How to talk to your kids about race in small ways that have big impact
Why you can’t always be the fixer for your kids - and the importance of listening for clarity & empathy not just to solve problems as a parent
How parents in mostly white communities can raise conscientious children who are invested in racial equity and social justice
The importance of learning about and talking about Black joy with your kids

Links mentioned:

Join Traci and me for Traci’s virtual book launch on October 20th
Buy the Book: Social Justice Parenting by Dr. Traci Baxley
Connect with Traci: Social Justice Parenting
Traci on IG
Traci on FB
Traci on LinkedIn
Traci on Twitter

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588: 7 Simple Ways To Show Up For Your Life Oct 11, 2021

Everyday you have the chance to show up for yourself, your family and your community in a myriad of ways. On hard days, showing up feels nearly impossible. Heck, some days it is impossible.

As we endure the most relentless of seasons, there are a number of ways you can show up, one small step at a time - to keep up your drive, your sense of self, and a bit of momentum. Showing up in small ways over a long period of time makes a really big difference in the entire trajectory of your life.

How do I know this??

Because I’m the poster child for showing up in small ways one million times over again. It’s what I do. It’s how I built an award winning fitness business. It’s how I built this podcast (that’s nearing 600 episodes), it’s how I kept going when infertility felt like it would win over and over again.

Showing up doesn’t have to be a big production. It can be small, simple steps that keep you moving forward just a bit at a time - enough to help you see that you are actually moving forward. In this episode, I share 7 simple ways you can show up for your life. Practicing any one of these will have great impact over time.

Let’s keep showing up, my friends.

Link mentioned:

Join Traci and me for Traci’s virtual book launch on October 20th: Social Justice

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587: Khalilah Lyons: Candidly Connecting Through Courageous Conversations Oct 06, 2021

Khalilah Lyons is the founder of Answer the Moment, LLC, as well as a keynote speaker, mentor, advisory council member, thought leader. She is also a diversity, equity and inclusion leader devoted to the advocacy of the underrepresented and untapped talent in others. Through her practical approach, she integrates passion and purpose to disrupt narratives and create cultures of inclusion where people can connect as humans, live human excellence.

Khalilah is also the managing director and co-founder of Candidly Connecting, where she ignites bold and essential conversations with children and their parents. Through this online platform and upcoming podcast, parents are equipped with tools, resources, and role models to begin having real dialogue and understand the diverse resilience that enables communities to thrive. With digestible coaching and a dynamic, online community, parents and children can create diversity and inclusion naturally in their daily lives through the power of storytelling.

Listen in to hear Khalilah share:

How hard experiences in 2019 fertilized her current foundation
The importance of “believe, breathe, be” as we navigate hard times and non-linear growth and healing
What inspired her to start having candid conversations around talking to kids about diversity and inclusion the same way we talk about eating healthy and other given conversations we have with our kids
How Candidly Connecting is creating the space for ongoing integration of stories of diversity
How to interpret stories with our heads, hearts, hands
The opportunity we have as parents to leave a legacy of changing communities
How to redefine privilege in order to leverage your power for change
The importance of acknowledging your lived experiences as achievements

Links Mentioned:

Thank you to our sponsors:

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586: Why You Must Own Your Wins Oct 04, 2021

I recently made a big, bold move that resulted in a pretty awesome win. I couldn’t decide if I should share this win publicly. It felt a little braggy and privileged to share a big win when so many people are struggling right now.

As I kept this win to myself over the course of a few weeks, I started to think about the consequences of not sharing.

When we don’t share our wins, we don’t get to fully experience the power of that feeling of “I made that happen!” We don’t help others see what is possible. We don’t get to fully own the things we build, the ways we show up, the ways we are growing, the full capacity we have to do great things. When we don’t share our wins, we don’t let our legacies live out loud.

I decided I was not ok with keeping this win to myself. So, I’m sharing it with you on today’s episode.

This is a win 18 years in the making. It’s the result of me slowly, systematically building something - one tiny step at a time - in order to land in a certain place to meet a specific “vision board goal”

My hope is that this episode will give you permission to share your wins - loud and proud. We need to see women winning right now. We need to see moms winning right now. We need to see the power and potential of taking one tiny step at a time.

Can we agree to own our wins in order to live our legacies out loud moving forward?

Links Mentioned:

Download my free Shameless Motivation Coloring Book

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585: DarNesha Weary: On Building a Business Around Young Black Leadership Sep 29, 2021

DarNesha Weary is a Shameless Mom of 2 young adults, the owner of Black Coffee NW, a community leader, an event organizer, a culture shifter, and a change maker. I discovered DarNesha while following Black Coffee NW on social media and knew I wanted to invite her on the show. Over the last year I’ve watched her family build and rebuild their business as they have been the target of hate crimes. I’ve watched her hire her 17 year old daughter as the President of her company. I’ve seen her turn a coffee shop into a place where community is birthed and nourished. I’ve been in total awe of DarNesha’s mission. When I found out we had a friend in common, I took the opportunity to reach out in my typical stalker fashion to invite her into a conversation here. I’m so delighted that she said yes.

Listen in to hear DarNesha share:

How she’s learning who she is as a woman at the age of 42
What inspired her and her husband to open Black Coffee NW
How she has handled acts of violence to her business and staff
How abundant thinking has deeply impacted her success - especially on hard days
The importance of expecting and normalizing mistakes
Why she’s building an elevated coffee shop experience in order to create a community hub for conversations and connections - and why this is so important
Why she named her 17 year daughter president of the company
Why she doesn’t want blindly loyal customers - but conscientious consumers who are ready to take action to help them live the mission
How growing her business is part of her healing journey as a mom and Black woman

Links mentioned:

Learning more about Black Coffee NW, their locations, and their events in Seattle
Black Coffee NW on IG
DarNesha on IG
FB/TWITTER/TIKTOK @blackcoffeenw

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584: 555 Days: An Epidemic of Pandemic Impatience Sep 27, 2021

I recently completely lost my shit at the bank. Through a series of events that were unexpected and inconvenient, I was unable to get what I needed at my bank - on two separate occasions within the same week.

This led to a meltdown in my car on a Tuesday afternoon. Screaming and crying in the bank parking lot. If you’re imagining me red faced, slobbering and irrational - like a toddler, you would be right.

As I tried to collect myself in order to drive, I started piecing together a few things….

So many things keep getting harder as a result of this pandemic. The demands on us keep becoming more and more energy consuming - whether it’s the constant worry, the constant decision making, or the constant work-arounds we have to create to make things happen in new ways.

We are out of patience.

When our patience is stretched so thin, OF COURSE we are going to have toddler-like meltdowns in our cars.

We are all trying so hard to keep it together, but the constant adapting to more difficult situations has pushed us into an epidemic of pandemic impatience.

We are all walking around just one disappointment away from losing our shit #everydamnday.

Am I right?

For me it was the bank situation. Maybe for you it’s the grocery store being out of your favorite snack (I also cried recently when Trader Joe’s was out of dark chocolate peanut butter cups). Maybe it’s a passive aggressive comment made by a boss or a family member. Maybe it’s your child (or partner) pushing your buttons one time too many on any given Tuesday.

The things that used to roll off us are now major triggering events - because we are so, so tired. We have been navigating this pandemic for over 555 days now. 555 days.

In this episode, I talk through 4 reasons you are feeling ALL THE FEELINGS right now and a few tips to help you keep going. We must keep going. We will keep going. We can keep going.

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583: Ruth Soukup: From Hopeless Rock Bottom to Choosing to Live Sep 22, 2021

New York Times bestselling author Ruth Soukup is dedicated to helping women everywhere create a life they love, encouraging her more than 1 million subscribers to follow their dreams and reach their goals. She is the host of the wildly popular Do It Scared podcast, as well as the founder of the Living Well Planner® and Elite Blog Academy®, as well as the author of six books, including her newest bestseller, Do It Scared®: Finding the Courage to Face Your Fears, Overcome Obstacles, and Create a Life You Love. Her practical advice has been featured all over, including Family Circle, Entrepreneur, TIME and Fox News.

Ruth has been on my radar for years. She is widely known to be a powerhouse of a story teller, creator, and leader. I was so touched when she said she would be a guest on the show. And I was deeply honored when she shared what she wanted to talk about. We dig deep into her past as she uncovers how she went from an extremely hopeless rock bottom season to actively choosing to live.

Listen in to hear Ruth share:

How the trauma from her childhood sexual abuse resurfaced as depression in college and led to her first suicide attempt
The one thing that helped her regain a will to live after 2.5 years of being hospitalzed for multiple suicide attempts
How she and her therapist shifted their conversation into a journey to live instead of always living in the past and processing trauma
The power of looking back and identifying your rock bottom moments in order to find power & strength in future hard seasons of your life
Why it’s ok to let others hold hope for you if you can’t hold it for yourself
The first tiny step to take if you’re in a rock bottom situation or really hard season
Her advice for moms who looking to change paths in life

Links mentioned:

Join my free Hope, Happiness, and Mental Health Challenge
Join Ruth’s Activate program
Learn your fear archetype: Do It Scared
Ruth on social media: @ruthsoukup @livingwellspendingless @livingwellplanner @eliteblogacademy
Read about Ruth’s mental health journey from the very beginning

Thank you to our sponsor:

Talkspace: To match with your perfect therapist for a fraction of the price of traditional therapy, go to https://www.talkspace.com/, Make sure to use the code SHAMELESS to get $100 off your first month and show your support for the show.

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582: How I Manage Anxiety #everydamnday Sep 20, 2021

Last May, as we approached the end of Mental Health Awareness Month, I decided to share my own story around mental health and, specifically, around my diagnoses of PTSD and General Anxiety Disorder.

I heard from so many of you who could relate to my story. A large number of those of you who reached out to say “me too” also shared that you struggled with the same diagnoses.

Given this feedback, I thought it might be helpful to share what treatment/management modalities have helped me the most since being diagnosed.

Overall, my diagnoses have given me so much clarity. They have solidified who I am in so many ways. I really understand why my brain works the way it does and how I can use this in my favor. This has been such a huge relief.

As I share some of my tools in this episode, I cover everything from medication to exercise to calendar management to my precious morning coffee routine. Whether or not you share my diagnoses, I think you’ll find some of these tools essential to managing your mental health as we continue to navigate the state of the world.

If you have any feedback or need any support, please reach out. I would be honored to be a part of your healing journey.

Links Mentioned:

Join our free Hope, Happiness and Mental Health Challenge
SMA Ep 544: My Mental Health Diagnosis

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581: Jessica Frew: Living Boldly Through Marriage, Coming Out, Divorce & Remarriage Sep 15, 2021

Jessica Frew is a wife, ex-wife, mom, stepmom, and BOLD action taker. She has a successful podcast called “Husband in Law” that she records with her husband, Matt, and her ex-husband, Steve. Together they are sharing their stories of love, marriage, coming out, divorce, remarriage, and co-parenting to help others know they are not alone. They also co-own The BOLD Logic. A company devoted to helping people go from living in an “I should” mindset to taking BOLD action toward keeping and reclaiming their sense of self. Jessica is a firm believer that by knowing and understanding what it is you really want in life you can BOLDly create a life you love, no matter what your circumstances.

Listen in to hear Jessica share:

The process of finding out her husband was gay a year and a half into her marriage
How she, her ex-husband, and her current husband have owned and shared their story in a way that helps other couples
What a mixed orientation marriage is and how it works for different couples
The disservice we do to our children when we hold a narrow view of what marriage and family look like
What it’s like to be a member of a Mormon church and have a family that looks drastically different from a typical Mormon family
How she knew when to follow her intuition vs letting her ego go
How she navigated the hardest early years of her second marriage and the truth about hard seasons in marriage
The importance of healthy boundaries that bring others in - not just setting boundaries as defensive armor
How she listens to herself when things don’t go as planned, as well as the specific questions she asks herself in times of turmoil

Links mentioned:

Join my free Hope, Happiness & Mental Health Challenge
Podcast: Husband In Law
Jessica on IG: @husbandinlaw
Resources and Journal: The Boldlogic

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580: Stop Making Other People More Comfortable Sep 13, 2021

How often have you made yourself smaller because you didn’t want to make other people feel uncomfortable? You didn’t want to outshine someone, you didn’t want to hold someone responsible, you didn’t want to make someone take a closer look at themself?

Perhaps you find yourself keeping your voice quiet and small because you are worried that your louder, bigger voice would make too much noise for another person.

Sometimes it is absolutely appropriate to make space for others. But sometimes the space you are making for others is at your own expense. That is not appropriate.

If you are an over-giver or a people pleaser, you probably know well the pain and exhaustion of tiptoeing around someone else. You know the resentment that comes with biting your tongue and taking someone else’s crap. You know the regret that comes with letting someone say or do something gross and not calling them on it.

I’m giving you permission to use your voice more loudly, more clearly, and more frequently.

I’m inviting you to set better boundaries that keep the right people out of your life and invite the right people in on your terms. This is about you having clarity around what you stand for and what you stand against. This is about knowing who you are and who you want to give your energy to. This is about letting other people be responsible for themselves instead of you feeling like you must keep them comfortable at all times.

In today’s episode I walk you through a handful of situations in which you might want to consider how you’re sacrificing yourself in order to make others more comfortable - and how to stop doing that.

Links Mentioned:

Join my free Hope, Happiness & Mental Health Challenge

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579: Nicole Lynn Lewis: Navigating College as a Black Teen Mom Sep 08, 2021

Nicole Lynn Lewis is a mom of 4, a social entrepreneur, and the founder of the nonprofit Generation Hope. As a teen mother, she put herself through the College of William & Mary, starting as a freshman when her daughter was just three months old. She has been named a CNN Hero and won the Roslyn S. Jaffe Award. She has appeared on CNN, NBC Nightly News, “Good Morning America,” and her journey has been covered in the Washington Post, Baltimore Sun, TeenVogue, Chronicle for Higher Education, and others. Her book "PREGNANT GIRL: A Story of Teen Pregnancy, College, and Creating a Better Future for Young Families" is out now.

Nicole’s story is going to open your eyes to what it’s like to be a Black teen mom in college, as well as all the ways our current college system is set up to ensure success only for its most privileged students.

Listen in to hear Nicole share:

Her mission to write Pregnant Girl - in order help society have a better understanding of teen pregnancy
Her experience going to college and living on campus as a Black teen mom
Why it’s so critical that we stop hiding, shaming, and punishing teen parents by marginalizing them and taking resources from them
How to support the 25% of our college students who are young parents
The stereotypes we hold against teen parents - and the truths behind them
How precarious and isolating it is to be a teen mom in college and the toll it takes on mental health
How teen parents and students of color have to constantly prove their worthiness to get ahead - in ways students of privileged never do
The racist systems and policies that keep parents of color from entering and graduating from college
How her non-profit, Generation Hope, supports college students financially and emotionally
Why Pregnant Girl is a must read for any teen mom and anyone who carries privilege

Links mentioned:

Join my Hope Happiness and Mental Health Challenge
Connect with Generation Hope
Book: PREGNANT GIRL: A Story of Teen Pregnancy, College, and Creating a Better Future for Young Families
Nicole on Twitter and Instagram: @supportgenhope and @nicolelynnlewis

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578: How to Calm the Chaos & Clutter in Your Head Sep 06, 2021

The chaos & clutter are real. Not just in our homes, but in our heads, my friends.

As we continue to navigate the most challenging and relentless season of most of our lives, it is easy to let our minds get the best of us.

The overwhelm is real. The fear is palpable. The stress is justified.

It is in these moments that our minds tend to run away without our permission. We go to worst case scenarios. We write stories with horrific endings. We let all our wiring go haywire as we imagine how bad things could get.

As I’ve been on coaching calls with clients over the last couple weeks, we have been working on calming the mental chaos & clutter. Because, even under the hardest circumstances, you get to choose how you manage your thoughts and how you see your position of power in sticky (if not terrifying) situations.

In today’s episode, I’ll walk you through 6 questions to ask yourself in order to calm the chaos and clear the clutter in your head. This will allow you to create space for “what is true and what is beautiful” (as Glennon Doyle teaches us) in those moments that are keeping you stuck in overwhelm right now.

Links Mentioned:

Join my Hope Happiness and Mental Health Challenge

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577: Andrea Owen: Make Some Noise Sep 01, 2021

Andrea Owen is the author of 3 books, a global speaker, certified life coach, and hell raiser who helps high-achieving women maximize unshakeable confidence, and master resilience. She has taught hundreds of thousands of women tools and strategies to be able to empower themselves to live their most kick-ass life through speaking, her books, coaching, and her wildly popular podcast, Make Some Noise, with close to 3 million downloads.

Andrea has become one of my favorite COVID voxer buddies. When she told me about her newest book, Make Some Noise: Speak Your Mind and Own Your Strength I immediately told her she had to come back on the show. Andrea talks as fast and as loud as me - so buckle up, friends. This convo is fire.

Listen in to hear Andrea share:

Why she decided to write her book, Make Some Noise, in this pivotal moment in history
The reality of women fearing shining too bright
The solution to start taking up space and start shining (a little) more
The questions to ask yourself if you feel yourself hesitating to take up space
How we fall into internalized misogyny
How to talk about other people from a place of curiosity instead of judgement and gossip
The 4 steps to start unlearning
How she built an entire relationship while ignoring her intuition - and ultimately ended up in her enabling her partners drug addiction and doing drug deals in Mexico
Why women’s empowerment starts with women asking for what they want

Links mentioned:

Join for info on my Hope, Happiness & Mental Health Challenge: shamelessmom.com/newsletter
Listen to the Make Some Noise podcast
Get Andrea’s book, Make Some Noise: andreaowen.com/noise
Get the free Make Some Noise Workbook and bonuses andreaowen.com/msn
Andrea on Instagram
Andrea on Facebook
Andrea on Twitter
Andrea on YouTube
Andrea on Pinterest

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576: Summer Series Wrap Up: Your 3 Next Steps Aug 30, 2021

How did we get here? 12 weeks ago we kicked off our Lead Like A Mother Summer Series. This was back in June when the world was full of hope and it looked like things could be really turning around in this pandemic.

12 weeks later, we are still here.

And so is the pandemic.

As we close out this series, I want to invite you to consider how the lessons of this series apply to you at any time, in any season.

No matter how hard the world becomes - or how GREAT it becomes, a few things remain true:

It is likely that YOU will continue to be the single most force that holds you back from getting what you want and need, so you must stay keenly connected to habits that don’t serve you
Your brain WILL revert to negative thought patterns and dysfunctional loops routinely, so you must constantly check what you’re letting in and how you’re framing your situation
Your innate ability to lead is a privilege and a responsibility not to be taken lightly.

In this episode, we will dive into these 3 truths so that you can continue to feel strong, powerful, and capable even when you don’t feel in control of what is happening around you.

We continue to be in this together, my friend. I GOT YOU.

Link mentioned:

Join for info on my Hope, Happiness & Mental Health Challenge

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575: Abby Medcalf: How to Reconceptionalize your Relationship with your Partner Aug 25, 2021

Abby Medcalf is a Relationship Maven, psychologist, author, podcast host, and Tedx speaker who has helped thousands of people think differently so they can create connection, ease, and joy in their relationships (especially the one with yourself)! With her unique background in both business and counseling, she brings a fresh, effective perspective to life’s struggles using humor and her direct, no-nonsense style.

With over 30 years of experience, Abby is a recognized authority and sought-after speaker at organizations such as Google, Apple, AT&T, Kaiser, PG&E, American Airlines, and Chevron. She’s been a featured expert on CBS and ABC news, and has been a contributor to Huff Post, Women’s Health, and Bustle.

She’s the author of the #1 Amazon best-selling book, “Be Happily Married, Even if Your Partner Won’t Do a Thing,” and the host of the top-rated “Relationships Made Easy” Podcast. Her new book, "Negative Thinking Sucks (and Not in a Good Way) will be out soon!

Listen in to hear Abby share:

How her path as a recovering heroin addict living in Israel led her to her current work
Why competition, not communication, is crushing your relationships
What competition in relationships looks like
The concept of sharing, adding, and subtracting resources
A total reconceptualization of sharing “plates” with your partner in terms of each other’s duties and responsibilities
How to stop feeling like you’re always doing more than your partner
The exact way to have a conversation around household duties and division of labor
How to practice having faith in love and not fear
How confirmation bias erodes our relationships and how to see your relationships through a healthier lense
Acknowledging that we all want the same thing - to feel love, connected, and accepted

Links mentioned:

Get my free 15 Minute Manifest
Connect with Abby
Free Guide: The Complete Guide To Effective Communication In Every Relationship
Instagram: @abbymedcalfthriving
Facebook
LinkedIn
Twitter
YouTube Channel: Abby Medcalf Thriving

Thank you to our sponsor:

Talkspace: To match with your perfect therapist for a fraction of the price of traditional therapy, go to talkspace.com, Make sure to use the code SHAMELESS to get $100 off your first month and show your support for the show.

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574: 6 Steps to Turning Your Struggles into Stories of Strength Aug 23, 2021

What if the struggles you shy away from sharing are actually the stories that give way to your superpowers?

When we go through hard things, we often want to move away from them, forget they happened, and continue on our merry way without owning the profound impact of hard circumstances. Of course, this makes a ton of sense. I mean, sitting in hard things is never fun.

But sometimes when we walk away without owning how our struggles have shaped us, we miss out on the huge opportunity to see how we are made so much stronger by what we have endured.

When you take some time to look closely and critically at your struggles, you can see where there might be loose ends in the final chapters of the story. You might even see where you have left a story unfinished - and let it continue to nag at you, or even plague you.

In this episode, we’ll look at the power you can find in looking closely at your struggles and their corresponding stories. We’ll talk through how you can rewrite the endings to these stories in order to own where you hold power. This will help you see how that power has you poised to move forward in your life in bold and brave ways.

Tune in to learn 6 steps you can take to reposition your struggles as stories that pushed you to grow & learn and shaped you into who you are today

Link mentioned:

Get my free 15 Minute Manifest

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573: JoAnn Crohn: Helping Your Kids Build Healthy Friendships Aug 18, 2021

JoAnn Crohn, M. Ed is a parenting educator and former elementary teacher who helps moms feel confident in everything from raising empowered, self-sufficient kids to dropping the anxiety and guilt out of modern parenthood.

She’s an accomplished writer, author, podcast host of the No Guilt Mom podcast, and speaker, appearing in national media and founder of the parenting site, NoGuiltMom.com. Her specialty is talking to both parents and kids - with her self-paced digital courses for kids and parents in handling big emotions, creating a morning routine, and conquering the homework drama.

JoAnn created the most awesome book/workbook for kids, Me and My Friendships. After digging into the book myself, I knew I had to have her on the show to share with us how we can help our kids build healthy friendships.

Listen in to hear JoAnn share:

Her personal experience in friendship struggles as a kid that led her to writing a book about friendship for kids
The key characteristics of being a good friend that we can teach our kids from an early age
3 tips you can use to help your kids have better friendships
Why modeling listening, especially reflective listening, is so valuable to your kids
How to help kids with self regulation during hard emotional moments
What to do if your kids don't want to listen to your friendship advice
What to do if your kid comes home from school complaining about a friend
How to talk to your kids about being an upstander with friends
When you should intervene in friendships vs when you should let them figure it out on their own

Links mentioned:

Get my free 15 Minute Manifest
Connect with JoAnn and get her free workbook: No Guilt Mom
Podcast: No Guilt Mom
Book: Me and My Friendships by JoAnn Crohn
Social Media: @NoGuiltMom (Pinterest, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube)

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572: 8 Steps To Becoming A Better Leader (Part 2) Aug 16, 2021

Becoming a better leader is a practice that requires thoughtful and intentional action over time. It’s all about how you repeatedly show up, how you decide to shine, how you share your gifts with the world.

Last week we talked about why it’s important to follow inspirational leaders, take uncomfortable action (and talk about it), own and acknowledge all the places you’re already leading, and create affirmations that position you as a leader #everydamnday.

This week we will dig into 4 more ways you can lean into leadership in your daily life - in order to build confidence and conviction as a leader; in order to have greater impact; and in order to build the relationships you need to take your leadership to the next level.

Whether you are the bright and bold leader type or the more quiet and thoughtful leader type, learning how to practice leadership will light you up in ways that will totally fill your cup, as well as inspire and inform who you are becoming and the impact you can have on the world.

Let’s LEAD, my friends.

Links mentioned:

Get my free 15 Minute Manifest

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571: Sarah Stevens: How to Take Up Space and Love Yourself in the Process Aug 11, 2021

In 2016, Sarah left a successful, decade-long career in corporate healthcare in favor of work that better aligned with her passion and purpose. After serving for two years as a freelance consultant to small businesses and start-up nonprofits, Sarah founded The Beautifull Project - a storytelling collective that invites women back to their bodies and into a world where they belong with substance and with strength.

Sarah is a gifted storyteller with a skill for using her own experience as a woman navigating the world in a fat body to invite her audience to encounter the parts of themselves they hide away from the world - the parts they believe to be “too much”.

Addressing everything from too-big bodies to a fear of failure that cripples confidence, Sarah amplifies a message that moves beyond a body positive sentiment and creates a movement that makes room for everybody to tell their truth and take up space. She draws out confidence and courage. She believes in being free and full. And she will make a believer out of you, too.

Sarah was a guest on the show a couple years ago. That incredible conversation led me to asking her to be a part of our 2021 Shameless Mom Con Collective. As I predicted, Sarah blew us away with her poignant and powerful storytelling. I was so moved by her talk that I asked her if I could share this conversation with you all. I’m so delighted and grateful that she said yes.

Listen in to hear Sarah share:

How her Ted talk landed her naked on stage
The rules and limitations that are put on bodies - even as we embrace a wider range of “acceptable” body types
The constant conflict of taking up space
Her process of ending her marriage, starting her entire life over again - and finally saying yes to her body and her sexuality
The power of letting your shoulders down and letting go
Her 3 tenants of taking up space

Links mentioned:

SMA Ep 366 with Sarah Stevens: The Beautifull Project: The Truth About Fatness and Thin Allies
Connect with Sarah: The Beautifull Project or By Sarah Stevens
Sarah on social: @bysarahstevens and @thebeautifullproject

Thank you to our sponsor:

Thrive: Start thriving and help women in need today by going to ThriveCausemetics.com/shameless for 15% off your first purchase!

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570: 8 Steps to Becoming a Better Leader (Part 1) Aug 09, 2021

I am constantly reminding moms that - even if you didn’t sign up for it - you are already a leader. You lead in your households and in your communities. You lead in your relationships and your workplaces.

There is no way around it. You are a leader.

You might be a loud and proud leader.

Or you might be the quiet and mighty type.

You might be timid, but thoughtful about how you lead.

Or you might be the wild and impulsive type.

No matter how you lead, there is always room for improvement. Because with improvement comes the opportunity for great impact and more ripples of impact.

Over the next two weeks, I’m going to share specific steps you can take to become a better leader, no matter what your current leadership style is.

This week, we will cover how to find leaders who inspire you, how to take uncomfortable and talk about it publicly, how to own your title of leader, and 5 affirmations you can use to step into leadership with more confidence and pride.

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569: Shannon Siriano Greenwood: PPD, Medication, and the Truth About Mental Health in Motherhood Aug 04, 2021

Founder, leader, and community builder, Shannon Siriano Greenwood knows the benefits of building her network with meaningful relationships over bountiful connections. As the CEO of the Rebelle Brand, her work supports working women in creating meaningful connections that will support them both professionally and personally.

Women network differently. And quite frankly, most of us hate networking all together, but now more than ever we recognize that having a supportive community is a vital human need. Rebelle brings together women who are building their Wolf Pack, as defined by Abby Wambach, “a crew of brave and honest women to support you.”

I invited Shannon on the show to talk about her entry into motherhood and the mental health journey that took her years to find her way to a diagnosis. We covered everything from Postpartum Depression to mental health medication to why women shy away from talking about their mental health.

Listen in to hear Shannon share:

Her journey into motherhood - experiencing anxiety and depression from the day her first child was born
Her 2-year journey to finally being diagnosed with Postpartum Depression
The pervasive inner dialogue of her anxiety and depression
Her AHA moment of sitting in the pediatrician’s office sobbing for no particular reason
The differences in how Postpartum Depression showed up between her first and second child
Her life changing, potentially life saving decision to get on medication and how it’s impacted the last 3 years of her life
The role of shame in moms keeping quiet about the truths around their mental health
The importance of having various friend groups & social circles to meet your various needs in order to thrive
Why connection with new people - especially new people who are different than you - is so important
Her perspective on what connection and gatherings will look like as we transition out of the pandemic

Links mentioned:

Join our membership community, Momentum Mamas
Connect with Shannon
Social media: @ssiriano and @readytorebelle

Thank you to our sponsor:

Talkspace: To match with your perfect therapist for a fraction of the price of traditional therapy, go to talkspace.com, Make sure to use the code SHAMELESS to get $100 off your first month and show your support for the show.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

568: Why Women Shy Away from Leading Aug 02, 2021

Have you ever turned down an opportunity in leadership because you assumed that it would just be too much work? Yeah, me too.

Have you ever stopped yourself from applying for a position in leadership because you assumed you weren’t quiiiite qualified? Yeah, me too?

Have you ever shoved a dream to the far back burner because you haven’t seen anyone like you accomplish something similar, so you can’t even imagine how you might make it happen? Yeah, me too.

When it comes to going for the big stuff, stepping up to lead, and showing up in new ways, we often let doubt be our default.

You assume you aren’t qualified and that someone else can do it better.

You look around and don’t see any examples of people like you who have done it before, so you assume it’s not for you.

You think through what it would look like to be successful in a new role or new space of leadership and you’re immediately exhausted by your own perfectionism and the idea of how hard you’d have to work to be the perfect fit, that you sit down before you even start to stand up.

Let’s take a closer look at why you’re holding yourself back from leading in bigger and bolder ways. It’s likely that your self-doubt default is holding you back - perhaps for good reason.

Listen in to dive deep into 4 reasons women shy away from leadership and how you can (lovingly) get over yourself in order to stand up in all the places you want to take up space.

Links mentioned:

Join our membership community, Momentum Mamas

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567: Danielle Silverstein: The Value of Vulnerability in Marriage & Martinis Jul 28, 2021

Danielle is a mom to three kids and two rescue dogs. She and her husband, Adam, started Marriage and Martinis while going through the most intense, chaotic time in their lives. Their goal is to show a real marriage at its core; one in which both people greatly love each other, but also in which it has been difficult and messy.

Danielle and I connected as newbie podcasters a few years ago. From the moment I learned of her show and started stalking her ridiculously funny Instagram account, I wanted to be friends with her. She is real and raw to the core; she is not afraid to dig into hard, messy conversations; and she is so eager to support others as they wade through all the work that comes with marriage.

After you listen to this conversation, you are definitely going to want to subscribe to the Marriage and Martinis podcast and go get Danielle’s book, Date Night Questions.

Listen in to hear Danielle share:

The importance of talking about life and your personal evolution with your partner - not just always talk about points of contention and the hard parts of your partnership
Why Danielle and Adam started a podcast at a low-low in their marriage
The truth about the smoke & mirrors of all marriages
What it has felt like to be completely open, honest, and vulnerable with their life/marriage in such a public way
Her two truths about marriage that she couldn’t see coming when they started the show - that might totally help you in your marriage
How to frame questions and conversations for healthy communication and growth in your partnerships
All the goodies about her and Adam’s ebook, Date Night Questions, and how to use the book to support healthy, fun, and productive conversations in your marriage or partnership

Links mentioned:

Join my free workshop, 5 Ways to Shine Like A Mother
Podcast: Marriage & Martinis
Get your copy of Date Night Questions
Instagram: @marriageandmartinis
Facebook: @marriageandmartinis
Twitter: @marriagemartini
YouTube: Marriage & Martinis

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566: The Pitfalls of Positive Thinking Jul 26, 2021

It might sound suspicious to you when I suggest there is a downside to positive thinking. But, hear me out….

Positive thinking serves us well when it’s authentic - because of course, it feels good to feel good. But pushing ourselves into positive thinking does not serve well when it’s inauthentic. If we feel like crap, sometimes we need to honor the crap and embrace the suck - not invalidate it by trying to force a smile and a good attitude.

In honoring the crap and embracing the suck, we ultimately become more resilient and resourceful. We more deeply understand ourselves as well as the human condition. This creates more space for us to be compassionate and empathetic humans who can survive, cope and thrive under a wider variety of experiences.

Listen in to learn why positive thinking does not always serve you - and how it can be downright dangerous at times. You’ll also learn how to work toward neutral thinking instead of emotionally bypassing hard feelings. This can be a game changer in how you experience emotions and manage your thoughts and feelings in the long run.

Links Mentioned:

Join my free workshop, 5 Ways to Shine Like A Mother

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565: Colleen Echohawk: The First Indigenous Woman Running for Mayor in a Major City Jul 21, 2021

Over the past two decades, Colleen Echohawk has served the most marginalized people living in the Greater Seattle community. As the head of Chief Seattle Club, a non-profit dedicated to the rapid re-housing of urban Natives, Colleen led the effort to create nearly $100 million in new affordable housing in Seattle. Under Colleen’s leadership, Chief Seattle Club has received recognition from the Puget Sound Sage Visionary for Justice Award (2018), the Neighborhood

Builder Award (2017), and the Municipal League of King County’s Organization of the Year (2016).

Colleen is an enrolled member of the Kithehaki Band of the Pawnee Nation and a member of the Upper Athabascan people of Mentasta Lake. Colleen and her family have been proud to call Seattle home for over two decades. In her spare time, she loves to read, sing karaoke, take her dog Rizzo for a walk, listen to National Public Radio, and cook delicious food for her friends and family.

She has been recognized by numerous organizations, including the 21 Leaders to watch in 2021 by Seattle Magazine, the King County Martin Luther King Jr. Medal of Distinguished Service (2020), Seattle’s most influential people by Seattle Magazine (November 2019), and many more.

I got to hear Colleen speak a couple months ago and I immediately knew I wanted to ask her to be a guest on the show. I was so delighted and honored when she said yes. We could have spoken for hours. She is a powerhouse of a woman and leader and her mayoral platform is extraordinary. I know you will be so inspired by Colleen’s stories and leadership.

Listen in to hear Colleen share:

The cost of leadership when you’re a mom
Her role as the first Indigenous women running for mayor in a major city
The identities she carries as a mayoral candidate, Indigenous woman, eldest sister of 7 siblings, and Shameless Mom
How she is using her mayoral platform to protect Seattle’s most vulnerable citizens
How being an Indigenous women informs her leadership and deep desire to be a public servant
The evolution of Native identity in leadership
The intersection of motherhood and leadership and how her kids help her keep boundaries
Her background serving Native people experiencing homelessness and how it’s the foundation for her mayoral campaign
How she wants to see change and evolution in policing in Seattle
Her focus on providing the city of Seattle an equitable recovery from COVID
Her advice to other women who might be considering running for office

Links mentioned:

Join my free workshop, 5 Ways to Shine Like a Mother
Echohawk For Seattle
Colleen on Instagram
Colleen on Facebook
Colleen on Twitter

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564: 5 Ways to Overcome Negative Thought Patterns Jul 19, 2021

In last week’s podcast episode, I called out your negative thought patterns. These are the thoughts that get stuck in your head and keep you spinning in negative spaces - often keeping you totally stuck in your life.

It’s hard to recognize your negative thought patterns - because they have likely been an unconscious part of you for a very long time. And it can feel really frustrating to acknowledge that some of these very non-productive thought patterns have been a part of you for a long time.

But, it is in recognizing and owning these patterns, you can start changing them. From there, you can stop staying stuck in your negative thoughts. This can be super liberating!

This week, I’m going to talk you through 5 ways to overcome these negative thought patterns. You have the power to change the way you think, to shift the way your brain works, to evolve your go-to thoughts in order to be more powerful in your life #everydamnday.

In this episode we will address everything from identifying negative thought triggers to standing up to your inner critic to how to change your state in order to change your brain chemistry. This episode is packed with tools that you can use right away to start using your brain in more productive and positive ways.

Link mentioned:

Join my free workshop, 5 Ways to Shine Like a Mother

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563: Cindi Bright: The Color of Courage, Crushing Racism in Corporate America Jul 14, 2021

Cindi Bright is the President of The Bright Group, a management consulting firm focusing on the ecosystems of corporate America impacting and impeding progress for brown and Black people. She is the Producer and Host of HeartBeat radio, focusing on the “heart condition” of this country impeding diversity progress. With decades of experience in corporate America as a former Human Resources executive in organizations, diversity and leadership, she formerly led HR for three financial services businesses. A former candidate for public office in 2018, her platform has become a highly sought-after show to air the voices of people, and to influence public policy to improve the lives of Black and brown people.

Cindi is a successful plaintiff in a Discrimination lawsuit, where she faced personal discrimination for speaking out on issues of injustice. At the time of her jury verdict, she was the second largest plaintiff verdict for the State of Washington.

I have known Cindi for years, as she was a personal training client of mine some 15 years ago. I invited her on the show to talk about her new book, The Color of Courage, Crushing Racism in Corporate America. This book is a personal story of triumph over obstacles to inspire others to stand in their truths and to challenge corporate America to address the inequities at play for brown and Black people.

Listen in to hear Cindi share:

Her public firing at the hands of a white woman
How she won her court case, becoming the second largest plaintiff verdict in a discrimination case in WA state
How she was portrayed as a Black woman while on trial
How her company used her mental health and sex life against her in court
Why Robin DiAngelo, the author of White Fragility, is dangerous to Black women’s prosperity
Examples of how white women center themselves
What white women can do in the workplace to center Black women instead of centering themselves
How she summons the courage to play large and take up space in a world that tries to keep Black women small
Why nuance matters in conversations around race and how Cindi kindly helped me add some nuance to a statement I made in our conversation
Why her book, The Color of Courage: Crushing Racism in Corporate America needs to be read by everyone

Links mentioned:

Join my free workshop, 5 Ways to Shine Like A Mother
Connect with Cindi
Cindi on Twitter
Cindi on Instagram
Cindi on Facebook
Cindi on Tik Tok

Thank you to our sponsor:

Lovevery: Free shipping at lovevery.com/shamelessand use the code SHAMELESS at checkout.

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562: Acknowledging and Assessing Negative Thought Patterns Jul 12, 2021

I’m not gonna lie, you might feel totally called out by today’s episode. But I think and hope it will ultimately really help you to see how your brain is holding you back at times.

Here’s the deal… You likely have a bunch of negative thought loops running through your brain all.the.time. Know that you are not alone in this. Not even a little bit. Also, know that these loops that just keep playing on repeat are so dangerous over time.

They keep you small.

They keep you quiet.

They keep you sad and frustrated and exhausted.

They keep you from enjoying some of the best parts of your life.

They keep you from seeing what your life could be.

So, let’s shut them up, shall we?!

In today's episode, I talk you through 7 common negative thought patterns I learned about from Dr. David Burns:

All or nothing thinking
Overgeneralization
Magnification/Catastrophizing
Emotional Reasoning
Should Statements
Rumination
Overthinking

I’ll admit, when I first learned of these I was like, “DAMN, HE LIVES ALL THE WAY IN MY HEAD.” But I also felt a little relief in knowing that the loops in my head are common loops and they can be retrained, or rerouted, if you will.

Listen in to dig into these common negative thought patterns so you can learn how to retrain your brain in more functional and productive ways.

Links mentioned:

Join my free workshop, 5 Ways to Shine Like A Mother
Book: Feeling Good: The New Mood Therapy by Dr David Burns

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561: Mia Hemstad: How To Combat Mom Burnout With Sustainable Self-Nourishment Jul 07, 2021

Mia Hemstad is a wife and a mom of 2 little kiddos. Mia works as a Paid Family Leave and mental health advocate—writing and speaking online and advocating at the policy level for systemic change. After surviving postpartum depression and anxiety twice, and later being diagnosed with PTSD and depression, Mia is passionate about helping mothers leave the burnout cycle behind through her writing, speaking and coaching to support moms in navigating self-care and mental well-being in motherhood.

Mia was one of the speakers during the Shameless Mom Con Collective this past spring. As she gave her impassioned talk, all of our attendees saw parts of themselves - the parts that most folks don’t talk about. The messy parts. The ugly parts. The parts full of tears, anger, and even rage. The parts that might lead to a diagnosis of depression or anxiety. The parts that might require medication.

Mia’s talk was so powerful and also full of tactical advice, so I decided I had to share it here - where more of you who struggle with mom burnout can put her tips into action in order to start healing the parts of yourself that might have you feeling like you’re barely hanging on by a thread.

Links mentioned:

Get my info about upcoming events and workshops
Connect with Mia and her resources: Mia Hemstad
Follow Mia here: YouTube | Facebook | Instagram

Thank you to our sponsor:

Talkspace: To match with your perfect therapist for a fraction of the price of traditional therapy, go to talkspace.com, Make sure to use the code SHAMELESS to get $100 off your first month and show your support for the show.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

560: How Your Thoughts Lead To Action (and Inaction) Jul 05, 2021

You have anywhere from 6,000-60,000 thoughts per day, depending on which research study you trust most.

Let’s just take the low estimate of 6,000 thoughts per day and consider the impact of that many thoughts on the course of your day.

We know that our thoughts determine our feelings & emotions which then determine our actions.

Therefore, at least 6,000 times per day, you have a thought that makes you take action - or not.

Some of our thoughts make us brave and bold. They give us permission to take courageous action and then we bask in the glory of proving our strength and power.

Other thoughts make us take rash action - sometimes causing harm to ourselves or others. This can send us into a downward spiral of negative follow up thoughts:

What was I thinking?

I can’t believe I was so stupid.

I’m so embarrassed.

I am completely ashamed.

And other thoughts make us freeze. We decide that we aren’t ready or qualified to be courageous. Not yet. Not today.

New awareness of your 6,000 - 60,000 thoughts per day might feel overwhelming, if not downright daunting. But, here’s the thing…

You are 100% capable of becoming a better thought manager. This means you can manage your thoughts in order to manage your actions. YAY.

Listen in to hear how your thoughts determine your actions and how you can become a better thought manager starting right now.

Links mentioned:

Download my Shameless Motivational Coloring Book

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559: Delphine Carter: The Power Moms Bring To Corporate Culture Jun 30, 2021

Delphine Carter is the Founder and CEO of Boulo Solutions, a career matching service that helps women stay in and return to the workforce. Boulo has now helped over 1,000 women and has generated over $1M in revenue. Delphine was able to fund Boulo’s $500,000 seed stage while working and raising children during the pandemic.

I asked Delphine to join me on the show because of the massive shift we are seeing around moms and the workplace right now. Millions of moms have left the workforce in the last year. Many millions more have had to navigate new terms of working from home or working in other creative ways during the pandemic.

We are at a critical time for moms in the workplace. There is the chance to totally renegotiate what work looks like for everyone and moms are poised to work in more flexible ways than ever before. Delphine is helping make that happen.

Listen in to hear Delphine share:

Her realization that “I could not be whole without my work”
How she helps genius moms get seen professionally
How Boulo helps moms qualify themselves for jobs that are a perfect fit for their specific needs
Why Boulo only works with companies that create flexible working environments for moms and dads
How forward-thinking managers need to shift expectations around goals vs time invested on a job or task
The benefits of having moms in C Suite position
The significance of empathy in corporate culture
The challenges around childcare post pandemic when 40% of childcare centers nationwide have closed and what is open is ridiculously expensive
The exact conversation you can have with your employer to ask for a more flexible schedule
Why we must erase the phrase “just a mom” from all vernacular

Links mentioned:

Help us help you by filling out the Shameless Summer Survey
Connect with Delphine: Boulo Solutions
Connect with Delphine on LinkedIn
Connect with Delphine on Facebook
Connect with Delphine in Instagram

Thank you to our sponsor:

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558: 5 Steps To Get Out Of Your Own Way Jun 28, 2021

For the entire month of June, I have been talking about how you might be getting in your own way, why you might be getting in your own way, and how procrastination & perfectionism are keeping you stuck. This week we will wrap up the month by talking about 5 steps you can take to get out of your own way.

Look, we all get stuck. We all struggle with self doubt, analysis paralysis, and perfectionism from time to time. We overthink, over worry, over research, and over plan because we want to do things well - we want to make the BEST choices or make the BEST decision.

When we are stuck, sometimes we cannot see our way out. We cannot see the next step. This can feel scary and stifling and can even shut us down completely.

Today, I’m going to share 5 steps you can take to get out of your own way and stop staying stuck. These simple strategies are tools that will get you moving and KEEP you moving as you take action in the direction of your dreams.

I’m delighted to be wrapping up the first month of my Summer Series. In month 2 (July), we will dive into a new theme: Retrain Your Brain. You definitely don’t want to miss this content!

Link mentioned:

Help us help you by filling out the Shameless Summer Survey

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557: Irina Gonzalez: Managing Sobriety And Anxiety As A New Mom In A Pandemic Jun 23, 2021

Irina Gonzalez is a Latina, bisexual, sober Shameless Mom. She is also an editor & freelance writer covering parenting, recovery, and Latinx culture. Currently, she is the Content Marketing Manager at Tempest, a membership program that empowers you to live alcohol-free. She is also the creator of the Pandemic Mama podcast, which brings you real conversations about having a baby during COVID-19 times. Her work has appeared in over 50 publications, including The Washington Post, O! The Oprah Magazine, Parents, and more. She is a new resident of Denver, where she lives with her husband, spunky toddler, and their fur babies.

I recently heard an interview my dear friend Laura Cathcart Robbins did with Irina and I immediately knew I wanted to ask Irina to join me in the Shameless Mom Academy. She is brilliant in so many ways and extremely generous in the ways she shares her stories. I think this conversation will open your eyes and inspire you to look at some of your coping skills to assess what’s working and what’s not - and what coping mechanisms might help you the most.

Listen in to hear Irina share:

Why balance is a “damn bad idea”
How she’s juggling being back at work full time, caring for her 14 month old, and finding a sense of self
The unique intersections of her identities as a Latina, bisexual, sober, mother and writer
Her journey into sobriety
The labels of “alcoholic” vs “alcohol use disorder”
Why the 12 step recovery framework doesn’t resonate with her
How moms are not being supported by Mommy Wine Culture
The connections she made between her alcohol use and anxiety
8 coping mechanisms she’s using to deal with anxiety and managing her mental health in a pandemic
How she’s taking pride in “showing up as who I am and being vocal about it!”

Links mentioned:

Download my free Shameless Motivational Coloring Book
Connect with Irina
Irina’s Podcast: Pandemic Mama
Book: Quit Like a Woman by Holly Whitaker
Book: Why We Sleep by Matthew Walker
Podcast: Forever 35
Irina on Instagram and here

Thank you to our sponsor:

Thrive: Start thriving and help women in need today by going to com/ThriveCausemetics.com/shameless for 15% off your first purchase!

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556: How Procrastination & Perfectionism Are Keeping You Stuck Jun 21, 2021

A couple years ago, I had a major AHA. I was reading Jon Acuff’s book, FINISHED, and he was talking about perfectionism and the connection between perfectionism and procrastination.

Society tells you that procrastination is a sign of laziness or a lack of commitment. Society makes procrastinators feel like crap.

But Jon pointed out that procrastination can often be a form of perfectionism.

We already know that perfectionism keeps us in our own way - BIG TIME. It prevents us from starting and even more so from finishing. Same with procrastination. We often procrastinate because we are spinning in perfectionism:

What is the next right step?

Should I go with option A or option B?

What if I can’t finish?

What if I can’t even start?

What if I fail and other people judge me?

What if, what if, what if????

Any of this sound familiar?

All of this month, we are talking about getting out of your own way. Perfectionism is a huge way that we get in our own way and procrastination is often a major symptom of perfectionism.

Listen in to learn more about how perfectionism and procrastination might be keeping you super stuck in your own way.

Links mentioned:

Download my free Shameless Motivational Coloring Book

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555: Laura Cathcart Robbins: Why We Must Make Space For Women's Stories Jun 16, 2021

Laura Cathcart Robbins is an author, writer, podcast host, mother of Miles and Justin, Hon’s GF, dedicated inclusionist, disruptor, thought leader, ally, volunteer, storyteller, public speaker, and often the only one in the room.

She is also a freelance culture writer and host of the popular podcast, The Only One In The Room, living in Studio City, California. Her recent articles in HuffPo and The Temper on the subjects of race, recovery, and divorce have garnered her worldwide acclaim. She currently sits on the advisory boards of the San Diego Writer’s Festival and the Outliers HQ podcast Festival.

This is a super special conversation from inside the Shameless Mom Con Collective. I invited Laura to come have a conversation with me about sharing women's stories, as we have collectively shared hundreds and hundred of womens’ stories over the last few years. The power of sharing our stories is so significant and I knew Laura would have a lot of insight into this. I hope this conversation inspires you to share your stories in the spaces you feel safe to do so.

Listen in to hear us share:

What inspired us to start making space for other women’s stories
What we’ve learned after sharing hundreds of women's stories over the last few years
Some of our favorite stories that we’ve shared on our podcasts
Why we are all more powerful when we start sharing our stories
How to create safe spaces for women to share stories

Links mentioned:

Download my free Shameless Motivational Coloring Book
Podcast: The Only One In The Room
Connect with Laura: theonlyonepod.com

Thank you to our sponsors:

Hello Fresh: Go to HelloFresh.com/shameless12 and use code shameless12 for 12 free meals, including free shipping!
Happy Dance: Right now, SHAMELESS listeners get 15% off their first Happy Dance order. But only when you go to Doahappydance.com/SHAMELESS.

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554: 5 Reasons You Might Be Getting In Your Own Way Jun 14, 2021

Last week we kicked off our June theme, Get Out Of Your Own Way, discussing 7 ways you might be getting in your own way. This week we are digging deeper to explore WHY you might be getting in your own way.

The WHY matters! If you can recognize why you’re getting in your own way, you will have the power to see patterns and threads that you likely repeat throughout your life - likely keeping you feeling stuck at times.

In this episode, we will dig into everything from social conditioning to self limiting beliefs to self doubt to trauma - all of which can play a major role in keeping you stuck.

In looking inward at your WHY, you will begin to see how you can heal some of these patterns and start to build new, more functional patterns - which will ultimately propel you forward.

Links Mentioned:

Download my free motivational coloring book

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553: Elizabeth DiAlto: How to Embody Your Wild Soul Jun 09, 2021

Known for her raw, honest, and grounded approach to self-help and spirituality, Elizabeth DiAlto specializes in helping women embody self love, healing, wholeness, and liberation. Her body of work has evolved out of 12+ years of experience across several fields including: Fitness, Self-Help, Wellness, Spirituality, Coaching, Personal Development, and Healing -- the last seven of which she’s spent helping women untame themselves.

Everything she does is also informed by her own healing and education around embodiment, energy medicine, self love, collective liberation, boundaries, body image, trauma, healthy relationships, and identity. Elizabeth is the creator of Wild Soul Movement and the Wild Soul Archetypes Quiz, founder of The Institute for EMBODIED Living, and host of the EMBODIED podcast - which has been downloaded over 3 million times.

I’ve known Elizabeth for over 10 years. Watching the evolution of her work has been incredible. She shares her growth in such beautiful ways - that allow you to grow within her. You’re going to love this conversation.

Listen in to hear Elizabeth share:

The importance of listening inward to gain self knowledge and expand your perception of what you think you’re capable of
The energetic exchange that is an archetype
Why learning about your Wild Soul Archetype will help you lean more into who you already are but might not be able to see yet
The importance of healing, wholeness and liberation for all moms
Her 5 part framework for self love
Why it’s important and LIBERATING to identify what you suck at
Specific practices to get grounded and get out of your mind and into your body

Links mentioned:

Connect with Elizabeth
Take the Wild Soul Archetype Quiz
Listen to Elizabeth’s Podcast: Embodied
Download the Embodiment Bible: Embodiment Bible
Elizabeth on Instagram
Elizabeth on YouTube
Elizabeth on Facebook

Thank you to our sponsors:

Talkspace: To match with your perfect therapist for a fraction of the price of traditional therapy, go to talkspace.com, Make sure to use the code SHAMELESS to get $100 off your first month and show your support for the show.
Lovevery: Free shipping at lovevery.com/shamelessand use the code SHAMELESS at checkout.
Ana Luisa: Go treat yourself and your loved ones and use my code SHAMELESS to get 10% off at https://www.analuisa.com/shameless.

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552: Summer Series: 7 Ways You’re Getting In Your Own Way Jun 07, 2021

EEEK!! This is the first week of our Summer Series: Lead Like A Mother! Every Monday this summer, I will be sharing content around how to help you lead in bigger, bolder, braver ways.

For the month of June, we will be talking about how to get out of your own way. We will kick this off by talking through 7 ways you might be getting in your own way.

From playing small to getting stuck in analysis paralysis to being the gatekeeper of all.the.things., we all get in our own way - on the regular.

This episode will open your eyes to the ways you consciously and unconsciously get in your own way - which will be the first step in starting to GET OUT of your own way.

Let’s dig in!

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551: Stephannie Weikert: Making Peace With Stress, Surrender & Sexuality Jun 02, 2021

Stephannie Weikert is a Certified Yoga Therapist who teaches smart, capable men and women to manage stress with some of the most fundamental, yet little-known principles of yoga.

She’s been teaching therapeutic yoga for stress in studios, hospitals, businesses, and with her 1:1 students since 2005. And now she’s on a mission to make meaningful personal growth doable and practical with her signature Make Peace with Stress method so more people can get unstuck from patterns of stress and be more present, calm, and confident—all without becoming a die-hard yogi.

When not mentoring people who struggle with stress, Stephannie can usually be found under a pile of books or working on writing her first book about how to take charge of your chaotic mind and focus on what’s really important to you.

I asked Stephannie to come on the show to talk about how she helps people manage stress, but also to share her own stories around mental health and sexuality that have guided her coaching over the years.

Listen in to hear Stephannie share:

How compartmentalizing different parts of our lives leads to hiding and shame
How she used numbing habits (esp drugs & alcohol) to cope
How her compartmentalization led her to struggling with Trichotillomania to the point of pulling out all of her eyelashes and eyebrows
The moment when she finally and truly saw herself and decided to start to change her habits
How she was able to create an entire new set of coping skills that served her throughout her life
How her she noticed shifts in her sexuality in her forties and how she responded
How we all have a inner compass that is exactly right
How to use self study, surrender and intention setting to manage stress and your life
Why you should pay more attention to discomfort and stress - and what it’s trying to signal
The gifts of yoga that carry over into all areas of life

Links mentioned:

Thank you to our sponsor:

Gemmist: Go to Gemmist.com to get your personalized recommendation and enter SHAMELESS at checkout for 20% off and free 2-day shipping.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

550: Permission To Bring The Summer FUN May 31, 2021

Is your summer planned all around your child(ren)’s fun? When I look at everything we have planned for the summer, it’s clear that this summer (like all summers) is the Summer of Vinnie. Camps, camping, beach trips - all for the kiddo!

And what about YOU?

What are you planning for your summer fun?

If you’ve been following me for a while, you know I’m a big fan of Summer Bucket Lists. Every year, we create a family summer bucket list that includes all the fun family activities we want to pack into the summer.

AND THEN, I create my own Summer Bucket List - the things I want to do just for me this summer. Some of these things are small, some a bit more luxurious and indulgent.

It’s funny that whenever I sit down to create my Summer Bucket List, I have to think through, “What is even fun for me anymore???” If you’re like me, this episode is for you. Join me to tap into how to make fun for yourself this summer. I promise you won’t regret it.

Let’s make Summer 2021 one for the books, shall we?

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549: Sabrina Torres: Finding Happiness By Losing Her Religion & Owning Her Sexuality May 26, 2021

Sabrina Torres stands out in a crowd. With her unique point of view about the power of organic growth, engaging content, bold colors, and coffee (lots and lots of coffee), she started Be Truly Social, a social media marketing and sales company that helps business owners around the globe by making their social media pop in a busy online world. From her home in Nashville, Tennessee where she lives with her soon-to-be wife Jen and four children with autism, she puts her caffeinated energy to good use for her clients who range from solo startups to multi-million dollar organizations. They, together, also own a boutique ecommerce site, Great Democracy Tees.

I’ve been following Sabrina online for awhile now and as I’ve seen her share different layers of her story, I knew I wanted to have her as a guest on the podcast. She is a force and a giver. She is going to open your heart and mind as you hear her story about coming out and leaving her marriage in order to become more fully who she has always been.

Listen in to hear Sabrina share:

Her process of coming out as a pastor’s wife
How she’s coparenting with her wife-to-be, Jenn, and Jenn’s ex husband, all under one roof
How she discovered she was gay and decided to leave her marriage
The losses she experienced with coming out
Why she thinks she would not be alive if she had not met Jenn and the dangers of denying one’s sexual orientation
What it’s like parenting 4 children on the autism spectrum
How her children's disabilities inspired her to become an entrepreneur
Her lack of fear around sharing her identities around her sexual orientation and race vs her fear around building her sex toy business
Why she’s so passionate about her new sex toy business

Links mentioned:

Thank you to our sponsor:

Gemmist: Go to Gemmist.com to get your personalized recommendation and enter SHAMELESS at checkout for 20% off and free 2-day shipping.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

548: How To Deal With Doubt May 24, 2021

We all carry doubt.

Even the most polished and pretty people on the internet. For real.

In recent months, a number of people have applauded the ways I’ve shown up online and in my business over the last year.

Friends - it is NOT without doubt from time to time.

I have doubt on a fairly regular basis, especially when things around me feel out of my control and unpredictable. So, you know, like every single day of 2020.

That said, I know how to manage doubt - perhaps on an expert level - because dread is one of the gifts (shall we call it?) of my anxiety. I manage a lot of dread. Like, every morning when I wake up. And this has been the case for as much of my life as I can remember.

This dread tries to tell me that things will be hard and maybe I won’t be able to figure them out or get them done or perform at the level I want. This dread leads to a lot of doubt, so I have to call him out as the big fat liar he is.

Because I manage anxiety and the accompanying dread on the daily, I am intimately connected to feelings of doubt. I have worked to overcome this doubt with some simple mental reframes that work very predictably well for me - thankfully!

After receiving so many compliments on how I’ve powered through the last year, it occurred to me that you are not seeing the full truth (read: doubt) behind my Instagram photos - and that’s not fair.

So, listen in to hear me share more about doubt and the 4 specific simple ways I reframe doubt #everydamnday.

What is true and what is beautiful
ID the hard feelings
ID where you have power in terms of options and paths forward
ID your superpowers and how you can apply them to this situation

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547: Jessica Butts: Healing The Hustle May 19, 2021

Jessica is the Creator/CEO of Front Seat Life, Myers-Briggs Expert, Life/Business Coach for Intuitive Women, Author, Keynote Speaker, Podcaster, and Former Psychotherapist. She is an ENFJ, truth teller, F bomb dropper, lover of all things Maui, and fiercely dedicated to helping you be unapologetically who you are.

Jessica is a total go getter who has hustled her way to success in so many areas of her life. And now she’s ready for some rest and possibly even some, gulp, balance. She has seen the impact of hustle on her own life and the lives of so many women. Our obsessive need to hustle comes at a great cost. And it’s time to talk about that.

Listen in to hear Jessica share:

What prompted her to start “healing her hustle”
How to heal the hustle and still be ambitious and driven
Why we are hustling - as a result of nature and nurture
How 25% of us are innately programmed to always be looking for what’s next - and how this makes hustle to the point of burnout
How the patriarchy has forced women and POC to hustle in order to succeed and in many cases, just survive
How she realized she was hustled out and how she started to heal
The rule she made for herself to break her unhealthy phone habit and the immediate and massive impact it had
Why is so important to design a life for your specific personality type
How to embrace who you truly are and then lean into your truest self

Links mentioned:

Watch my free business training and learn about my Tenacious Mamas Mastermind
Join Jessica for Healing the Hustle Summer School
Podcast: Front Seat Life
Quiz link: jessicabutts.com
IG: @frontseatlife

Thank you to our sponsors:

Ana Luisa: Go treat yourself and your loved ones and use my code SHAMELESS to get 10% off at https://www.analuisa.com/shameless.
Gemmist: Go to Gemmist.com to get your personalized recommendation and enter SHAMELESS at checkout for 20% off and free 2-day shipping.
Happy Dance: Right now, SHAMELESS listeners get 15% off their first Happy Dance order. But only when you go to Doahappydance.com/SHAMELESS.

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546: 3 Reasons Moms Secretly Fear Growth May 17, 2021

Let’s be honest… growth is scary. It involves dancing with the unknown. Yuck, right? I’d rather dance alone in the safe isolation of my bathroom, thank you very much.

But growth is also incredibly rewarding. Growth shows you what you are capable of. It proves to you that you are strong, gifted, talented, and worthy in ways you didn’t know. This can be a game changer.

So, why do we stay stuck in fear when it comes to growth?

I think we fear growth because a lot of the most influential people in our lives also fear growth. They didn’t/don’t model growth to us. They modeled complacency. Complacency seems safer, more secure. Let’s not take chances. Let’s not risk failing. Let’s not make mistakes.

When I stopped fearing growth and started taking chances, I found new people to surround myself with. People who were committed to doing new things in unconventional ways - in order to let their unique gifts and talents SHINE.

I saw women around me breaking the mold. And I became friends with those women. Then I started breaking the mold too.

This is how you step out of fear and into growth. You find the places where you can be connected and supported by other people who don’t want to stay in fear, who don’t want to be isolated in constant self doubt, who won’t settle the way things have always been.

And from there, you start to believe in the possibility of a new reality and new rules. You start to believe that you are a trailblazer and a change maker. That you can grow and thrive in any direction you want.

Listen in to hear 3 reasons moms secretly fear growth and how you can overcome your fears around growth.

Links mentioned:

Watch my free business training and learn about my Tenacious Mamas Mastermind

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545: Pauline Cheung: The Cost Of Making Other People Happy May 12, 2021

Pauline Cheung is a women’s leadership speaker and coach on a mission to show professional women how to trust their voices and create professional and personal success – without conceding to people-pleasing and perfectionism.

Despite 12+ years as an international executive working with Fortune 500 C-suite and senior-level leaders in the areas of strategy, marketing, and business development, Pauline comes from humble beginnings. She knows how challenging it is to step into the unknown and navigate the fear of failure and judgment. Her deep compassion for women wrestling with similar desires and demons helps her coaching clients and audience members break out of their fears and step into full visibility as their unique and brilliant selves.

Listen in to hear Pauline share:

How she had to juggle work with motherhood as her child needed extra medical attention
How she’s working on harmonizing her work and home life - and why the concept of harmonizing is more full of ease than seeking “work life balance”
Why time is currency and the value of time - sometimes over money
How she grew up with the message, “It’s not safe to be me”, as a Chinese girl growing up in England
How she found safety by making others happy - and the costs of making others happy
How she recognized the truth about fear and stopped letting it preventing her from going after the things she wanted (even if she didn’t know how she would actually get them)
Her journey from corporate to culinary school to coaching other women
The 3 specific ways women stay in their own way, preventing them from taking a stand in their life
What belonging actually looks & feels like, and how to own who you are to create a more confident sense of belonging
How we can overcome the constant internal battle of being “too much” and “not enough” at the same time

Links mentioned:

Connect with Pauline
Get Pauline’s Confidence Guide: 5 Ways to Practice Stepping Out of Your Comfort Zone and into Greater Confidence

Thank you to our sponsors:

Gemmist: Go to Gemmist.com to get your personalized recommendation and enter SHAMELESS at checkout for 20% off and free 2-day shipping.
Hello Fresh: Go to HelloFresh.com/shameless12 and use code shameless12 for 12 free meals, including free shipping!
Talkspace: To match with your perfect therapist for a fraction of the price of traditional therapy, go to talkspace.com, Make sure to use the code SHAMELESS to get $100 off your first month and show your support for the show.

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544: Mental Health Awareness Month: My Diagnosis May 10, 2021

Earlier this year I received two mental health diagnoses. One did not surprise me at all, but the second did.

I have been processing and thinking through the gift of diagnosis a lot over the last few months. Yes, the gift of diagnosis.

Receiving these diagnoses was more affirming and validating than I ever could have imagined. Instead of feeling plagued by some parts of myself that have been bewildering since I was very young, I now feel stronger and more connected to who I truly am and WHY I am who I truly am.

What a relief!

My mental health diagnoses are not my weaknesses, they are my superpowers. Because of them I am more compassionate, more empathetic, more conscientious, more thoughtful, more intentional, more talented in unique ways, more creative, more adaptable to things others can’t adapt to, more capable in ways others aren’t, and more sensitive to the world and other people in so many ways that make me a better citizen.

So, ye, I am delighted by my diagnoses - and everything that comes with them. Including medication.

May is Mental Health Awareness Month. I am sharing my story with you because mental health diagnoses are not something to be ashamed of. And mental health diagnoses are not uncommon - which I learned quickly as I shared my story with friends over the last few months and had so many of them quickly reply “me too.”

My hope is that this episode provides light and hope for anyone who might be struggling to see all their gifts right now. You are not alone.

Links mentioned:

Join my free business training: 3 Essential Building Blocks To Growing A Successful Business
National Alliance on Mental Illness Helpline: 800-950-6264
Depression Crisis Text Line: Text CONNECT to 741741
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 800-273-8255

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543: Trudi Lebron: From Teen Mom Of Two To Activist and Thought Leader May 05, 2021

Trudi Lebron is an entrepreneur, coach, consultant, podcaster, and speaker working with social impact leaders, and transformative coaches who want to increase the impact of their efforts. Trudi is the creator and head coach of BeABoss a personal and professional development program for Millennial Women of Color, works with entrepreneurs to help them start social impact businesses, and supports social impact executives with leadership coaching, strategic planning, and creating systems and practices to bring alignment between your personal values and the way you work.

I asked Trudi to come on the show because I knew her story around motherhood as well as the deep impact of her professional work. I have been dying to interview her for a couple years now - and I can tell you this conversation was worth the wait!

Listen in to hear Trudi share:

Her experience of dropping out of high school and becoming a teen mom to two babies by age 16
How her traits of being stubborn and making her own rules served her well as a very young mom - and now as she has paved her way to multiple layers of success in education and business
How she can see the privilege she carried as a teen mom and why seeing all our layers of privilege is so important
How attaining her GED all on her own was the most impactful lesson of her life
How the welfare system tried to make her choose between food stamps and getting her college education - and how the system is designed to keep people in the margins down
How her experience as a Latina teen mom fueled her entire career
How she constantly chose to capitalize on her strengths in order to build success
How she uses discernment around her role as a mother to Black sons vs business consultant to lead conversations around her justice, diversity, equity & inclusion work
How she was able to listen to the urgent needs of her industry to show up & serve in a completely transformational way in 2020
Why we need to move from consumption of race education to taking action toward equity

Links mentioned:

Join my free business training: 3 Essential Building Blocks To Growing A Successful Business
Connect with Trudi
Attend Trudi’s May event, Show Up & Serve
Trudi’s podcast: Business Remixed
Trudi’s podcast with Weeze Doran: That’s Not How That Works
Trudi on Instagram

Thank you to our sponsors:

Ana Luisa: Go treat yourself and your loved ones and use my code SHAMELESS to get 10% off at https://www.analuisa.com/shameless.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

542: 3 Simple Ways To Build Brave Boundaries May 03, 2021

I’m not going to pretend that boundaries are easy. They are tricky and sticky and often intimidating. But boundaries are also the KEY to liberating our time and energy and mental space.

Telling you to simply “have better boundaries” is not helpful. It’s like telling a worry wart to “just stop worrying.”

So, instead of telling you to have better boundaries, I’m going to give you three actionable steps you can take to start building better and more brave boundaries.

I want you to have more time, energy, and mental space for YOU, as well as for the things and people who deserve the best parts of you.

Listen in to learn 3 steps you can take to build braver boundaries #everydamnday.

As you implement these over time, you’ll find that you feel increased ease and power throughout your days and within your relationships. This will feel totally liberating, my friend!

Link mentioned:

Join my free business training: 3 Essential Building Blocks To Growing A Successful Business

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541: Alison Tedford: The Intersection Of Identities As An Indigenous, Single Mom With A Disability Apr 28, 2021

Alison Tedford is an author, marketing consultant, and mom from Abbotsford, BC, Canada. Her work has been published on AlJazeera, CBC, Upworthy, and Today's Parent, and her debut book, Chronic Profit, is being released by Self Counsel Press in April 2021.

I have been following Alison online for a couple years now. She has always stood out to me as a leader and a truth teller. She speaks up to share her perspective even when it’s not comfortable. She is sassy and smart as a whip as she shares her experiences living as an entrepreneurial, Indigenious single mom with a disability. I deeply appreciate Alison’s work and her voice and I’m so honored to have her here with us for this conversation.

Listen in to hear Alison share:

All the layers of her identity as an entrepreneurial, Indigenous mom with a disability and why she has chosen to share her stories
The assumptions people have made about her identities
The importance of inclusivity from the top down in organizations
How her disability has shaped her parenting
How she models asking for help to preserve her energy for the places she can have most impact
How she shares her Indigenous culture with her son
How pain management can be a full time job

Links mentioned:

Join my free business training:, 3 Essential Building Blocks To Growing A Successful Business
Connect with Alison
Get Alison’s book: Chronic Profit
Alison on Instagram
Alison on Twitter
Alison on Facebook

Thank you to our sponsors:

Cubo Ai: Go to getcubo.com and use my code “SHAMELESS “for "$10 off your purchase.
Songfinch: Visit songfinch.com and use promo code SHAMELESS this week for $20 off the perfect gift!

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540: 3 Steps To Start Anything Apr 26, 2021

I don’t want to squash your dreaming. Dreaming is beautiful and powerful and necessary.

But…

Sometimes our dreams can be intimidating. We see them out there and they look inviting and delicious - and also terrifying.

I want to run a marathon - but how do I go from running 3 miles to running 26.2 miles?

I want to write a book - but how do I write an opening paragraph, let alone 300 pages?

I want to go back to school - but how do I find the time and money to commit to 2 more years of education?

Too often we hold our dreams as long term (seemingly impossible) visions with no action plan.

We put off the doing required to achieve our dreams because we don’t know where to start. We don’t know what the first step should be - and all the first steps we can think of feel like massive scary leaps. And massive scary leaps sound hard. So, we decide to just wait…

And often - too often - the dream dies.

In this episode, we will talk about how to move from dreaming to doing by taking specific small action steps to get started moving in the direction of your dreams.

Are you ready to GET STARTED???

Link mentioned:

Join my free business training: 3 Essential Building Blocks To Growing A Successful Business

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539: Jessica Sinarski: Shifting Our Kids’ Stories To Help Them Navigate Shame & Worry Apr 21, 2021

Jessica's superpower is making brain science accessible and entertaining for children and adults alike. She is living this out as a clinical supervisor, nationally known speaker, author, and Shameless Mom of 3. She is also the founder and director of the training and resource platform BraveBrains.

This is Jessica’s second time on the show. I was so excited to have her back because talking to her about brain science is so incredibly helpful and insightful. Learning from Jessica makes me a better woman, leader, and mom.

Listen in to hear Jessica share:

How our stories lead us to shame spirals and keep us in shame spirals
How our shame spirals are more dramatically triggered while parenting in a pandemic
Why she is calling her sons “explorers” to appreciate and honor the ways their brains are differently wired
How to engage your “upstairs brain” to stay hopeful in hard times and shift your stories and narratives
How we can help our kids shift their stories and narratives, especially around worry and shame
Why she wrote What’s Inside Your Backpack? about a little girl’s worry and shame - and why she released it during the pandemic
Why she opted to frame her story around a little girl who has an unsafe parent
How and why she considered multiple layers of inclusivity when writing her book and having it illustrated
How to introduce your kids about the “both/and” philosophy in order to foster hope and resiliency

Links mentioned:

Join my business training workshop on May 11th, 3 Essential Building Blocks To Growing A Successful Business
Connect with Jessica and order What’s Inside Your Backpack
Jessica on Instagram
Jessica on Facebook
Jessica on Twitter

Thank you to our sponsors:

Bulldog Online Yoga: Head to bulldogonline.com and use promo code SHAMELESS for a 30 day free trial and 50% off your next month!
Cubo Ai: Go to https://bit.ly/3wPkIYf and use my code “SHAMELESS” for a discount off your order.
Hello Fresh: Go to HelloFresh.com/shameless12 and use code shameless12 for 12 free meals, including free shipping!

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538: Pay Attention To Your New Yeses Apr 19, 2021

Perhaps you’ve noticed that with changing times have come changing needs, changing goals, and changing desires.

With that, perhaps you notice you’re saying YES to new things - and NO to new things.

Some of my yeses and no’s and have definitely shifted over the last year. In fact, I find myself saying yes to some things I thought I would never say yes to. Funny wildly unusual circumstances paired with a cultural uprising will make you rethink almost everything.

As you make space for new yeses, you’ll notice you’ll also be required to say no to new things in order to make space for those yeses. This is a process of discernment that requires you look closely at your core values so you can understand why each yes and each no is important to you right now.

Listen in to hear 9 things I’m saying yes to right now. It’s my hope that this may inspire your YESES (and no’s!)

Links Mentioned:

Join my business training workshop on May 11th, 3 Essential Building Blocks To Growing A Successful Business: shamelessmom.com/business
SMA Ep 455: 3 Steps To Create Core Values You Can Confidently Commit To

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537: Maya Luque: The Heart Of The Matter: EMDR Through An Adoptee's Eyes Apr 14, 2021

Maya Luque is a strategist. She helps businesses craft smart, perceptive ways of communicating. The focus of her work is to help businesses build strong, long-lasting relationships with their customers. She has an M.F.A. and has created over 100 sculptures and installations. Her background as an artist helps her guide people towards an emotion; to help them feel connected. Art is great for strategy because art history is full of telling and re-inventing stories, themes, emotions. Maya has a passion for observing the ever-shifting puzzle of trends, human nature, and people.

Maya is also the author of The Heart Of The Matter: EMDR Through An Adoptee's Eyes. She shared her book with me on social media asking if I would be interested in sharing it with my audience. I immediately knew I didn’t only want to share the book, I wanted to share Maya’s voice and entire story. I asked Maya if she would be up for this interview. I’m so honored that she said yes. Her book and her story are so important.

Listen in to hear Maya share:

Her journey of being abandoned outside a police station in China during their One Child Policy to living her first 11 months in a Chinese orphanage to being adopted by a single mom in the US
The lasting impact of her abandonment and how that trauma impacted her ability to cope as a child
How she vacillated between extreme perfectionism and testing her mom to see if she would always really love her
Her lifelong patterns of trying to prove her worth
How she got started in EMDR therapy
What EMDR is and how it helped her recover from her trauma
How EMDR allowed her to finally find herself lovable
Why she wrote The Heart of the Matter in a really approachable way so all ages could use it as a tool

Links mentioned:

Thank you to our sponsors:

Talkspace: To match with your perfect therapist for a fraction of the price of traditional therapy, go to talkspace.com, Make sure to use the code SHAMELESS to get $100 off your first month and show your support for the show.
Cubo Ai: Go to getcubo.com and use my code “SHAMELESS “for a discount off your order.

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536: How Are You Becoming? Apr 12, 2021

Ever since I read Michelle Obama’s book two years ago, I have been obsessed with this notion of becoming.

We are always becoming. There is no way around it.

Sometimes we are becoming more the person we know we want to be. Other times not so much.

Sometimes we are becoming a person we did not want to be. Maybe even a person we feared we would be one day.

What we must remind ourselves everyday is that WE GET TO CHOOSE.

You have many times each day where you make choices that take you closer to or further from the person you want to become. This is comforting because at any time you can course correct.

Make a crappy decision at 10 am? No worries. You can make a better one at 10:02.

While that sounds super simple and maybe even annoyingly idealistic, it’s true.

What matters most is your trend of becoming over time.

So, what is your trend? And is it heading in the direction you want it to?

I have a task for you. As you listen to this episode, you will gain clarity on who you want to become and HOW to become her. Listen in and do the task. Then let me know, how are you becoming?

Links mentioned:

Last day to register for the Shameless Mom Con Collective
SMA Episode 325: Michelle Obama’s 4 Secrets to a Successful Marriage
Book: Hood Feminism by Mikki Kendall

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535: Kim Evey: The Road from Adoptee to Adoptive Shameless Mom Apr 07, 2021

Kim Evey is a Los Angeles-based actor, writer, and stand up comedian. She has appeared in numerous commercials and TV shows, written for children's animation, and created and starred in one of the first web series on Sony's Crackle.com entitled "Gorgeous Tiny Chicken Machine Show." She produced Felicia Day's trailblazing series "The Guild," a web show so successful that it was actually put on display in The Smithsonian American History Museum. As a stand up comedian, Kim's online clips have been viewed over 8 million times. She is the proud Mom of a boy who is five going on fifteen.

I met Kim through a story telling event where she shared her journey into motherhood through adoption. Her story touched me so deeply. I knew I had to invite her onto the show. What I didn’t know at the time was that Kim is also an adoptee. She was adopted from an orphanage in Korea when she was 2. Her journey from adoptee to adoptive mom so beautifully demonstrates the magic of adoption.

Listen in to hear Kim share:

How motherhood fuels her comedy career
Her indecision around becoming a mother
The moment she knew she actually did want to become a mother, and was ready to pursue adoption
Her journey from a foster home in Korea to her adoptive parents in the US when she was 2 years old
How her being an adoptee influenced her choice to adopt her son through open adoption
The process of being one of 3 chosen prospective families to adopt the baby who would become her son
The most profound and magical moment of meeting her son, Charlie

Links Mentioned:

Join us for the Shameless Mom Con Collective
Connect with Kim: Kim Evey
Kim on IG & Twitter: @kimevey
Kim on Facebook

Thank you to our sponsors:

Thrive: Start thriving and help women in need today by going to ThriveCausemetics.com/shameless for 15% off your first purchase!
Bulldog Online Yoga: Head to bulldogonline.com and use promo code SHAMELESS for a 30-day free trial and 50% off your next month!

Episode art credit: Kevin McIntyre

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534: Waiting Is Ruining Your Life Apr 05, 2021

“Sara, I’ve been getting your emails for 7 years and I’m finally ready to sign up for your program.”

This is the email I got from a prospective gym member back when I had my gym.

This woman had been waiting for 7 year - SEVEN YEARS - to finally qualify herself to change her life.

She came in to check out the gym a few days later and we immediately hit it off. After about 10 minutes, she confided in me, “I can’t believe I waited so long. I keep thinking where I would be if I just decided to start earlier. I’m so mad at myself.”

I have to tell you, I have had this conversation with so many women. We excel at waiting, don’t we??

Waiting to join the gym.

Waiting to go for the promotion.

Waiting to ask for the raise.

Waiting to ask for help.

Waiting to start the hobby.

Waiting to take time for yourself.

Waiting to take a chance.

Waiting to say YES.

Waiting to say NO.

Waiting to do what you want to do even if no one else gets it.

Waiting to go for it even if no one believes in you.

Waiting to choose yourself.

You know you want more - but you’re afraid of failure, worried what others might say, and filled with self doubt.

You wait because you think there will be a better time, a better option, another chance.

You tell yourself you’ll be more ready next week, next month, next year.

You watch others go before you and you decide they are more capable, more qualified, more worthy.

And you wait.

While you wait, you compromise your dreams, your desires, your sense of self

While you wait you chip away at your happiness and your worth.

The waiting is ruining your life.

I’m here to invite you to STOP WAITING.

Listen in to hear how you can stop waiting and start living a fuller life without regret.

Link mentioned:

Join us for the Shameless Mom Con Collective

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533: Shannon Kenny Carbonell and Nestor Carbonell: All Is Not LOST Mar 31, 2021

Shannon Kenny Carbonell grew up in Sydney, Australia, and moved to the U.S at 18 to study acting. After earning a BFA in Theater from The California Institute of the Arts (CalArts), she worked in regional theater where she had the privilege of playing some classic roles like Nina in The Seagull, Julie in Miss Julie, and Helena in A Midsummer Night’s Dream. She then transitioned into television guest star roles, one of her favorites being Katrina Banks on HBO’s Dream On— a parody of Courtney Love—where she got to shoot heroin between her toes, sing in a music video with Brian Benben, and (being the excitable girl she was) experience the thrill of meeting Warren Zevon. Her other favorite guest star role was playing Alison, George’s girlfriend, on NBC’s Seinfeld. Shannon was cast in series regular roles on TV shows and if she fails to rank the show Muscle as her best experience, she’d risk offending her wonderful husband Nestor, whom you might recognize from his role on LOST, or more recently on The Morning Show; it was on this show the two of them defied producers orders to not date other cast members. After many roles in movies and TV, Shannon pushed pause on acting to focus on motherhood while Nestor was traveling to film LOST. Shannon and Nestor currently live in Los Angeles with their two sons Rafa and Marco and their dog Donna Borrelli Carbonell. Shannon just published her first book All Is Not LOST, which talks about her journey into motherhood and her journey back to herself and all the ways her life paralleled the show LOST, which has been so near and dear to their family.

Listen in to hear Shannon share:

How she lost her sense of identity after motherhood
The unexpected sense of loss, grief and emptiness she felt as she left her career and stepped into motherhood
The risks of space and silence when we no longer have reasons to lean into our gifts and creativity
How being in HA for LOST played a role in her reconnecting to her identity
How her life parallel storylines in LOST and how the show helped lead her back to herself
What it was like for Nestor to see Shannon struggle with her identity
Why we all want to be seen and our constant search for meaning

Links mentioned:

Get your Early Bird ticket to the Shameless Mom Con Collective
Connect with Shannon
Book: All Is Not LOST
Shannon on Instagram
Nestor on Instagram

Thank you to our sponsor:

Bulldog Online Yoga: Head to bulldogonline.com and use promo code SHAMELESS for a 30 day free trial and 50% off your next month!

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

532: The Gifts of Grief Mar 29, 2021

Last week, we had to very quickly and unexpectedly say goodbye to our sweet dog of 14 years, Granny Dani.

Our hearts are broken.

My husband and I lost our first baby - this creature we doted on with all of our love and affection before welcoming Vinnie 6 years later.

Vinnie lost his sister - his best friend with whom he spent hours each day, snuggling and singing fart songs (that no one else in our house wanted to hear…)

We didn’t realize how much space our sweet girl took up in our home and our hearts until she was gone. Every room I walk into seems so big and so empty without her. Piper, our puppy, roams from room to room and dog bed to dog bed searching for her sister.

Our family is grieving for sure. But there have also been many gifts over the last week that have made this loss beautiful in unexpected ways. These gifts make the grief bearable.

We have all lost something over the last year. We are all grieving. I made this episode thinking of all the ways we all are grieving, in hopes that it might help you find the gifts in moments of loss that feel absolutely unbearable.

Link mentioned:

Get your Early Bird ticket to the Shameless Mom Con Collective

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531: Tiffany Bluhm: Why We Silence Women Who Tell The Truth Mar 24, 2021

Tiffany Bluhm is the author of She Dreams, Never Alone, and her newest book Prey Tell: Why We Silence Women Who Tell the Truth and How Everyone Can Speak Up. She is a sought after speaker, writer, and podcast co-host of the popular podcast Why Tho, a show answering the existential and nonsensical questions we ask ourselves, with author and speaker, Ashley Abercrombie.

She speaks at conferences and events around the world, and her work has been featured in World Vision Magazine, TODAY Parents, the Hallmark Channel, The Jenny McCarthy Show, and more. She was named a Woman to Watch in 2018 by Premier Media.

Tiffany leads an engaged audience online around women’s issues, identity, and faith. As a minority, immigrant woman with a interracial family, she is passionate about women’s equality, justice, and dignity.

Listen in to hear Tiffany share:

How she operates at the intersection of women and justice
Why women are disposable vs men are indispensable
How white women’s proximity to power makes them complicit in many cases
The important difference between women being nice and being kind
How systems have been intentionally architected to oppress and silence women
How WOC are silenced in ways white women are not
The difference between fighting for power vs fighting for equality
How we are all passive vs active enabling of abuse and oppression
Specific ways you can help start breaking down systems of oppression

Links mentioned:

Get your Early Bird ticket to the Shameless Mom Con Collective

Connect with Tiffany: Tiffany Bluhm

Tiffany on Instagram

Tiffany on Facebook

Tiffany’s podcast: Why Tho

Thank you to our sponsor:

Bulldog Online Yoga: Head to bulldogonline.com and use promo code SHAMELESS for a 30 day free trial and 50% off your next month!

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530: Stop Staying Stuck In These 3 Ways Mar 22, 2021

When you spend a year (or any season of life) worrying about what’s next and wondering how you’ll manage all the things you cannot control, you are likely to find yourself in exhausting cycles of fear and doubt. Then, to combat the worry and fear and doubt, you find ways to numb so that you may quiet the fear and the doubt.

This happens to us in the year after having a baby, the season after losing an important relationship, and certainly after a year of enduring a pandemic.

This leaves us feeling stuck as all get out - stuck in our heads, stuck in poor habits, and stuck in a life without much joy on the horizon.

At a certain point, you have to decide that you will stop staying stuck. You will take action to start moving forward. You will process the season you’ve been in so that you may move forward with less fear, less doubt, and better coping skills.

Also, you will create joy. Because joy matters. Even when you’re too tired to plan the joy, you need the joy. Create the joy, dammit.

In this episode, I’ll walk you through 3 ways you are likely staying stuck right now and how to get unstuck.

Links mentioned:

Join us for the Shameless Mom Con Collective

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

529: Angie Trueblood: How To Share Your Stories With The World Mar 17, 2021

As a podcast visibility expert and host of the Go Pitch Yourself podcast, Angie Trueblood knows that the only 'perfect pitch' is the one that leads with value and focuses on building a genuine connection. Whether she is teaching entrepreneurs how to pitch themselves or working behind the scenes to secure opportunities for others, Angie leverages her super-connector powers to grow businesses and build long-lasting relationships. When she's not working with her clients or being active in her local community, she loves exploring Richmond, Virginia's parks and playgrounds with her two kiddos, checking out new restaurants with her hubs, and laughing about motherhood over cocktails with friends.

Listen in to hear Angie dig into:

Why she elected to homeschool her kids this year and the gifts that have resulted
Why she left the corporate workforce even though she had loved her work and always been ambitious
How her corporate ambition in work transferred to ambition in motherhood
The significance of making the ask in order to get what you want
The power of curiosity in networking and and connecting
How motherhood led her to building a business amplifying women’s voices
Where to start if you have a story you want to share with the world
What you need if you want to pitch yourself to podcasts

Links Mentioned:

Apply for one-on-one business and leadership coaching with Sara
Get on me email list to get Shameless Mom Con Collective info
Connect with Angie: Angie Trueblood
Angie on IG
Sara’s interview on Go Pitch Yourself
Podcast: Go Pitch Yourself

Thank you to our sponsor:

Talkspace: To match with your perfect therapist for a fraction of the price of traditional therapy, go to talkspace.com, Make sure to use the code SHAMELESS to get $100 off your first month and show your support for the show.

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528: 5 Years Of Lessons On Leadership And Motherhood Mar 15, 2021

5 years ago today I launched the first episode of The Shameless Mom Academy. To be honest, if it hadn’t been for a pushy coach I would likely still be saying, “I think I’m going to do a podcast soon.”

Starting is the only way to find the magic and I’m so glad I started when I did. I wasn’t quite sure what I was doing and I wasn’t quite sure why I was doing it. I only knew I had some things to say.

I wanted - no, needed - to talk about the trauma of motherhood. It had shaken me to my core. Nobody warned me about that part. Everyone told me I would be tired. No one told me I would be completely lost.

I also needed to talk about the shrinking of women. I was pissed that I had been a participant in an industry that thrives - to the tune of many billions of dollars a year - on telling women they must be smaller in order to be valuable.

So, yeah - I had things to say.

5 years, 264 powerhouse guests, 528 episodes, 3.5 million downloads.

I’ve a few learned things - and most of them haven’t been easy lessons. In today's birthday episode I will share the top 5 lessons I’ve learned on leadership and motherhood over the last year.

Thank you for listening and inviting me in to your ear week after week. It is a privilege I do not take lightly. I’m so honored to be on this Shameless journey with you.

Links mentioned:

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527: Racheal Cook: How To Conserve Energy, Set Boundaries And Reject Hustle Culture Mar 10, 2021

As an award-winning business strategist, host of the Promote Yourself to CEO podcast, and best-selling author, Racheal Cook is on a mission to end entrepreneurial poverty for women. Over the last 10 years she has helped thousands of female entrepreneurs design predictably profitable businesses without the hustle and burnout that doing #allthethings inevitably accomplishes. In fact, Racheal is a sought after speaker on entrepreneurship, marketing, and productivity and has been featured by the US Chamber of Commerce, Forbes Coaching Council, Female Entrepreneur Association, and more. Her real passion, though, is supporting savvy, soulful women as they implement the strategy, systems, and support to uncomplicate their business so they can work less and live more.

Listen in to hear Racheal dig into:

The concept of entrepreneurial poverty and why women and moms are especially susceptible
How mismanaging time by overgiving time uses all your precious energy for the things that matter most to you
The problems of hustle culture and how women fall so easily into it
Boundaries around our different identities - employee vs mom vs woman
How the pandemic has amplified hustle culture for women
Her projections for women starting businesses in 2021
Why moms actually have new and more opportunities for employment in this pandemic
How she and her husband have navigated Racheal being the breadwinner
How they systematized their household to work for both of them
The gift and importance of therapy, now more than ever

Links Mentioned:

Apply for one-on-one business and leadership coaching with Sara
Submit your question for an upcoming Ask Me Anything episode
Racheal on Facebook: Racheal Cook
Racheal on Instagram: Racheal Cook
Racheal on Twitter: RachealCook
Racheal on YouTube
Racheal of Pinterest Racheal Cook
LinkedIn: Racheal Cook

Thank you to our sponsor:

Bulldog Online Yoga: Head to bulldogonline.com and use promo code SHAMELESS for a 30 day free trial and 50% off your next month!

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

526: 1 Year Into A Pandemic. Moms Are Not Ok. Mar 08, 2021

I have repeatedly likened our survival of this pandemic to our survival of Newbornland. We have endured a year of uncertainty and upheaval. We have made accommodations and adaptations to our lives that we never imagined - and often thought were not possible (hello virtual learning).

This has taken a toll on us physically, mentally, and emotionally. And, like surviving Newbornland, we cannot fully process the toll it has taken because we have had to focus on keeping our family units alive and safe - without having the time or energy to give any consideration to our own deep and chronic exhaustion.

We have carried the worry of our family’s health, security, and sanity as we have wondered how much worse things could get. And then we watched them get worse.

We have worried about the lasting impact of this pandemic on our children’s mental health, without considering that we ourselves are also moving through a chronic traumatic event.

We have used wine and workouts and Netflix and sourdough starter as coping mechanisms in hopes of a moment of reprieve.

We have cried in closets and bathrooms, and screamed at the people we love the most, and thrown in the towel as we’ve thrown ourselves on the floor, and then picked the damn towel back up and dried our tears and tucked our kids into bed - for 365 nights now.

We are not ok.

Links mentioned:

Apply for one-on-one business and leadership coaching with Sara
Submit your question for an upcoming Ask Me Anything episode: shameless Mom

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525: Heather Chauvin: Dying To Be A Good Mother Mar 03, 2021

Heather Chauvin is a leadership coach and strategic parenting expert who helps ambitious women become leaders at work and home.

Drawing from her professional experience as a social worker and her life experience raising three boys, Heather created a signature approach to focus her clients on sustainability, profitability, and ease in business and life.

She is the host of the Mom Is In Control Podcast where she reveals her most vulnerable truths about womanhood, marriage, parenting, living through stage 4 cancer, and running a successful business—without burning out.

Heather has been featured as a TEDx speaker and on The OWN Network, CTV, and The Jenny McCarthy Show. She has also appeared in Entrepreneur and Real Simple.

When Heather isn’t being a classic Canadian by driving her boys to hockey practice, you’ll find her curled up on the couch with her husband surfing the internet, researching their next family adventure.

Heather is a returning guest to The Shameless Mom Academy. She’s joining us to talk about her outstanding new book, Dying To Be A Good Mother.

Listen in to hear Heather share:

What inspired her book, Dying To Be A Good Mother
How we are all dying to be good mothers and how it’s killing us figuratively and literally
Why it’s not your job to make other people comfortable
The power of stillness and why you need it #everydamnday
The power of energetic time management
Why she doesn’t buy into “we can do hard things”
Her empowering and liberating alternative to doing hard things
The truth about resistance and how to specifically determine what you want
Why we need to give ourselves permission to want what we want

Links mentioned:

Get my newsletters and email updates
Connect with Heather
Get Heather’s book: Dying To Be A Good Mother
Heather on IG: heather Chauvin
Heather on FB: heather chauvin coaching

Thank you to our sponsor:

Bulldog Online Yoga: Head to bulldogonline.com and use promo code SHAMELESS for a 30 day free trial and 50% off your next month!

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

524: How To Handle Rejection Mar 01, 2021

People are going to tell you NO.

You will be rejected.

Over and over and over.

One of the gifts of being an entrepreneur is that you get rejected so often (especially early on) that you get a little callous to it - meaning, you let it roll off you easier and faster each time. This is a blessing.

Without this gift (which definitely doesn’t feel like a gift early on), you may find yourself crippled by the NO’s.

The rejection you face often has nothing - NOTHING - to do with you. Yet we are masters at internalizing it and defaulting to a place of self blame and self doubt, and sadly, even self loathing when we are faced with a NO.

In this episode I’ll talk you through the actual causes of rejection (vs the stories you make up in your head) and 5 ways to manage rejection in an objective way so you can KEEP GOING and get what you want out of relationships and circumstances.

Links mentioned:

Get my newsletters and email updates

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523: Nikki Tucker: Why Women Must Be Financially Independent Feb 24, 2021

Nikki Tucker is a 16 year Finance Professional, Divorce Financial Strategist, and founder of The FIIRM Approach. She is also a mom of a teenage boy, part-time foodie, and oat milk latte lover who helps female breadwinners prepare their finances for divorce. She helps those early in the divorce process gain clarity and reduce overwhelm by arming them with information, strategies, and resources to confidently maintain their financial security whether they end up divorced or not. Nikki primarily works with clients through her signature program Silent Preparation Series which has both on-demand and live learning options.

Listen in to here Nikki share:

Why divorce can be empowering and positive and liberating
Why she has chosen to work exclusively with women in her business
Why it’s crucial for women to be financially independent regardless of the status of your marriage
Why financial independence is an insurance policy for women
How she works with women as a Divorce Financial Strategist
The two questions she helps women answer when they are considering divorce
The biggest myths about divorce that keep women in unhealthy marriages
How to redefine family in the face of divorce
How the pandemic is impacting divorce scenarios and divorce rates
Her “Bid ADO” philosophy (that you need now!)

Links mentioned:

Connect with Nikki: The Fiirm Approach
Get Nikki’s Free Ultimate Financial Resource Guide
Facebook: The Fiirm Approach
Instagram: The Fiirm Approach

Thank you to our sponsor:

Bulldog Online Yoga: Head to bulldogonline.com and use promo code SHAMELESS for a 30 day free trial and 50% off your next month!

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

522: How To Lean Into the Layers Of Your Identity Feb 22, 2021

If you were to sit down and make a list of all the identities you hold, what would be on your list? I made a quick list recently.

I hold the following identities (in no particular order):

woman, mom, wife, infertility warrior, anxiety manager, speaker, leader, hetero, cisgender, white, Seattleite, athlete, skier, writer, ally, podcaster, daughter, sister, business owner, child of divorce, 18 year entrepreneur, CEO, advocate

I’m sure I could come up with even more layers to my identity if I gave it more thought. We are made up of SO MANY layers. This makes each of us a true unicorn.

As we navigate our lives, we have the opportunity to embrace different layers of our identity in different ways during different seasons of life. What layers are you leaning into right now? What ones are most significant to you as we sit here in 2021?

You get to choose which parts of yourself you really want to lean into at any time. So, how do you lean into the most powerful parts of yourself? Here are a few tips:

Take responsibility for the stories you hold around your identities
Call yourself by your titles - out loud in front of other people
Find people who share your identities and be in community with them

In this episode, I talk you through how to lean into the layers of your identity that mean the most to you and have the most potential to deeply impact the world.

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521: Rho Thomas: Finding Financial Freedom After Incurring 670K In Debt Feb 17, 2021

Rho Thomas is an attorney, mindset strategist, and personal finance coach who believes that true wealth is having control of your time. She helps lawyers make intentional lifestyle and money decisions to regain control of their time, build wealth, and live the lives of freedom and choice they deserve. She has been featured in outlets such as Yahoo! Finance, Refinery29, and Mic and hosts the Wealthyesque podcast, which explores how lawyers can achieve lifestyle freedom by reframing their mindset and by managing their money to achieve financial independence.

Listen in to hear Rho share:

How she has restructured her law career during the pandemic in order to step out of the hustle
How her and her husbands’ money stories around being raised by single moms on very limited incomes influenced them
How they ended up $670,000 in debt after having their first child
How they found hope and inspiration to start paying off their debt
The first strategic steps they took to start working on their debt
How paying down debt built her confidence and created momentum in her life
Why financial independence is a form of self care
How to rejigger finances based on what brings you joy - instead of mindlessly
How women are conditioned to shrink around money and finances and how to build financial confidence
The difference between media messages around money for women vs men
How she juggles motherhood, marriage, being a lawyer, and running her business to support women and finances
How Kobe Bryant’s death inspired her to start her business

Links mentioned:

Book: Your Money or Your Life by Joe Dominguez and Vicky Robin

Website: Rho Thomas

Find Rho on Instagram

Find Rho on Facebook

Find Rho on Twitter

Find Rho on LinkedIn

Thank you to our sponsor:

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520: How to Restore Hope, Power & Connection A Year Into A Pandemic Feb 15, 2021

We are coming up on a full 12 months of enduring a pandemic that we initially thought would last 2-6 weeks. How are you? No, really?

This time is very much like navigating Newbornland - that phase when you’re totally sleep deprived, but you’ve been sleep deprived for so long that it just feels normal and you don’t know what it feels like to actually be rested. That’s where we’re at.

We’ve been in survival mode for a year. So long that it feels normal and we don’t remember what it feels like to not have to juggle constant worry and uncertainty.

So, in the face of this chronic worry and uncertainty, how are you holding on to hope, power, and connection? We must be able to harness these if we are to stay sane and functional.

In this episode I’ll give you tactical steps to restore hope, power, and connection in your everyday life.

Links mentioned:

Get my Shameless Mom Con updates

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519: Shaunda Head: Flow, Alignment, and Multi Generational Caregiving Feb 10, 2021

Shaunda Head is a Shameless Mom to her 2 year old daughter and a Shameless full time caretaker of her 96 year old Granny. She is also an Atlanta-based brand strategist and digital marketer who helps women align ALL THE THINGS in their brand so that their brand message can impact more powerfully. She creates and implements strategies in marketing, branding and copy to help her clients SHOW UP as their whole selves, and drive higher connection with their true, dream clients.

Shaunda has 16 years of experience, including brand design, marketing, communications and business development for global companies like the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), UPS and E! Entertainment Television. She now coaches and consults for emerging and growing entrepreneurs — past clients consist of coaches, podcasters, stylists, therapists, bloggers, e-commerce site owners and more.

Listen in to hear Shaunda share:

How she juggles taking care of her 96 year old grandmother and 2 year old daughter full time - while running her business from home
How she leans into flow and alignment to thrive in her life and grow her business
How she started relying on her intuition and shut out the noise in 2020
How she leveraged being the only Black person and the only woman in many spaces inspired her career
What it’s like to be a caretaker in a multigenerational household
The decision process of bringing her grandmother to live with her immediately following the loss of her mother
How taking care of her grandmother prepared her for motherhood
What she wants her daughter to remember about growing up in a multigenerational household
The biggest gifts and biggest challenges of being a caregiver to 2 generations at the same time

Links mentioned:

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518: 4 Anchors To Keep You Grounded In 2021 Feb 08, 2021

Months of unpredictability, instability, and chaos can leave a mama feeling disoriented, exhausted, and chronically overwhelmed.

I know I’ve been feeling this as the last year has started to catch up with me.

One of the things that really helped me to start feeling grounded again was to identify a few “anchors” that can consistently connect me back to who I am becoming, how I want to show up, and how I have promised to take exquisite care of myself this year.

The anchors I identified for myself are:

Self Trust
Nourishment
Nimbleness
Deep Work

In this episode, I explain what each of these anchors look like for me and how I’m consistently returning to them to stay grounded this year.

If these anchors appeal to you - STEAL THEM! They are all yours! And if they aren’t quite the ones for you, this episode will help you discern some other ones that might be a good fit for you.

2021 is your year to take back the reins and double down on YOU.

Links mentioned:

Join Abbi Perets and me on FB live Feb 8th at 10am PST/1pm EST: Facebook
SMA Ep 501 with Mia Hemstad: Nourishing Oneself While Living With PTSD and Depression

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517: Dayna Parish Dennis: The Only Black Student in Med School Feb 03, 2021

Dayna Parish Dennis is a wife, Shameless Mom, and doctor. Originally from Oklahoma, she relocated to the Bay Area to complete her residency in pediatrics. She has served patients in low income, urgent care, private practice, and Hospitalist settings, and just recently made partner at a multi-specialty group practice in the Bay Area. She speaks a couple of languages, loves reading books with happy endings, and raising 2 free Black children.

Listen in to hear Dayna share:

What it’s like to be a doctor in this pandemic
How she’s managing her mental health as a physician, wife, mom, and woman during this time
What it was like to be the only Black person in her medical school class
The pressure of being the sole Black representative in conversations around race
The relief she found in moving from Oklahoma to Oakland for residency and to work with other Black doctors
How her employer (Kaiser Permanente) responded to George Floyd’s death and supported the Black Lives Matter movement
The benefits she’s seeing in living through this pandemic and why we need not desire going “back to normal”
The power in making partner in her medical practice this year
The legacy she is building to show her daughters that Black girls can do anything

Links Mentioned:

Connect with Dayna
IG: @wittyacronym
IG: @bookish.black.nerd
FB: Dayna Parish Dennis

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516: Rae McDaniel: Taking The Suffering Out Of Transitioning for Trans People Feb 01, 2021

Rae McDaniel, MEd, LCPC, CST (They/Them) is a Gender and Certified Sex Therapist and Coach who works with folks feeling anxious and lost about a transition they’re experiencing in sex, gender, sexual identity, or relationships. Rae also provides consultation & training for professionals and organizations wishing to uplevel their knowledge and expertise in these areas.

Rae is the founder of Practical Audacity, a Gender & Sex Therapy group practice in Chicago, and GenderFck: The Club, an online group coaching community designed to help transgender/non-binary/questioning folks transition with less suffering and more ease.

Listen in to hear Rae share:

Their experience growing up adopted into a family of evangelical christian missionary puppeteers
The evolution of their identity from bisexual to queer to non binary
The relief of coming out as non binary
Why not everyone in your life needs to know all the ins and outs of your identity and how you can prioritize safety when coming out
How gender exists on a spectrum, not just two categories of male and female
Why they are having top surgery and how they came to this decision
Why they use they/them pronouns and why pronouns matter
Why it’s inaccurate to refer to someone’s pronouns as their “preferred pronouns”
How they are working to take the suffering out of transitioning for trans people

Linke mentioned:

Connect with Rae: Practical Audacity

Join Rae’s Genderfck program

Rae on IG/FB: @practicalaudacity

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515: Megan Hadley: Fork Your Food Rules Jan 27, 2021

Megan Hadley, MS, RDN, and LDN is a nutrition therapist and owner of Simple Nutrition, a nutrition counseling practice in Greensboro, NC, and founder of Fork the Food Rules, a membership for people who have decided not to diet. She believes that all bodies are good bodies and that from cake to kale, all foods are good foods. After helping hundreds of clients recover from diet culture, Megan knows that when women think less about food and body and more about what really matters to them, they begin to thrive in all areas of their life.

When she’s not working, Megan enjoys spending time with her husband and two daughters. She loves cooking, traveling, long naps, good wine, and french fries. Megan finds her strength, both personally and professionally, rooted in her deep faith in Christ, as she knows she was created to live a life of abundance and to help other women believe and discover that, as well.

Listen in to hear Megan share:

Why she walked away from the pharmaceutical industry to become a registered dietician in order to have a bigger impact in people’s lives
What originally drew her into her work with intuitive eating and health at any size
The difference between an eating disorder, disordered eating, and non-disordered eating
All the (tricky and subconscious) ways that negative relationships with food show up
What intuitive eating is and how it differs from food plans and programs
How the media breaks our ability to trust our own bodies
How restrictive eating is the number one predictor of overeating/emotional eating/binge eating behaviors
Why comfort foods can be beautiful and affirming and should absolutely be a part of your life
What steps to take to start being more intuitive with your eating
The truth about BMI and life span/longevity
What kind of freedom comes with choosing not to diet or changing your body

Links Mentioned:

Enrollment is open for Momentum Mamas
Connect with Megan: Simple Nutrition counseling
Fork The Food Rules
IG: @nutritionissimple & individual professional: @tasteandseerd
FB: Simple Nutrition Counseling

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514: Stop Faking Fine Jan 25, 2021

Let’s just stop.

Stop faking fine.

When you’re hurting, let it be known.

When you’re tired, let it be known.

When you’re depleted, let it be known.

When you’re worried, let it be known.

When you’re lonely, let it be known.

When you’re uncertain, let it be known.

When you’re DONE, let it be known.

Stop faking fine.

Everytime you fake being fine, you perpetuate this ideal that women should button up and stuff it down and dishonor themselves by disowning their pain.

This is not only detrimental, it’s downright dangerous.

Model being less-than-fine to others.

You go first.

Let them know:

I’m struggling.

I’m hurting.

I’m tired.

I need help.

It is in owning and honoring where you’re really at that you will find the soft places and most sacred spaces to land - where others will be waiting to hold you, arms open wide.

Links mentioned:

Enrollment is open for Momentum Mamas

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513: Julie Neale and Caren Lettiere: Sisters Making Magic in E.P.I.C. Ways Jan 20, 2021

Today we have an extra special episode with two guests, who are not only powerhouse Shameless Moms and entrepreneurs making deep impact in the world, but also sisters.

Caren Lettiere is the Founder and President of Democracy Clothing, the casual lifestyle brand designed for the modern, multitasking woman who grew up with fashion, then got busy with life.

Best known for its “Ab”solution jeans with fit technology, Democracy Clothing embraces women of all shapes and sizes, providing them with confidence-building clothing that helps them look good and feel good, while doing good.

Alongside Democracy, Caren’s proudest accomplishment is the fulfilling family life she’s built with her husband of 29 years, David, and their amazing kids Nicole and Josh.

Julie Neale is a life and leadership coach, community builder, writer, and mom to two high energy boys who challenge her to grow into her best self. Alongside a 20 year career in youth development, it was Motherhood that transformed her and set her on a course to live a truly E.P.I.C. life.

Now, as the founder of Mother’s Quest and the Mother's Quest Podcast, Julie provides inspiration, coaching, and community-building so that mothers, and those who care for young people, can connect to support and resources, fulfill their unique purpose, and live their E.P.I.C. lives.

I’ve been so excited for this conversation for months now and I just know you’re going to love so much about it.

Listen in to hear Julie and Caren share:

How you can have the audacity to forge your own path without having to prequalify yourself
The birth of Mother’s Quest podcast and Democracy Jeans
How their separate businesses and goals converged into a collaborative working relationship
How Julie and Caren were able to participate at Sybrina Fulton’s (Trayvon Martin’s mom) Circle of Mothers event to bring joy to mothers who lost children and family members to gun violence
Shawna Free Jeans Freakout article https://shawnamorrow.com/free-jeans-freakout/
Caren’s philosophy around “My body is the carriage I arrive in”
Julie’s philosophy of leading and living an E.P.I.C. life
The power of opening the door for yourself instead of waiting for someone else to open the door for you
How ignorance can actually help you be a problem solver

Links mentioned:

Make sure to sign up for my Momentum Mamas announcement
Mother’s Quest Podcast: Mother's Quest
Julie on IG: Mother's Quest
Julie on FB: Mother's Quest
Julie and Caren’s interview on Mother’s Quest Podcast:
Save 20% off your order of Democracy Jeans (my FAVE jeans): (1 use per customer for total purchase, ends 02/28/21)

Julie’s article on committing to anti racism

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512: 10 Ways to Honor MLK Day With Your Family Jan 18, 2021

As we continue to see white supremacy reign here in the US, it’s critically important to pause and reflect on where we have come from, how we can do better, and how we can talk to our kids about it all.

I am not a race educator, but I will point you to some excellent people and resources in this episode from whom you can learn on an ongoing basis.

I am showing up for this conversation because, while I want you to be learning about race from people other than middle class white ladies (me!), I want to share some things that we have been doing in our family to educate our 8-year-old while also taking big responsibility for our commitment to our own anti racism journeys.

My intentions in this episode are 3 pronged:

To share resources
To invite you into longer term commitments in your anti racism journey
To push pause to reflect on the importance of carrying out Dr. Martin Luther King Jr’s legacy

Please note all the resources below as you continue to listen and learn and take action.

Links mentioned:

Get my email announcement about Momentum Mamas enrollment
Podcast: First Name Basis: The Untold Story of Martin Luther King Jr.
Video: I Have A Dream speech with subtitles
Article: 19 of the Most Influential Civil Rights Leaders of the 21st Century
Stacey Abram’s Documentary: All In: The Fight For Democracy
Book: Becoming Ms. Burton
Book: Dear Martin
Book: Something Happened In Our Town

Thank you to our sponsor:

Talkspace: To match with your perfect therapist for a fraction of the price of traditional therapy, go to talkspace.com, Make sure to use the code SHAMELESS to get $100 off your first month and show your support for the show.

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511: Mirna Valerio: The Many Identities of the Legendary Mirnavator Jan 13, 2021

Mirna Valerio is a native of Brooklyn, NY, a former educator, cross-country coach, ultramarathoner, and author of the bestselling memoir, A Beautiful Work in Progress. Although she began running in high school, she recommitted to the sport after a health scare in 2008 and started her blog Fatgirlrunning—about her experiences as a larger woman in a world of thinner endurance athletes— while training for her first marathon. Mirna's athletic story has been featured in the WSJ, Runner’s World, on NBC Nightly News, CNN, and in the viral REI-produced documentary short, The Mirnavator. Her writing has been featured in Women’s Running Magazine, Self Magazine Online, Outside Online, and Runner's World Magazine. In 2018 she was chosen as one of the National Geographic Adventurers of the Year, and most recently appeared on the Kelly Clarkson Show, Access Hollywood, and the short Running Through Barriers, produced by LLBean.

Listen in to hear Mirna share:

How she is discerning about who gets her time and energy
Why she is participating in NANOWRIMO and how it’s been transformational to her
What your identity truly is and how it dictates how you interact with the world
How she’s leaning into different parts of her identity and learning new things in this year
How she manages haters
How she steps into fear as she steps into new partnerships, especially her new position with Lululemon
How anxiety shows up for her and how she has learned to manage it
How she helped Will Smith train for a half marathon
The best lesson she learned from Will Smith

Links Mentioned:

Get updates and announcements about Momentum Mamas

Thank you to our sponsor:

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510: 4 Simple Ways To Build Momentum In 2021 Jan 11, 2021

As you are thinking about what you want out of 2021, I'm inviting you to keep things super simple. We tend to make things too hard and way overcomplicated as we enter a new year. I think this is only because we want to make things super FAB, but still - no need to make things tricky, as this minimizes your chances of actually building any momentum and getting things done.

So, how can you build momentum in order to have a few quick wins and feel like you are off to the races in 2021? Here are 4 tips:

Know Your No’s
Know What Works
Make It Up As You Go
Stay Connected

In today’s episode, I’m going to help you dig into each one of these tips so you can feel lighter and more inspired to GET STARTED in a year that has already proven to be cumbersome and tumultuous in so many ways.

You absolutely have what it takes to make great things happen in 2021. Let’s get to work.

Links mentioned:

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509: Jennifer Litner: Building Ease Talking About The Birds And The Bees Jan 06, 2021

Jennifer Litner has over a decade of experience working, studying and teaching in the field of sexual health, with a specialization in sex therapy, sexuality education, and helping people thrive in their intimate relationships.

Ms. Litner is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and sexuality educator whose passion is helping couples, individuals and families navigate sexual concerns. Ms. Litner is a Clinical Fellow of the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT), a Certified Member of the American Association for Sexuality Educators, Counselors and Therapists (AASECT), and a member of the Society for Sex Therapy and Research (SSTAR).

In addition to her clinical practice, Ms. Litner earned a Master’s of education and is currently pursuing a doctorate degree in human sexuality studies at Widener University with emphasis in human sexuality education. Ms. Litner is also an adjunct professor at Adler University in the Departments of Counseling and Couple and Family Therapy where she teaches masters and doctoral students. Ms. Litner empowers individuals to make healthy choices about sexuality by providing them with accurate sexual health information.

Listen in to hear Jennifer share:

Where caregivers can begin when they want to talk to their children about sexuality
How to talk to your kids about touch and hugs at an early age
Research based myths and truths about having “the talk” with your kids
How to talk to your kids about sex in a developmentally appropriate way (in grades 1-3 vs grades 3-5)
What it means to be sex positive and how you can be a sex positive caregiver
How to talk to your kids about gender identity and gender expression
Examples of shaming, sex negative messaging and the harm perpetuated in shameful messaging
The intersection of conversations around pleasure and privacy
How to be warm and neutral in conversations around sexuality with your kids
How to create a sex positive home for your kids - even if you had a sex negative upbringing

Links mentioned:

Join my 2021 Plan & Prep Pajama Party
Connect with Jennifer
Get Jennifer’s course and use promo code SHAMELESSMOM to save 20% - GOOD THRU 1/31
Jennifer on Facebook and Instagram: @embracesexualwellness
Jennifer on Twitter: @ESW_LLC

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508: How To Start Fresh In 2021 Jan 04, 2021

You get to start fresh. It’s true.

While we are kicking off a new year in the middle of a continuous shitstorm, you still get to choose how you will begin.

Jim Collins, author of Good to Great, says, “Uncertainty is chronic. Instability is permanent. Disruption is common. We can neither predict or govern events. There will be no new normal. There will only be a continuous series of not normal episodes defying predictions and unforeseen by most of us until they happen.”

How’s that for affirming that change and evolution will continue to be constant disruptors?? Happy 2021, lol!

In spite of all this, there is still plenty you can do to step into 2021 on your terms. You still get to dream. You still get to take charge. You still get to make great things happen.

I’m waking up #everydamnday ready to own the day and make progress in the face of uncertainty. I want this for you too.

Listen in to hear 4 simple steps to start fresh this year - in order take charge and disrupt the doubt and worry that has been so permanent over the last 10 months.

You got this. 2021 is yours to own and nurture.

Links mentioned:

Join my 2021 Plan & Prep Pajama Party

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507: Catherine Gray: Why We Need More Women Investing And Inventing Dec 30, 2020

Catherine Gray is a Producer, Author, Speaker, and Podcast Host. Catherine is also the Co-Founder of the SHE ANGELS FOUNDATION and 360Karma Productions. Catherine is producing a new original series for television called She Angels. It covers the exciting journeys of female founders and funders. The series, together with her SHE ANGELS FOUNDATION, has a vision to create a global initiative that will accelerate the funding of women, since currently they get less than 15% of the funding dollars. Catherine founded 360Karma Productions, which is a multimedia platform that creates everything from films and shows, to game changing events to empower women. These include past events such as the Live Love Thrive Conferences, workshops, and podcasts to the SHE ANGELS PITCHFEST, with the City of West Hollywood, CA. She will soon launch the SHE ANGELS TV series and the INVEST IN HER Podcast. The show and podcast series showcases ways to accelerate the funding of women, and provide resources and inspiration to the entrepreneur listeners.

Gray says, “I am so proud to have produced several award-winning films including the very first documentary film about gay marriage entitled ‘I Can’t Marry You,’ narrated by Ellen DeGeneres’s mom Betty, which aired on PBS in more than 60 cities nationwide. I believe filmmaking is a powerful catalyst to change on every front. My focus now is on empowering female entrepreneurs. I enjoy working on socially conscious projects that are impacting the world in a positive and powerful way.”

Listen in to hear Catherine share:

How telling our stories lead us to making societal changes that create equity and justice
Why we need more women inventors and investors
Why women only get 15% of business funding
What angel investing is and how you can become an angel investor at any level in order to support another person’s company/invention
How you can go ask for money and funding to start your company and bring your ideas to life
The first step to take if you have an idea to invent a product
The importance of bringing your visions to life to help others (why you must be brave and vulnerable!)

Links mentioned:

Join my 2021 Plan & Prep Pajama Party
Connect with Catherine
Invest In Her Podcast
She Angles Pitchfest
She Angels Foundation
Catherine on Facebook and Instagram: @sheangels1, @sheangelsfoundation
Catherine on Twitter: @sheangesseries, @sheangelsfoundation
Catherine on LinkedIn: @catherinelgray, @sheangels, @sheangelsfoundation
Mindset Coach Andrea Quinn
Learn more about OSEA and Golden Seeds

Thank you to our sponsor:

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506: What If 2020 Wasn’t A Dumpster Fire? Dec 28, 2020

What if 2020 wasn’t just a dumpster fire?

What if, instead, 2020 was the year you:

Built better boundaries

Got clear on what really matters

Learned to sit in hard feelings

Worked on your most intimate relationships

Got to know your kids better

Pushed yourself to stretch in new uncomfortable ways

Became a million times more adaptable

Decided your voice had value

Said good bye to relationships and circumstances that were no longer serving you

Found joy in ridiculously small things

Learned to laugh at yourself

Tried scary new things and didn’t die

Stood up for your core values - even around those who disagreed

Gained clarity on who you are becoming and who you want in your corner

What if 2020, in spite of it’s pain and grief, was a year of massive growth and life changing accomplishments?

As you prepare to close the door on 2020 and open the door to 2021, I invite you to think about what you are taking with you and what you are leaving behind.

What if you left behind self doubt, over doing, over consuming, allll the noise, and ignorance & idleness?

What if you took with you hope, power, patience, ease, adaptability, self trust, boundaries, empathy, and your voice?

While we cannot flip a switch and heal the messes of 2020, we can step into 2021 realizing the potential that lies ahead - and the responsibility we have to meet that potential. Listen in to squash your dumpster fire and find some beautiful remains.

Links mentioned:

Join my 2021 Plan & Prep Pajama Party
SMA Ep 307: How To Be More Adaptable #everydamnday

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505: Kelly Altman: Quitting Dieting To Be A Better Leader Dec 23, 2020

Kelly Altman is a certified health coach, a fitness business owner and a Shameless Mom to 4 kids, ages 2-14. Growing up overweight and lacking energy she fell in love with exercise and the way it made her feel in her 20's and became an entrepreneur by "accident" when she and her husband, Jay, started a fitness business in 2010.

After taking a back seat to the business when her 3rd child was born it was only then that she started to realize how much of her own thoughts, feelings, and desires were taking a back seat in so many aspects of her life. She knew something had to change when her physical and mental health were suffering and she was ready to play by her own 'rules' - including stopping the endless cycle of 'on and off' again dieting that had manifested when she became the face of a fitness business.

She became a health coach to help busy women see that in their life there is nothing more important than their physical and mental health and that they can put themselves first even when they need and want to show up for everyone else.

Through her one-on-one coaching, group coaching, and her new on-line course she helps women upgrade their lifestyle by forming their own rules around eating, exercise, and their daily habits so they can gain the energy and confidence they desire.

Listen in to hear Kelly share:

The impact of moving 13 times in her childhood and how it built her resiliency
Her compromise to work at a job she didn’t like to keep medical benefits for her daughter’s health condition
How she left corporate in order to help her husband grow their fitness business
How diet culture damaged her - while she was selling diet programs
How her dieting compromised her fertility
Her shift from following other’s lead to become a leader in her own right
How she asked her husband for support and not permission in her building her own dreams
The gift of COVID - How she has totally shifted her business to position herself as a leader and be in total alignment with her core values
The most important thing you can do to make change
How to put yourself first - even with a ton of people counting on you

Links mentioned:

Join my 2021 Plan & Prep Pajama Party
Connect with Kelly
Join the Wait List for Kelly’s Lifestyle Upgrade Challenge
Kelly on Facebook
Kelly on Instagram

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Homeschool Magnet: Go to Homeschoomagnet.com and join the growing waitlist!

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504: Kelly Travis: Living Authentically After An Eating Disorder and Abusive Marriage Dec 21, 2020

As a Health and Success Coach, Kelly Travis helps ambitious, high achieving women realize they don’t have to “should” their way to success in life or business. Through her programs and speaking, Kelly helps women realize what they actually want for themselves, ditch limiting beliefs and excuses, and create a sustainable action plan to achieve their big scary goals. Kelly models the ideal mix of professionalism, compassion, and discipline to help women get to where they want to go - not to where she thinks they should go (her methods are not prescriptive) but where they truly want to go in their career and life.

Her brave, sassy, and always approachable coaching style encourages women to take a cold hard look at their habits, mindset, boundaries, and everything that goes into creating a life on their terms.

Officially, Kelly earned her Bachelor of Science in Public Health with an emphasis on mental health from Central Michigan University. She is also a graduate of the Institute for Integrative Nutrition where she earned her certification as a Holistic Health Coach. Her passion for wellness and her ability to create successful strategies to reach goals started in college, where she was a collegiate All-American runner at UNC-Charlotte.

Listen in to hear Kelly share:

The truth about our struggle to dream or create goals
The way we make choices that provide false benefits and let us hide from our dreams
How her eating disorder led her into her career
How her unplanned pregnancy pushed her to learn how to use her voice and ultimately leave an abusive marriage
Her daily coping skills to continue to work on herself as she recovers from an abusive relationship and is a single mom to two littles
How she shows up as her very imperfect, messy, most authentic self
How to start working toward a goal based on how you want to feel vs metrics & milestones
Why you need to make decisions for yourself and not based on other people’s formulas, templates, prescriptions or opinions

Links mentioned:

Join my 2021 Plan & Prep Pajama Party
Connect with Kelly
Kelly’s free workshop, Clear AF: Complete Clarity On What You Desire
Kelly on social media: @kellythealth
Podcast: She Doesn’t Settle

Thank you to our sponsor:

Take2Minutes: Download Take2Minutes for free at: take2minutes.org/shameless. Check out their shop page and use the code SHAMELESS for 15% off your purchase.

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503: Leslie Tagorda: How To Use Astrology To Amplify Your Voice and Your Gifts Dec 16, 2020

Leslie Tagorda is a multiracial, brand astrologer, designer, podcast host, and author. An Aquarius boss woman and Human Design Projector, she calls herself a Brand Navigator as she guides spiritual entrepreneurs, social impact makers, and visionaries to become the luminary leaders they are born to be using an innovative system of empowered brand and biz astrology called The AstroBrand™ Framework.

Since 2004 Leslie has helped hundreds of entrepreneurs and social impact organizations clarify their brand so they can stop hiding and contribute their expertise in the world through their websites, social media, and brands.

Leslie hosts a podcast and Facebook community The Savvy Luminary – Astrology for Entrepreneurs. And while you might think this sounds too woo woo for you, I invite you to listen in to all the really practical ways you can use astrology to greatly amplify your voice and your gifts in the world.

Listen in to hear Leslie dig into:

Acknowledgment that we have all lost something and we’re all grieving something right now
The rise and power of female leaders and spiritual leaders in 2020
Her accidental entrance into motherhood and grieving her pre motherhood life
How her multi cultural family lead her on a spiritual path to discover astrology - and then turn it into a career later in life
How to amplify your energy and your gifts by understanding your astrological birth chart
Why the massive energy around change, shift, and growth in 2020 is totally real and part of an expansion that only happens every 800 years
How this big shift applies directly to you and your ability to overcome self limiting beliefs in the near future
The reading of my actual birth chart
How having your birth chart read can affirm and validate your direction in life and career

Links mentioned:

Connect with Leslie: The Savvy Luminary
Podcast: The Savvy Luminary
Order Leslie’s books, New Moon Rituals for Entrepreneurs and Star Powered Brand
Leslie on Instagram
Join Leslie’s free Facebook group

Thank you to our sponsor:

com: To save 30% off a Care.com Premium membership, visit Care.com/SHAMELESSMOM

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502: Creating Peace & Ease In Pandemic Holidays Dec 14, 2020

What do you need out of these holidays to consider them a success?

This is an important question if you want to make this time count. In a year of heartbreak and loss, we still have the power to create joy and magical memories in alignment with our values.

When I sat down to think about what I want out of this season, I came up with this:

Health

Safety

Good Citizenship

Joy

Connection

Rest

Having identified this list, it was so much easier to make decisions around what is right and what is best for our family as we celebrate the holidays this year.

In this episode I help you decide what it is that you truly want out of this holiday season and then I give you 4 simple strategies to actually getting what you want.

While this year is anything but normal, there are still plenty of opportunities to connect and find joy & magic this holiday season. We are in this together. I got you.

Thank you to our sponsor:

Homeschool Magnet: Go to Homeschoomagnet.com and join the growing waitlist!

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501: Mia Hemstad: Nourishing Oneself While Living With PTSD and Depression Dec 09, 2020

Mia Hemstad is a wife and mom of two kids (ages 2 and 4). She works full time as a social justice activist, and runs her personal company online where she talks about her daily life with PTSD and depression and the importance of doing the hard, inner work of overcoming trauma and taking care of yourself. A recovering perfectionist and people pleaser, Mia wants women to learn to take their power back by making themselves a priority. Mia’s raw and honest content about mental health and stepping into her power has earned her features in media outlets such as Romper, Parents.com, Cafe Mom, and several others. Some of Mia’s favorite pastimes include trying out new coffee shops, taking naps, watching anything about food, and buying yet another journal from the planner section at Target.

Listen in to hear Mia share:

Her identity around being born on Guam, one of 11 children, into an African-Caribbean/Mexican/German family
What it was like to be an American living on Guam, watching the mainland US from afar
Her journey through PTSD, depression and suicidal ideation
How she was diagnosed with anxiety and depression and how it changed her life
Why she decided to start talking about her mental health publicly
How to catch yourself in perfectionism and let it go
The difference between self care and nourishment
The critical difference for women stuck in comparison vs seeking camaraderie

Links mentioned:

Book: Radical Acceptance by Tara Brach

Mia Hemstad

Facebook: Mia Hemstad

Instagram: Mia Hemstad

Mia on Youtube

Thank you to our sponsors:

Homeschool Magnet: Go to Homeschoomagnet.com and join the growing waitlist!
Take2Minutes:Download Take2Minutes for free at: take2minutes.org/shameless. Check out their shop page and use the code SHAMELESS for 15% off your purchase.

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500: 5 Reasons To Keep Showing Up Dec 07, 2020

Holy cow. 500 episodes. 500!!!

Part of me wants to be all exasperated, “How did that even happen? How did we get here???”

But that would diminish what I know to be true.

500 episodes of The Shameless Mom Academy happened because I chose to show up - ALL THE WAY UP - 500 times.

I have shown up full of joy and hope.

I have shown up with a broken heart, in a puddle of tears.

I have shown up to teach and coach and listen and learn and share and apologize and cry and push myself and push you and model leadership and celebrate.

I have shown up on some of the best days of my life and some of the worst days of my life.

I didn’t get to 500 episodes on accident. I got here on purpose.

I worked hard to get here.

Just like I encourage all of you to do, I’m going to own the heck out of this accomplishment.

Most podcasts don’t make it past 14 episodes.

And here we are.

500 episodes.

Your legacy is built on how you choose to show up over time.

These 500 episodes are a massive part of my legacy.

I have learned so much about the power of showing up over the last 500 episodes. I have learned exactly why it matters, exactly how it can change your life, and exactly how it can open big huge doors to your future.

Listen in to get really inspired and totally FIRED UP to keep showing up for your life and your dreams.

Thank you to our sponsor:

Take2Minutes: Download Take2Minutes for free at: take2minutes.org/shameless. Check out their shop page and use the code SHAMELESS for 15% off your purchase.

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499: Meredith Atwood: Addiction, Abstinence, Nonsense & Truth Onions Dec 02, 2020

Meredith Atwood is a former attorney, podcaster and motivational speaker, and 4x IRONMAN triathlete. She is the author of the best-selling triathlon book, Triathlon for the Every Woman, and the new book, The Year of No Nonsense. She’s the host of the iTunes Top 50 fitness podcast, “The Same 24 Hours.” She has been featured in The Boston Globe, The New York Post, the Seattle Times, and dozens of online publications. Meredith is a contributing writer to Psychology Today online, Triathlete Magazine, and Women’s Running. She is a sobriety advocate, and the founder of Grateful Sobriety. She is a USA Weightlifting Level II, USA Triathlon Level I, and Precision Nutrition Level I Coach. She is originally from Georgia and lives in the burbs of Boston, Massachusetts with her husband and two tweens.

Listen in to hear Meredith share:

Her spark moment in a spin class that changed everything in her head and opened her eyes to totally new layers of potential within herself
Her experience doing her first triathlon - in an overweight body
How she used triathlons and Ironmans to try and prove she was healthy when she was truly unhealthy
What caused her to give up a 2 bottle a day wine habit
Why she identifies as an addict and how she negotiates moderation and abstinence in different areas of her life
How she defines Nonsense and how this concept shaped her life
How to open up your Truth Onion in order to find freedom and liberation and escape a lot of your own self inflicted oppression
What real leadership looks like in these days of influencer culture
The dangers of marketers who present themselves as leaders and take no accountability for the harm they do online

Links mentioned:

Connect with Meredith: SwimBikeMom
IG/Facebook/Twitter: @SwimBikeMom
Book: The Year of No Nonsense
Podcast: The Same 24 Hours

Thank you to our sponsors:

Best Fiends: Download FREE on the Apple App Store or Google Play.
Take2Minutes: Download Take2Minutes for free at: take2minutes.org/shameless. Check out their shop page and use the code SHAMELESS for 15% off your purchase.

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498: The Truth About Procrastination & Perfectionism Nov 30, 2020

There are all sorts of stories that people will tell you about procrastinators. They are lazy and lack motivation. They are ill prepared and unqualified. They just don’t have what it takes. They don’t have their shit together.

If you’re someone who struggles with procrastination, perhaps these are the things you say about yourself? You wouldn’t be alone…

The truth is that procrastination is commonly a form of perfectionism.

Many people procrastinate because they are paralyzed by the fear of doing something wrong, making a mistake, looking foolish, not being good enough, and being stuck in analysis paralysis. This makes them feel guilty and weak and like they are not enough. This creates feelings of dread and worry and massive self doubt.

Relatable much???

Many (most?) women struggle with perfectionism because we have been conditioned to believe we must show up a certain way, on certain terms, within certain parameters. The specificity around what is acceptable and what is not is a fine line drawn with a Sharpie.

Listen in to learn more about why procrastination is not a bad thing, how to use it to your advantage, and how to release yourself from the perfectionism that comes from procrastination.

Thank you to our sponsors:

Homeschool Magnet: Go to Homeschoomagnet.com and join the growing waitlist!
Take2Minutes: Download Take2Minutes for free at: take2minutes.org/shameless. Check out their shop page and use the code SHAMELESS for 15% off your purchase.

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497: Kristen Westcott: PPD, Adaptability & Accessing Your Skills In Motherhood Nov 25, 2020

Kristen Westcott is a Shameless Mom to two little girls, as well as a business growth strategist and founder of Kristen Westcott Media who has spent the last decade in the legal and education fields supporting leaders and students in the areas of goal setting, productivity, and project management. After recognizing her true passion lies in serving entrepreneurs, Kristen honed her skills as a Director of Operations. She quickly noticed that what was holding many business owners back wasn’t a lack of drive or ability, but a lack of foundational systems that could support the day-to-day operations of a scaling business. These days, she spends her time helping online coaches, copywriters, and course creators scale without the frustration that massive growth often brings.

Listen in to hear Kristen share:

How she navigated the decision around wanting children vs not wanting children
What triggered her Postpartum Depression for her and how it showed up for her
Being thrown for a loop when she got pregnant on the pill
How PPD showed up very differently after both of her daughter’s births
How she treated her PPD
Why women are resistant to getting help and support
How to be more adaptable in order to use our best skills in all areas of our lives
How to own your skills in order to access them in hard times and places
How to prioritize and optimize hiring help in your home and your work

Links mentioned:

Connect with Kristen: Kristen Westcott Media
Kirsten on Facebook: Kristen Westcott Media
Kristen on Instagram: Kristen Westcott
Kristen on LinkedIn: Kristen Westcott

Thank you to our sponsors:

Take2Minutes

Homeschool Magnet: Go to Homeschoolmagnet.com/ and join the growing waitlist!
Take2Minutes: Download Take2Minutes for free at: take2minutes.org/shameless. Check out their shop page and use the code SHAMELESS for 15% off your purchase.

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496: 4 Ways To Find Abundance & Gratitude #everydamnday Nov 23, 2020

2020 would like you to think you can’t do it, you’re not enough, you just don’t have it in you.

I would like to suggest otherwise.

You CAN do it.

You ARE enough.

You DO have it in you.

On any given day, at any given moment, your life is full. Full of gifts and magic. Full of hope and power. Full of everything you need to keep going and to keep growing.

Last week we did a 5 day Abundance & Gratitude Challenge with 250 Shameless Moms. Maybe you were one of them. Every day of the challenge I was blown away by all the abundance we have in our collective lives. HOT DAMN. So much goodness.

In this episode, I walk you through 4 areas of your life that are already abundant - as long as you choose to see them that way. By the end of the episode, you’re gonna be all kinds of fired up about the gifts in your life that you perhaps have struggled to see in 2020.

Link mentioned:

Book: Mindset by Carol S. Dweck

Thank you to our sponsor:

Take2Minutes: Download Take2Minutes for free at: take2minutes.org/shameless. Check out their shop page and use the code SHAMELESS for 15% off your purchase.

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495: Gail Keyes Allen: From Poverty To Abundance In Life & Mindset Nov 18, 2020

Gail Keyes Allen is an Accountant, a Life & Money Mindset Coach, and Serial Entrepreneur. She is the host of the Midlife Moneymaker Podcast, a podcast for multi-passionate women in their 40s, 50s, 60s, and beyond who want to transform their relationship with their money and their life. Her coaching is centered around helping women discover their limiting beliefs and take them on a journey to transform their money mindset from scarcity to abundance.

Listen in to hear Gail share:

How she is co grandparenting with her ex-husband
Her hero’s journey from poverty to abundance
Having her daughter at 26 weeks - as a 2lb preemie
How she helps women see their financial potential and overcome money mindset blocks
How you can use thought work to grow your abundance mindset
The intersection of money, race, and age
How to check in on your relationship with money (do you have a booty call relationship with money or a committed relationship with money)
How society trips up our financial perspective and money mindset
How motherhood has made her a resilient businesswoman

Links mentioned:

Connect with Gail
Learn about Gail’s new course
Gail on IG
Gail on Facebook
Gail on LinkedIn
Check out Gail’s new course called "The Sanctuary of (Im)possibility." It's a 3 month course that helps the participants reach their (im)possible goal. We take their vision from the board and bring it to life. The link is Sanctuary.

Thank you to our sponsors:

Pipette: Visit Pipettebaby.com to get 30% off with code SHAMELESS!
Homeschool Magnet: Go to Homeschoomagnet.com and join the growing waitlist!

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

494: You Get To Choose Nov 16, 2020

At least once a week, I sit down to write a social media post and I want to start it with, “YOU GET TO CHOOSE.”

Every day, no matter where things stand with the world, we get to choose - so many things.

We get to choose how we show up.

We get to choose who we share our energy with.

We get to choose who gets the best pieces of us.

We get to choose how to honor ourselves.

We get to choose how to live out our core values.

We get to choose it all.

This year, more than ever, we have had the responsibility of big choices. In this episode, I share three really powerful examples of what you get to choose right now, as these seem to be popping up over and over in my life and in the lives of others in our community:

You get to choose how you use social media
You get to choose where you’re going professionally
You get to choose how you see your life and your life story

Listen in to get inspired and fired up about the choices you get to make today and #everydamnday.

Thank you to our sponsor:

Orgain: Go to TryOrgain for 20% off your first order PLUS extra savings when you subscribe!

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493: Dr. Sophia Yen: Make Your Period Optional Nov 11, 2020

Sophia Yen, MD, MPH is the CEO and Co-Founder of Pandia Health, birth control delivery. She has a passion for making women’s lives easier, preventing unplanned pregnancies, and educating women about #PeriodsOptional.

With more than 20 years of experience in medicine, she is board-certified in Adolescent Medicine. She graduated with a B.S. from MIT, M.D. from UCSF Medical School, and M.P.H. from UC Berkeley in Maternal Child Health. She serves as a Clinical Associate Professor of Pediatrics in the Division of Adolescent Medicine at Stanford Medical School.

Dr. Yen's company, Pandia Health, is the first-ever female doctor founded birth control company. Men have been leading an industry they know little about, which is crazy to think about. But now, women across the country are turning to Dr. Yen and Pandia Health for birth control (pill, patch or ring) and telemedicine needs. Plus, the science and safety behind skipping your period is a topic often not talked about. In fact, 66% of women have never been informed by their doctor that they can safely stop their period. Dr. Sophia Yen is on a mission to help educate women about this crucial health topic.

Listen in to hear Dr. Yen share:

How to use birth control as hormonal treatment to manage your life
How periods have changed over the over time and why we have hundreds of more periods over our lives than women used to (or current women in African tribes currently have)
The truth about period poverty
The impact of periods on the environment
How fewer periods reduces your risk of endometrial, ovarian and colorectal cancers
How stabilizing hormones with BC support other health issues
The truth about “pill anxiety” and the mad dash to keep your prescriptions fills
How to safely use telemedicine
How to be a conscientious consumer around your health, birth control,

Links mentioned:

Join my free 5 Day Abundance & Gratitude Challenge
Connect with Dr. Yen and Pandia Health
Yen on FB/IG/Youtube: @pandiahealth
Yen’s TED Talk: Making Periods Optional

Thank you to our sponsor:

Cove: Go to withcove.com/shamelessmom for 50% off your first month of medication and free two day shipping.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

492: Amy Fish: How To Ask For What You Want Nov 09, 2020

Amy Fish is the author of I WANTED FRIES WITH THAT: How to Ask for What You Want and Get What You Need. She is also the “Chief Complaints Officer” (also known as the Ombudsperson) for Concordia University in Montreal, Canada, which has more than 50,000 students, and where she spends her days investigating, analyzing (and mostly resolving) complaints for a whole variety of people. Amy's insights and wisdom have been featured in and on Reader's Digest, CBC-TV Canada, CBC Radio Canada, Global TV Canada, The Huffington Post, and many other publications. She lives in Montreal with her family and believes we all can make the world a better place by standing up for ourselves — even about the small things.

Listen in to hear Amy share:

Why women don’t speak up for themselves
5 tips for standing up for yourself more effectively
Her philosophy that you can only change things if you start speaking up
Her #1 tip for sanity and happiness during 24/7 togetherness
How to answer uncomfortable questions with space and grace
How to build your “asking muscle” to build confidence to speak up for yourself

Links mentioned:

Join my free 5 Day Abundance & Gratitude Challenge
Connect with Amy
Amy on Instagram
Amy on Facebook
Amy on Twitter

Thank you to our sponsor:

Pipette: Visit Pipettebaby.com/ to get 30% off with code SHAMELESS!

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

491: Lora Cheadle: Infidelity, Self Trust & Naked Self Worth Nov 04, 2020

Lora Cheadle is a transformational thought leader and media personality who empowers women to let go of judgment, overcome the need to please, express themselves fully, and find uninhibited success and joy every day. Using the five steps of FLAUNT! , she encourages others to take the lead in the dance of life despite any external circumstances. She is the author of the bestselling book FLAUNT! Drop Your Cover and Reveal Your Smart, Sexy, & Spiritual Self.

Lora came on the show to share an extremely vulnerable and powerful story around self trust and self worth. I know you’ll learn some really valuable lessons from her.

Listen in to hear Lora share:

The gifts of exposure in our world right now
The 5 steps of FLAUNT to find and maintain your center no matter what kind of chaos you’re living in
Her story of enduring infidelity when she found out her husband was unfaithful for 15 years with 5 different women
How to develop self trust in the face of your hardest moments
The intersection of being smart, sexy, and spiritual and why we’re uncomfortable with the intersection of these pieces of our identity
Her own intersection of being a lawyer, a minister, and a burlesque dancer
How flaunting ourselves help take down the patriarchy and break free from objectification
What is Naked Self Worth ™ and how it’s different and more powerful than tradition self worth/confidence

Links mentioned:

Join our upcoming Gratitude Challenge
Connect with Lora
Free download
Lora’s Book: FLAUNT! Drop Your Cover and Reveal Your Smart, Sexy, & Spiritual Self
Lora’s Facebook Group
Lora on Instagram
Lora on YouTube: Lora Cheadle Life Choreographer

Thank you to our sponsor:

Best Fiends: Download FREE on the Apple App Store or Google Play.

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490: Give Yourself Permission To Practice Nov 02, 2020

Soooo… I’m taking a memoir writing class. I do not know the first thing about writing a memoir. I don’t know if I even want to write a memoir. But I do know that I want to be a better writer.

At the end of my first writing class, our teacher gave us an assignment, “Write 700 words about your topic. And don’t try to make it the best piece of writing you’ve ever done. Make it mediocre.”

When was the last time you gave yourself permission to be mediocre? When did you decide to try something just for the sake of trying it and letting yourself practice?

Most of us are constantly tied up in measuring progress and growth. We are aiming to get closer to perfect with every step.

It’s ok to stop measuring progress sometimes. It’s ok to not track metrics. It’s ok to be totally imperfect and messy and just play around in order to learn and grow and have fun.

It’s ok to simply practice.

In giving yourself permission to practice, you get to show up without judgement. You get to step outside of your head and ignore metrics that you might otherwise mistakenly attach to your self worth. You get to be creative and just have fun. Remember fun? Yeah, me neither…

Listen in to hear all about how you can give yourself permission to practice and step away from a constant push for progress and perfection. This might just be the breath of fresh air you need!

Links mentioned:

Join our upcoming Gratitude Challenge: gratitude
Book: Finish by Jon Acuff

Thank you to our sponsor:

Pipette: Visit Pipettebaby.com/ to get 25% off with code SHAMELESS!

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

489: Leslie Lyons: Ministry, Pole Dancing, and Reclamation Oct 28, 2020

Leslie Lyons is the Founder of Bombshell Movement Studio in Chicago, host of the Beyond the Pole: Tales from the CEO podcast, and a sales and leadership coach for female entrepreneurs. With a background in corporate sales, youth ministry (yes-she’s a Christian and the owner of a pole studio!), and as a leader for studio owners throughout the US, Leslie has spent her life pouring into women emotionally and spiritually. Now, more than ever, her dedication to helping entrepreneurial women lead with their heart and head is the exact type of leadership we need.

Listen in to hear Leslie share:

How she went from leadership in ministry work to running a six figure pole dancing studio
The overlap of ministry and pole dancing in terms of voice, power and reclamation
What it really means to create a values based community or organization
How she uses the Enneagram to highlight her gifts and skills in order to have the most impact in the world
Why it’s important to know your innate strengths and weaknesses in order to be a better leader
How women are disconnected from their own bodies and “dead to their bodies” and why this is dangerous
How to recognize our somatic reactions to notice when we’re aligned or out of alignment
The difference between responding and reacting and how to get better at responding
The importance of having pleasure practices

Links mentioned:

Get updates about our upcoming Gratitude Challenge
Connect with Leslie
Instagram: Leslie Lyons
Book: The Road Back To You

Thank you to our sponsors:

Because Mom Said So Podcast: Find on Apple Podcast, Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts!
Pipette: Visit pipettebaby.com to get 25% off with code SHAMELESS!

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488: It’s Ok If You’re Tired Oct 26, 2020

It’s ok if you’re tired.

Over the last I have had many conversations with clients and colleagues and loved ones who are just tired.

We are tired of being home with everyone everyday. We are tired of shifts and changes to job status. We are tired of constantly worrying about health and safety around COVID. We are tired of adapting to uncertainty and unpredictability. We are tired of distance learning (bless our teachers!). We are tired of having no personal time or personal space. We are tired of politics. We are tired of social media. We are tired of feeling disillusioned. We are tired of trying to just get through it.

The just get throughedness of 2020 is wiping us out, if we’re being honest.

I’m giving you permission to OWN & HONOR your fatigue.

You should feel tired. Bone tired.

But, in spite of your fatigue, you do have to keep going.

Listen in to hear 8 ways you can own, honor, and even recover a little from your fatigue.

Links mentioned:

Get updates about our upcoming Gratitude Challenge: shamelessmom.com/newsletter

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

487: Stefanie Wilder: Taylor How To Shamelessly Share Your Stories Oct 21, 2020

Stefanie Wilder-Taylor a Shameless Mom of 3, the author of 5 books, and the host of 3 podcasts. She has also been a stand up comic, a writer on various TV shows, and the host of the NickMom show, Parental Discretion. When she’s not hosting one of her 3 podcasts (For Crying Out Loud, Bored AF, and Rose Pricks), she’s teaching writing classes to people like ME!

Stefanie co-hosts her podcast For Crying Out Loud with Lynette Carolla. Their show was the first “parenting” podcast I ever listened to. I have not missed an episode in 5+ years. Stefanie and Lynette and so brilliant and so funny. Stefanie has been on my Dream Guest List for years, so I’m fired up to finally have her here with us.

Listen in to hear Stefanie share:

The power of writing and sharing your stories in order to own your truth and do your own therapy
How she managed postpartum life with Postpartum Depression and no mom friends/mom network
Why she decided to leave home at a young age to parent herself
How her worry about her child being depressed opened the door to her child coming out as transgender
How to decide what stories to tell and how to consider who you might offend
Why we might have to stop watching Real Housewives
Why you might want to consider being the parent who doesn’t email your kids’ teachers

Links mentioned:

Podcast: For Crying Out Loud
Podcast: Bored AF
Podcast: Rosepricks
Come to Stefanie’s Virtual Storytelling Show (I’m one of the story tellers!) on Friday, October 23rd
Get the free replay of my Tenacious Mamas Business & Leadership Workshop: email us at info@shamelessmom.com

Thank you to our sponsors:

com: To save 30% off a Care.com Premium membership, visit Care.com/SHAMELESSMOM
Orgain: Go to tryorgain.com/SHAMELESS for 20% off your first order PLUS extra savings when you subscribe!

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

486: Being Connected vs Actually Connecting Oct 19, 2020

There is a huge difference between being connected and actually connecting.

Most of us are very connected. We are constantly tapped into social media, news outlets, our inboxes, TV shows, games & apps on our phone, and online shopping. So many opportunities to be connected each day, right?!

How are these connections making you feel?

Being connected in so many places and spaces that don’t allow for deep connection and vulnerability with other humans can leave us feeling drained, exhausted, frustrated, hopeless, powerless, depressed, and anxious. Being so constantly connected can instill self doubt, fear, and anger. Being constantly connected can feel so constricting.

On the other hand, actually connecting in deep and meaningful relationships feels restorative, regenerative, freeing and joy filled. Meaningful connecting can instill hope and power and gratitude. This feels expansive instead of constricting. Connecting positive impacts our physical, mental, and emotional health. YES!

Can you see the difference between being connected vs actually connecting? It’s pretty profound.

Listen in to learn how you can spend less time being connected and more time actually connecting.

Links mentioned:

Get the free replay of my Tenacious Mamas Business & Leadership Workshop: email us at info@shamelessmom.com

Thank you to our sponsor:

Cove: Go to withcove.com/shamelessmom for 50% off your first month of medication and free two day shipping.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

485: Kelly Rose: Turning It Up vs Toning It Down While Running For Senate Oct 14, 2020

As a mom, mentor, and voice for the community, Kelly takes pride in standing with those who are fighting for a better, more compassionate world.

Kelly and her husband Steve live on a farm in McDonough, GA with their two elementary age children, two horses, one pony, three donkeys, three dogs, and four cats. Their home is Kelly’s favorite place to spend time with any spare moment usually spent out in the barn visiting with her animals.

Together Steve and Kelly own and operate a successful local business, Studio 48, an acting studio on McDonough’s Square. Independently they each are still working in their longstanding careers in the television and film industry, Kelly as a Post Production Producer and Steve an actor.

In taking this step to run for Senate District 17, Kelly hopes she can inspire the next generation to get involved and prove that you do not need a specific background or look a certain way to take an active role in politics. Kelly believes that as laws are made for us it is now time to show everyone they can be made by us.

Listen in to hear Kelly share:

Why she decided to run for Senate after moving from CA to GA
The trigger around women’s rights that pushed her to go all in on her Senate run
The impact of her campaign and activism and hate mail on her family
How she handled it when her male colleague told her she should “tone it down” if she wanted to win
What it’s like to run for office as a progressive in a traditionally conservative district
How we can restore trust in politicians after such a massive erosion of trust over the last handful of years
How she’s allowing herself to take imperfect action while parenting and running for office

Links mentioned:

Connect with and learn more about Kelly: Kelly Rose
Kelly on IG & Twitter: Kelly Rose and Kelly Rose
Kelly on FB: @kellyrose4GA

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

484: Dr. Alexandra Owensby: Single Mom Running For Congress Oct 14, 2020

Dr. Alexandra Owensby is running for the Congressional seat in Kentucky's 4th district. In addition to that, she's working at her local hospital during the pandemic. After leaving an abusive marriage, Dr. Owensby put herself through nursing school as a full-time single mother of two, utilizing student loans. While working the night shift to make childcare more affordable, she was able to minimize time away from her children. After graduating and earning her RN S\status, Alexandra obtained a position as an ICU nurse. Though still struggling to make ends meet with a salary below $40,000.00 annually, she was able to make it with assistance from the Children’s Health Insurance Program, due to their zero-dollar co-pays for medicine, dental care, and clinic visits. Dr. Owensby believes strongly that this type of Healthcare is what all American families deserve access to. Alexandra’s journey through hardship and the American education system has inspired her to run for Congress as Kentucky’s 4th District Representative. She is not a politician born into money, nor is she a millionaire business owner looking to boost her image. Dr. Alexandra Owensby’s story is the spark that moves an average American citizen to ask for the opportunity to lead in a city where most do not.

Listen in to hear Alexandra share:

What inspired her to get involved in politics after being in the medical field
The unexpected gifts of running for political office (and why you should do it)
How moms are always dropping multiple balls and why it’s totally ok
Why being a single mom who put herself through school to get multiple degrees makes her uniquely qualified to be a congresswoman
How you can coach your kids to be more resilient during COVID

Links mentioned:

Connect with and learn more about Alexandra: Alexandra Owensby

Thank you to our sponsor:

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483: Be Bold & Brave In Order To BUILD Oct 12, 2020

I have to tell you something scary...

In September 2020, 865,000 women left the work force.

In September 2020, 216,000 men left the work force.

When women are leaving the work force at 4 times the rate of men, big things are bound to happen.

There will be fewer women in corporate leadership. There will be fewer female voices at board room tables and around any meeting tables. There will be fewer women to advocate for women's rights in the office. There will be fewer women to point out inequities across the board in corporate culture.

Let's be honest, the inequities work in men's favor, so it's unlikely they will highlight them and change them with fewer women at the office. I'm afraid it will be quite the opposite.

While this is scary - really scary - I also have a lot of hope.

Because I know that many of the women who walked away from traditional/corporate jobs in September are not ready to walk away from their power & purpose. They are just shifting it.

I predict a massive shift in the way women lead over the next few years. Instead of trying to hold space in someone else's company and live by someone else's rules that just don't fly if you're homeschooling/distance learning in a pandemic, we will see women build their own companies.

I am SO HERE FOR THIS.

Let's BUILD THOSE COMPANIES.

Listen in for inspiration to get bold & brave in order to BUILD.

Links mentioned:

Join my final (free) workshop of 2020, Tenacious Mamas Business & Leadership Workshop: shamelessmom.com/tenacious

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482: Deborah Porter: Forgiveness and Naked Vulnerability Oct 07, 2020

Deborah Porter is the ultimate list maker, system creator, and investigator of anything that will make things run smoother at home and in life. From new mom to working mom to at home mom to empty nester, she's seen it all. Deborah has been married to her college sweetheart, Clif for 30 years and they have 3 adult children, Chanel (NY), Christian (NY), and Clif (DC). During the early years, she worked hard at not losing sight of her purpose and goals beyond motherhood. Having systems in place allowed her to make room for herself in every phase of life. Deborah believes that motherhood may be the only job you put your absolute all into, knowing that the goal is to work yourself out of that job and provide your children with all they need to successfully launch into their future. Deborah is a Mom Coach with Moms Mentoring Circle where we believe mothering doesn't have to happen alone.

Listen in to hear Deborah share:

The hope she is seeing in young during this cultural revolution - especially among her own adult children
What it was like to meet her father for the first time at age 21
Why she decided to forgive her father and the gifts that came of their relationship as a result
What is the biggest foe of forgiveness (naked vulnerability)
How you can lean into forgiveness to expand your perspective into order to move forward in your life
The 3 gifts you can give your kids to launch them into adulthood
The ultimate goal of parenting
The importance of collaboration over comparison
Her 2 powerful universal messages for moms

Links mentioned:

Join my Tenacious Mamas Business & Leadership Workshop
Connect with Deborah
Moms Mentoring Circles on Facebook
Moms Mentoring Circles on IG
Deborah on Facebook
Deborah’s FB Group: Habits of a Confident Mom
TED talk: Melody Hobson - Color Blind or Color Brave?

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481: 3 Ways To Be A Better Critical Thinker Oct 05, 2020

I don’t need to tell you there is a lot of noise right now.

So. Much. Noise.

I want to encourage you (while I’m also encouraging myself, lol) to step back from the noise to become a better critical thinker.

It’s easy to let the high emotions of this election season (and the pandemic and the cultural revolution) cause us to react in knee jerk ways. But that is not effective or productive.

Instead of knee jerk reactions, the best gift we can give ourselves and those who might benefit from the value of our voice, is to LISTEN.

Rather than adding to the noise, listen for a moment before you speak. And then, when you do speak, speak in a way that creates space for others to listen and be in conversation with you. Speak with well formulated thoughts that can actually have impact. Speak with your authentic voice that will allow others to learn and grow with you.

And after you speak, sit back and restore your head and your heart in order to get back to listening.

Listen in to hear me walk you through this 3 part process LISTEN-SPEAK-RESTORE to see how you can escape the noise, add value to the conversations that matter, and sustain this climate that is bound to remain heavy and heated for quite some time.

Your voice has value. Become a better critical thinker to use it to the very best of your ability.

Links mentioned:

Join my Tenacious Mamas Business & Leadership Workshop
Podcast: First Name Basis

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480: Becky Mollenkamp: Self Forgiveness In The Wake Of Addiction and Infidelity Sep 30, 2020

Becky Mollenkamp is a certified coach who believes everyone deserves to feel powerful and fulfilled. She owned a six-figure content marketing agency for a dozen years before becoming a coach in 2017. Through her one-on-one services and courses, Becky has coached thousands of women to dream and play bigger, while also finding contentment in the here and now. Learn more about Becky at beckymollenkamp.com.

Becky joined me on the show to talk about how her life fell apart at the hands of her brother’s death from addiction and her own infidelity, and how she picked up all the pieces to rebuild a life that brings her simplicity, joy, and peace.

Listen in to hear Becky share:

How she looks on her brothers death from addiction with gratitude
How she came to forgive herself for her brothers death and for infidelity in her marriage
How she actively worked through the 12 steps of AA/NA to work through layers of forgiveness
How she rebuilt her life after everything fell apart and how she clarified what she wanted every step of the way
How you can make empowered choices without falling into the “should” trap
The contrast of her picture perfect (fancy) life that didn’t fulfill her vs her life today
How she gives herself permission to not love all the parts of parenting

Links mentioned:

Join my FREE Tenacious Mamas Business & Leadership Workshop
LinkedIn: Becky Mollenkamp
Facebook: The Gutsy Boss
Instagram: Becky Mollenkamp
YouTube: Becky Mollenkamp

Thank you to our sponsors:

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479: How RBG Will Live On In Us Sep 28, 2020

I found myself gutted the moment I heard.

I felt a familiar sinking feeling wash over my entire body. It was the same feeling I had on that fateful day after the election in November of 2016.

I texted a girlfriend: Omg. RBG.

She replied: I kind of feel like the world is ending.

I felt the same.

A few minutes later, I saw this RBG quote on social media, "I would like to be remembered as someone who used whatever talent she had to do her work to the very best of her ability."

I texted this quote to my friend and said: This is giving me solace. I feel like we are doing this.

She replied: That is true and a good reminder.

I've spent the last week reflecting on the gifts RBG gave us. Here are 3 lessons she taught us that will serve as my inspiration to keep working to the best of my ability #everydamnday. I am sharing them with you in hopes they will inspire your life and your legacy, as well.

Speak up loud and proud - even when (especially when) you have an unpopular opinion.
Trust that your voice has value.
Be persistent.

We have a massive responsibility to SHOW UP right now. We need to show up for this election season like we have never shown up before. Black lives, women’s rights, LGBTQ+ rights, and the health of our planet are all in imminent danger right now. The loss of RBG and the implications on the Supreme Court and the future of our country are monumental, to say the least.

Listen in to get inspired and fired up to SHOW UP and SHINE for the next 6 weeks.

Links mentioned:

Join my FREE Tenacious Mamas Business & Leadership Workshop

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478: Chelsea Stevenson: How To Embrace Your Identity, Your Art and Your Defiance Sep 23, 2020

Chelsea Stevenson is a professional henna artist, business strategist, and homeschooling mom of three based in Baltimore, MD. With a focus on brand positioning and sustainability, she teaches henna artists and other creative, niche service-based entrepreneurs how to build vibrant, profitable businesses doing what they love (and getting paid more for it!) through her brand, Hennapreneur. She believes above all things that there is power in the legacy we leave and that this legacy is built every single day. When she's not working with her clients and students, you can find her shamelessly indulging in a good Netflix binge or whipping up something tasty in the kitchen!

Chelsea and I are in a membership community for entrepreneurs. From her very first post in the group I knew I wanted to get to know her. She is so brilliant and funny and as real as they come. I know you’ll adore her as much as I do.

Listen in to hear Chelsea share:

What inspired her 30th birthday bucket list to really conscientiously enjoy the life she’s built
Why she chose to homeschool in order to honor her children’s identity and create a safe place for them to experience their identity without being othered
How she has embraced defiance and what that has looked like
Why she is building her own table instead of trying to find a seat at someone else’s
How she’s breaking cultural norms with her art and her work
Why she shifted her professional work from social work to henna artist with only $32 to her name
The truth about making money from your art
Her legacy around “excellence is not optional”
Why you need to share your art with the world (and charge real money for it)

Links mentioned:

Sign Up for my Purposeful & Profitable Podcasting Workshop
Check out Chelsea’s Henna Boutique
Cardamom & Clove on FB
Cardamom & Clove on IG
Learn about Hennapreneur
Hennapreneur on FB
Hennapreneur on IG

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477: Beaven Walters: Preparing For Your Child’s Coming Out Sep 21, 2020

Beaven Walters is Shameless Mom of 4, a ACPI Certified Parenting Coach and the founder of The 3D Parent, where she is a supportive and nurturing champion for bringing dignity, direction, and deep connection to family relationships. She has always had a passion for working with children and their families. Beaven began her professional career as an elementary school teacher and taught in a variety of educational settings for 10 years.

Between having her four children, Beaven and a close colleague developed an educational program for young children and their caregivers called GEM Tots which focused on connecting children to their caregivers by learning, playing, and exploring together. Beaven also created CharacterWorks, a Social/Emotional Learning program that ran for three years in the Seattle School District combining character education, performing arts, and parental support.

Beaven focuses on helping parents build stronger relationships with their children. In addition to coaching one-on-one with clients, Beaven runs parenting workshops, speaks on a variety of topics relevant to parenting, is a regular guest on local news stations, and hosts The 3D Parent Podcast.

In addition to The 3D Parent, Beaven is often found on the stage performing in local regional theater, singing, and spending time with family.

After hearing Beaven talk about her son, Scooter, coming out to her on her podcast, The 3D Parent, I asked her if she and her son would be open to her sharing this story and journey on the SMA. I am so grateful they both said yes. This conversation is so important and so beautiful. I’m truly honored that Scooter gave consent for his mom to share this with you.

Listen in to hear Beaven share:

Why all parents should prepare for their child’s potential coming out
The story of her son coming out at age 12
What she did well and what she flubbed up in the initial coming out conversation with her son
How she apologized and owned her missteps - and how all parents can better model apologizing skills
How her son’s peers reacted to his coming out
Why you should trust your child’s instincts around their sexual orientation and their coming out process
How she’s navigating son’s sexual orientation within her Catholic community
What it was like attending PrideFest after her son came out

Links mentioned:

Sign Up for my Purposeful & Profitable Podcasting Workshop
Connect with Beaven: The 3D Parent Lounge
Beaven on IG: The 3D Parent Lounge
Beaven on FB: The 3D Parent Lounge
Private Membership Community on FB: The 3D Parent Lounge

Thank you to our sponsor:

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476: Peter Mutabazi: Now I am Known Sep 16, 2020

Peter Mutabazi is an international advocate for vulnerable communities and children. He is a regional manager for World Vision, a keynote speaker, and the founder and creator of Now I Am Known.

He believes every child and young person, especially the forgotten, neglected, or abused, deserves to be celebrated; seen, heard, and known.

Peter is a single dad who has fostered 13 kids and adopted 1 (so far). When he's not speaking or advocating for others, he enjoys running, skiing, and spending time with his kids and his new puppy Simba.

Peter has lived a remarkable life and is building an incredible legacy. I’m so honored to share his story on the show. Grab a tissue. You’re in for a treat.

Listen in to hear Peter share:

His experience growing up in an extremely abusive family in Uganda
How he ran away at age 10 to live on the street - and never returned home
His special relationship with his mother
How the kindness of one stranger changed the course of his life and helped him see himself as a human being for the first time
What inspired him to start fostering children
How he ended up adopting one of his foster children - in spite of trying not to get attached to the children he fosters
How he connects with and holds empathy for the biological moms of the kids he fosters
The importance of BEING KNOWN, especially if you’ve been forgotten

Links mentioned:

Connect with Peter: Now I am Known
Peter on YouTube: Now I am Known
Peter on IG
Peter on FB: Foster Dad Flipper

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475: 4 Ways Podcasting Changed My Life Sep 14, 2020

This time 5 years ago I had just started listening to podcasts. I was inspired and challenged by so many things I learned from the mentors I invited into my ears. I was soaking so many new opportunities for learning and growth.

Within a few months, I would decide that I wanted to start my own podcast… someday….

I figured it would take me many months, if not a year or so to get a show off the ground. However, when I shared this dream with another podcaster, the momentum began and I had a show up and running within a matter of 8 weeks.

WHOA.

I didn’t expect it to happen so fast at all. But my podcaster friend was quick to remind me that there is no reason to wait to share your message or your mission with the world. He was so right.

I know there are mamas who tune into me twice a week religiously who think, “Mayyyybe someday I’ll start my own podcast.”

Maybe that someday is now???

Podcasting has changed my life in some very profound ways. It has afforded me opportunities for impact and growth that I never saw coming. I has allowed me to build beautiful and deeply profound client relationships, upgrade my entrepreneurial skills (and income), make ridiculously awesome new friends and colleagues, and redefine what I stand for and where I am going.

Podcasting can do the same for you.

Listen in to hear how podcasting has changed my life and can change yours too.

Links mentioned:

Join my Purposeful & Profitable Podcasting Workshop

Thank you to our sponsor:

BetterHelp: Special offer for listeners: get 10% off your first month at betterhelp.com/shameless

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474: Nicole Adams: Create Your Own Motherhood Mission Statement Sep 09, 2020

As a mother, educator, businesswoman, and household manager, Nicole Adams leverage’s her life experiences, dual masters degrees, and 15 years of Fortune 100 human resources expertise to assist working parents in increasing their confidence, capability, and fulfillment in their career and life. Using a combination of therapeutic and business acumen tactics, Nicole partners with individuals and companies to provide coaching, workshops, events, and custom programs to create deeper support and engagement.

Nicole told me she wanted to come on the show to talk about her motherhood mission statement and I thought this would fit so well with all the talk we’ve been having around core values recently. I love the idea of having a motherhood mission statement and hope you’ll create your own after listening to this conversation with Nicole.

Listen in to hear Nicole share:

The impact a road trip from Seattle to South America had on her identity
How creating a personal mission statement shifted her sense of self and identity
How she recognized her loss of identity in motherhood - and then rebuilt it
How to create your own Motherhood Mission Statement
The two things she wishes she did differently when she became a mom (her advice to new moms!)
The importance of letting your mission statement grow and evolve over time

Links mentioned:

Thank you to our sponsor:

BetterHelp: Special offer for listeners: get 10% off your first month at betterhelp.com/shameless

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473: 3 Ways To Use Your Voice as a Bridge To Impact Sep 07, 2020

Your voice is a gift and a tool. It is the bridge between your brilliance and your impact. To use it is to change the world. To quiet it is to withhold one of your biggest assets from the world.

The world needs your voice - because with your voice comes a perspective and a power that can shift how others see things. Your voice has the power to change minds and missions and policy. And when you use your voice you grant others permission to use theirs.

How will you use your voice in the remaining critical months of 2020?

Will you set firm boundaries with others so you can stop wasting your precious energy on those who do not deserve the best parts of you?

Will you start a podcast (yes, please) or a blog or a memoir?

Will you run for office or step into a leadership position in your community (YES, PLEASE)?

How will you build the bridge between your brilliance and your impact during this critical time?

Links mentioned:

Get on the WaitList for my podcast workshop

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472: Jaclyn Mellone: Go-To Gal Embracing Hard Emotions Sep 02, 2020

Jaclyn Mellone helps experts exponentially grow their business by becoming the Go-To Authority in their space. She is a coach, strategist, Keynote speaker, mama, guac lover, and host of the Go-To Gal podcast!

She helps her clients get out of their own way, package their expertise to scale, position themselves as the go-to authority, and have their dream clients and opportunities landing on their lap! Her signature approach combines restructuring her clients business models, reframing their mindset, and revamping their marketing so that they become the go-to authority from the inside out. Jaclyn supports experts at all stages from freelancer to global brands!

She has spoken at marketing conferences around the US, grown her social media channels to total over 50K followers, and has been featured in Entrepreneur, Yahoo Finance, Reader’s Digest, Parents, Well + Good, and in dozens of podcasts and radio appearances.

Jaclyn has proudly built the Go-To Gal empire in her slippers from her living room in Rochester, NY while raising two babies.

Listen in to hear Jaclyn share:

The impact of helping her dad start a business in 2004
How strength comes from vulnerability, not showing up as your strongest self
Her journey into motherhood as the mother of a preemie
How she managed emotions by not letting herself experience them - and then realized this was harmful
How she practices embracing feelings knowing that her personality type is prone to avoiding emotion
Be ok with your feelings being uncomfortable and inconvenient
4 practical tips to practice feeling hard feelings

Links mentioned:

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471: 5 Ways to Get Unstuck And Find Direction Aug 31, 2020

A member of Tenacious Mamas (my business and leadership mastermind group) recently shared with us that she was feeling stuck - without a sense of direction or much clarity around her goals.

These feelings of stuckness and perhaps even confusion around stuckness are so common given what we have all been through this year. Things have been unpredictable for many months now and will continue to be so for many more months. This leads us to feel like we lack control and direction, which makes it hard to connect to a sense of purpose and specific goals.

So, how can we keep moving forward?

The answer lies in who you’re spending time with, how you’re spending time alone (yes, you need to be spending a little time alone - which may feel nearly impossible in COVID times), and what thought patterns you’re making space for.

Links mentioned:

Tenacious Mamas Interest: info@shamelessmom.com
Get my 15 Minute Manifest: shamelessmom.com/15mm
SMA Episode 462 with Jasmine Bradshaw: How To Talk To Your Kids About Race

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470: Tonya Coleman: Party Planner, Mom of 5, Raising Activists Aug 26, 2020

Tonya Coleman is owner of Soiree-Event Design™, a full-service event planning, styling, and graphic design studio and founder of The Partypreneurs School of Party Planning™, a course & coaching program that teaches new and aspiring party planners how to transform their hobby into a money-making business. She is a busy wife and mom of 5 and after over 20 years as a small business owner, she is all about that entrepreneurial life! She has worked with many businesses, brands, and celebrities over the years and is humbled to do what she loves EVERY DAY! She most recently launched The Partypreneurs™ 101 SQUAD - her signature membership program inside the Partypreneurs School of Party Planning™ which brings all of her Partypreneurs™ 101 courses, products and coaching programs all under one roof at an affordable price so MORE women can follow in her footsteps of creating the business you love, making real money so you can create the lifestyle you want.

Tonya and I are friends from a past mastermind group. Recently, I watched (via Facebook) as her daughter teenage Faith stood up as an activist in her community, resulting in getting on the TODAY show. When Tonya and I talked about her coming on the show, I knew I wanted to ask her about Faith’s badassery. Prepare yourself - Faith’s story is going to blow you away!

Listen in to hear Tonya share:

How Faith was censored at school - and how she spoke up, stood up, and organized a protest to support Black history and denounce censorship
How Faith chose to show up after George Floyd’s death - resulting in getting on the Today show
Faith’s lesson to “just throw the rock” to start to create ripples of impact
How she cultivated confidence and built something from nothing by showing up as the person she wanted to become
Her motto around “don’t let the defeats define you”
Why it’s ok to turn a fun hobby into a business (it’s ok to make money doing fun things!)

Links mentioned:

Join Tonya’s Partypreneurs™ 101 SQUAD by Sept 1 with this special discount: | Discount Code: SQUADFOUNDER
Tonya’s The Partypreneurs™ School of Party Planning
Connect with Tonya: Soiree Event Design
Tonya on Facebook: SoireeEventDesignStudio
Tonya on Instagram: Soiree Event Design
Tonya on Pinterest: Soiree Events

Thank you to our sponsor:

Care.com: To save 30% off a Care.com Premium membership, visit Care.com/SHAMELESSMOM

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469: Katherine Winter-Sellery: The Conscious Parenting Revolution Aug 24, 2020

Katherine Winter-Sellery is the CEO of the Conscious Parenting Revolution and co-creator of the Guidance Approach to Parenting, a program that applies conflict-resolution skills to communicating more effectively with children and adults. Through her workshops, books, and her three TEDx talks, she has taught thousands of parents (and educators, social workers, medical professionals, and anyone else needing to converse with 5-year-olds or 17-year-olds, or even 85-year-olds!) in a half dozen countries and cultures to minimize misunderstandings and melt-downs, and communicate with more collaboration, cooperation, and consideration. Her methods positively influence relationships for generations.

She created and chaired the 2019 National Summit on Mental Health and Mental Fitness, a conference on the intersection of science, medicine, faith, and politics and their impacts on mental wellness that culminated in the nation’s largest-ever group meditation. Katherine, a trained mediator, is passionate about people’s abilities to transcend their past trauma, current dysfunction, and ongoing negative self-talk to create more collaborative and supportive environments in their homes, offices, and families.

Listen in to hear Katherine share:

What COVID has been like for her as her third pandemic after living in Hong Kong for 30 years
The significance of the relationship between breathing and emotions
The difference between conscious and unconscious parenting and the impacts of both
Why we need to deeply understand that we are the catalyst, not the cause, of other people’s feelings
Why you might want to reconsider your use of rewards & punishments in parenting
How the use of rewards & punishments lead to retaliation, rebellion and resistance
Why obedience and compliance a dangerous goal in parenting
The truth about self esteem and where most of us get our self esteem

Links mentioned:

LAST DAY: Sign up for Construct Your Core Values Workshop
Watch Katherine’s TED talks:
Surviving & Transcending Unconscious Parenting
The Rebellion is Here - We Created It, We Can Solve It
From overriding my inner knowing to trusting myself
Connect with Katherine: Conscious Parenting Revolution
Katherine on FB: Conscious Parenting Revolution
Katherine on IG: Katherine winter Sellery
Katherine on LinkedIn: Katherine Sellery
Join Katherine’s next Conscious Parenting Revolution group with a discount: Ebook | Discount Code: PODCAST20
Free ebook: 7 Strategies to Keep Your Relationship with Your Kids from Hitting the Boiling Point

Thank you to our sponsor:

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468: Larissa Maloney: How Racism in College Sports Shaped An Activist Aug 19, 2020

Larissa Maloney is a former professional beach volleyball player and owns an online fitness and wellness company that serves both home school and brick and mortar school families! Active Kids 2.0 specializes in kids classes(boxing, karate, yoga, cheer, gymnastics, ballet, jazz, hip-hop dance, toddler time, strength, cardio, and many more!) She’s a kid fitness equality advocate as well as a mental health and human rights advocate!

Listen in to hear Larissa share:

How she is stepping up to #sharethemic during this cultural revolution
The specific steps she’s taking to take care of herself as a black female leader, advocate, and mom during this time
How she has experienced racism throughout her life, often as the only black child and young woman in white spaces
What microaggressions are and the ones she has experienced repeatedly
The deeply painful experience she had as a college freshman, experiencing loud and blatant racism, without any allies supporting her
Specific steps you can take to be a better ally
The debates she has been having with other moms about anxiety in parenting white kids vs black kids
The super successful company she built in the pandemic to keep kids active in the most fun and engaging ways

Links mentioned:

Enroll in my Construct Your Core Values Workshop: shamelessmom.com/values
Save on your Active Kids 2.0 membership: activekids2.com | code: SHAMELESSMOM10
Larissa on IG: https://www.instagram.com/larissa.maloney/
Active Kids 2.0 on IG: https://www.instagram.com/activekids2.0/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ActiveKids2.0/, https://www.facebook.com/larissawitherspoon

Thank you to our sponsor:

BetterHelp: Special offer for listeners: get 10% off your first month at betterhelp.com/shameless

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467: 3 Questions That Create Ease, Peace & Power Aug 17, 2020

When you know your core values, you can make decisions with ease, peace, clarity, and power. This is so freeing if you’re someone who has long struggled with analysis paralysis or decision fatigue.

How would it feel if you had a ton of clarity around what you want to say YES to and what you want to say NO to?

How would it feel if you could confidently express yourself without worrying about what others might think?

How would it feel to clearly understand and own who you are becoming as a woman, leader, mom, partner?

This would all feel so freeing and liberating right?

The key to creating and defining your core values is in asking yourself 3 simple questions. If you can think through these 3 questions, all the sudden so many answers will become clear, if not obvious for you.

I have been working on these 3 questions for about 5 years now and I have way less analysis paralysis when I’m making decisions. I worry so much less about other peoples’ opinions. And I can truly see exactly how I show up as a leader in all the different roles in my life. THIS IS POWER.

Listen in to learn these 3 questions and how to use them in your life to create and define your core values.

Links mentioned:

Enroll in my Construct Your Core Values Workshop
Ep 455: 3 Steps To Create Core Values You Can Confidently Commit To

Thank you to our sponsors:

Margaret M: Margaret M’s offer to SHAMELESS listeners: 25% off by using the promo code: SHAMELESS25. Just go to margaretm.ca.

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466: Makayla Ervin: You & Your Brand (Even If You Don’t Have a Biz) Aug 12, 2020

Makayla Ervin is a Brand Activation Strategist specializing in personal brand development and authentic relationship marketing strategies. As a visionary leader with a knack for bringing ideas to life, her calling is helping you create the business of your dreams without sacrificing your life to the hustle.

As a retired photographer turned business coach, workshop leader, community builder, and entrepreneur extraordinaire - Makayla’s best days are spent in the sunshine with her 2 blonde headed boys and handsome husband before getting down to business and guiding women like YOU into greatness.

Listen in to hear Makayla share:

What your brand really is - yes, you have one even if you don’t know it and even if you don’t have your own business
How you are constantly building your brand, for better or worse - especially right now
The misinterpretation of mom owned businesses - and how we paint ourselves into our own corners
The unlearning she went through to shift her identity from mompreneur to strategist
When and why you should listen inward (vs googling) for answers
The one question to ask yourself when you’re shifting your identity and brand

Links mentioned:

Register for our Construct Your Core Values Workshop
My website - Makayla Ervin
My Instagram - Mrs. Makayla Ervin
My Brand Authority Quiz

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465: How Motherhood Massively Boosts Your Adaptability Quotient Aug 10, 2020

Do you know your AQ? AQ is a new(ish) way to measure how adaptable you are. You are probably familiar with IQ (Intelligence Quotient) and EQ (Emotional Quotient). AQ rounds out this trio, measuring your ability to adapt to and thrive in an environment of change.

So, here’s the cool thing…

Moms ROCK when it comes to AQ. Because motherhood makes even the most Type A, perfectionistic control freak (like me!) more adaptable.

Annnnd, COVID if boosting your AQ #everydamnday - because have you ever had to be more adaptable???

I just started learning about AQ, but I’m so intrigued by this measure and how moms can use it to gain power in our communities.

Tune in to learn why your AQ matters, your personal AQ score, and specific steps to boost your AQ.

Links mentioned:

Register for our Construct Your Core Values Workshop
Nancy Kane article: How Adaptable Are You?

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464: Joyce Shulman: The Health & Wellness Crisis Moms Are Facing Aug 05, 2020

Joyce Shulman is a serial entrepreneur, idea junkie, addicted skier, and recovering attorney. As the founder and CEO of Macaroni Kid, she helped build a multi-million dollar media company that delivers hyper-local, community-focused content geared for moms in more than 570 communities across the US and Canada. Her decade of work with moms revealed two of the most pervasive challenges facing moms today: moms are lonely and are confronting a health and wellness crisis. Through extensive research and her own personal experiences, Joyce discovered that walking is magic for moms, and recently founded 99 Walks, a company on a mission to get a million moms moving.

Listen in to hear Joyce share:

The data that shows us the significance of the current loneliness epidemic and how it deeply impacts our physical health
The impact of motherhood on high achieving women
The health and wellness crisis facing moms specifically
The beauty and benefits of walking on your physical and emotional health
Her book, 99 Walks, that will inspire you through taking 99 walks to reconnect with yourself
Using walking as a gateway to rediscover your truest identity
Creative ways to use walking as COVID therapy - alone or with others

Links mentioned:

Get the Book: Walk Your Way to Better: 99 Walks That Will Change Your Life
Connect with Joyce: 99walks.fit
Joyce on IG: @joyce.r.shulman

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463: How To Gain Power With A Proactive Pause Aug 03, 2020

I know I’m not the only one who has experienced a massive regression into reactive tendencies during this wild season of life...

Look, I pride myself on being proactive instead of reactive. I coach on this. I thought I had it LOCKED DOWN.

But, throw me into a pandemic and a cultural revolution and, well, I’m often finding myself more reactive than I’d like AND feeling like my reactions are more emotionally charged than ever.

Just me?

Something I’ve been testing lately - with much constraint, because it is not coming easily or naturally, is using a proactive pause before allowing myself to react in a situation where I might be tempted to be less than my best self.

I can tell you these proactive pauses have given me so much more power and perspective each day - in the way I parent, the way I frame my day, the way I show up for conversations - all of it.

Listen in to learn 4 ways you can integrate proactive pauses into your daily life to gain power, manage emotion, and get what you want & need out each day.

Links mentioned:

Get on the Tenacious Mamas Wait List: info@shamelessmom.com
Get my free 15 Minute Manifest: shamelessmom.com/15mm

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462: Jasmine Bradshaw: How To Talk To Your Kids About Race Jul 29, 2020

I have been binging Jasmine’s show since we first met online a few months ago. She is a truly talented and generous educator. I am so grateful for her work and really delighted to share this conversation with my community. I think you’ll learn a lot and I really hope you’ll invest in Jasmine’s work by subscribing to her show and joining her Patreon membership.

Listen in to hear Jasmine share:

Why and how race exists as a social construct
How to have early conversations about race and skin tone with your kids
How to lay the groundwork for conversations about race in order to have deeper, more difficult conversations with kids as they get older
How to talk to your child’s school about their efforts toward diversity and inclusion
How to talk to your child’s school about the versions of American history they teach
How to be a better anti racist in order to teach your children to be anti racists
How you can move from good intentions to confident action in your anti racism work

Links mentioned:

Connect with Jasmine: Firstnamebasis.org
Jasmine on IG: @firstname.basis
Join Jasmine’s Patreon: patreon.com/firstnamebasis
Teaching Tolerance Resources: https://www.tolerance.org/

Thank you to our sponsors:

Magic Spoon: Go to magicspoon.com/SMA to grab a variety pack and try it today! And be sure to use our promo code SMA at checkout to get free shipping.
Best Fiends: Download FREE on the Apple App Store or Google Play.

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461: When Glennon Came To Visit Jul 27, 2020

Two weeks ago, Glennon Doyle Zoom bombed a Momentum Mamas meeting while we were talking about her book, Untamed.

To say we were surprised and delighted would be a huge understatement. I was almost speechless. And sweating profusely.

She was everything I hoped she would be: funny, humble, raw, brutally honest, and wise as hell.

She spoke about why the pain must come before the rising and how revelations make necessary space for revolutions.

While I have never shared our membership conversations on the show before, I decided to share this conversation because I know we all need a little more Glennon in our lives right now.

Listen to this conversation. Get Untamed. BE THE CHEETAH.

Thank you to our sponsors:

Blinkist: Go to Blinkist.com/SHAMELESS try it FREE for 7 days AND save 25% off your new subscription.
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460: Elizabeth Hartke: How To Set Your Sails & Craft Your Vision Jul 22, 2020

Elizabeth is a Shameless Mom and a Business Scaling Strategist who mentors impact-driven entrepreneurs in scaling their influence, income, and time freedom without having to trade time for money or values for the vision. She's fiercely passionate about helping go-getters build the business that aligns with their purpose and their dreams. After building two 7 figure businesses and having the privilege of working with hundreds and hundreds of entrepreneurs, she now runs her businesses and hosts her podcast, Scaling Up, from the rolling hills of her hobby farm with her three little kids and husband as she practices what she preaches - working hard to have the freedom to truly live! Through her online courses, podcast, full immersion workshops, mastermind, mentorships, and speaking engagements, Elizabeth lives to show her students, clients, and the people she encounters what's truly possible.

Listen in to hear Elizabeth share:

Her lifestyle raising 3 little ones on her hobby farm
How the workforce has changed over the last 3 generations and what we can learn from this massive evolution
The difference between flowing in the wind and setting your sails to make time work in your favor
How her health journey woke her up in all areas of her life
The mistakes women are making in crafting their visions (and maybe their vision board too!)
Why you must get granular with your goal
Why you need to stop asking “What do I want to do?” and start asking, “Who do I want to become?”
The inaccurate and unsustainable expectation of work/life balance in motherhood
What the unsexy day to day chipping away at your dreams truly looks like

Links mentioned:

[TIME SENSITIVE] Join Momentum Mamas: shamelessmom.com/momentum
Connect with Elizabeth: elizabethhartke.com
Elizabeth’s Guide to Becoming: elizabeth-hartke.mykajabi.com/become
Get on Elizabeth’s Course Wait List: elizabeth-hartke.mykajabi.com/su-course-waitlist
Podcast: Scaling Up: https://elizabethhartke.com/podcast
Elizabeth on IG: https://www.instagram.com/elizhartke/

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459: 5 Ways To Dream Big When Everything Is Unpredictable Jul 20, 2020

Have you lost your mojo? The world is so uncertain right now and there is no end in sight. Around us we see people losing steam and losing hope. People are sitting down.

I want to lovingly challenge you to STAY STANDING. Keep moving forward. Even if your steps are barely measurable. Any step forward is a step forward, no matter the size. And a step forward keeps you in momentum, which is key when things are hard.

The world can't afford for you to sit down. We can't afford for you to quit dreaming. We need you to keep going. Our country needs you to keep going. Your community needs you to keep going. Your family needs you to keep going.

Keep dreaming even if the dream has shifted.

Keep dreaming even if the timeline toward your dreams is totally unknown.

Keep dreaming even if your dreams feel a little silly or trivial or insignificant.

It is our dreaming that keeps our spirits up, our heads and hearts engaged, and our souls on fire.

You need your dreams now more than ever before.

If you're struggling right now, here are a few steps you can take to keep showing up for your dreams:

Own what is working and what you do have control over
Set some dreamy 3 year goals
Make space to be quiet and creative #everydamnday
Connect with other women who are still standing and in staying in momentum

I’m not going to watch you let your dreams die. STAND UP. If you need someone to hold your hand, I got you.

Links mentioned:

[TIME SENSITIVE] Enroll in Momentum Mamas: shamelessmom.com/momentum

Thank you to our sponsor:

BetterHelp: Special offer for listeners: get 10% off your first month at betterhelp.com/shameless

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458: Heather Siegel: The Intersection of Marriage, Motherhood, Domesticity & Feminism Jul 15, 2020

This show contains explicit content.

Heather Siegel is the author of the award-winning, coming-of-age memoir, OUT FROM THE UNDERWORLD. Her newest work, THE KING & THE QUIRKY: A Memoir of Love, Marriage, Domesticity, Feminism, and Self was just released. Heather was named a semifinalist for the Kore Press 2018 Memoir Award. Her creative nonfiction has appeared on popular sites like Scary Mommy, as well as Salon.com, The Flexible Persona, and Entrophy Magazine. She holds an MFA from The New School University, and lives on Long Island where she teaches academic and creative writing for local colleges and continuing education programs.

Listen in to hear Heather share:

Her story of growing up in a basement with her funeral director father while her mother was missing
What compelled her to write a memoir and share her story
How she lost her hard edges in order to fall into a love narrative she never believed in
Whether or not we should teach our children the “true love” narrative
The three legs or the true love triangle: Erotisim, romance, companionship and whether or not we can have all three for the lifespan of our marriage
How to find your way back to relationships and your own identity outside marriage and motherhood
How feminism and motherhood and being a SAHM intersect

Links mentioned:

Get on the Waitlist for Momentum Mamas: shamelessmom.com/waitlist
Connect with Heather: heathersiegel.net

Thank you to our sponsors:

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457: There Is No Going Back To Normal. Thankfully. Jul 13, 2020

What if the beauty of a revolution is that you don’t get to “go back to normal” afterward?

Living through a pandemic and a cultural revolution in the same few month period has caused a massive shift. A much needed shift, in so many ways. A shift that is providing hope - if we commit to doing better moving forward.

This is not to say there have not been losses and traumas to grieve during this time. The losses have been profound. But, there has also been new levels of awareness and conscientiousness. There has been large scale growth in knowledge and perspective. Many have tremendously expanded their capacity for compassion and empathy, as well as their commitment to being change makers.

Glennon Doyle talks about “the Knowing” in her new book, Untamed. Our Knowing is this deep sense inside ourselves that we must learn to listen to if we want to live in alignment with our core values, if we want to do better. We are in a time when we are expanding our Knowing in deep and powerful ways. And this Knowing is leading us to more doing and better doing.

Glennon is known for her saying, “First the pain, then the rising.”

I want to add to that - first the Knowing, then the doing.

As we know more and Know more deeply, we can take action. We have more power. Our voices become louder. We move through the phases of Knowing > Growing > Doing.

So, we don’t get to go back. Thankfully. We get to Know, Grow, and Do so much better as we move forward.

Listen in to learn 4 essential questions you can ask yourself as you commit to doing better moving forward.

Links mentioned:

Join my FREE Shine Like A Mother workshop on July 15th: shamelessmom.com/shine

Thank you to our sponsor:

Magic Spoon: Go to magicspoon.com/SMA to grab a variety pack and try it today! And be sure to use our promo code SMA at checkout to get free shipping.

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456: Nikita Burks-Hale: Making Magic in Every Journey Jul 08, 2020

Nikita Burks-Hale is the CEO and Head Creative of JourneyGurl Magic Productions, a podcast production company that supports and empowers Womxn of Color as they bring their unique voices to the masses through podcasting. Nikita is also the host of 2 podcasts, The JourneyGurl Magic Podcast, and The Podcaster’s Journey (launching Aug 2020). Nikita is a journeyer in every sense of the word and truly believes that life is a journey and you must be open to its endless possibilities. Her coaching and personal beliefs are centered around living your imperfect journey to the fullest by:

Showing Up
Being Vulnerable
Practicing Gratitude
Be A Badass
And Enjoying the Ride

When Nikita is not coaching, producing, or journeying, you can find her Netflix bingeing classics with her wife Jessica and catching up on the latest episode of Mickey Mouse Clubhouse with her toddler son, Adonis.

Listen in to hear Nikita share:

Her journey into motherhood in a same sex marriage with an infertility diagnosis
What it means to “embrace your magic” in a really tangible (non-woo) way
How she is showing up and saying yes - even when it’s super uncomfortable
What she had to shed to become her most authentic self and find her inner magic
How to own your badassery over other people’s validation of you
Her 5 steps to living an imperfect journey
How she started to practice discernment in order have deeper impact

Links mentioned:

Join my FREE Shine Like A Mother workshop on July 15th: shamelessmom.com/shine
Connect with Nikita:journeygurlmagicproductions.com
IG: https://www.instagram.com/journeygurlmagicproductions/
Book: Year of Yes by Shonda Rhimes

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455: 3 Steps To Create Core Values You Can Confidently Commit To Jul 06, 2020

A few years ago I was at a workshop for business owners and we had to create a list of our core values. We were given a list of 40 or so values to choose from and had to narrow it down to our top 5.

I couldn’t do it.

I cried.

It took me longer than anyone else in the room to narrow my list down to just a few core values I wanted to commit to.

The process of discernment around this brought up a lot of emotion around why certain things are important to me. It forced me to look at myself, who I am, how I show up, and how I want to impact the world.

While this was hard, it was ultimately so freeing. When I (finally) completed the exercise, I had so much clarity around what was most important to me and why each value was important. These core values have become guiding lights for me as I’ve developed as a woman, a mom, and a CEO.

Listen in to hear why committing to a short list of core values is important - even crucial. Learn exactly how to choose a few select core values that will become beacons in times of uncertainty. Get excited about determining what’s most important to you and how to live more clearly, deeply, and loudly in your values that matter the most.

Links mentioned:

Join my FREE Shine Like A Mother workshop on July 15th: shamelessmom.com/shine

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454: Brenda Zane: Parenting Your Teen Through Addiction Jul 01, 2020

Brenda Zane is a Shameless Mom to four sons ages 14-22, a Mayo Clinic Certified Health and Wellness Coach and the Founder of The Stream, an online community to support moms of kids with substance use disorder. Based on her personal experience she provides a space to get and keep moms healthy while they fight for their child’s life. She also hosts Hopestream, a podcast for parents whose kids are struggling with addiction. Brenda spent the first 25 years of her career in advertising, working for global agencies and Fortune 500 clients like Target, Microsoft, Nike, Hawaiian Airlines, and P&G. She lives in Seattle with her husband and a blended family of 4 boys and 2 dogs.

Listen in to hear Brenda share:

Her journey of parenting a teen addict
How she made the decision to have her son involuntarily taken to a wilderness recovery program at age 16
How she led a double life being a leader at Fortune 500 companies and managing her child’s addiction and legally complex life
What the vicious cycle of addiction looks like
The emotional roller coaster of hope and heartbreak as the parent of an addict
How her son went from death by overdose to alive and sober and successfully living in recovery
Why she started an online community just for moms of addicts and why it’s not on Facebook
The exact steps to take if you think you’re child/teen may be struggling with addiction
The life & death information you need to know about fentanyl

Links mentioned:

Join my FREE Shine Like A Mother workshop on July 15th
website: Brenda Zane
Podcast: Hopestream: Brenda Zane
The Stream Community
Free ebook: Hindset: 3 Things I wish I knew…
IG: @the.stream.community

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453: 5 Small Steps to Build Big Courage Jun 29, 2020

Practicing courage is a lifetime of showing up and taking small, uncomfortable steps. Sometimes things work out for you. Sometimes they don’t. Sometimes the rewards are quick and amazing and so gratifying. Sometimes it’s all really messy and ugly and painful. Regardless, for many of us (all of us?), routinely practicing courage is the only way to continually become more of the person we aspire to be. Am I right?

When I think of who I am becoming, all I see in front of me is a series of action steps that will require courage. So, I am taking small steps each day to make sure that I am ready to keep practicing courage, no matter how gratifying or gritty it becomes.

Listen in to learn 5 small steps you can take to build big courage that will guide you for a lifetime.

Links Mentioned:

Join my FREE Shine Like A Mother Workshop on July 15th: shamelessmom.com/shine

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452: Jocelyn Kopac: 4 Crucial Steps To Becoming A Better Ally Jun 24, 2020

Jocelyn Kopac is a DEI educator, a speaker, a podcaster, and an entrepreneur. At age 7, Jocelyn Kopac started her first business. From then on she knew that running and growing businesses would be a huge part of her future. Her ingenuity and positive attitude represent true leadership, although she attributes a lot of her success to the power of abundance, paying it forward and a great cup of coffee. Those that have a chance to meet her, learn from her, and hear her story say she is nothing but real, unfettered advice and encouragement.

A teacher at heart, Jocelyn loves helping businesses grow by facilitating the hard talks about diversity, equity, race, and inclusion. Her approach to diversity and inclusion work is one of love and education. We all have biases that we need to work on to be sure we are providing safe and productive anti-racist spaces. Jocelyn is here to educate and support you on this journey.

Listen in to hear Jocelyn share:

● How she’s navigating being a DEI educator and living as a Black woman during this culturally revolution

● The definition and role of a DEI educator

● The important distinction between diversity and inclusion

● The important distinction between equality and equity

● 4 steps to becoming a better ally

● The definition of racism as it relates to your unchecked bias

● How white progressive women are doing harm while thinking they are being great allies

● How you can support BIPOC co workers and community members right now

● The danger in trying to race through a checklist of anti racism resources right now

● What the long term (necessarily uncomfortable) process of commitment, stamina, growth & change around anti racism work actually looks like

● The importance of acknowledging each person’s world perspective as individual and unique

Links mentioned:

● Connect with Jocelyn, hire her to speak, join her mastermind: Stand In Your Bias

● Jocelyn’s glossary

Thank you to our sponsor:

Care.com: To save 30% off a Care.com Premium membership, visit Care.com/SHAMELESSMOM

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451: Persistence, Permission & Power Jun 22, 2020

If there has ever been a time to persist, it is now.

Persistence leads to change and growth and evolution and POWER.

And...there is no denying that persistence is hard. It can be overwhelming, exhausting, and feel so relentless. It is all those things, but that doesn’t make it impossible. In our fatigue, it’s easy to lose track of the importance of what we are working toward.

To stay persistent we must give ourselves permission.

Permission to:

Do better

Commit

Take imperfect action

Be an action taker and decision maker

Mess up and keep going

Use your voice

Take a chance

Learn something new

Take sides

Rest and recover in order to keep going

Step back from unhealthy relationships/unhealthy people

Say yes

Say no

Become a different person

Listen to your gut (ex: Patty)

Let go of other peoples’ expectations

Be bold

Shine

In giving yourself permission to persist, you will find the power to use your voice in new ways, to affect change, to build a better legacy, and to have more massive impact. This is how we can, together, build a better world for all.

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450: Liz Nead: The 1440 Principle & The Cost Of Our Time Jun 17, 2020

Liz Nead is an adventure speaker, coach, and author, most recently climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro and flipping 300-pound tires in the Iowa Strongman Games. She is a regular contributor to the Huffington Post and has authored several best selling books—most recently "The 1440 Principle." Her work has been ranked in BuzzFeed and reviewed by the Huffington Post. She is a skilled story-teller and teacher, creating powerful personal development and team building strategies.

Listen in to hear Liz share:

How she using time in COVID to go into creation and introspection mode
How COVID took her 2020 family from a 3 person family to a 6 person family
The heavy burdens she sees moms carrying during this pandemic
The burden of comparison in daily life and habits
Her 1440 Principle and how to use it to have massive positive impact in your life
The cost of time and how costly some our relationships are
How to use the 1440 Principle as an accountability tool
How she’s kicking off her fifties with intention and a deep desire to learn from other women

Links mentioned:

Thank you to our sponsors:

Kosmatology: Kosmatology has a great offer for our listeners: for any first-time purchasers, you receive 15% off. To get 15% off your first order, go to kosmatology.com and use code shameless at checkout.

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449: The Breakdown and Rebuilding of Self Trust in 2020 Jun 15, 2020

I think it’s safe to say that 2020 has broken many (all?) of us over and over.

A friend recently introduced me to the idea of being antifragile, based on the work and book Antifragile: Things That Gain From Disorder by Nassim Nicholas Taleb. She shared with me that in our breaking we have this beautiful opportunity to pick up the pieces and rebuild into something more dynamic and flexible and strong and powerful and thoughtful and conscientious.

We will break and we can rebuild and in our rebuilding we can become better than before. We can embrace that we will break over and over in our lifetime and each time something beautiful can come of the way we put the pieces back together.

There has been a lot of breaking in 2020. In our breaking, our self trust has been ROCKED. Repeatedly.

It is time to rebuild. Listen in to learn 6 ways that you can start to rebuild into a woman who is more dynamic, flexible, strong, powerful, thoughtful, and conscientious.

Links mentioned:

Podcast: Unlocking Us Brene Brown and Austin Channing Brown
Book: I'm Still Here: Black Dignity in a World Made for Whiteness by Austin Channing Brown

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448: Tejal V Patel: How to Help Your Kids (and Yourself) Start Meditating Jun 10, 2020

Tejal V Patel is a stressed out mama's secret weapon. She’s a former divorce attorney turned mindfulness and meditation expert for moms and kids, host of The Time-In Talks podcast and author of Meditation for Kids: 40 Activities to Stay Present, Improve Concentration and Manage Difficult Emotions.

It’s Tejal’s mission to support moms in their journey to become mindful parents and raise the first generation of mindful children too.

Named a “Well-being Warrior” in The Huffington Post, Tejal’s soulful wisdom reaches moms globally through her signature online courses (The Mindful Kids Masterclass, Mindful Mama Experience, and 7 Day Stress Detox), inspiring podcast, booming Instagram community, motivating Tejal.TV episodes, powerful live events, and laser-sharp coaching.

Her fun and practical ways to infuse Ayurveda, mindfulness, and meditation everyday makes her a go-to resource for modern moms seeking to raise calm, confident, and compassionate children who want to feel like present, patient and peaceful parents too.

Listen in to hear Tejul share:

How she went from divorce attorney to children’s meditation expert
How her own childhood anxiety inspired and informed her work
Her strong belief/bold claim that KIDS CAN MEDITATE, even as young as age 3
How to help kids start meditating in a way that’s appropriate for them - broken into 3 phases
Simple ideas and practices for helping kids meditate to cope with a range of emotions
How to teach kids to meditate in just 1-3 minutes a day
Why it’s critical for our kids to experience and feel unhappiness
How to engage and prompt children who are resistant to mediation
How to use her book, Meditation for Kids: 40 Activities to Stay Present, Improve Concentration and Manage Difficult Emotions, to integrate meditation in fun and simple ways into your child’s day

Links mentioned:

Thank you to our sponsor:

Kosmatology: Kosmatology has a great offer for our listeners: for any first-time purchasers, you receive 15% off. To get 15% off your first order, go to Kosmatology.com and use code shameless at checkout.

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447: Black Lives Matter and SMA Core Values Jun 08, 2020

This episode is different. A break from our routines and comfort zones are necessary right now.

If you follow me on social media or have listened to my show for any length of time, this probably goes without saying. But, to be unequivocally clear, I want you to know that personally and professionally I believe Black Lives Matter.

The Shameless Mom Academy is built on the following core values:

Show up

Lead with compassion and integrity

Seek out and celebrate diversity

Stay curious and humble

Stretch yourself | Embrace discomfort | Invite growth

These core values are considered in all decisions around building this community, providing services to clients, and creating impact on a global level.

I am very open about my beliefs, but if you ever want to know more about the company or core values you’re supporting when you listen to my show or invest in any of my programs, events, memberships or masterminds, please feel free to reach out to me.

In this same vein of transparency, you should also know that when you invest in the Shameless Mom Academy a portion of our revenue each month goes to the following organizations: The Loveland Foundation, Under The Same Tree, the ACLU, the Trevor Project and Planned Parenthood.

I believe all companies should be leading with pure transparency around where they stand when it comes to protecting black lives and human rights.

This episode is intentionally brief, with an invitation for you to prioritize learning from black educators today.

Go download one of these audiobooks or podcasts and listen & learn:

Me & White Supremacy: Combat Racism, Change the World, Become a Good Ancestor by Layla Saad

I’m Still Here: Black Dignity in a World Made For Whiteness by Austin Channing Brown

So You Want To Talk About Race by Ijeoma Oluo

This Body Is Not An Apology by Sonya Renee Taylor

Good Ancestor Podcast with Layla Saad

First Name Basis Podcast with Jasmine Bradshaw (how to talk to your kids about race):

Seeing White Podcast

Watch Rachel Cargle’s Public Address on Revolution on Youtube

Sign up for Mirna Valerio’s upcoming course: Introduction to Identity, Social Justice, and Antiracism for the White Community

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446: Abbi Wood: Finding Your Voice Outside of Your Family and Culture Jun 03, 2020

As a woman and person of color, Abbi Wood has heard more than her fair share of what to say and do in the world. At times a whisper, and at times a yell, she's used her voice to create what she calls a full and fulfilling life. Primarily, she works with biz owners to help them find their voice (or, as she calls it, uncover their biznality) so that marketing and talking about their business feels like a natural extension of themselves vs an out-of-body experience.

I reached out to Abbi after hearing her speak at an event. She was there to speak about helping women find their voices in their businesses and brands. But what was so compelling about her talk was her own story about finding her own voice after being silenced by her family, pushed into an arranged marriage, and moving across the world to build a completely new and independent life.

Listen in to hear Abbi share:

Her experience being raised in Pakistani family in England
Her experience feeling like she didn’t fit in anywhere - in her brown family or in her white world
How her voice was quieted by her family and culture
Her path into an arranged marriage
How she ended up secretly on birth control while also in fertility treatment
How she got out of her arranged marriage and found her voice
How she helps women find their voices, embrace their stories and create their biznality

Links mentioned:

Connect with Abbi: Abbi Wood

Abbi and Biznality on FB

Thank you to our sponsor:

Best Fiends: Download FREE on the Apple App Store or Google Play.

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445: Mastering Pandemic Decisions: Postpone, Pivot or Repurpose? Jun 01, 2020

In the last 3 months, we have had the opportunity to postpone, pivot, and repurpose nearly every aspect of our lives - over and over again. It has been hard, heavy, confusing, and disorienting to say the least.

But 12 weeks in, I’d say we have begun to master these shifts. We are able to take a critical look at the opportunities in front of us each day and assess: “Is this a time to postpone, pivot, or repurpose.”

I know these decisions are becoming more clear for me, as I make them over and over. I’m able to make them with increased ease and confidence.

Today, I’ll share how I’m discerning when to postpone vs pivot vs repurpose. I’ll use a few recent family and business examples, the biggest and most scary (and most successful) being the massive shift to repurpose Shameless Mom Con 2020 to the Shameless Mom Con Collective.

Links mentioned:

Grab my free 15 Minute Manifest Morning Routine

Thank you to our sponsor:

Thrive: Start thriving and help women in need today by going to ThriveCausemetics.com/shameless and use code shameless for 15% off your first purchase!

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444: Nancy Jane Smith: The Happier Approach To Living With High Functioning Anxiety May 27, 2020

Nancy Jane Smith, MSEd., LPC is a licensed professional counselor and trainer. She graduated with her BA in Psychology from Miami University and earned Masters of Science degrees in both Counseling and Higher Education from the University of Dayton.

With 13 years in private practice and more than 20 years working as a counselor and coach, Nancy has established herself as an expert in High Functioning Anxiety. Combining her years of research, countless hours working with clients, and first-hand experience in her own life, Nancy developed the Happier Approach, a three-step system to help you motivate yourself, accomplish your goals, and be kind to yourself. Really, it is possible!

Nancy is the creator and host of The Happier Approach podcast and has written three books on living happier, most notably The Happier Approach: Be Kind to Yourself, Feel Happier and Still Accomplish Your Goals.

Listen in to hear Nancy Jane share:

What high functioning anxiety is and why is it harmful and insidious
Signs of chronic anxiety and high functioning anxiety
Why positivity thinking and gratitude can be be harmful to people with high functioning anxiety
Why people with HFA need different rules around checking social media, email, news, etc
How you can treat and manage high functioning anxiety
How to identify your Monger, your BFF and your Biggest Fan in order to manage your anxiety

Links mentioned:

Connect and work with Nancy: Live-Happier.com
Podcast: The Happier Approach
Facebook: @NancyJaneSmith
Instagram: @nancyjane_livehappier
The Happier Approach Book

Thank you to our sponsors:

Kosmatology: Kosmatology has a great offer for our listeners: for any first-time purchasers, you receive 15% off. To get 15% off your first order, go to Kosmatology.com and use code shameless at checkout.

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443: How To Reboot Your Body In A Pandemic May 25, 2020

I’m wondering how many of you, like me, saw the beginning of this pandemic as similar to a series of snow days or a long weekend? Perhaps you let typical habits and routines go in order to hunker down with late-night TV binging, extra treats, lotsa wine, little movement, and a bit of disregard for what really fuels your body.

Perhaps as you got deeper into this weird and unsettling season of life, you had less and less time to yourself. You stopped doing restorative activities that allowed you to have moments to yourself to think and breath - probably because there was no way to actually be alone.

We are now months into this season of life and many of us are suffering because we have let go of the habits that truly serve us: fueling our bodies well, moving our bodies to process stress, and resting/restoring when we need time and space to ourselves.

Listen in to hear how you can get your body back into a groove that supports the energy you want to carry each day - and gifts you the space you need to keep your head above water.

Links mentioned:

Get my free 15 Minute Manifest Morning Routine

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442: Renae Fieck: Rising Moms & Overcoming Overwhelm May 20, 2020

Renae is a Shameless Mom of 3, an occupational therapist, and an advocate for moms who desire more grace, space, and rest within their lives. She has found strength beyond her own to navigate life's struggles...multiple miscarriages, life with 3 kids, working mom life, stay at home mom life, and a husband with a brain tumor and seizures. She’s the founder of the Rising Moms Club, a community for moms who are ready to RISE ABOVE the chaos and overwhelm of life and busy days, and trade exhaustion and the never ending to do list for a life with more JOY! She is also the host of the annual More than Mom Summit, The Great Clutter Clear Out Challenge, and the podcast Rising Moms Podcast.

Listen in to hear Renae share:

How she navigated her husband’s cancer diagnosis and care with 3 kids under 5 years
Why more “stuff” for your kids is not making them more healthy or more happy
How shedding physical items helps you declutter your mental health
How to get your kids on board and engaged in decluttering
Her Rise Above Framework to decluttering and overcoming overwhelm
The 4 steps to her Rise Above Framework
How to create rhythm around your menstrual cycle and why this rhythm can be so beneficial
The foundational element needed to say no without guilt

Links mentioned:

Thank you to our sponsors:

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441: “I'm A Badass Mom Who Is So Scared To Shine.” May 18, 2020

Last week, I got an email from a Shameless Mom that started with, “I'm A Badass Mom Who Is So Scared To Shine.”

This mama went on to share, “I'm scared of owning my badass part of me. I'm scared what people will think of me if I get too big. I'm scared of being so successful that I am seen. I have never put these thoughts out there but they are there, bubbling at the surface…”

I’m in conversations with moms who are afraid to shine on the regular. This is so common. And here’s the problem…. THE WORLD NEEDS YOU TO SHINE.

When you shine, we all win.

When you hide and shrink, we all lose.

Listen in to hear my love note to this mama and all of you who are afraid to shine right now. You are not alone. I GOT YOU.

Thank you to our sponsors:

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440: Abbi Perets: Finding Financial Freedom Through Freelance Writing May 13, 2020

Abbi Perets wants moms to know they don’t have to choose between kids and career. She’s the coach and mentor moms turn to when they want to break into freelance writing and earn great money from home, on their own terms.

Abbi combines nearly 20 years of experience freelancing for some of the world’s biggest companies with firsthand knowledge of having five kids of her own — including one with special needs. She understands the unique challenges moms face every day and has created programs specifically tailored to meet those challenges and empower moms all over the world to have it all.

Listen in to hear Abbi share:

Why she moved from Pennsylvania to Israel to join the Israeli army at age 18
What prompted her to start freelance writing and how it saved her when her son had cancer
How moms can get started in freelance writing
What kinds of experience/expertise you need (and don’t need) to get started as a freelance writer
The importance niching down and specializing in specific content areas as a writer
How to believe in yourself and your ability when you’re doing something new
Why she has no qualms about running her business and selling her services during COVID-19

Links mentioned:

Connect with Abbi: Successful Freelance Mom

Get Abbi’s free course: How to Be a Freelance Writer

Instagram: Abbi Perets

FB Group: Writing Mom Conference

FB Page: Successful Freelance Mom

Thank you to our sponsor:

Built Bar: Built Bar is offering my listeners 20% off your first purchase! Go to Builtbar.com and enter promo code SHAMELESS at checkout to receive 20% off your first order!

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439: 5 Ways To Build Confidence In Less Than 5 Minutes A Day May 11, 2020

Building confidence is like writing a book or running a marathon - you do it one action step, one word, one block at a time. It's not a one-and-done process. It's a lifetime of practice. A lifetime of choosing courage - often tiny acts of courage.

In 2019 I did two of the most courageous things I've ever done:

I hosted the first Shameless Mom Con. This was such a big and overwhelming task to take on. But I knew if I could pull it off it would be life changing for my attendees and for me.
I learned how to ski. I know this might sound silly to classify as a massive act of courage, but for a girl who is terrified of speed and momentum and heights (read: chairlifts), this was a big deal.

I was only able to take on these acts of courage because I am constantly working on building my confidence - especially around things that are hard or uncomfortable for me.

I have practices that I engage in daily that allow me to step into my confidence #everydamnday. These are small things that do not take a lot of time but have big impact in my ability to keep my confidence high, especially in trying times.

Right now we are in trying times - the likes of which we have never seen before. If there has ever been a time to cultivate confidence and remind ourselves just how much power innately exists inside of us, it is now.

Often, cultivating confidence comes from tiny action steps repeated over and over that lead us to take on bigger goals (starting a business, running a marathon, creating and sharing our art, learning a new skill, taking on a new leadership role.)

Listen in to learn 5 tiny action steps you can take each day that take mere minutes but have deep impact in your ability to cultivate the confidence you need to make it through trying times - perhaps even thrive through trying times.

Links mentioned:

Learn about my Tenacious Mamas Business & Leadership Mastermind: shamelessmom.com/tenacious

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438: Dr. Omolara Thomas Uwemedimo: Melanin, Medicine & Motherhood May 06, 2020

Dr. Omolara Thomas Uwemedimo is a Shameless Mom and a board certified pediatrician of over 15 years and an academic faculty member for over a decade, providing coaching and mentorship programs for physicians of color. She is also the CEO of Strong Children Wellness, an innovative telemedicine practice that addresses both unmet health and social needs for families in New York and the founder of Melanin, Medicine & Motherhood, an organization focused on empowering and supporting the personal & professional development of Black women physicians, especially mothers, to achieve their vision and build their capacity to support other women of color.

Her career has been defined by a passion for social justice, an advocate, a professor & researcher committed to ensuring all mothers and children, no matter their race, income, or background have an equal right to thrive. She has worked as a global physician in NYC, Boston, and in 12 countries across sub-Saharan Africa, Asia, and the Caribbean. Dr. Uwemedimo is a national speaker to both physician and community audiences in the fields of overcoming implicit bias and racism in healthcare settings, inclusion, and equity for women physicians in healthcare and health equity for marginalized children and families, including those from immigrant and Black communities. She has been featured in several media outlets including Essence.com, Newsweek, Reuters, NPR, and CNN Espanol.

Listen in to hear Omolara share:

Her experience being a physician in New York during COVID-19
Why she made the professional shift to serve female doctors of color
The importance of vulnerability, community, and confidence as the antidote to burnout
Why she decided to create a community specifically for women physicians of color

Links mentioned:

Connect with Dr. Omolara
Check out the MPOWERED Collective
Melanin Medicine Motherhood Podcast
Omolara on Instagram
Melanin Medicine Motherhood Facebook Group
Omolara on Twitter

Thank you to our sponsors:

Built Bar: Built Bar is offering my listeners 20% off your first purchase! Go to Builtbar.com and enter promo code SHAMELESS at checkout to receive 20% off your first order!

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437: Racism, Rachel Hollis, and How Leaders Truly RISE May 04, 2020

Leadership is typically a series of imperfect action steps.

Leaders tumble, fall, and crash just like anyone else.

But when a leader tumbles, falls or crashes, there is an audience watching to see how they will stand back up, pick up the pieces, and put things back together.

When a leader crashes and harm is done to others in the wake of their errors, people watch even more closely.

When harm is done, trust is eroded. Trust is broken between the leader and anyone who was harmed, obviously. But trust is also broken between the leader and anyone who is watching if the bystanders don’t see the leader take active steps to rebuild trust with those who were harmed. Those harmed hope to be held. Those watching hope to see the leader offer protection to those hurting. This is how everyone can recover and heal and know that they are in a safe community.

Positive leadership looks like owning your mistakes and owning when you’ve caused harm without providing excuses or placing blame on others.

Positive leadership looks like having uncomfortable conversations publicly.

Positive leadership looks like recognizing your blind spots and committing to active and ongoing learning so you can see them more fully.

Positive leadership looks like inviting feedback when you have caused harm and engaging in conversation with those who are hurting.

Positive leadership looks like protecting people in your community from abuse and trauma.

Positive leadership looks like pushing pause on the day-to-day parts of your work to rebuild trust where you have broken trust.

We are all leaders - whether you are leading families, PTAs, soccer teams or companies. You are a leader.

You are going to screw up. You will crash. You will cause harm.

How will you rebuild trust after you cause harm?

Listen in to learn how leaders can do better when they cause harm, especially as it pertains to race and protecting people of color in your community. This episode is inspired by a leader who recently crashed and then opted not to protect those harmed. A community became fractured and the erosion of trust was massive. This example is a powerful example of how leaders, especially white leaders, need to do so much better.

Women of color to follow on Instagram (follow these women, buy their books, listen to their podcasts, and support their work):

Books:

Me and White Supremacy: Combat Racism, Change the World and Become a Good Ancestor by Layla Saad
This Will Be My Undoing by Morgan Jerkins
How To Be An Antiracist by Ibram X Kendi
So You Want To Talk About Race by Ijeoma Oluo
I’m Still Here: Black Dignity In A World Made For Whiteness by Austen Channing Brown
White Fragility by Robin Diangelo

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436: Meagan Francis: A Mother Of Reinvention And Making Her Own Rules Apr 29, 2020

Meagan Francis is a mom of five kids ages 11 - 22, author, writer, and co-host of The Mom Hour podcast. She regularly speaks and coaches women and moms on building sane and satisfying lives, embracing creativity, and reinventing their careers.

Meagan has been momming for her entire adulthood, having her first child in her early twenties. She has been writing, blogging, and reinventing herself online for 15 years. She has learned a lot of lessons along the way. Her energy is infectious and her perspectives are so refreshing.

Listen in to hear Meagan share:

How current times are taking us back to Newbornland
How she’s finding and creating joy in unpredictable times
How she went from blogging to podcasting (and whether you should start a blog or a podcast!)
How moms can find happiness and satisfaction in spite of the media telling us that motherhood is hard, overwhelming, and frustrating
Why she is actively opting out and rejecting the current COVID climate around homeschooling
The value of embracing constant reinvention

Links mentioned:

Connect with Meagan and The Mom Hour Podcast
Learn about Meagan’s other podcasts
The Mom Hour on IG
Meagan on IG

Thank you to our sponsors:

Kosmatology: Kosmatology has a great offer for our listeners: for any first-time purchasers, you receive 15% off. To get 15% off your first order, go to Kosmatology.com and use code shameless at checkout.
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435: Finding Motivation And Personal Time In A Pandemic Apr 27, 2020

Many of you have shared that the biggest and most relentless challenges of this time are finding motivation and personal time in this current version of Groundhogs Day.

It is definitely challenging to motivate when you don’t know what’s coming, you feel you have very little control over your future, and you have no space to think through what you want your life to look like right now.

I know one of my biggest challenges during this time has been the constant closeness of my family. Don’t get me wrong, there has been some magic in this. But also, it’s a LOT. And it’s never-ending. I was pretty accustomed to (and appreciative of) my quiet days working solo from home. There is nothing solo about my days anymore.

Yes, I’m grateful to be working, but it’s overwhelming and exhausting to work full time with a child and a dog constantly by my side. I know many of you are doing this with more than one child by your side. I bow down….

During this time, we must create and fiercely protect small spaces of personal time. This will tremendously help us find motivation and stay motivated. I have been creating little pockets of personal time that break up my day and really help keep me moving forward with a decent attitude.

Listen in to hear exactly how you can find more motivation by creating pockets of personal time each day.

Thank you to our sponsors:

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434: Patrice Washington: The Truth About Wealth & Well-Being Apr 22, 2020

Patrice Washington is a Shameless Mom to a 12-year-old daughter, an award-winning author, transformational speaker, hope-restoring coach, and media personality. And she is committed to redefining the term wealth for our generation.

Patrice got her start as your favorite personal finance expert, “America’s Money Maven”, having tremendous success with her “mindset approach” to personal finance. A licensed real estate professional by her sophomore year in college and a real estate and mortgage broker at 21 years old, Patrice took her boutique brokerage from the dining room of her 700-square foot condo to a 7-figure real estate empire by just 25. After losing her fortune in the Great Recession, she dedicated her life to not just rebuilding and reinventing her own life but helping the masses move from debt management to money mastery. She has since expanded her brand and mission, encouraging women to chase purpose, not money.

Patrice is committed to redefining the term “wealth”, using its original meaning, “well-being”. She encourages women to have “wealth” in all aspects of their lives by pursuing their purpose, being fulfilled, and earning more without ever chasing money. Through her teachings, Patrice empowers women to look at life through the lens of abundance and opportunity, instead of lack and scarcity.

As the founder of Redefining Wealth and The Earn More Money Movement for Women, Patrice has built a thriving community of high-achieving women committed to creating a powerful life vision--in their careers, home, health, and personal finances.

Every week, millions of listeners have tuned in to her weekly segment, Redefining Wealth with Patrice Washington as part of a top-rated and nationally syndicated radio show. Patrice’s podcast, The Redefining Wealth Podcast with Patrice Washington, which takes a deeper dive into her radio segment content, launched in 2017 with overwhelming success. Her popular podcast was recently featured on Forbes.com as one of "15 Inspiring Podcasts for Professionals of Every Stripe".

Listen in to hear Patrice share:

Why 2020 is her year of obedience
How she has overcome being known as “the Money Maven” vs being Reagan’s mom
Why it’s ok to suck at cooking - and to stop trying to make it better
How to focus on what you want vs what you don’t want
3 pillars to redefining wealth
How our self-image holds us back in all areas of our lives
The connection between physical clutter and mental chaos in our lives
How to truly live a life of purpose - on your own terms

Links mentioned:

Website: Patrice Washington
Podcast: Redefining Wealth
Instagram: @SeekWisdomPCW
Twitter: @SeekWisdomPCW
Facebook: @SeekWisdomPCW
Youtube: Patrice Washington: SeekWisdomPCW

Thank you to our sponsors:

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433: 4 Things To Quit Right Now Apr 20, 2020

As we get deeper into pandemic life, there is more and more need to take a critical look at what’s working for you, what’s not working, and what beneficial changes could be made during this uncertain time.

Along these lines, there are a few things you may benefit from quitting.

Years ago, I did an episode called, “Be a Quitter.” I’m a long time fan of quitting things that don’t serve me. In fact, I can’t stand supposed inspirational quotes that suggest we should not be quitters. I think we should frequently assess what’s no longer working for us and quit those things quickly and without hesitation, in order to make space for the things that serve us, promote good physical and mental health, allow for appropriate boundaries with others, and keep us evolving in the directions we want to grow and thrive.

As you have settled into new routines over the past 6 weeks, it is likely that you’ve also settled into some routines that aren’t optimal. Listen in to this episode to assess where you’re at, what’s not working, and what you might consider quitting in order to maintain optimal mental health as you continue to move through this time.

Thank you to our sponsor:

Kosmatology: Kosmatology has a great offer for our listeners: for any first-time purchasers, you receive 15% off. To get 15% off your first order, go to kosmatology.com and use code shameless at checkout.

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432: RB Fast: Parenting A Transgender Child and Raising Trans Allies Apr 15, 2020

RB Fast is an activist, leader, envelope pusher, magic maker, and mother of a child who is creative, brave, and transgender.

I asked RB to come on this show because I wanted to have a parent of a transgender child share with us what parenting can look like when there are major shifts around a child’s identity - shifts that the rest of the world might not understand or might not accept.

When RB and I first started talking about doing this interview, she said she had to talk to her son about it. She wanted him to fully consent to this conversation - as well as set any boundaries he needed. RB also set boundaries around this conversation, as you’ll hear us talk about. This is such a beautiful and powerful example of sharing someone’s story in order to help others more clearly and deeply understand something, while also protecting someone’s boundaries.

Listen in to hear RB share:

Why she gave up her business to go back to a traditional job and why sometimes seemingly moving backward is actually moving forward
How she creates boundaries around sharing a story of parenting a trans child and protecting her child at the same time
How to practice curiosity over judgement if your child may be LGBTQ+
How parents can raise children who are strong allies
Signing up for unconditional love couched in a universe of uncertainty

Links Mentioned:

Thank you to our sponsors:

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431: This Is Not Normal Apr 13, 2020

The life you are living right now is not normal. It is far from it.

Pretending this is normal is dangerous. We can’t afford to normalize this because we would risk losing our compassion, our fighting spirit, and the opportunity to innovate and create solutions that are desperately needed right now.

If we normalize this, we risk bypassing our grief and our suffering. We risk not learning critical lessons in order to know better and do better next time we are faced with a similar crisis.

Right now, we are not ok. While we may be counting our blessings and feeling lucky and grateful in many ways, we are not ok. We get to be both. Two conflicting emotions get to exist:

Not ok and lucky.

Sad and hopeful.

Tired and cheerful.

Scared and joyful.

Overwhelmed and grateful.

Isolated yet overly connected and enmeshed with every member of our household (am I right??)

We are not ok and we will not normalize this, but we do need to create a sense of normalcy in our everyday lives.

Listen in to learn 4 ways to create normalcy when life is anything but normal.

Links Mentioned:

Join The Shameless Mom Con Collective: shamelessmomcon.com

Thank you to our sponsors:

Best Fiends: Download FREE on the Apple App Store or Google Play.

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430: Natalie Hixson: Anger Management For Moms Apr 08, 2020

Natalie Hixson is a Shameless Mom, wife, auntie and certified professional life coach who helps discouraged moms overcome destructive anger and burnout. After learning to thrive in motherhood and process anger in a healthy way, Natalie became convicted to help other moms avoid those dark years of motherhood by helping them to appreciate and process their anger, learn to identify their triggers, and ultimately control their reaction to those triggering situations. She enjoys her own motherhood journey by hanging with her husband Mike and their three daughters in beautiful Bozeman, Montana. She recharges with Jesus, coffee and adventures with her family like skiing in the winter, hiking and swimming in the summer and traveling year-round!

Natalie was extremely transparent and generous in sharing her experience with destructive anger in motherhood in this episode. So many of you have reached out to me asking to talk more about anger and I couldn’t be more grateful to Natalie for taking this DEEP dive into this topic with me.

Listen in to hear Natalie share:

What it was like to grow up in an angry household
How her anger got out of control, destructive and dangerous in motherhood
How she overcame destructive anger
The difference between healthy anger and destructive anger
How to use “calm down time” to re regulate emotions during angry moments
How to teach your kids about anger through your own anger management
Why you need to validate your anger and/or mom guilt
How to process anger in safe and healthy ways
Why conflict in your household can be healthy and productive
How to own your anger with your kids

Links mentioned:

Thank you to our sponsors:

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429: Perhaps Pain Is a Prerequisite For Power Apr 06, 2020

Sometimes we forget that we have power. So much power. That no one and no circumstances can take from us.

We forget that we have the power to make choices, the power to decide (and upgrade) our thoughts, the power to manage and adjust expectations, the power to pause before reacting, the power to find joy in the middle of deep sadness, the power to build something when everything around us is seemingly falling apart.

When we are in pain, it can be hard to find our power.

But what if your pain is a prerequisite for your power?

What if it is the pain that pushes you to reach in, lean in, own your power, and stand back up?

Your power is abundant. It is limitless. It is expansive and constantly evolving.

Right now you are likely in pain in one way or another, or perhaps in many ways. Know that from that pain you have the power to:

* Manage and upgrade your thoughts

* Determine your actions

* Demonstrate love, compassion and kindness

* Make choices that serve you and your family

* Set boundaries

* Choose to be purposeful and intentional

* Restore hope

* Connect with others in new ways

* Be creative in how you operate in new norms

* Adapt to circumstances that initially felt overwhelmingly uncomfortable

* Change you see the world

* Create new guidelines for how you want to live

* Grow into new ways of being that feel positive and purposeful

* Channel joy in the smallest moments of the day

* Nurture relationships in new ways

* Thrive under conditions that would normally seem oppressive

I want you to look at the verbs that kick off each of the above examples of power:

* Manage

* Determine

* Demonstrate

* Make

* Set

* Choose

* Restore

* Connect

* Be

* Adapt

* Change

* Create

* Grow

* Channel

* Nurture

* Thrive

These are all actions you are capable of, actions you have power over. What forms of power will you choose today? How will you harness your pain and turn it into something that allows you to KEEP GOING, to KEEP SHOWING UP, to KEEP SHINING?

Listen in for more guidance to tap into your innate power during hard times.

Links mentioned:

Join the Shameless Mom Con Collective

Thank you to our sponsor:

Grove Collaborative: For a limited time, when my listeners go to Grove.co/SHAMELESS you will get FREE FIVE PIECE cleaning set from Mrs. Meyer’s and Grove - in crisp scents like mint or rose - a THIRTY DOLLAR value! Check out Grove and our special offer at Grove.co/SHAMELESS.

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428: Monica Packer: Prioritizing Progress Over Perfection Apr 01, 2020

Monica Packer is passionate about teaching practical transformation. As a podcaster, growth coach, and podcast educator, she guides women to find sustainable growth by adopting progress over perfection. Monica is a former middle school teacher, a forever Oprah and Harry Potter fangirl, a perpetual cookie dough maker, and a beginning swimmer. She's a mama of four living in the Bay Area, CA.

We recorded this interview before COVID-19 reared its ugly head. But there has never been a better time to learn how to better manage and even overcome perfectionism. We are all working so hard right now to keep the world spinning and Monica and I want to give you a ton of permission to just keep taking one imperfect step after another.

Listen in to hear Monica share:

The root of perfectionism and how it shows up specifically for moms
How a lack of goal setting and action taking is also a form of perfectionism
The truth about overachieving and underachieving perfectionists
Her own experience with perfectionism that led her through eating disorders and suicidal ideation
How leaning into the opposite side of perfectionism allows her to disconnect her worth from her achievements
How to use imperfect action as exposure therapy to recover from perfectionism
How you can prioritize progress over perfection
How to model imperfect action to high achiever/perfectionist kids

Links Mentioned:

Join our 4 Week Shameless Mom Con Collective
Connect with Monica: About Progress
Monica on Instagram: @aboutprogress
About Progress Podcast

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427: Keep Returning to Who You Are Mar 30, 2020

When things get hard, you know how to show up. You know what matters most. You know where to set boundaries. You know what you stand for. You know how to prioritize your time and your efforts.

You have weathered some big storms in your day and you always come out stronger on the other side.

You set boundaries because you know what matters most right now and you know when the risks outweigh the benefits and when the benefits outweigh the risks.

You are not afraid to take uncomfortable action because you are a mama bear who knows what it means to go after what you and your family need most.

You are being tested in big ways right now.

Really big ways.

But it's ok.

You got this.

Because you know who you are. And you will continue returning to your roots.

You will continue to lean into your core values.

You will continue to be someone who does the right thing for your family and for the greater good.

You may cry.

You may bleed.

But that does not dampen or dim the torch you are carrying that will lead you to the next place you need to land.

You have seen hard times before. And you have found the cracks in order to let in the light. You are not someone who shies away from shining when the going gets tough.

If you can keep returning to who you are you will continue to be comforted by your own strength and power and tenacity.

Promise.

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426: Sheri Gazitt: Creating A More Joy-Filled Relationship With Your Teen Mar 25, 2020

Sheri Gazitt is a Shameless Mom of 3, the founder of Teen Wise and is dedicated to guiding teens and parents through the ups and downs of adolescence. She advocates for teen mental wellness by advising foundations, appearing on TV, Radio, and podcasts, presenting to parents and teens, and writing for magazines both off and online. Coach Sheri also provides private coaching for teen girls to help them find their inner joy, tame stress, claim their confidence, and navigate friendships. Her latest program encourages parents to create space for their teen’s inner joy by resisting the rat race and prioritizing mental wellness over GPA's and college applications.

Sheri’s mission is powerful and so necessary right now. Her work to reframe joy and connection for teens and parents is critical.

Listen in to hear Sheri share:

What inspired her work in teen advocacy
Why her work with teens is JOY focused
The main drivers of anxiety and depression in our youth
The importance of stepping out of the kiddie and teen rat race
Why you and your kid may benefit tremendously by letting go of a traditional path to success
How to connect with your teens instead of just making sure they are checking boxes in achievement
One step that parents can take right now, today to start making the shift to prioritizing joy over achievement

Links mentioned:

Join our free Hope, Happiness & Mental Health Challenge
Connect with Sheri: Teen Wise Seattle
Sheri on FB: Teen Wise Seattle
Teen Wise Seattle
Sheri’s program for moms of middle schoolers

Thank you to our sponsors:

Third Love: To find the perfect fitting bra and get 15% off your first purchase got to www.thirdlove.com/shameless.
Best Fiends: Download FREE on the Apple App Store or Google Play.

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425: It’s Ok To Take A Break From Fear Mar 23, 2020

Fear doesn’t get to drive.

In unpredictable and unprecedented times, fear is normal - and even healthy. Fear will sit right beside you, keeping an eye out for you, making sure you are awake and alert. Fear might be in your front seat, but fear does not get to drive your car.

As Marie Forleo says in Everything Is Firgureoutable, “Fear is not the enemy. Waiting to stop feeling afraid is.”

If you’re waiting to stop feeling afraid, you will waste a lot of precious time. You will miss out on joy. You will be blind to opportunities that are right in front of you.

In this episode, we will talk about how you can embrace fear, tame fear, and find joy with fear sitting right beside you.

Links mentioned:

Join our free Hope, Happiness & Mental Health Challenge

Thank you to our sponsors:

Kosmatology: Kosmatology has a great offer for our listeners: for any first-time purchasers, you receive 15% off. To get 15% off your first order, go to Kosmatology.com and use code shameless at checkout.
Laurel Springs: Register your child at LaurelSprings.com/shameless today and receive a waived registration fee.

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424: Mikaela Kiner: Female Firebrands In The Workplace Mar 18, 2020

Mikaela Kiner is a Shameless Mom of two teens, a certified executive coach, and experienced consultant. In 2015, Mikaela founded Reverb, a leading provider of flexible HR services for startups and growing companies in the Pacific Northwest. An HR professional for nearly twenty years, Mikaela enjoys coaching leaders at all levels and helping companies build healthy, inclusive cultures. She's been quoted in Fast Company, the Wall Street Journal, and The Muse, and is a member of the Forbes Human Resources Council. She’s the author Female Firebrands: Stories and Techniques to Ignite Change, Take Control, and Succeed in the Workplace.

Mikaela has coached leaders at all levels who want to live and lead in a purposeful way based on their values. By acting as a sounding board and accountability partner, she supports her coaching clients in achieving their goals. She particularly enjoys working with entrepreneurs, executives, and high potential women leaders.

Mikaela lives in Seattle and is happily married to Henry, who’s a musician, artist, and teacher. Their two children are good at challenging the status quo and are a constant source of learning and laughter. She is a strong believer that a healthy, inclusive culture is integral to the success of every organization.

Listen in to hear Mikaela share:

The diversity in interviews when interviewing 13 women with the exact same questions
The truth about competition between women in the workplace
The gift of Brene Brown telling her no
How to use data to create equity in the workplace
How to be a leader of inclusivity in the workplace
Why research shows that moms make awesome leaders - especially if you have 2 or more kids
The steps you can take to become a stronger leader today

Links Mentioned:

Connect with Mikaela: Reverb People
Mikaela on IG: Reverb People
Mikaela on Linked IN: Mikaela Kiner
Book: Female Firebrands by Mikaela Kiner
Article: Harvard Law Review: Primal Leadership
Book: Multipliers by Liz Wiseman
Podcast: I Hate My Boss

Thank you to our sponsors:

Grove Collaborative: For a limited time, when my listeners go to Grove.co/SHAMELESS you will get FREE FIVE PIECE Cleaning Set from Mrs. Meyer’s and Grove - a THIRTY DOLLAR value! Check out Grove and our special offer at Grove.co/SHAMELESS.
Undercover Tourist: Start planning your next theme park vacation now by visiting UndercoverTourist.com/SHAMELESS. That’s an additional discount using SHAMELESS on top of the big savings already offered through Undercover Tourist.
Kosmatology: Kosmatology has a great offer for our listeners: for any first-time purchasers, you receive 15% off. To get 15% off your first order, go to Kosmatology.com and use code shameless at checkout.

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423: 5 Ways To Find Light In The Darkness Of COVID-19 Mar 16, 2020

For those of us who enjoy control and predictability in life, these are tough (if not excruciating) times. We are living in a pandemic - something I ignorantly and blissfully thought only existed in history books and Bible stories…

But, friends, we are still living. Just under very different circumstances than we are used to.

Know this - we are standing at the start line of a marathon. We need to show up prepared to pace ourselves, stay nourished & hydrated and - most importantly - keep our head game STRONG.

Some of you have heard the story of my one and only marathon. At mile 2 I decided I didn’t really feel like running anymore. I was just over it… And the following 4+ hours were absolutely grueling. I couldn’t mentally recover, which made me physically deteriorate at a rapid pace.

In the case of COVID-19, we cannot afford to deteriorate at the start line, or at mile 2. We will need to be extremely intentional and diligent in managing our energy and expectations. We will need to be nimble, adaptable, and creative. We will need to create boundaries around the places (namely the internet) and people who drain us or create unnecessary fear, panic or anxiety within us.

We also need to take radical responsibility for seeking hope and happiness during this marathon. If we are to sustain ourselves over the coming months, we must be able to find the cracks where the light is begging to come in. I promise they exist - but you will need to actively seek them out.

I am in Seattle - the US epicenter of COVID-19. Our city is pretty much shut down. It is hard and heavy. And there is light. I can see the cracks. If I can see the cracks you can too.

Listen in to learn 5 ways to find light in the darkness of COVID-19. Also, please join me for our upcoming free Hope, Happiness & Mental Health Challenge (sign up: shamelessmom.com/challenge). We start Monday, March 23rd. This challenge is the light you’re looking for.

Links Mentioned:

Hope, Happiness & Mental Health Challenge

Thank you to our sponsors:

Built Bar: Built Bar is offering my listeners 10% off your first purchase! Go to Builtbar.com and enter promo code SHAMELESS at checkout to receive 10% off your first order!
Native: For 20% off your first purchase, visit nativedeodorant.com and use promo code shameless at checkout.

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422: Jessie Artigue and Gerard Brown: Foster Parents And Child Free By Choice Mar 11, 2020

Gerard + Jessie Pepper have been partners in crime since 2005. Their relationship started over a clean pile of laundry, and now they dish about life, love and how to keep from losing your mind on a podcast called Marriage Is Funny. Gerard loves his day job as a financial actuary, and Jessie continues to build her career as a lifestyle expert and online brand at StyleAndPepper.com. They enjoy preaching and speaking whenever possible, are always happiest while hosting friends and family in their home, and love being enthusiastic pet-parents to a rescue pup named Sadie Mae.

Listen in to hear:

Why they started a marriage podcast at the worst time in their marriage
What is like to record a podcast with your partner when you’re annoyed with them
Why they decided to be child free and why they opted to become foster parents instead
The beautiful gifts and intense challenges of hosting short term foster placement
The impact of foster parenting on their marriage
If fostering has shifted their perspective on having children of their own.

Links Mentioned:

Marriage is funny Podcast
Free Marriage Myths video series: Meet The Peppers
Meet The Peppers / Grounded Marriage
Jessie's personal IG: @styleandpepper
Marriage is Funny IG: @meetthepeppers
Connect with Jessie at jessieartigue.com
Learn more about safe-families.org

Thank you to our sponsors:

Talkspace: To match with your perfect therapist for a fraction of the price of traditional therapy, go to talkspace.com, Make sure to use the code SHAMELESS to get $100 off your first month and show your support for the show.
Betabrand: Right now, our listeners can get 20% off their first order when you go to betabrand.com/shameless (shameless must be lowercase).
Lightstream: Just for my listeners: apply now to get an additional interest rate discount. The ONLY way to get this discount is to go to Lightstream.com/SHAMELESS..

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421: Let Other People Be Mad At You Mar 09, 2020

‘Tis the season of disappointing other people. Fa la la la la….

As my platform has grown so has my exposure to judgement. In my personal and professional life, there are people who have been disappointed in me, even angry with me, over the last year or so.

I will be honest with you, this kind of thing used to really eat me up inside. I’m not going to tell you that I’m super-cool with people being upset with me now. But I can tell you that I have done a lot of work to be ok with some people being mad at me - and me NOT OWNING their feelings.

The truth is this: a person’s emotions are their own responsibility. I have repeatedly found that the people who are disappointed in me or angry with me have one or more of these things in common:

A poor sense of self
A general lack of self-awareness
Poor coping skills
A weak or completely lacking support system

For these folks, I will forgive them in order to make peace in my own life so I can move forward. I will not make space for their energy or abuse, In fact, I will actively distance and separate myself from it. And, most importantly, I will not take responsibility for their emotions.

If I hurt someone or cause someone harm, I will own that and apologize. I will take radical responsibility for myself and my actions - but not for others reactions to my actions.

This is what it looks like to have boundaries. This is what it looks like to be a grown-up. It is not easy. But it is the only way to show all the way up for those who matter most to me. I would be doing myself and my loved ones a massive disservice if I took on my haters anger or displaced feelings. The same goes for you.

How do you stay in your own way when it comes to other people’s opinions and judgments of you? You must take radical responsibility for that. This episode will teach you how.

Links mentioned:

Book: The Daily Stoic by Ryan Holiday

Thank you to our sponsors:

Openfit: Right now, my listeners get an extended 14-day FREE trial membership to OPENFIT when you text SHAMELESS to 505050.
For All Moms Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/fam-for-all-moms/id1494037915

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420: Parijat Deshpande: Finding Power & Hope In High Risk Pregnancies Mar 04, 2020

Parijat Deshpande is Shameless Mom and the leading high-risk pregnancy expert, mind-body health specialist, trauma professional, speaker and author who teaches women how to deactivate their stress response before, during and after a high-risk pregnancy so they can give their baby a strong start to life. Her unique approach has served hundreds of women to manage pregnancy complications and reclaim a safety and trust in their bodies that they thought was eroded forever. Parijat is the author of bestselling book Pregnancy Brain: A Mind-Body Approach to Stress Management During a High-Risk Pregnancy. She is also the host of the popular podcast Delivering Miracles®, that discusses the real, raw side of family-building including infertility, loss, high-risk pregnancy, bed rest, prematurity and healing once baby comes home.

Listen in to hear Parijat share:

Her journey of serious and dangerous complications during fertility treatments that lead to the delivery of her 24 week old baby boy
How she managed preterm labor, used her mind to dramatically impact her and her baby’s health, and bought her son a life giving 15 additional days in utero
The very bittersweet journey of having a second child via a gestational carrier
The impact of prenatal stress/trauma on pregnancy outcomes and how you can learn to self manage prenatal stress/trauma by re-regulating your nervous system
The truth about trauma and how your body and brain resolve it - or not

Links mentioned:

Thank you to our sponsors:

Third Love: To find the perfect fitting bra and get 15% off your first purchase got to www.thirdlove.com/shameless
Best Fiends: Download FREE on the Apple App Store or Google Play.
If These Ovaries Could Talk Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/if-these-ovaries-could-talk/id1331160807

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419: Exposure Therapy, Anxiety, and Power Mar 02, 2020

You have probably heard the saying, “The only way out is through.”

I would add to this that the only way into your power is through the pain and discomfort of growth.

Power, achievement, growth, and success only come from putting yourself in situations that push you in new ways. And that can be ridiculously hard and scary. For me, there are often nearly impossible nerves to overcome, a racing heart that makes me unable to speak, a belly that cannot stop flip-flopping, and legs that won’t stop shaking.

The more dramatic the symptoms, the more I know I’ll grow through the discomfort.

Case in point: as I’ve taken up new challenges in skiing this year, I’ve experienced all the above symptoms very regularly. And I hate it. I hate it to the point that I get angry. Also, I’m growing in the biggest ways since I started skiing - as a skier, an athlete, and a woman who is becoming more powerful in all areas of life through actively embracing fear.

It’s really hard. But I’m HERE. FOR. IT.

If you want more power in your life you will have to get more uncomfortable. You will have to do hard things. There is no way around it. It is only through the consistent exposure to scary and hard things that we get to see who we are becoming, how much potential we have for success, and what kind of true joy we are capable of creating for ourselves.

Listen in to hear how I’m using exposure therapy to face my biggest fears this year - and how it’s changing the game for me.

Links mentioned:

Join me for Shameless Mom Con

Thank you to our sponsors:

Laurel Springs: Register your child at LaurelSprings.com/shameless today and receive a waived registration fee.
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418: Naomi Clark: From Clearing Her Dresser to Getting Clear On Her Life Feb 26, 2020

Naomi Clark is the CEO of Her Money Map where she helps women transform their mindset around money and partners with them to create cash flow strategies that support their values and lifetime goals. Her mission is to help women crush their self-limiting beliefs and barriers when it comes to money. She believes one of the primary reasons women struggle with confidence in making financial decisions is in large part due to the patriarchy which is designed to make women feel doubtful and distracted.

Naomi is also the creator and host of "The OutSpoken Girlfriend" podcast where she encourages and celebrates women to step into their best selves - their authentic selves. But this isn't your typical personal development podcast. As a self-described "sworn enemy of the patriarchy" Naomi provides strategies and tactics that teaches women how to dismantle the patriarchy as they pursue their best lives.

In the "muggle world" Naomi has a degree in Finance with over 20 years of corporate experience in Accounting, Supply Chain Management, and Project Management.

In addition to all this, Naomi is one of the OGs of the Shameless Mom community and one of our speakers for Shameless Mom Con 2020. I think you’re going to love hearing her story of growth and transformation as a Shameless Mom.

Listen in to hear Naomi share:

What the American Dream looked like for her as a black woman and why it was not so dreamy
How letting her life get really small made her life miserable
How setting the simple goal of cleaning off her dresser snowballed into cleaning up the vision for her life
The truth about working against the patriarchy - and how she’s helping women do this powerful work
Her powerful message for white moms and white women

Links mentioned:

Hear Naomi speak at Shameless Mom Con 2020
Connect with Naomi
The Outspoken Girlfriend Podcast
The Outspoken Girlfriend Facebook group
Naomi on Instagram: The Out Spoken Girlfriend

Thank you to our sponsors:

Lightstream: Just for my listeners: apply now to get an additional interest rate discount. The ONLY way to get this discount is to go to Lightstream.com/SHAMELESS.
com: To save 30% off a Care.com Premium membership, visit Care.com/SHAMELESSMOM
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417: “I Don’t Have Anything To Offer” Feb 24, 2020

Have you ever met a woman who didn’t have anything to offer?

Yeah, me neither.

Every woman I’ve ever met has had something extraordinary and unique that qualifies her to take up her very own special place in this world.

While you may fully recognize what other women have to offer, you may fail to see what you have to offer. You may think that everyone else has something to offer - and you don’t.

This is simply untrue.

This became glaring to me when I recently asked in our private FB group, “What’s holding you back from attending Shameless Mom Con?” A few mamas said they were worried they didn’t have anything to offer and thought they might not fit in with the other awesome attendees.

Isn’t it funny (and sad!) how we get in our own way???

Listen in to hear me coach you out of this mindset that you have less to offer than anyone around you. Listen in to hear the truth.

Links Mentioned:

Join me at Shameless Mom Con 2020

Thank you to our sponsors:

Undercover Tourist: Start planning your next theme park vacation now by visiting UndercoverTourist.com/SHAMELESS. That’s an additional discount using SHAMELESS on top of the big savings already offered through Undercover Tourist.
Grove Collaborative: For a limited time, when my listeners go to Grove.co/SHAMELESS you will get FREE FIVE PIECE Cleaning Set from Mrs. Meyer’s and Grove - a THIRTY DOLLAR value! Check out Grove and our special offer at Grove.co/SHAMELESS.

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416: Ashley Abercrombie: Overcoming Trauma and Perfectionism To Find Space & Grace Feb 19, 2020

Ashley Abercrombie fought to overcome addiction, rape, abortion, perfectionism and dysfunctional relationships to become an honest, whole and free woman (most days). She wore a mask more than half her life, and considers herself too old, and too annoyed to ever put that thing on again.

Ashley is a speaker and a writer, featured in many magazines and digital outlets, including Darling, Relevant and Grit and Virtue. Her YouVersion Bible study, Finding God in the Hard Places, has been completed by over 200,000 people. Her first book will be released in the fall of 2019, with Baker Books. Alongside fellow author and speaker, Tiffany Bluhm, Ashley is the co-host for the hilarious and helpful podcast Why Tho.

She has an unrelenting passion for justice, particularly anti-human trafficking and mass incarceration initiatives, and served the city of Los Angeles for seven years, winning commendations from the LAPD and Los Angeles Mayor’s office, before transitioning to Manhattan to pastor at Liberty Church, Downtown, alongside her husband, Cody. Ashley is an executive board bember of Treasures, a non-profit that reaches and supports women in the sex industry and victims of sexual exploitation, while training leaders globally.

The Abercrombies are nearly brain dead from sleep deprivation, but love their life, raising two incredible sons, Levi (5) and Lucas (2), in their beautiful neighborhood in Harlem, New York.

Listen in to hear Ashley share:

How she gave up her PhD in pretending her life was great and get honest about her story and proudly own it - how to stop pretending and performing for others
How enduring an eating disorder, addiction, sexual assault, and abortion led her to her current place of grace in life
How our secrets inevitably lead to self harm
The benefits of adjusting your expectations every morning instead of assuming every day will be great
The exact action she takes to be honest with herself #everydamnday
The beauty of recognizing the notion that time is your friend
Why a day of rest is essential as a family
How to have more holy gumption in order to live your best, most spirited life

Links Mentioned:

Join me at Shameless Mom Con 2020
SMA Ep 322 with Tiffany Bluhm
Connect with Ashley: Ashabercrombie
IG & Twitter: @ashabercrombie
Facebook: @ashabercrombienyc

Thank you to our sponsors:

Derma E: To get you started on trying their clean beauty solutions they are giving you 20% off sitewide with promo code SHAMELESS20 at https://dermae.com/.
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415: Celebrating & Honoring Black History #everydamnday Feb 17, 2020

Today I am taking a moment to celebrate Black History Month. To be honest, this moment feels too short and inadequate. I really wish I planned better for this month because this celebration deserves more attention than what I have created space for. While I aim to elevate black women and black moms all year long in the SMA, I understand the special importance of taking extra time to do this in February and I have already committed to dedicating more than one episode to this next year. I hope that in acknowledging my imperfect action here, other white allies will step up their game too. This is work is crucial, even when the steps feel too small. Something is better than nothing. And I vow to keep learning more so I can keep doing more.

Listen in to learn how to celebrate black history and black women by becoming a better ally and, better yet, an accomplice. Please take notes as I share powerful resources and a fantastic list of podcasts hosted by black women whom I admire tremendously. I want you to go subscribe to them all!

Links mentioned:

Join me at Shameless Mom Con 2020

Podcasts recommendations:

Laura Cathcart Robbins: The Only One In The Room
Nikita Burks-Hale: Journey Gurl Magic
Naomi Clark: The Outspoken Girlfriend
Tavona Givens: She Is Still Standing Tavona Givens
Omolara Uwemedimo: Supermom Rehab
Jamila Payne: Daily Success Show
Nicole Walters: The Nicole Walters Podcast
Rachel Rodgers: Million Dollar Badass

Book recommendations:

Thank you to our sponsors:

Betabrand: Right now, our listeners can get 20% off their first order when you go to betabrand.com/shameless (shameless must be lowercase).
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414: Davide Di Giorgio: Using Celebration to Overcome Comparanoia™ Feb 12, 2020

Davide Di Giorgio is the number one international best-selling author of “Being UNapologetic”, a keynote and TEDx speaker, Comparanoia™ expert, and a speaking and confidence consultant for students, teachers, parents, influencers and celebrities. He is a writer for The Good Men Project, Thought Catalog, Thrive Global, and Success Profiles Magazine. His philanthropic endeavor, Project Being UNapologetic dares to tackle bullying and build confidence and self-esteem while funding dream projects for high school performing arts students.

We don’t showcase Shameless men on the show very often, but when we do they are SO. GOOD. Davide is a brilliant and beautiful human and I’m so honored to have him join me for this conversation.

Listen in to hear Davide share:

How an incident in kindergarten kicked off years of being bullied
How he broke the cycle of being victimized by life circumstances
The very really struggle of Comparanoia™
How to manage and overcome Comparanoia™
How he coped with being abandoned by his parents when he came out at age 33
His experience in Shameless parenting in a non-traditional way
How he’s practicing celebration during especially challenging times

Links Mentioned:

Join me at Shameless Mom Con 2020
Connect with Davide: Being UNapologetic
Watch Davide’s TEDx talk: The real power of choice: overcoming Comparanoia
Join The unMOMtourage
More about Overcoming Comparanoia: Overcoming Comparanoia
The iCELEBRATE MATRIX: icelebrate.OvercomingComparanoia

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413: It's Ok To Not Be Ok Feb 10, 2020

I recently had a week where everything just felt so off and so out of my control. Can you relate? We’ve all been there. It’s hard.

And... it’s ok to not be ok.

Sometimes we try to just blow past our emotions or frustrations. We feel like we don’t have time for them. I mean, who has extra time to sit around feeling dumpy??

But it’s also necessary to process why we are not ok. Some questions to ask:

What got me here?

Why is it so uncomfortable?

Did I make a poor choice?

Am I absorbing and owning someone else’s junk?

How can I make things better - not just put a bandaid on it - but really make it better?

How can I create some space to figure out positive and powerful next steps?

If you find yourself putting up a front on the regular, this episode is for you. Give yourself permission to stop faking fine and be less than awesome every now and then.

Links mentioned:

Thank you to our sponsors:

Openfit: Right now, my listeners get an extended 14-day FREE trial membership to OPENFIT when you text SHAMELESS to 505050.
Derma E: To get you started on trying their clean beauty solutions they are giving you 20% off sitewide with promo code SHAMELESS20 at https://dermae.com/.

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412: Katie Krimitsos: Changing Your Success Path Through Massive Self Trust Feb 05, 2020

Katie Krimitsos is a mom, wife, adventurer, podcaster and seeker. She's committed to brightening the light of women around the world through the Women's Meditation Network, guided meditations, and resources that are specifically created with the special journey of women in mind.

Katie walked away from a business she built from the ground up at the peak of its success - because she had an inkling she was meant to do something different. She leaned in to self-trust - HARD.

I’ve watched her navigate this journey and it’s been pretty amazing. This is the reason I asked her to be a keynote speaker at Shameless Mom Con. I know she’s going to inspire your pants off today and at Shameless Mom Con.

Listen in to hear Katie share:

Why she decided to shut down her business after her first 6 figure year
How her mom allowed her to build massive self-trust
How she approaches tough, life-altering decisions
How to use meditation to be a better listener (to yourself)
How to know when you’re moving in the right direction (and when you’re not)

Links mentioned:

See Katie keynote at Shameless Mom Con 2020
Connect with Katie: Women's Meditation Network
Katie on Instagram Women's Meditation Network
FREE guide: 5 Simple Steps To Start Your Meditation Practice

Thank you to our sponsors:

Grove Collaborative: Make your laundry more sustainable this new year. For a limited time, when my listeners go to Grove.co/SHAMELESS you’ll get a FREE THREE PIECE set from Grove so you can start reducing your plastic waste. Plus, you’ll get free shipping AND a free 60-day VIP trial! Check out Grove and our special offer at Grove.co/SHAMELESS.
Wickbox: To get your $10 off your first box, go to www.wickbox.co and use coupon code SHAMELESS at checkout.
FamilyAlbum: Please find FamilyAlbum on your favorite app store, or by searching for FamilyAlbum on the web. And remember FamilyAlbum is all one word.

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411: How To Create More Mental Space In Motherhood Feb 03, 2020

No one told me…

I had no idea how much mental space motherhood would require. I didn’t know that my brain would learn to run endless concurrent lists of tasks and to dos and important data, all day, everyday.

There have been days that I thought my brain would explode from all the keeping track of things. All the remembering of things. All the planning of things. All the noting and filing away of things.

It never ends.

It’s exhausting.

But there are ways to better manage it. There are ways to protect your mental space - especially from the invasion of details, content, and drama that you don’t need, that sucks your precious mental space and mental energy when you let them in.

Listen in to learn 6 ways to create more (super precious) mental space in motherhood.

Links mentioned:

Join us at Shameless Mom Con 2020
SMA Ep 305: Managing the Mental Load of Motherhood
Apps: Calm App, Headspace app
Muse headband: Choose Muse
Podcast: Women's Meditation Network

Thank you to our sponsors:

Talkspace: To match with your perfect therapist for a fraction of the price of traditional therapy, go to https://www.talkspace.com/, Make sure to use the code SHAMELESS to get $100 off your first month and show your support for the show.
Third Love: To find the perfect fitting bra and get 15% off your first purchase got to www.thirdlove.com/shameless

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410: Ceca Mijatovic: The Misery & Magic of Infertility and Cancer Jan 29, 2020

Ceca Mijatovic is a badass life coach and a host of the Truth & Dare Cancer Podcast. She focuses on helping women going through or living with cancer learn how to navigate their cancer journey alongside family and career, how to supercharge their self-healing, and how to recalibrate their lives by using cancer as a powerful catalyst for change. She has had her own battle with the “Big C” and it became a potent agent for positive change in her life, and now she wants to help other women use their diagnosis as an opportunity to transform their lives for the better.

Prior to becoming a life coach, Ceca was in numerous leadership roles at Fortune 50 companies as well as startups. She is a founder of the Truth & Dare Cancer coaching practice where she helps women with cancer take charge of their health, their body, and their outcome!

Listen in to hear Ceca share:

Her road through infertility and how she decided to stop pursuing motherhood
How she moved on and got closure on her motherhood dreams
Why her diagnosis of uterine cancer brought her peace
How she helps women find truth and strength and grace during cancer
Why women with cancer need massive mindset coaching after diagnosis and cancer treatment
How emotional healing parallels physical healing
Why cancer is full of misery and magic
The power of receiving

Links Mentioned:

Join us at Shameless Mom Con 2020
Truth & Dare Cancer Podcast
Connect with Ceca: Truth And Dare Cancer
DARE Cancer coaching community
Social FB + IG: @truthanddarecancer

Thank you to our sponsors:

Wickbox: To get your $10 off your first box, go to www.wickbox.co and use coupon code SHAMELESS at checkout.
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Derma E: To get you started on trying their clean beauty solutions they are giving you 20% off sitewide with promo code SHAMELESS20 at https://dermae.com/.

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409: Your Critical Circles Of Self Trust Jan 27, 2020

I recently did a full episode (Ep 391) on why moms lack self-trust. The quick & dirty is this: women are conditioned from a very early age to trust others thoughts/opinions/judgements/instincts over our own. So, by the time we get to motherhood, we are already struggling (greatly) to listen to our gut. And babies make this even harder - because we must prioritize their needs over our own. We stop noticing that we’re hungry or tired or in need of, well, anything. We learn to shut off our own needs entirely.

If you didn’t listen to episode 391, go back and do that. THEN, listen in here to hear how you can relearn self-trust. In this episode, I teach you two powerful feedback loops that will help you learn how to trust your gut and your power in new and profound ways. The second feedback loop is the most critical, so make sure to listen to the end - especially if you’re someone who struggles to find success in the face of failure and struggles.

I am dedicating myself to rebuilding self-trust in 2020. It is one of my top priorities this year. Any of you are welcome to join me on this journey of learning to trust again. I am ALL IN on listening inward this year. Let’s do it together!

Links Mentioned:

Thank you to our sponsors:

Betabrand: Right now, our listeners can get 20% off their first order when you go to betabrand.com/shameless (shameless must be lowercase).
FamilyAlbum: Please find FamilyAlbum on your favorite app store, or by searching for FamilyAlbum on the web. And remember FamilyAlbum is all one word.

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408: Casey McGuire Davidson: On Giving Up Wine To Gain Clarity and Connection Jan 22, 2020

Casey McGuire Davidson is a certified life coach, the founder of Hello Someday Coaching and creator of the “Sober Girl’s Guide To Quitting Drinking, 30 Tips To Help Get You Through Your First 30 Days”.

She works with busy, successful women who want to reevaluate their relationship with alcohol, quit drinking, and create lives they love without their nightly glass (or bottle) of wine.

She’s also a wife, a mom, a practical dreamer, recovering corporate ladder climber, retired people-pleaser and ex-red wine drinker, who's been known to crawl into bed at 9 pm and whisper "Don't worry...you're still a badass" to herself.

Casey and I met at an event recently when she approached me as a fan of the SMA. We immediately hit it off and the second she told me that she works with moms who are reevaluating their relationship with alcohol I knew she had to come on the show. So many moms have a silent struggle with alcohol. I think it’s one of the most under talked about issues of motherhood. And that is not ok.

Listen in to hear Casey share:

How she relied on wine to manage her emotional and mental health
What pushed her to attempt 100 days of sobriety
What red wine represented for her and her fear of giving up something she loved so much
How to view giving up alcohol as a positive powerful choice vs sad consequence
The best question to ask yourself if you’re thinking about giving up drinking
The pros and cons of different sobriety programs and why she believes some are better than others for women

Links mentioned:

Join us at Shameless Mom Con 2020
Connect with Casey: Hello Someday Coaching
Free Sober Girl’s Guide To Quitting Drinking: Sobriety Starter Kit
Casey on Facebook: Hello Someday
Casey on Instagram: Casey Mdavidson

Thank you to our sponsors:

FamilyAlbum: Please find FamilyAlbum on your favorite app store, or by searching for FamilyAlbum on the web. And remember FamilyAlbum is all one word.
Magic Spoon: Go to magicspoon.com/SMA to grab a variety pack and try it today! And be sure to use our promo code SMA at checkout to get free shipping.
Lola: Get organic cotton tampons and other hygiene products delivered right to your door. To get 30% off your first order, go to mylola.com and use the code SHAMELESS30 when you subscribe.

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407: 3 Things I Tried To Quit In 2019 - Not All Successfully Jan 20, 2020

In 2019 I set out to quit 3 things that were no longer serving me. Not only were these three things no longer serving me, they were sucking precious time and energy to the point I could no longer ignore their negative impact on my life.

It would be cute and fun and just oh-so-perfect if I could have sat down to record this episode and shout from the rooftops, “I DID IT! I QUIT THESE THINGS THAT WERE NO LONGER SERVING ME!” But I didn’t.

I had varying degrees of “success” in the quitting of each thing. I put success in quotes because we tend to gauge success in really black & white terms and one of the best lessons I’ve learned over the last couple years (as someone who really likes to keep things black & white), is that often the magic is in the gray. We think “success” lives in the black & white. But true success is in the gray - where you have the power to shift your perspective #everydamnday in order to find wins, gain growth, and feel the magic even when you haven’t found the “success” you were initially looking for.

Listen in to learn with me as I share my “success” and my SUCCESS of kinda quitting three things that were no longer serving me.

Links mentioned:

Join us at Shameless Mom Con 2020

Thank you to our sponsors:

Native: For 20% off your first purchase, visit nativedeodorant.com and use promo code shameless at checkout.
Zola: Sign up at www.ZOLA.com/shameless today to get your FREE personalized paper sample. Then use code SAVE50 to get 50% off your save the dates!

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406: Kaitlyn Gresham: Supporting Entrepreneurial Moms in Developing Countries Jan 15, 2020

Kaitlyn Gresham is a Shameless Mom and the founder and Executive Director of Under the Same Tree - a non-profit organization that is preventing the effects of poverty through economic empowerment - equipping families affected by extreme poverty around the world to build their own income sources. They offer the opportunity for their supporters to match with a family served by their programs, to build meaningful relationships and the tangible opportunity to see the impact that is being made.

Kaitlyn was born in Southern California and now lives in Saint Louis, Missouri with her husband, David, and daughter Valeria, who joined their family via adoption from Nicaragua in 2017. She has a Master’s degree in International Relations with a Graduate Certificate in Nonprofit Leadership, and she loves fish tacos, hiking, and sunshine.

I was introduced to Kaitlyn through her nonprofit and immediately wanted to interview, as well as support her amazing cause. I am so excited to share Kaitlyn’s message and mission!

Listen in to hear Kaitlyn share:

How she knew from a very young age that she wanted to grow her family through adoption
How she and her husband decided to adopt from the hardest to match adoptee list
The limiting factors of opportunities for women and their babies in developing nations
How her nonprofit provides opportunities for women in developing nations to start their own businesses and make their own money to create financial stability for their families as well provide economic growth in the local communities
The beauty and power of women invest in others when they have any extra resources
How she connects women entrepreneurs in the US to women in Kenya, Uganda, and Haiti

Links mentioned:

Connect with Kaitlyn: Under The Same Tree

Mentorship Collective

Kaitlyn on Facebook

Kaitlyn on Instagram

Thank you to our sponsors:

Blinkist: Go to Blinkist.com/SHAMELESS try it FREE for 7 days AND save 25% off your new subscription.
Hylands: For more information about Hylands, visit: https://www.hylands.com/products/hylands-earache-drops
Grove Collaborative: Make your laundry more sustainable this new year. For a limited time, when my listeners go to Grove.co/SHAMELESS you’ll get a FREE THREE PIECE set from Grove so you can start reducing your plastic waste. Plus, you’ll get free shipping AND a free 60-day VIP trial! Check out Grove and our special offer at Grove.co/SHAMELESS.

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405: Finding & Fine Tuning Alignment In The New Year Jan 13, 2020

When you are “in alignment” your thoughts, feelings, words, and actions are all supportive of each other. You feel a sense of ease knowing there is congruence between your heads, hearts, and actions.

Alignment feels good - and powerful.

Alignment allows us to feel stable and confident and even eager about our days, in spite of the daily hiccups that inevitably get thrown our way.

When we are out of alignment, things feel quite different. We feel uneasy. We struggle in our relationships. We feel lost and unsure of our own sense of self and even our own self-worth. We tend to get sick more. We feel foggy and uninspired. We succumb to numbing behaviors like more alcohol, more sugar, more mindless social media scrolling, more TV binging.

Being out of alignment does not feel good. It feels disempowering, sometimes even crippling.

I want you to kick off this year with a conscientiousness around how congruent your thoughts, feelings, and motions are with your actions. Listen in to learn if you’re in alignment and how to get in alignment/stay in alignment in 2020!

Links Mentioned:

Join us at Shameless Mom Con 2020

Thank you to our sponsors:

Third Love: To find the perfect fitting bra and get 15% off your first purchase got to www.thirdlove.com/shameless
FamilyAlbum: Please find FamilyAlbum on your favorite app store, or by searching for FamilyAlbum on the web. And remember FamilyAlbum is all one word.

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404: Casey O'Roarty: Joyful Courage & Parenting Teens Jan 08, 2020

Casey O’Roarty, Med, is a facilitator of personal growth and development. Her work encourages parents to discover the purpose of their journey, while also providing them with tools and a shift of mindset that allows them to deepen their relationships with themselves and their families. As a Positive Discipline Trainer since 2007 and certified coach, Casey has led countless groups through workshops and classes that have left them feeling empowered and excited about parenting. She also offers an engaging podcast, live and online classes, and individual coaching at Joyful Courage. Her first book, Joyful Courage: Calming the Drama and Taking Control of YOUR Parenting Journey launched May 20th, 2019. Casey lives in the Pacific Northwest with greatest teachers – her husband, and two teenage kids.

Casey and I have been running in parallel universe’s for the last couple years. I knew she was someone I wanted to connect with - and had a sense we would hit it off BIG TIME. Spoiler alert: we hit it off BIG TIME. Listen in and laugh along with us!

Listen in to hear Casey share:

How she lives and leads and makes sh*t happen as an unapologetic extrovert
The basic human need of connection and mattering and how it relates to Positive Discipline Parenting
The truth about your kids living in a reactive state
How to find the courage to be imperfect
How to move from the role of pilot to co-pilot when parenting teens
Managing your own narrative vs your teen’s narrative

Links Mentioned:

2020 Plan & Prep Pajama Party
Connect with Casey: Joyful Courage
Podcast: Joyful Courage
Live and Love with Joyful Courage FB group
Joyful Courage for Parents of Teens group
FB Page: Joyful Courage
IG Page: Joyful Courage
Casey’s adolescent mental health summit: Joyful Courage

Thank you to our sponsors:

Betabrand: Right now, our listeners can get 20% off their first order when you go to betabrand.com/shameless (shameless must be lowercase).
care of: For 25% off your first order of personalized care/of vitamins, visit www.takecareof.com and enter the code SHAMELESS at checkout.
Magic Spoon: Go to magicspoon.com/SMA to grab a variety pack and try it today! And be sure to use our promo code SMA at checkout to get free shipping.

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403: How To Pick The BEST Theme Words For 2020 Jan 06, 2020

Not gonna lie….

For years I thought this whole notion of picking theme words for the year was too “woo woo” for me.

I didn’t see the point. At all.

But then, a few years ago, I heard a colleague talking about her words for the year: Space & Grace.

And suddenly I was like, “I NEED THOSE WORDS IN MY LIFE #everydamnday!!!”

This was at a time in my life that I felt I had NO space and NO grace. I was overwhelmed, living in a lot of unknowns, and burning the candle at both ends - with no end in sight.

So, I borrowed these two little words - Space & Grace - for the year. They mattered. They helped me shift my perspective on my situation. They gave me hope and encouragement and strength during a phase of life where I felt I had very little control.

Ever since then, I have chosen words for the year. These words gift me intention and clarity focus. They create a filter through which I can make decisions for the year. They remind me who I am becoming.

Listen in to hear how choosing theme words for the year might help you (a ton), how to go about picking the best words for your current life and dreams, and how to give yourself just enough space & grace to patiently let the right words come to you so they can have maximum impact on your year.

Links mentioned:

2020 Plan & Prep Pajama Party

Thank you to our sponsors:

FamilyAlbum: Please find FamilyAlbum on your favorite app store, or by searching for FamilyAlbum on the web. And remember FamilyAlbum is all one word.
Openfit: Right now, my listeners get a 14-day FREE trial membership to OPENFIT when you text SHAMELESS to 505050.

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402: Dana Pake: Embracing The Detours With A Player's Mentality Jan 01, 2020

Dana Pake is a Seattle-based Shameless Mom to two daughters, Ellie (10) and Holland (7). A recovering people pleaser and perfectionist, she's a work-in-progress learning to savor the present and the impermanence of life with light-hearted flexibility. She's a lot like you. Working every day to be the best version of herself while simultaneously breaking the mold of her roles as wife, mom, daughter, sister, and employee.

Everyone has a story. Hers is punctuated by turning hardships into gifts. From her parent's divorce, living on her own since she was a senior in high school, weathering her father's suicide at age 19, outrunning Hurricane Maria and helping her husband through a difficult health episode, Dana has learned to metabolize hardship for inward and upward growth.

When she's not spending her days creating in real-life moments and human interactions that matter at events as an experience designer, you can find her planning her next trip to parts unknown (whether that's exploring new corners of the world with her family or discovering new versions of herself).

Listen in to hear Dana share:

The impact of her parents divorce and how she became a parental figure to her sister at age 8
The impact of losing her father to suicide at age 19
How she and her family narrowly escaped Hurricane Maria in Puerto Rico and set off on a year-long nomadic adventure with her husband and two young daughters
How she’s used work to hide, escape, and avoid pain, grief and growth - and how it’s caught up with her
Her family motto: embrace the detours
The power of the victim vs player mentality
How owning her resilience informs her personal and professional decisions today

Links Mentioned:

Thank you to our sponsors:

Talkspace: To match with your perfect therapist for a fraction of the price of traditional therapy, go to talkspace.com, Make sure to use the code SHAMELESS to get $100 off your first month and show your support for the show.
Best Fiends: Download FREE on the Apple App Store or Google Play.

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401: Do Not Let This Lie Damage The End Of 2019 Dec 30, 2019

Your social media feed is probably full of posts touting how awful 2019 has been. People who look back on a year of losses and defeat, eager to close the door and start over.

I get it to some extent.

And also… I think you are doing yourself a MASSIVE disservice if this is the attitude you choose to close the door on 2019 with.

You did a lot this year.

You did hard things.

You did big things.

You did brave things.

You learned.

You grew.

You prospered.

Sometimes you fell.

And you got back up.

You cleaned your wounds.

You kept going.

You are stronger for everything you endured this year.

You are better for all the times you fell.

You are tougher for all the times you ugly cried.

This was a year of lessons and learning that will serve you WELL in 2020.

And a lot of great things happened all over the world this year.

You don’t get to see that when you track the traditional US news cycle.

Listen to hear all the ways 2019 ROCKED in big ways and small. There will be some surprises in this episode for sure. I hope they inspire you to love your year and feel LIT UP about starting a new one.

I am proud of all the hard things you did this year.

I SEE YOU.

Congrats on your growth in 2019.

Links Mentioned:

2020 Plan & Prep Pajama Party
Bored Panda article: I’m Honestly Fed Up With All The Bad News, So I Illustrated 50 Of The Best Ones From 2019

Thank you to our sponsor:

Stitch Fix Kids: Get started today at StitchFix.com/KIDS/shameless to try Stitch Fix and get an extra 25% off when you keep everything in your box! And as a bonus, Stitch Fix will waive their $20 styling fee when you use this show’s special URL!

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400: Ali Levine: Stripped, PPD, and Peace In The Pause Dec 25, 2019

Born and raised in New York, Ali Levine has worked for some of the biggest names in the Fashion industry including Fragments, Coach, Talbots and Target as part of development and design.

Ali relocated to Los Angeles, California where she fell head over heels in love with wardrobe styling. She is an expert when it comes to creating looks for her celebrity clients. From red carpet appearances, music videos to world tours, Ali a unique thumbprint that displays her talent as a Fashion stylist.

Ali's New York persona took the limelight, when she recently appeared with her husband on Bravo's hit show, "Stripped." As a TV correspondent, she's covered red carpet events for Celebrity Page TV and makes regular appearance promoting herself as a brand. Ali's vibrant personality lights up the red carpet and tv appearance. After Ali's recent birth of her daughter Amelia, Ali has transitioned to mompreneur and mommy influencer across the board.

Listen in to hear Ali share:

Why confidence is your greatest accessory and how to step into your confidence when you’re really not feeling it
Her philosophy around “there is peace in the pause” especially when life feels chaotic
Her (NAKED) experience on the Bravo show Stripped
How being on Stripped prepared her for her traumatic birth experience and postpartum depression
The specific steps she took to work through postpartum depression
Her use of CBD in her postpartum depression recovery
How PPD prepared her for all that comes with motherhood

Links mentioned:

Thank you to our sponsor:

Literati: For a limited time, go to Literatibooks.com and use promo code SHAMELESS for $20 off your first box. Plus, kids three and up get a special blacklight pen.

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399: The 4 Biggest Gifts Of 400 Episodes Dec 23, 2019

This is the week!!

On Christmas day, the SMA will celebrate 400 episodes.

DAMN.

That’s not a small milestone.

I have learned so much on this journey and I thought it would be fun to share some of the vulnerable behind the scenes moments with you.

Listen in to hear:

The top 4 gifts I’ve gleaned over 400 episodes

The guests that I’ve been most nervous for

A few of my most vulnerable moments on the show

The parts that have looked awesome on social media, while being far less glamorous behind the scenes

I love sharing the show with you all. And I love sharing BTS. I think it’s alllll super important.

I can’t thank you enough for walking beside me on this journey. It just keeps getting better and that is in LARGE part because of YOU.

Love, love, love… Sara

Links mentioned:

2020 Plan & Prep Pajama Party

Thank you to our sponsors:

Hylands: For more information about Hylands, visit:
https://www.hylands.com/products/hylands-earache-drops
Zola: Sign up at www.ZOLA.com/shameless today to get your FREE personalized paper sample. Then use code SAVE50 to get 50% off your save the dates!

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398: Ariel Garten: How To Let Go And Free Your Mind Dec 18, 2019

Ariel Garten is a fearless neuroscientist, psychotherapist, mom, former fashion designer, and the female founder and visionary of an amazing and highly successful tech start-up Muse - a device that reads brains. She shows how through meditation and technology you can improve mental, physical, and emotional state to become our best possible self.

If you’re anything like me and have struggled to find the inspiration to meditate on a regular basis, buckle up. This conversation is going to inspire you to find your zen in all sorts of imperfect and easy to implement ways!

Listen in to hear Ariel share:

Why she stepped down as CEO of her own company when she became a mother
Her #1 tool to LET GO in order to build her dream life
How to teach yourself that you are not your thoughts
The neuroscience of meditation and how to dramatically improve your brain function over time
How to integrate meditation as an imperfect practice
The benefits of meditation for kids and simple ways to get started at a very young age
How to find the power to quiet your mind and truly free your mind
How to overcome barriers around fear in your mind

Links Mentioned:

Thank you to our sponsors:

Best Fiends: Download FREE on the Apple App Store or Google Play.
Stitch Fix Kids: Get started today at StitchFix.com/KIDS/shameless to try Stitch Fix and get an extra 25% off when you keep everything in your box! And as a bonus, Stitch Fix will waive their $20 styling fee when you use this show’s special URL!
Yumi: Head to helloyumi.com/ and enter promo code shameless for $60 Off your first month of Yumi!

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397: 7 Ways To Take Back Your Time Dec 16, 2019

Time is possibly your most valuable and finite asset. Especially after becoming a mom, it can constantly feel like there is never enough time.

Managing timing and having confidence around time management makes goes a long way in feeling confident you can achieve your goals. If you feel there is never enough time, you’ll feel like you never get to work toward your dreams.

If you feel like you have a good grip on your time, you’ll feel a sense of spaciousness in your days - as if you have the space to work toward all the things you want to make happen. This is a game-changer.

In this episode I’m going to share 7 ways to take back your time, including a slightly controversial opinion about unscheduling, canceling and quitting things every single week.

If you’re ready to take back some time in order to create more mental space and more time to yourself to work toward your dreams, create more joy, or just take a darn nap, this episode is for you.

Links mentioned:

2020 Plan & Prep Pajama Party: shamelessmom.com/pajamaparty
SMA Ep 105: 7 Secrets To Slow Down & Simplify https://shamelessmom.com/episode/105-7-secrets-to-slow-down-simplify/
SMA Ep 379: 4 Time Management Mindset Shifts For Moms
https://shamelessmom.com/episode/4-time-management-mindset-shifts-for-moms/

Thank you to our sponsors:

Talkspace: To match with your perfect therapist for a fraction of the price of traditional therapy, go to talkspace.com, Make sure to use the code SHAMELESS to get $100 off your first month and show your support for the show.
Rothy’s: To get free shipping on any order of Rothy’s shoes, as well as free returns, go to www.rothys.com and use the code SHAMELESS at checkout.

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396: Dr Cortney Baker: From Food Stamps To CEO To Closing The Gender Gap Dec 11, 2019

Dr. Cortney Baker is CEO of KidsCare Home Health, an 8-figure healthcare business serving children with special needs from Texas to Colorado. She was named the 2017 Texas Businesswoman of the Year, is a TEDx speaker and hosts the Women in Business podcast, where she shares inspirational stories of female entrepreneurs. As a leading authority on women’s leadership and a mother of three, Cortney is working to decrease the gender gap by inspiring women to lead with confidence and integrity. Using her depth of business experience and expertise, she is now helping grow 'grandbaby businesses' as she mentors and coaches creative women to shift from side hustler to CEO.

Listen in to hear Cortney share:

How she started motherhood as a brand new high school grad on food stamps
How supporting her sister who has MS inspired her journey to build a multi-million dollar service-based business
How can you build more power in your work, no matter what your current situation is
Why you need to “keep your scrappy” while you level up
Why she’s not willing to sit around and wait the predicted 100 years for gender equality to happen in corporate America (#screw100years)
How having a stroke at age 37 shifted the legacy she is building

Links Mentioned:

Shameless Mom Con Early Bird & Buddy Tickets: shamelessmomcon.com
Connect with Cortney: cortneybaker.com
Cortney on Facebook facebook.com/drcortneybaker/
Cortney on Instagram instagram.com/drcortneybaker/
Podcast: Women In Business
Business Road Map: cortneybaker.com/bizmap

Thank you to our sponsors:

Grove Collaborative: For a limited time, when my listeners go to Grove.co/SHAMELESS you will get a FREE FIVE PIECE gift set from Mrs. Meyer’s in festive holiday scents like Peppermint or Iowa Pine! Check out Grove and our special offer at Grove.co/SHAMELESS.
Native: For 20% off your first purchase, visit nativedeodorant.com and use promo code shameless at checkout.
Equal Parts: Get into the rhythm of the kitchen, with friendly and inviting cookware, coaching, and guidance from Equal Parts. All with free shipping and free returns. Visit equalparts.com and get 15% off any purchase with code shameless.

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395: 3 Things To Release By The End Of 2019 Dec 09, 2019

Before you get too excited about kicking off a new year and a new decade, I’m going to invite you to release a few things from this year and this decade that are no longer serving you.

While I don’t want to speak for you, I think many (maybe most) mamas could benefit from releasing these three things in particular:

Procrastination & Perfectionism (they are sisters, btw)
Other People’s Expectations
The Lie: Everyone Else Has It All Figured Out

If you want to make space for things that delight you and fill you up, you gotta release the things that are keeping you stuck and filling you with dread. If you want to make space for growth, you must see where your thoughts, beliefs, and behaviors are keeping you small.

So… let’s release all this ish together, shall we?!?

Tune in to learn why these 3 releases are particularly important.

Links mentioned:

Shameless Mom Con Early Bird & Buddy Tickets: shamelessmomcon.com

Thank you to our sponsors:

Honey: Get Honey for FREE at JoinHoney.com/SHAMELESS.
Third Love: To find the perfect fitting bra and get 15% off your first purchase got to www.thirdlove.com/shameless

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394: Mridu Parikh: Overcoming Overwhelm Dec 04, 2019

Mridu Parikh is a Shameless Mom of two teen boys, a Productivity Speaker, Trainer, and Coach who helps high achieving women skyrocket their time and energy while squashing overwhelm. She excites, educates, and entertains audiences all over the country on simple strategies to stop feeling scattered, overcome procrastination, and exceed goals, professionally and personally.

Her strategies on streamlining tasks and mastering habits have been featured in The Huffington Post, US News & World Report, Good Housekeeping and many other media outlets, in addition to her own ROKU channel with over 200 videos on organizing. A former serial procrastinator, Mridu is a best-selling author of "Accomplish It: 7 Simple Actions To Get The Right Things Done And Achieve Your Goals."

Listen in to hear Mridu share:

How her practice of saying NO has given her tremendous clarity
The power and importance of saying NO to yourself especially when you’re in the habit of creating undue urgency
3 tips to “doing it all” as a busy mom with lots of balls in the air
Her BPS method to minimize overwhelm and stress
The #1 thing moms say is missing from their life - and how to find it!
Why she calls BS on people who say that can’t have structure in their life

Links mentioned:

Get your discounted tickets to Shameless Mom Con 2020: shamelessmomcon.com
Connect with Mridu: lifeisorganized.com
Free download: 21 Killer Hacks To Stop Feeling Overwhelmed https://lifeisorganized.com/hacks/
Book: Accomplish It: 7 Simple Actions To Get The Right Things Done And Achieve Your Goals
Mridu on FB https://www.facebook.com/LifeIsOrganized/

Thank you to our sponsors:

Framebridge: Go to framebridge.com and use promo code SHAMELESS you’ll save an additional 15% off your first order.
Stamps: Right now, my listeners get a special offer that includes a 4-week trial PLUS free postage AND a digital scale without any long-term commitment. Just go to stamps.com, click on the Microphone at the TOP of the homepage and type in SHAMELESS.
Fabfitfun: To get $10 off your first subscription box go to fabfitfun.com and use the code SHAMELESS at checkout.

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393: Why Moms Need Self Care As A Discipline Over Indulgence Dec 02, 2019

The media has been lying to you.

They have been telling you to take bubble baths and drink copious amounts of wine and get manis & pedis all under the guise of self-care.

While indulgent self-care is awesome and important, self-care is about much more than the infrequent pedicure. And sometimes the habits we label self-care are more of an escape that fills a void than a tool that serves us (read: copious amounts of wine.)

The self-care you actually need is habits and routines that preserve your energy, promote excellent physical and mental health, and provide restoration from the hard days and long nights of motherhood.

This kind of self-care looks like going to bed earlier, maintaining an exercise routine, taking time for yourself before your family rises, going to therapy, practicing meditation, being conscientious of your wine and sugar intake.

This kind of self-care requires discipline.

I know it’s not sexy and sometimes it’s not fun.

Sometimes it actually feels like work, which feels unfair. But the results and the rewards will improve your physical and mental health, help you sustain your energy all day #everydamnday, and restore a sense of harmony that you didn’t think could exist - all of which is to say that your disciplined self-care might bring actual magic into your life.

Listen in to learn:

9 ways you’re doing self-care wrong
8 ways to mindset upgrade around your self care
Simple self-care upgrades that will dramatically improve your quality of life
The difference between self-care as a discipline vs self-care as an indulgence (and why you need BOTH!)

Links mentioned:

Grab your discounted Shameless Mom Con tickets: shamelessmomcon.com

Thank you to our sponsors:

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392: Stephanie Dalfonzo: Goodbye Anxiety, Hello Freedom Nov 27, 2019

Stephanie Dalfonzo is a speaker, coach, hypnotist, and author of “Goodbye Anxiety, Hello Freedom!” She’s been researching holistic, natural and scientifically proven strategies to calm stress and anxiety for over 20 years.

She is hired by people who are determined to create the life of their dreams but don’t know where to start. She helps them resolve past traumas to clear the way to truly living the life they’ve always dreamed of.

Sharing inspirational empowerment with simple action steps, Stephanie has freed thousands of people, from tweens to 82, from their anxiety, stress, and fears.

Listen in to hear Stephanie share:

The difference between worry and anxiety and what is normal worry vs abnormal or heightened
Simple and quick techniques you (and your kids) can use to immediately decrease anxiety
The power of cellular memory and the power of healing your cellular memory to release your traumas and anxiety
How you can change your brain to overcome anxiety
How to use meditation in a more positive and blissful way

Links mentioned:

Meditation app: Insight Timer
Connect with Stephanie: com/
Stephanie on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/stephanie.dalfonzo/
Stephanie on Twitter https://twitter.com/sdalfonzo
Stephanie on Linked In https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephaniedalfonzo/

Thank you to our sponsors:

Honey: Get Honey for FREE at JoinHoney.com/SHAMELESS.
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391: Why Moms Lack Self Trust Nov 25, 2019

From the time you were a little girl you were likely told to quiet or completely shut down your own instincts in order to make other people happy.

“Give Uncle Bob a big hug!”

“Wear the pink dress. That one looks the prettiest on you.

And then you watched your mom seek your dad’s approval and permission over and over as if it were required. Maybe it was.

And then you had your own baby and you got really good an ignoring your body as it screamed at you:

“I’m hungry!”

“I’m tired!”

“I need a break.”

You couldn’t eat or sleep or take a break because this baby needed you in order to stay alive.

And now you’ve existed for perhaps decades silencing your instincts in order to meet others expectations, make others happy, and keep babies alive.

And you’ve completely lost any sense of self-trust.

You wonder why you don’t know what you’re passionate about or why you can’t figure out your purpose or why you don’t even have a favorite food anymore.

It’s because you’ve lost the ability to trust your gut, to listen to your instincts, to trust that you are smart and worthy and qualified and deserving.

If you’re reading this and thinking, “SHIT. She’s talking about me.”, this episode is for you. This is where you get to start building back your self-trust. This is where you learn to get quiet and curious and conscientious. This is where you begin.

Thank you to our sponsors:

Talkspace: To match with your perfect therapist for a fraction of the price of traditional therapy, go to Talkspace, Make sure to use the code SHAMELESS to get $100 off your first month and show your support for the show.
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390: Hitha Palepu: Multi Hyphenate, Angel Investor, Shameless Mom Nov 20, 2019

Hitha Palepu is a Shameless Mom, a multi-hyphenate - an entrepreneur, investor, and author. She is the CEO of Rhoshan Pharmaceuticals, a specialty pharma company that develops injectable presentations of common oral drugs. Hitha is also an active angel investor, having invested in or advised 10+ women-led companies. How To Pack: Travel Smart for Any Trip is her first book and an extension of her popular blog, Hitha On The Go. Her #5SmartReads series reaches 35,000 women every week. Hitha is equally committed to philanthropy, serving on the board of Sundara Fund and Youth Represent, the steering committee of Lincoln Center Kids, and an ambassador of Beyond Capital. She lives in New York City with her husband and two sons.

I stumbled upon Hitha during some Instagram stalking and I haven’t stopped stalking her since. She is a woman with a mission - or like 37 missions. I’m inspired by her daily. I think you will be too. I think we all need a little more Hitha in your lives.

Listen in to hear Hitha share:

How she carves out self-care every single week, even on the fullest weeks
Her desire and methods around raising emotionally intelligent sons
How she is raising her boys in two heritages - as Indians and Americans
Her identity as a multi-hyphenate and all the roles she embraces
Her hobby-that-may-become-a-business, #5smartreads
How she got into angel investing, how it works, and how to get started

Links Mentioned:

Subscribe to Hitha’s #5smartreads updates: 5Smartreads
@hithapalepu
Instagram @tejalvpatel
Apps: Instapaper or pocket

Thank you to our sponsors:

Fabfitfun: To get $10 off your first subscription box go to Fabfitfun and use the code SHAMELESS at checkout.
Grove Collaborative: For a limited time, when my listeners go to Grove you will get a FREE FIVE PIECE gift set from Mrs. Meyer’s in festive holiday scents like Peppermint or Iowa Pine! Check out Grove and our special offer at Grove.
Best Fiends: Download FREE on the Apple App Store or Google Play.

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389: Holidays, Boundaries, PEACE & JOY Nov 18, 2019

Every year since launching The Shameless Mom Academy podcast, moms have asked me about how to manage families and boundaries around the holidays. So, every year I talk about it. Because I don’t believe you should compromise your joy to meet someone else’s needs.

I want you to own your holidays. Own your peace. Own your joy. Own the magic. Own the boundaries. Own your disregard for others' expectations of you.

That last part might sound harsh, insensitive, even downright selfish. And maybe it is. And maybe that’s ok!

It is not your job to manage the expectations of 4 sets of grandparents, 7 aunts, 3 uncles, 37 cousins, 4 step-siblings, a half-sister and a partridge in a pear tree.

IT’S NOT.

Your job is to meet the needs of your immediate family unit - to create joy and magic and meaningful traditions for these most intimate relationships with the few people you adore more than anyone else in the world.

It might be possible to do this and meet the needs of some extended family. And it might not. And that’s ok.

If you have any dread over the upcoming holiday season, this ep is for you. Tune in to learn how to prioritize all the right things (your joy and peace!) and how to set boundaries around all the noise (even if you love the heck out of those noisy folks!)

Links mentioned:

SMA episode 371: Train People How To Treat You

Thank you to our sponsors

Third Love: To find the perfect fitting bra and get 15% off your first purchase got to Third Love
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388: Farnoosh Torabi: The Intersection of Motherhood and Money Nov 13, 2019

Farnoosh Torabi a Shameless Mom of 2 littles, a celebrated financial expert, host of the award-winning podcast So Money, and bestselling author of multiple books, including her latest: When She Makes More. She appears frequently on the NBC Today Show and is the resident financial contributor for O, The Oprah Magazine. She is also part of the founding team of Stacks House, the first-ever pop-up museum dedicated to financial literacy and empowerment. Farnoosh studied finance at Penn State and holds a Master's from The Columbia Graduate School of Journalism. She lives in Brooklyn with her husband and two children.

Listen in to hear Farnoosh share:

Her relationship with money having grown up in an immigrant family that had to build financial security
How to talk to your kids about money in the context of your family’s values
The importance of teaching your kids delayed gratification with money
When to have your kids open bank accounts
Why she is owning being the purposeful breadwinner in her marriage - after previously claiming it was accidental
The global impact when women make more money
How she made more money after having kids

Links mentioned:

Join my FREE virtual workshop on November 16th:

5 Mindset Resets You Need To Shine Like A Mother >>> Shine

My interview with Farnoosh on the So Money podcast: Farnoosh
Book: When She Makes More
Connect with Farnoosh: farnoosh
Listen to Farnoosh’s podcast: So Money
Farnoosh on Instagram: Farnoosh Torabi

Thank you to our sponsors:

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387: 4 Things You Need To Be A BIG DEAL Nov 11, 2019

You are a BIG DEAL.

No, really.

You are a BIG DEAL.

And the sooner you embrace this, the sooner you can amplify your identity and impact in this world.

The world needs more of you.

Seriously.

We need you to SHOW UP and SHINE.

We need you to be LOUD and PROUD.

We need you to believe in yourself the way we believe in you.

If every mom knew she was the BIG DEAL that she already is, women would have exponentially more power in the world.

Being a BIG DEAL is not about leading with your ego or grandstanding all around town.

It’s about owning your strengths and gifts and talents so you can leverage them in the most powerful ways.

It’s about living in your confidence so you can cultivate joy and power while having a positive impact in your household, your communities, your organizations.

It’s about living out loud so you can lead with purpose, passion, compassion, and conviction.

There are 4 essential keys you need to embrace in order to own being a BIG DEAL:

Belief
Hope
Desire
Self Trust

Listen in to this episode of The Shameless Mom Academy for a deep dive on all four of these keys so you can be more of a BIG DEAL #everydamnday!

Links mentioned:

Join my FREE virtual workshop on November 16th:

5 Mindset Resets You Need To Shine Like A Mother >>> SLAM Workshop

Thank you to our sponsors:

Care: To save 30% off a Care.com Premium membership— visit Care when you subscribe.
Talkspace: To match with your perfect therapist for a fraction of the price of traditional therapy, go to Talk Space, Make sure to use the code SHAMELESS to get $100 off your first month and show your support for the show.

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386: Alexia Vernon: How To Step Into Your Moxie Nov 06, 2019

Alexia Vernon is the author of Step into Your Moxie: Amplify Your Voice, Visibility, and Influence in the World. Branded a “Moxie Maven” by President Obama’s White House Office of Public Engagement for her unique and effective approach to female empowerment, Alexia’s equal parts practical, poetic and playful delivery style makes her a sought-after speaking and leadership coach, consultant and trainer. Alexia has presented transformational keynotes and corporate trainings for Fortune 500 companies and professional associations, spoken at the United Nations and delivered a TEDx talk. She has gotten her gab on with media including CNN, NBC, ABC, CBS, and Forbes.com. She lives in Las Vegas, Nevada with her partner in business and life, Stephen, and their precocious, wide-eyed, preschool-aged daughter.

Listen in to hear Alexia share:

How to step into your moxie - and what that means & why it’s crucial
Why speaking triggers women's shame and self-doubt and how to work through this
Why speaking to large crowds can be easier than intimate conversations with just a few people
Why her first 8 weeks of motherhood were the worst weeks of her life
How she managed and treated her postpartum depression, anxiety, and OCD
How to teach your kids to speak with moxie and why it’s so critical - and her own experience of speaking with moxie when she was molested by a family member

Links mentioned:

Join my FREE virtual workshop on November 16th: 5 Mindset Resets You Need To Shine Like A Mother
Connect with Alexia: Alexia Vernon
Book: Step Into Your Moxie
Free Guide: Alexia Vernon
Social media: @alexiavernon

Thank you to our sponsors:

Stamps: Right now, my listeners get a special offer that includes a 4-week trial PLUS free postage AND a digital scale without any long-term commitment. Just go to Stamps, click on the Microphone at the TOP of the homepage and type in SHAMELESS.
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385: Top Tips for Managing The Winter Blues and Seasonal Affective Disorder Nov 04, 2019

Do you struggle with seasonal depression, the winter blues or full-fledged Seasonal Affective Disorder?

I recently asked members of our private Facebook group their biggest current struggle and I was overwhelmed with responses about the winter blues and seasonal depression.

I am not a doctor and I don’t want to minimize the importance of seeing a doctor and exploring medication if you’re struggling with depression.

In addition to medical support, there are so many ways to support your mental health as we enter these darker months. And much of this support starts now - from a proactive place.

In this episode, I talk you through a variety of simple lifestyle upgrades (yes, upgrades!) that can have a profound impact on your mental health and quality of life during these winter months.

You will learn how to:

ID depression stressors and triggers
Tune into your body and needs
Shift your perspective on self-care
Incorporate more joy
Stay more connected during these months that can often feel very isolating

Please share this episode with others who may be struggling as we enter these winter months. Your support could deeply impact another mama’s life.

Links Mentioned:

Join my FREE virtual workshop: 5 Mindset Resets You Need To Shine Like A Mother >>> shamelessmom.com/shine

Thank you to our sponsors:

Blue Apron: Check out this week’s menu and get sixty dollars off when you visit Blue Apron.
care of: For 25% off your first order of personalized care/of vitamins, visit Take Care Of and enter the code SHAMELESS at checkout.

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384: Tavona Givens: The Gifts Of Grief After Becoming A Widow Oct 30, 2019

Tavona Givens is a Shameless Mom to two sons, a coach, writer, speaker, and a widow. She has always been in the business of healing, as a massage therapist and reiki master for over 13 years. She has developed an exceptional way of building trust and connection with every person she works with. With the sudden passing of her husband in 2014, it has been her mission to create space for widowed mamas like herself to use their pain as a catalyst for growth. She is the proud mother of two sons James and Jordan. She lives for family, travel, waterfronts, podcasts, chocolate, laughter, and random acts of kindness. She holds a Bachelors in Liberal Arts, Master’s in Public Administration, and is VP of Education for ToastMasters. She is currently preparing to launch her own podcast.

Tavona life was flipped upside down literally overnight with the very sudden passing of her husband, James. I heard Tavona’s story a couple years ago when she first joined my community and I knew I wanted to have her on as a guest someday. I am so honored to have her here to share what grief has looked like for her.

Listen in to hear Tavona share:

The intimate details of losing her husband very quickly and completely unexpectedly
The trajectory of her grief and what it looks like 5 years after losing her husband
How her boundaries and badassery have strengthened as she’s worked through grief
The theory and impact of “widow brain”
Her belief that trauma is not our destiny - it’s our greatest catalyst for growth
How joy and hope and pain and grief all coexist
How she’s rebuilt her life on her terms - including writing her ideal life narrative

Links Mentioned:

Thank you to our sponsors:

Talkspace: To match with your perfect therapist for a fraction of the price of traditional therapy, go to Talkspace, Make sure to use the code SHAMELESS to get $65 off your first month and show your support for the show.
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383: The Four C's You Need To Lead Oct 28, 2019

You are a leader. There is no way around it. #sorrynotsorry

You lead in your household. You lead in your community. You lead in your profession. You lead in your relationships.

You are a leader.

So, how are you stepping into that role? How do you lead with integrity? How do you lead with compassion? How do you lead with just the right amount of power and purpose to inspire others to follow?

There are 4 key characteristics to every great leader, whether they are leading a family of 4 or a multimillion-dollar organization: courage, confidence, compassion, and curiosity.

All 4 complement each other in a very synergistic way. And when you have all 4 dialed in you can lead in the most dynamic ways - where you’re working in your greatest strengths, inspiring others to take positive action, and having the most profound impact.

Listen in to learn how to more fully step into your role as a leader in order to get more of what you want and have the most impact along the way.

Thank you to our sponsors:

Openfit: Join the Openfit 30-day challenge and get a special extended 30-day free trial membership to Openfit when you text SHAMELESS to 303030.
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382: Jessica Sinarski: Science, Trauma, and Brave Brains Oct 23, 2019

Jessica Sinarski is a Shameless Mom of 3, a clinical supervisor, consultant, writer, and educator. She is the author of RILEY THE BRAVE (available in English and Spanish) and the founder of BraveBrains, an organization committed to helping adults living and working with children who have experienced abuse, neglect, or significant losses.

Jessica is a thought leader in connecting neuroscience with practice in adult-child relationships and has shared her expertise as a contributor to Fostering Families magazine, Adoptalk, blogs, and podcasts. She has trained thousands of parents and professionals across the country and maintains a private practice in Delaware, incorporating neurofeedback and attachment-based therapeutic models.

Jessica shares some GOLD here as it pertains to our brains, our childrens’ brains, and how we can reverse stress to the brain. I learned so much in this conversation. I think you will too!

Listen in to hear Jessica share:

The major benefits of understanding brain function - to give you power and massive insight to improve the way you live and parent
What is the most important thing for moms to know about the brain - for yourselves and your kids
The impact of stress on a baby/child’s brain - and why it’s reversible
The power of turning toward our trauma instead of hiding it and/or hiding from it

Links mentioned:

Connect with Jessica: Brave Brains
Take the ACE Assessment
Book: Parenting the Whole-Brain Child
Twitter @jessicasinarski
IG/FB: @rileythebrave

Thank you to our sponsors:

Literati: For a limited time, go to Literati and use promo code SHAMELESS for $20 off your first box. Plus, kids three and up get a special blacklight pen.
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381: My Secret Formula For Growth Oct 21, 2019

It is no secret that the people you spend the most time with will rub off on you. This begs the question - are you spending time with the right people?

Are you investing in relationships with people who inspire you, push you, hold you accountable, cheer for you?

Are you investing in relationships with people who have similar core values, who want to do good for the greater good, who want to elevate others as they climb, who want to elevate those who have less privilege?

Are you investing in relationships with people who are doing big things, scary things, great things - the things you want to do?

The relationships you invest in will determine your path, your growth, and your joy. And in many cases, they will clear the path for you, expediting your growth, bringing you joy you never thought possible.

Listen in to hear why you must get yourself in the room with like-minded mamas and my secret growth formula that makes the relationships you build in these rooms invaluable to your growth.

Links mentioned:

Join our free Facebook group: Facebook
Get your limited-time Early Bird ticket to Shameless Mom Con 2020

Thank you to our sponsors:

Rothy’s: To get free shipping on any order of Rothy’s shoes, as well as free returns, go to Rothy's and use the code SHAMELESS at checkout.
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380: Dana V. Adams: Live Your Gift Oct 16, 2019

Dana V. Adams is a Shameless Mom of 4 boys, the founder of the Life Mapping Institute, author of Live Your Gift and the Live Your Gift Companion Guide, and considered one of the country’s top thought leaders on the life mapping process. For decades, first as a student and now as a teacher and mentor, Dana has inspired, empowered, and led thousands to embrace their life’s gifts to live happy, abundant and authentic lives. She leads the highly acclaimed Life Mapping Workshop to corporations and individuals.

Dana’s life was deeply impacted by life mapping a few years ago, so she took it upon herself to reach out to the creator of the concept, Bill Cohen, to ask him if they collaborate - major Shameless move! He said yes and Dana has had the opportunity to build a truly transformational program at the Life Mapping Institute as a result of this collaboration.

Listen in to hear Dana share:

The process of breaking through the fear around setting goals
How she got out of paralyzing fear in order to create space to go after her dreams of writing and speaking
How losing her mom by suicide shifted her ability to resist perfectionism and start taking risks to become an author
The power of putting things in the context they need to be in order to overcome her family stories around incest and suicide
What her intuition feels like and how she has learned to listen to it more often
How life mapping can get you in deeper touch with your intuition
The importance of having a deep and clear understanding around the WHY attached to each of your goals

Links Mentioned:

Connect with Dana and find events: Life Mapping Institute
Dana on Facebook Life Mapping Institute
Dana on LinkedIn
Dana on Instagram Life Mapping Institute
Book: Live Your Gift

Thank You to Our Sponsors:

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379: 4 Time Management Mindset Shifts for Moms Oct 14, 2019

Do you suck at time management?

I get it. I’ve been there. Like, this week.

I have to laugh at the timing of this episode. I recorded it a few weeks ago, but at the time of writing this show description, my time couldn’t feel more tight. It has been one of those weeks where I’m constantly having to follow my own advice.

In a week when all the things are exploding and imploding, I’m having to be exceptionally clear around why I’m spending time on every single task - to make sure that I’m not prioritizing the wrong thing at the wrong time. This is HARD. This means that I’m dropping a few balls - on purpose. And that’s ok.

Time management is not about getting all the things done on time. It’s about getting the right things done at the right time. It’s about identifying what the “right things” even are.

Listen in to this episode to learn how to:

Work with your vision instead of against it when it comes to prioritization
Gain clarity around action steps versus tasks (so important!)
ID how you engage in procrastination and perfectionism (and how to stop)
Eliminate/automate/delegate

Links mentioned:

Enrollment is open for Momentum Mamas! Join our life-changing membership community here: Momentum

Thank you to our sponsors:

BruMate: Right now, Brumate is giving my/our listeners a special discount of 15% off your first order when you go to www.brumate.com and use our code SHAMELESS15, that's BruMate.
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378: Torie Henderson: Supermom is Getting Tired Oct 09, 2019

Torie Henderson is a Shameless Mom of two teens, a master certified life coach, public school teacher, and creator of LifeCoachingforParents.com. She has helped hundreds of overworked and exhausted Supermoms transform their parenting, their careers, and their lives. Torie is host of the Supermom is Getting Tired Podcast and is devoted to helping moms release the burdens and the guilt so they can truly enjoy this time of their lives.

Listen in to hear Torie share:

The connection between “helicopter parenting” and fear
Noticing our feelings vs judging and feeling guilt around our situations
How we can disconnect our identity from our children’s successes, struggles, and failures and recover from enmeshment with our kids
Why we must let our children experience negative emotions
How to stop over-parenting and do less for your children (especially teens!)

Links mentioned:

Enrollment is open for MOMENTUM Mamas for a very limited time at a big discount: Momentum
Join us at Shameless Mom Con 2020: Shameless Mom Con
Connect with Torie: Life Coaching For Parents
Facebook Page: Life Coaching For Parents
Facebook Group: Supermom is Getting Tired
Podcast on Itunes

Thank you to our sponsors:

Fabfitfun: To get $10 off your first subscription box (making it only $39.99 for $200 worth of products) go to Fabfitfun and use the code SHAMELESS at checkout.
Stamps: Right now, my listeners get a special offer that includes a 4-week trial PLUS free postage AND a digital scale without any long-term commitment. Just go to Stamps, click on the Microphone at the TOP of the homepage and type in SHAMELESS.
Blue Apron: Check out this week’s menu and get sixty dollars off when you visit Blue Apron.

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377: 17 Ways Motherhood Qualifies You To Be A CEO Oct 07, 2019

I’ve known for the last few years that motherhood is a massive qualifier for any CEO role. For quite some time I’ve been compiling lists in my head of different ways motherhood prepares a woman to lead and negotiate and teach and advocate at the highest level.

But when I sat down to create a master list of the TOP ways motherhood qualifies a woman to be a CEO, I could barely contain my excitement. The thoughts that had been swarming in my head for years came pouring out and the connections were so clear and so obvious.

It is not a stretch by any means to state that motherhood qualifies you to lead at the very highest level. In fact, I would suggest that in some (many?) instances those who are not mothers are significantly less qualified to lead at the highest levels.

Motherhood requires you to be a master multitasker, people manager, time manager, negotiator, decision-maker, action taker, planner, budgeter, teacher, coach, mentor, visionary, value creator, boundary enforcer, teammate and advocate who can be patient, persuasive, compassionate, fearless, agile, empathetic, resilient, intentional, resourceful, disciplined, determined, and tenacious as all get out. Tell me what other role, job, experience would make you more qualified to be a CEO?

You are capable of being the CEO of your life, your household, your community, and any other organization you want to build or lead. If you’re not 100% certain of that already, this episode is for you. Listen in. More than once.

Links mentioned:

Enrollment is open for MOMENTUM Mamas for a very limited time at a big discount: Momentum
Join us at Shameless Mom Con 2020: Shameless Mom

Thank you to our sponsors:

Lola: Get organic cotton tampons and other hygiene products delivered right to your door. To get 30% off your first order, go to Lola and use the code SHAMELESS30 when you subscribe.
care of: For 25% off your first order of personalized care/of vitamins, visit Take CareOf and enter the code SHAMELESS at checkout.

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376: Arianna Taboada: Maternity Leave As A Basic Human Right Oct 02, 2019

Arianna Taboada is a Shameless Mom, maternal health researcher, author, and owner of a consulting firm that helps female founders intelligently design maternity leave plans that meet their business model and personal needs. She draws from her expertise as a maternal health professional, combined with her experience as a business owner and mother, to provide highly personalized services for service-based entrepreneurs. Prior to her consulting practice, Arianna worked on maternal health issues for over a decade as a health educator, a social worker in a mental health clinic, a reproductive health researcher, and a yoga therapist.

Listen in to hear Arianna share:

How to approach maternity leave as experimental and not templated - understanding that you cannot predict what your situation might be
The necessity of framing maternity leave as a basic human right
3 tips to “babyproof your business” for entrepreneur mamas
Places and groups where you can connect with other new mamas in order to strengthen your social support networks
How to create a transition plan back to prepare to re-enter your work postpartum

Links mentioned:

Get your Early Bird tickets to Shameless Mom Con 2020: shamelessmomcon.com
Connect with Arianna: Arianna Taboada
Instagram
Postpartum Support International

Thank you to our sponsors:

Openfit: Join the Openfit 30-day challenge and get a special extended 30-day free trial membership to Openfit when you text SHAMELESS to 303030.
Talkspace: To match with your perfect therapist for a fraction of the price of traditional therapy, go to Talkspace, Make sure to use the code SHAMELESS to get $65 off your first month and show your support for the show.
Framebridge: Go to Framebridge and use promo code SHAMELESS you’ll save an additional 15% off your first order.

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375: The Danger Of Indifference In Motherhood Sep 30, 2019

You can’t afford to be indifferent. You can’t afford to not care or have an opinion.

When you let others have all the opinions and all the loud voices, you also let them have all the power.

When you let others play big while you stay small, you risk losing or never even acquiring what is rightfully yours.

When you don’t create space to own and honor your truths you miss opportunities to share your strengths, gifts, and talents with the world - massively limiting your impact and your legacy.

When we as women don’t show ALL THE WAY UP we pay the ultimate price - perpetuating sexism and gender inequality on a global level.

You might think I’m sounding a little dramatic here. A little “extra”, as the kids would say.

I’m going big with this statement and my beliefs around this because I’m not willing to passively perpetuate gender inequality and I’m not interested in growing a community of passive women who want to stay cozy and comfy with the status quo.

I’m here for you - and for your power, your gifts, your opinions, your stories, and the legacy you’re building. I’m here to see you get the promotion, get the raise, get a seat at the board room table and rock the mic on the biggest stages.

So, let’s go be a little extra together, shall we?

Links mentioned:

Get your Early Bird tickets to Shameless Mom Con 2020: Shameless Mom Con

Book: Moment of Lift by Melinda Gates

Thank you to our sponsors:

Homer: Visit Homer to start a free 30-day trial.
Third Love: To find the perfect fitting bra and get 15% off your first purchase got to Third Love

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374: Angela Lewis: Embracing Motherhood & Hollywood Sep 25, 2019

Rising star Angela Lewis has garnered many roles in some of the most illustrious off-Broadway play productions to award-winning drama television series. Angela will make her return as ‘Aunt Louie’ on season 3 of the FX series, “Snowfall” created by award-winning director, John Singleton. Her role as ‘Aunt Louise Saint,’ a drug-addict with big dreams in the middle of the 1980’s crack cocaine epidemic in South-Central LA, is set to showcase her artistic talent of acting.

With appearances in many popular hit TV shows, such as “iCarly”,“Code Black”, and “Ocean Mysteries with Jeff Corwin,'' Lewis is sure to show the industry her never-ending talent.

Now residing in Los Angeles with her husband, Lewis spends her time between her film and TV projects by giving back to charities that have been significant to her such as Cancer Society of America, Black & Missing, and Leukemia Lymphoma Society.

Listen in to hear Angela share:

The impact of playing the role of a women from circumstances vastly different than her own
The contrast of the War on Drugs in the 80’s between the opioid epidemic today
The difference between “struggling” and putting in the hard work
How she navigates being in the “machine” of Hollywood
The growth, evolution, and accountability she wants to see in Hollywood

Links mentioned:

Connect with Angela on Instagram

Join our free private FB group: Shameless Mom

Join us for Shameless Mom Con 2020! Get your Early Bird tickets here!

Thank you to our sponsors:

Grove Collaborative: For a limited time, when my listeners go to Grove Collaborative you will get a FREE FIVE PIECE Gift Set from Mrs. Meyer and Grove, free shipping AND a free 60-day VIP trial! Check out Grove and our special offer at Grove.
Precious: Go to Precious App slash SHAMELESS and start your FREE three-day trial to Baby Art Unlimited.
Brooklinen: Get 10% off AND free shipping when you use promo code SHAMELESS at Brooklinen.

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373: 5 Ways To Build Something You're Ridiculously Proud Of Sep 23, 2019

When the inspiration for this episode hit me I got super excited. Typical.

But then I got a little worried. Not typical.

I worried that I would put an episode out there that told you all to “BUILD SOMETHING!” and you all would say:

“HOW?”

“ WHEN?”

“ WHYYYYY????”

Look, you work your butt off as it is. I SEE YOU. You hustle like a mother to get yourself and the kids out the door in the morning, to run a household, to reach your professional aspirations, to keep allll the balls in the air.

And now I’m gonna tell you to go build something on top of all that.

It’s a tall order.

And also….

It might be the key to your sanity, your joy, and your most ideal mental health.

You were born to create something - whether it’s creating a plentiful garden, a knitting circle, a community of like-minded women, a side hustle selling makeup, or an online business.

In creating something, you have the opportunity to tap into the truest parts of yourself. And this is crucial in motherhood. One of the most important parts of managing the motherload of motherhood is staying connected to YOU - and those parts of your identity that exist outside of marriage and motherhood that don’t have a ton of opportunity to SHINE unless you make the time to let them shine.

In this episode, I’m going to talk you through 4 reasons to build something outside of marriage and motherhood and 5 ways to get to building. Building something that you’re ridiculously proud of doesn’t have to consume a ton of time and energy. And chances are the thing you build will actually give you energy and motivation in other areas of your life.

Are you ready? Let’s do this!

Links Mentioned:

Join our free private FB group: Shameless Mom

Join us for Shameless Mom Con 2020! Get your Early Bird tickets here!

Thank you to our sponsors:

Rothy’s: To get free shipping on any order of Rothy’s shoes, as well as free returns, go to Rothy's and use the code SHAMELESS at checkout.
Literati: For a limited time, go to Literati and use promo code SHAMELESS for $20 off your first box. Plus, kids three and up get a special blacklight pen.

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372: CrisMarie Campbell and Susan Clarke: The Beauty of Conflict Sep 18, 2019

CrisMarie Campbell and Susan Clarke are the co-founders of Thrive Inc. They’ve spent 20 years helping men, women, couples, and teams to resolve difficult conflicts and create strong, thriving relationships. They’ve written two books: The Beauty of Conflict and The Beauty of Conflict for Couples. They’ve given presentations on conflict resolution, communication, teamwork, and creative problem-solving at Fortune 100 companies like Johnson & Johnson, Microsoft, AT&T, and Nationwide, as well as, at organizations like the Gates Foundation, University of Washington Medical Center, and San Francisco Giants and many others. They also run transformational retreats for couples several times a year, including Couples Mojo and Couples Alive. They live and work in Northwest Montana.

As someone who has historically been pretty conflict avoidant and was raised by two very conflict avoidant parents, I knew this conversation would be a good one for me to participate in! I learned a lot in this conversation and walked away with some new strategies that I’m excited to take with me in order to lean into tension instead of run like hell to get away from it.

Listen in to hear CrisMarie and Susan share:

Why conflict, not romance, is the key to a lasting relationship
Why walking into tension is important and powerful
How to use the 5-5-5 method of conflict resolution
How to grow and evolve in a partnership to share dreams and needs
Why compatibility is NOT the secret to a long and fulfilling relationship
Why you need to show up as a “FULL ME” in your partnership

Links mentioned:

Shameless Mom Con 2020 tickets are available!! Early Bird tickets and buddy tickets are on super sale here: Click Funnels
Connect with CrisMarie and Susan
Get their book: Beauty of Conflict
Connect with CrisMarie and Susan on Instagram
Connect with CrisMarie and Susan on Facebook

Thank you to our sponsors:

Openfit: Join the Openfit 30-day challenge and get a special extended 30-day free trial membership to Openfit when you text SHAMELESS to 303030.
Best Fiends: Download FREE on the Apple App Store or Google Play.
BruMate: Right now, Brumate is giving my/our listeners a special discount of 15% off your first order when you go to Brumate and use our code SHAMELESS, that's BruMate.

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371: Train People How To Treat You Sep 16, 2019

People will treat you according to your boundaries. If you let people walk all over you, they’ll keep walking all over you. If you let people spit on your face in the middle of your living room (or on Facebook), they’ll keep doing it.

You have every right to have high standards and high expectations around how others are allowed to treat you.

It’s ok to expect people to act in high integrity.

It’s ok to let people know certain things don’t fly.

It’s ok to draw a line in the sand and say, “NO MORE.”

You deserve to be treated like the queen you are. You deserve to expect and demand respect from others. And when that doesn’t happen, you need to make it clear that it’s not ok and you will not stand for it.

Listen in to learn 5 ways how you can better train people how to treat you #everydamnday - including powerful and painful examples from my own life and a major lesson from the queen herself, Brene Brown.

Links Mentioned:

Shameless Mom Con 2020 tickets are available!! Early Bird tickets and buddy tickets are on super sale here: Shameless Mom

Thank you to our sponsors:

Talkspace: To match with your perfect therapist for a fraction of the price of traditional therapy, go to Talkspace, Make sure to use the code SHAMELESS to get $65 off your first month and show your support for the show.
BarkBox: Get a FREE EXTRA MONTH of Barkbox with any 6 or 12-month subscription by visiting BarkBox.

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370: Michelle Barry Franco: The Power & Gifts of Transformational Speaking Sep 11, 2019

Michelle Barry Franco is a Shameless Mom to three teen daughters who works with founders and entrepreneurs, especially coaches & wellness experts, who want to become recognized leaders in their industry through speaking and thought leadership. She has helped many clients share their message and story on TEDx stages and at the best conferences in their industry, and along the way grow thriving businesses that make a positive difference in the world. Michelle is the author of Beyond Applause: Make a Meaningful Difference through Transformational Speaking and is the host of The Thought Leadership School podcast.

Listen in to hear Michelle share:

How the death of her brother to alcoholism turned her on to public speaking when she was just a teenager
How to build your own stage instead of waiting for others to invite you on theirs
How to get started as a speaker
If you should speak for free or only paid gigs
How speaking impacts identity (in all the best ways)

Links mentioned:

Shameless Mom Con 2020 tickets are available!! Early Bird tickets are on super sale here: Shameless Mom
Get a free digital copy of Michelle’s book: Beyond Applause: Make a Meaningful Difference through Transformational Speaking
Connect with Michelle: Michelle Barry Franco and The Thought Leadership School
Instagram
Facebook
LinkedIn

Thank you to our sponsors:

Lovevery: Save $15 off your Play Kit subscription at Loveveryand use the code SHAMELESS at checkout. Offer good until 10/31.
Native: For 20% off your first purchase, visit Native and use promo code shameless at checkout.
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369: Lessons Learned While Embracing Adventure Over Chaos Sep 09, 2019

I took a serious vow 10 weeks ago.

I vowed to embrace adventure over chaos for the summer.

I embraced this mission with all my heart.

I had a strategic plan.

I had a support crew.

I had hope.

And even with all that, this mission was HARD.

There is no denying that there were moments of magic this summer. There were plenty of those. And for that, I’m beyond grateful.

But I’m ending this season exhausted and in need of rest and reflection to figure out how I can do better next year.

Even in the face of fatigue, there were some valuable takeaways from my “adventure over chaos” mission.

I learned:

I can be wildly productive in short stints of time if that’s all I have
I can keep my business growing outside of the structure and routine I typically thrive in
I can ask for help and everyone will immediately lean in to help me
I can compartmentalize work and play more than I thought I could (barely, lol)
My simple routines keep me grounded, even in chaos (morning practice and workouts, mainly)
In the absence of full days to myself, small blocks of restorative time make a big difference
I’m not as immune to mom guilt as I thought I was

Listen in to this full episode if you’re also recovering from a season of overwhelm OR approaching a season of overwhelm. There are some powerful lessons shared that will help you through the hustle!

Links mentioned:

Shameless Mom Con 2020 tickets are available!! Early Bird tickets are on super sale here: Shameless Mom

Thank you to our sponsors:

Fabfitfun: To get $10 off your first subscription box (making it only $39.99 for $200 worth of products) go to Fabfitfun and use the code SHAMELESS at checkout.
care of: For 25% off your first month of personalized care/of vitamins, visit Take Care Of and enter the code SHAMELESS at checkout.

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368: Liza Harper: Destigmatizing Divorce Sep 04, 2019

Liza Harper is a Shameless Mom, a divorce coach, and lover of personal growth and meditation who has a passion for helping women breakthrough divorce! She has helped many through coaching and development in the corporate world for over 17 years and now shares these same skills and life experience to help women navigate their divorce and live their new beginning. As a twice-divorced single mom of three, she knows firsthand how scary divorce can be. With the right tools, time, and allowance of love and acceptance of where you are, creating your new beginning is right on the horizon- and she is here to help you get there and Live By your DESIGN.

Listen in to hear Liza share:

Her experience of weathering two very different divorces while raising small children
How to navigate the post-divorce learning curve to rebuild a life and define new boundaries
Why you should get excited about forgiveness and the magic behind it
How to navigate co-parenting with a partner who is stuck in a highly emotional, highly reactive space
The evolution of the stigma around divorce and why she completely owns her divorces rather than hiding them

Links Mentioned:

live By Design
Instagram
Work with Liza by emailing her at liza@livebydesign.me and using Shameless Mom in the subject line

Thank you to our sponsors:

Openfit: Join the Openfit 30-day challenge and get a special extended 30-day free trial membership to Openfit when you text SHAMELESS to 303030.
Framebridge: Go to Framebridge and use promo code SHAMELESS you’ll save an additional 15% off your first order.
Best Fiends: Download FREE on the Apple App Store or Google Play.

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367: 3 Back To School Routines You Need Now Sep 02, 2019

September is the new January 1 for moms. Truly.

We drop our kids off at school - FINALLY - and instantly have a renewed sense of self (and freedom!!) after a summer of adventure and chaos.

So, let’s treat this season appropriately. Let’s hunker down and dig into new habits (or the reintegration of old habits that fell by the wayside over the last 3 months.)

Let’s get back to what serves us as women, as leaders, as the CEOs of our lives.

Let’s get back to our proactive, planning selves who refuse to spend one more day in the exhausting existence of summer reactivity (please tell me I’m not the only one who got trapped here for a few weeks?!)

In today’s episode, I’m going to walk you through 3 powerful exercises that will allow you to take back your time and energy as you transition into a new school year and into the last few months of 2019.

We will cover:

How to delegate and reorg family roles so you can stop doing everything
How to integrate weekly family meetings (and the specific protocol my family is using)
How to integrate a simple morning routine that sets your entire day up for success

This is the best time of year to create new routines that serve you and your entire family. Take advantage of this time to learn how to thrive in your daily life.

Links mentioned:

Download my 15 Minute Manifest

Thank you to our sponsors:

Third Love: To find the perfect fitting bra and get 15% off your first purchase got to Third Love
Embr: Go to Embr and Save $50 with code SHAMELESS at checkout.

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366: Sarah Stevens: The Beautifull Project: The Truth About Fatness and Thin Allies Aug 28, 2019

After leaving a career in corporate healthcare in 2016, Sarah set out to find work that better aligned with her passion and purpose. As co-owner of Black Pearl Coaching and Consulting, she served as a consultant to small businesses and nonprofits. Through this work, she accepted a position as the inaugural Executive Director with Lead(h)er, a nonprofit that connects women with mentors to fuel career and community engagement - a position she still holds to this day. In 2018, Sarah launched The Beautifull Project, an entrepreneurial effort that combined her past professional experience with her commitment to pursuing purposeful work. Using the power of collective storytelling, The Project invites women back to their bodies, encouraging, and supporting them as they learn to use their voice and take up space. When Sarah is not thinking up big ideas for The Project, she is shamelessly momming 3 teens, writing, reading, teaching yoga, and leaning as far as possible into an honest, authentic life.

Listen in to hear Sarah share:

Her experience growing up in a body she deemed to be “too big and too much”
Her history of body image battles and disordered eating
How her Beautifull Project was born out of the moment her doctor prescribed her speed and a 600 calorie a day diet for weight loss
Why “being concerned” for a fat person’s health is a discriminatory crutch
How she’s embracing living in a fat body
How to talk to your kids about fatness and fat as a neutral descriptor
Why thin people must be allies for fat people if we want to create space for all women to live safely in their bodies and in their power

Links mentioned:

Connect with Sarah
Facebook: The Beautifull Project
Instagram: @thebeautifullproject and @seeing_sarah
The TED talk
Podcast: Beauti: The Interviews

Thank you to our sponsors:

Embr: Go to Embr and Save $50 with code SHAMELESS at checkout.
Grove Collaborative: For a limited time, my listeners get a free 5-piece cleaning set from Mrs. Meyer’s and Grove - a $30 value! Check out Grove and our special offer at Grove Collaborative.
Lovevery: Save $15 off your Play Kit subscription at Loveveryand use the code SHAMELESS at checkout. Offer good until 10/31.

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365: How I'm Raising An Emotionally Intelligent & Emotionally Capable Son Aug 26, 2019

Recently I’ve spoken out about the crucial importance of cultivating emotional intelligence in young men.

The official definition of emotional intelligence is: the capacity to be aware of, control, and express one's emotions, and to handle interpersonal relationships judiciously and empathetically.

Historically, men have not been raised to be emotionally intelligent, emotionally capable or emotionally available.

Historically, we have largely failed to raise men who can handle interpersonal relationships or relationships with their larger communities judiciously and empathetically.

Historically, we have taught men to stuff feelings, dismiss feelings, ignore feelings, and deny feelings. And the consequences are proving to be dire.

There are so many horrific outcomes when we have multiple generations of men who are unable to identify their feelings, express their feelings, and relate to other peoples’ feelings.

The result of generations of poor emotional intelligence among men is rape culture, diet culture, racism, sexism, men policing women’s bodies, rampant struggles with mental health, the addiction epidemic and so much more that we won’t see the full impact of for years to come.

This is disturbing and distressing to say the least.

Add to that the numbers and data we’re seeing around mass shootings - largely executed by young, white men - young white men who with known mental health struggles and/or dangerously radical views stemming from a lack of empathy and compassion for others. This is an emotional intelligence crisis.

The responsibility of raising an emotionally intelligent young man (a young white man, in my case) in our current landscape is a critical task that cannot be taken lightly. A number of you have asked me how we can do our very best in raising emotionally intelligent young men - and just how I’m facing this responsibility head-on.

In this episode, I’ll share the 8 things I’m doing to raise an emotionally intelligent, emotionally capable son. By no means do I think I’m doing it perfectly. But I think I’m getting a few things right and it’s all worth sharing if it helps any of our young men.

Thank you to our sponsors:

Talkspace: To match with your perfect therapist for a fraction of the price of traditional therapy, go to Talkspace, Make sure to use the code SHAMELESS to get $65 off your first month and show your support for the show.
Rothy’s: To get free shipping on any order of Rothy’s shoes, as well as free returns, go to Rothy’s and use the code SHAMELESS at checkout.

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364: Darcy Lockman: Mothers, Fathers, and the Myth of Equal Partnership Aug 21, 2019

Darcy Lockman is a journalist turned clinical psychologist and the author of All the Rage: Mothers, Fathers, and the Myth of Equal Partnership (Harper Collins). Her writing has appeared in the New York Times and the Washington Post, among others. Her first book, Brooklyn Zoo, chronicled the year she spent working on the psychiatric ward of a city hospital. She currently practices in New York City, where she lives with her husband and daughters.

I have invested a lot of time learning about building equitable relationships in the last year. As someone who likes to take on all. the. things., I know what it’s like to be the doer and the know-er and the gatekeeper of everything in the family. It’s an exhausting, unfair, and unnecessary burden that we can improve - drastically. I couldn’t be more excited to invite you into this conversation with Darcy and me.

Listen in to hear Darcy share:

What “good” dads get away with
Societal, multi-generational indoctrination of gender roles - even among progressive couples
The truth about maternal gatekeeping and the potential damage around it
The power of using your anger in adaptive ways to have a more equitable relationship
The research-proven struggles and burdens of the mental load of motherhood, especially in the first 4 years
Strategies to build a more equitable partnership with your partner

Links mentioned:

Thank you to our sponsors:

BruMate: Right now, Brumate is giving my/our listeners a special discount of 15% off your first order when you go to www.brumate.com and use our code SHAMELESS, that's BruMate.
Honey: Get Honey for FREE at Honey.
Openfit: Join the Openfit 30-day challenge and get a special extended 30-day free trial membership to Openfit when you text SHAMELESS to 303030.

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363: 8 Ways To Build Persistence and Power Aug 19, 2019

The path to anywhere worth going will be marked with unexpected twists and turns. There will be highs and lows that you can’t imagine - that will push you and pull you and quite possibly bring you to your knees.

Because that is the journey of the hero, the warrior, the survivor, the fighter.

The journey to anywhere worth going will take strength and tenacity and patience and persistence you didn’t know you had.

You will question yourself, your strength, your skills, and your values.

You will want to scream. You will want to cry. You will want to quit.

But you won’t.

You will persist.

Because you will remember where you’re going and why it’s imperative you get there.

You will remember that when the going gets tough, you do not sit. You PERSIST.

Listen in to hear how to build persistence in order to step into your power.

Links mentioned:

Thank you to our sponsors:

Brooklinen: Get 10% off AND free shipping when you use promo code SHAMELESS at Brooklinen.
Native: For 20% off your first purchase, visit Native and use promo code shameless at checkout.

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362: Carol Gavhane: Surviving Secondary Infertility Aug 14, 2019

Carol Gavhane is co-founder of Asha Blooms, a handcrafted purposeful jewelry company dedicated to inspiring and uplifting people.

Born out of her walk with secondary infertility, she and her husband created this business once it dawned on them that words and intentions really do matter. Each piece of jewelry is tied to a specific intention, and it’s their vision that others see themselves for who they already are – whole, loved, complete, courageous and renewed.

Everything about their first child was fairly typical, but trying to add to the family afterwards was incredibly difficult. During those years, they tried everything under the sun to get or sustain pregnancy - clean eating, support groups, fertility yoga, acupuncture, meditation, negotiations with God, many visits to the fertility clinic, and so on. These services absolutely helped as they provided comfort or bits of positivity, but there were many dark days thrown in the mix.

During this journey, Carol found a fertility bracelet that became a beacon of hope, a daily wearable reminder to continue on, which she did for nearly three years. Looking back, Carol credits science, hope, and intention with the creation of baby Henry.

I had the opportunity to meet Carol a couple months ago through a colleague and our connection was instant and deep. I relate to so much of her story. I know a lot of other mamas out there are with Carol and me, as well.

Listen in to hear Carol share:

What secondary infertility is and how it flipped her life upside down for 3 years
What infertility looks like on the outside vs. the inside of a woman's body and demeanor
How she found hope and comfort in an unlikely place
What inspired her to start a jewelry company and the special meaning behind her work

Links Mentioned:

Connect with Carol and see her gorgeous Asha Blooms jewelry
Asha Blooms on Instagram
Asha Blooms on Facebook

Thank you to our sponsors:

Stamps: Right now, my listeners get a special offer that includes a 4-week trial PLUS free postage AND a digital scale without any long-term commitment. Just go to Stamps, click on the Microphone at the TOP of the homepage and type in SHAMELESS.
Lola: Get organic cotton tampons and other hygiene products delivered right to your door. To get 40% off all subscriptions, go to Lola and use the code SHAMELESS40 at checkout.
Fabfitfun: To get $10 off your first subscription box (making it only $39.99 for $200 worth of products) go to Fabfitfun and use the code SHAMELESS at checkout.

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361: Take Off Your Armor, Put On Your Cape Aug 12, 2019

Are you ready for some truth-telling???

It’s time to take off your armor.

You deserve to embrace and appreciate all parts of yourself and your story, not just the pretty parts.

You deserve to reframe and reset your mindset around the struggles in your life, not settle for constant self-doubt and negative self-talk.

You deserve to get curious about who you are and where you want to go in life, not stay the course that is no longer lighting you up.

You deserve to grow and expand and become a more positive, powerful, purposeful version of yourself, not shrink in frustration and worry that you'll never get all the things you want.

Not only do you deserve all this - you are TRULY CAPABLE of all this.

You are capable of embracing all of you and all of your story.

You are capable of reframing and resetting your mindset so you can shut down that negative self-talk.

You are capable of getting curious about where you want to go in the next 3, 6, 12 months and actually starting to take steps to get yourself there.

You are capable of growing and expanding into a more positive, powerful and purposeful version of yourself starting right now.

If you're struggling with your identity - who you are, where you've come from, where you want to go - you are not alone. And it's time to take off your armor. The armor that you think is protecting you is actually holding you back from taking action, building momentum, and realizing what you're truly capable of.

Here’s what your armor might look like:

keeping people at arm’s length
Laughing when you are hurting instead of speaking up for yourself
Keeping secrets and holding shame around your stories
Playing small out of fear of failure or fear of looking silly
Making others look small in order to feel better about yourself (gossiping about other women, telling other women’s stories, passing judgment on other women’s bodies, choices, success stories)
Staying comfortable and stagnant instead of taking a chance to step into bigger roles/opportunities

Tune into learn 7 steps to take off your armor and put on your cape.

Thank you to our sponsors:

care of: For 25% off your first month of personalized care/of vitamins, visit Take CareOf and enter the code SHAMELESS at checkout
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360: Chrissy King: Strength, Power and Intersectional Feminism Aug 07, 2019

Chrissy King is a writer, speaker, strength coach, and self-proclaimed truth-teller with a passion for intersectional feminism and creating a diverse and inclusive wellness industry. She has been featured in SELF, SHAPE, BuzzFeed, Muscle and Fitness, and Livestrong, among others.

She empowers individuals to stop shrinking, start taking up space and use their energy to create their specific magic in the world. When she’s not serving her clients by empowering them to create stress-free and sustainable lifestyles and feel confident and empowered in their skin, she spends her time lifting all the weights, reading, traveling, and hanging with friends and family.

I have wanted to have Chrissy come on the show for some time. I’ve followed her for years online and her messaging always resonates with me. I think this conversation is especially timely given the Monday’s episode about Beyonce’s recent messaging around body image. While I recorded this interview before the Beyonce episode, there are a lot of the same themes and reinforced messaging around the power in protecting and elevating women of all backgrounds, shapes, sizes, orientations.

Listen in to hear Chrissy share:

How passion in one area of your life can ignite passion in other areas of your life
What intersectional feminism is and how it pertains to you
Her terrifying move to publish an article titled, “Is Fitness Only For Thin White Women?” - and the response it drew
The importance of noticing inclusion and diversity in ALL spaces - and why you need to call it out when it’s missing (which it usually is)
How to manage your evolving relationship with your body

Links mentioned:

Facebook: Chrissy King Fitness

Instagram: I Am Chrissy King

Twitter: I Am Chrissy King

Thank you to our sponsors:

Embr: Go to Embr and Save $50 with code SHAMELESS at checkout.
Framebridge: Go to Framebridge and use promo code SHAMELESS you’ll save an additional 15% off your first order.
Openfit: Join the Openfit 30-day challenge and get a special extended 30-day free trial membership to Openfit when you text SHAMELESS to 303030.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

359: What Happens When You Call Out Beyonce Aug 05, 2019

Last week I called out Beyonce in a social media post. A lot of really interesting lessons and insights came from the ensuing comments and conversation. I thought it was worth dedicating an entire episode to the results of that one social media post because it brought to light:

The difference between shaming someone and holding them accountable
How you can simultaneously be a victim and a perpetrator of diet culture
Why thin women need to protect and elevate plus size women
Why women should be hypersensitive to body shaming and how being dismissive of sizeism compromises women’s power on a global level
How you can appreciate and find tremendous value in someone’s work and leadership while not agreeing with everything they say and stand for

Thank you to our sponsors:

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358: Anne Moss Rogers: Honoring A Son Who Died By Suicide Jul 31, 2019

Anne Moss Rogers is a TEDx speaker and owner of the popular Emotionally Naked blog. She is a social media and content marketing expert who turned into an 'accidental leader' as a suicide prevention advocate after her son Charles, who suffered from depression and addiction, died by suicide in June 2015.

She has been interviewed by the New York Times and was the first suicide loss survivor ever invited to speak at the National Institute of Mental Health. Her blog, Emotionally Naked which focuses on subjects including suicide, grief, addiction, and mental illness reached over a half million views in its first three years. She has written a book, Diary of a Broken Mind that includes her son’s song lyrics, which will publish October 2019.

Listen in to hear Anne Moss share:

The warning signs of his son’s depression and anxiety
The days and events leading up to her son’s death
How she feels comforted and connected to Charles when she’s on stage talking about his death
How she finds purpose in her day to day life after losing her child
How she is leveraging technology and the internet to save the lives of actively suicidal people

Links Mentioned:

Connect with Anne moss
Anne Moss’s Blog
Anne Moss on Instagram
Anne Moss on Facebook
Special resources for Shameless Moms: Anne Moss
Help eliminate stigma, join the emotionally naked tribe and enter to win a free copy of Diary of a Broken Mind due out in October 2019.: Emotionally Naked (or text to join at 66866)

Thank you to our sponsors:

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357: Stop Making Other People Comfortable Jul 29, 2019

Women are raised to believe we should make other people comfortable. We should be caretakers of others needs and desires and feelings - even when it comes at a cost to our own needs, desires, and feelings.

Because of this indoctrination early in our lives, we also take it upon ourselves to make sure that we don’t outshine others - because that could make them feel bad or less than. Instead, we let ourselves feel bad and less than.

We make it a priority to make other people comfortable. And in many cases this means we shrink and play small in front of others. We don’t want to make anyone uncomfortable and we certainly don’t want anyone to judge us for shining too brightly.

So, we stay small, quiet, dull, demure instead - because showing up as bold, bright, big, brave feels too risky.

Here are some instances in which you might make others uncomfortable with your shininess and badassery, as well as put yourself at risk of other people’s judgment:

when you lose weight
when you run a 5K, 10K or a marathon
when you quit your job to stay home with your kids
when you make a lot of money
when you write a book
when you start your own business
when you go for a promotion
when you go back to school to get an advanced degree
when you put your child in full-time childcare
when you go on an epic vacation
when you take every Friday off
when you get weekly massage
when you buy your kid something fancy/”spoil” them
when you buy a bigger house
when you buy a tiny house
when you announce you’re a photographer/event planner/jewelry designer/lifecoach/blogger/podcaster, speaker, writer
when you say you want to be a mogul

Have you ever achieved one of these items and intentionally not shared it with others? You kept is small and private out of fear that others would be uncomfortable with your success or achievement and/or that they might pass judgment on you and dull your shine?

I want to encourage you to reframe how you think about other people's opinions. It’s not your job to tend to other people’s opinions. In fact, you should pay them no mind.

It’s not your job to make other people comfortable. Their discomfort is about them, not you. And it’s their responsibility, not yours.

It’s not your job to play small and stay small because others can’t or won’t step up and shine.

Your job is to SHINE LIKE A MOTHER.

And when you do so you will become a mirror that attracts people who want to see you in all your big, bold, brave badassery. When you start attracting these kinds of people, you will continue to be able to shine in brighter ways for all your days.

Listen in for a deeper dive and 4 ways to deal with the uncomfortable, judgy people in your life.

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356: Susan Hyatt: BARE #everydamnday Jul 24, 2019

Susan Hyatt is a master certified life coach who has helped thousands of women to

transform their bodies and lives. She’s the author of Bare, creator of the Bare Process, the Bare Deck, the Bare Podcast, and an online community called Bare Daily. With her fiery Facebook rants—including “Whoop Ass Wednesday,” where she reads a fresh batch of hate mail from Internet trolls and gives her sassiest response—Susan has gained an international following of women who love her honesty, humor, and fearlessness. Susan has been featured in Cosmopolitan, Woman’s World, Seventeen, and O: The Oprah Magazine, and was a Finalist for the Athena Award, honoring her work in the field of women’s empowerment.

Listen in to hear Susan share:

How she caught herself in cycles of emotional eating and how she stopped the cycle
How she moved from body hate into body love
How and why quitting diet culture will bring you more success (and more money)
The role of the patriarchy in inspiring her body love
How to use pleasure power instead of willpower to lose weight
Replacement habits for comfort and joy that don’t involve emotional eating or drinking
The importance of radical self-love and compassion and FUN in any achieving any goal

Links Mentioned:

Thank you to our sponsors:

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355: The Necessary Connection Between Courage and Confidence Jul 22, 2019

The truth about confidence is that it REQUIRES courage.

If you take a good look back at your life, I bet you’ll see a clear connection between the times that you took courageous action and the defining moments when you became more confident. You’ll likely notice that these moments all involved:

getting uncomfortable
doing it scared
pushing yourself further than you’ve ever gone
facing fears head-on

Some examples of this might include:

Applying for a new, higher-level job
Signing up for a 5K, 10K, marathon
Speaking up in the face of injustice
Reporting an abuser
Asking for a raise
Setting a firm boundary with a family member or long-time friend
Moving across the country
Leaving an abusive relationship
Showing up to an event where you don’t know anyone
Traveling alone
Skydiving or bungee jumping
Climbing a mountain
Having a baby
Advocating for your child’s needs
Starting a business
Leaving your marriage
Fixing your marriage
Starting a blog
Asking for help
Finding a therapist or coach
Getting healthy

Courage is contagious. When you do one courageous thing and subsequently build a little confidence, you automatically start looking for more opportunities to be courageous. Over time, you build momentum around being an action taker and dream chaser who enjoys the discomfort that comes with courageous action because you know the outcome will be a more confident sense of self, a more joy-filled life, and a world with bigger dreams realized.

When you don’t take courage action on a regular basis, you become complacent. You don’t see yourself as someone who can grow or meet new goals. You feel stuck, unmotivated, uninspired. This is painful.

So, choose your pain.

The pain of complacency or the pain of courageous action. One has a much more positive and powerful outcome.

Tune in to hear 7 ways to build courage that will train your brain to take courageous, confident, life-changing action on a regular basis.

Links Mentioned:

Enroll in MOMENTUM Mamas and get a complimentary ticket to Shameless Mom Con 2020: Momentum

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354: Laura Cathcart Robbins: I Was The Only Black Woman In The Room Jul 17, 2019

Laura Cathcart Robbins is a Shameless Mom, a writer, and a recovery thriver and survivor. In September 2018 she found herself in an all too familiar situation. She was the only one in the room. She was the only black woman in the room at Brave Magic, a famed writer’s retreat. After it was over, she wrote about her ‘only one’ experience in The Huffington Post and comments started flooding into her DM from people from all races, ethnicities, creeds, and nationalities who had felt ‘othered.’

Laura now hosts the podcast, The Only One In The Room, where she interviews a person about their ‘only one’ story each episode. On her show, you’ll hear raw, vulnerable, accounts from people who are like most of us. Laura’s hope is that The Only One In The Room will inspire a change of perspective in how we all see and hear each other’s stories. She hopes to make you think twice before judging the person standing next to you at a party, in the pick-up line at school or in a crowded subway car. Laura’s show and her work is for anyone who has ever felt alone in a room full of people – which is to say, her show and her work are for everyone.

Listen in to hear Laura share:

What it’s like to be the only black person in the room in 2018
The difference between visible only-ness vs invisible only-ness - like addiction, divorce, infertility, having a child with special needs
What it feels like to be the only one in the room and how we’ve all been the only one in the room at some point
The isolation of onlyness - and the antidote
How to create opportunities and cultivate your biggest gifts from your onlyness

Links Mentioned:

Thank you to our sponsors:

Get access to MOMENTUM Mamas and Shameless Mom Con 2020 during our wild & crazy Christmas in July event (starting July 20!) Get on our newsletter email list for full details: News Letter
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353: How To Build Social Support Systems That Serve You Jul 15, 2019

As you grow and evolve in different areas of your life it is imperative that you build support systems that serve you. This doesn’t typically happen by chance. It happens by design.

While this takes effort and often vulnerability, the value of safe and sacred support systems is immeasurable.

It is common to make the mistake of leaning on one person or one group for all your needs. If you want to be really well supported it’s important to have multiple networks and support systems to lean into.

Here are some of my networks/support systems (in random order):

Mom friends
Female entrepreneur friends
Podcaster friends
Running/workout/training friends
Forever Friends (high school/college)
My marriage

The purpose of these different support systems is that you need different networks to connect with people who are in the same place at the same time with the same needs, dreams, and interests. As you listen to this episode, you’ll learn why it’s not reasonable or wise to lean on one person or one group for all your needs.

It’s so important to build these support systems because:

You must have a place to shine
You must have a safe place to be seen as you grow
You must have sacred places to connect with like-minded people

All of this preserves your mental health, improves your sense of worth, and helps you build a more dynamic identity. AND all of this helps you minimize and mitigate loneliness, isolation, depression, and anxiety.

Listen in to learn:

How to build support systems that serve you
How to release relationships that don’t allow you to shine
Why some people are no longer your people and how to be ok with that
Where to find your squad and how to connect with them

Thank you to our sponsors:

Get access to MOMENTUM Mamas and Shameless Mom Con 2020 during our wild & crazy Christmas in July event (starting July 20!) Get on our newsletter email list for full details: News Letter
Scary Mommy Speaks podcast

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352: Kim Strobel: Surviving and Thriving After Living With Panic Disorder Jul 10, 2019

Kim Strobel is a teacher, a consultant, a speaker, a happiness coach, and an aspiring author. But her personal life is just as full. When she’s not firing up educators with her signature mix of excitement and experience, she’s a die-hard runner, an advocate for her community’s abandoned animals, and a family-oriented gal who loves spending time with her husband Scott, their four children, two grandkids, and three pups.

It’s tempting to believe that the Chief Happiness Officer herself has never known a down day. But the truth is, sometimes you have to live through darkness before you can thrive in the light.

Kim spent her childhood and teen and young adult years dealing with panic attacks and crippling fear. Diagnosis of a seizure disorder and full panic disorder followed and with them a burgeoning fear that she would never be able to achieve her dreams.

Listen in to hear how Kim overcame her crippling panic disorder and what her life looks like today - as a Happiness Coach, who is not immune to panic attack relapses.

Listen in to hear Kim share:

How she endured 8 years living with panic disorder, having 25 panic attacks a day at times
How medical intervention and CBD therapy saved her life
How to retrain your brain toward happiness
50% of your long term happiness is genetic, 10% is external circumstances, 40% is self-controlled/self-managed
Top 5 happiness habits
What your kids are really see when you show up imperfectly

Links Mentioned:

Thank you to our sponsors:

Scary Mommy Speaks podcast
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351: Dreaming, Doing & Decisiveness Jul 08, 2019

There is a huge difference between dreaming and doing. Yet, sometimes we confuse the two.

Dreaming lives in your head and your heart.

Dreaming doesn’t have a plan.

Dreaming is passive.

Dreaming doesn’t have a start date.

Dreaming doesn’t keep you accountable.

Dreaming is not an accomplishment.

Dreaming is picture perfect and linear, a series of perfect steps that take you to a perfect destination.

Dreaming is future-oriented. It’s about later… when you have time when the kids are older when the circumstances are juuuuust so.

Dreaming is outcome focused.

Dreaming feels indulgent and delightful, like something you might not even be worthy of.

In contrast…

Doing is your dream in action.

Doing is a plan.

Doing has a start date, as well as an end date.

Doing keeps you accountable.

Doing is an accomplishment.

Doing is not linear, its a series of highs and lows and lefts and rights and a few wrong turns that take you to a beautifully imperfect place that you’re ridiculously proud of.

Doing is action oriented.

Doing is present-oriented, not future-oriented.

Doing is step focused - not outcome focused - where you’re always considering, “what is my next right step?”

Doing feels scary, exciting, nerve-wracking, determined, and disciplined.

Dreaming definitely serves a purpose. It provides:

Hope
Vision
Clarity
Joy
Escape

Doing serves a transformative experience:

Sense of pride
Sense of momentum
Sense of accomplishment
Increased self-worth
New/evolved sense of identity

At the crux of dreaming vs doing is a lot of decision making. I would argue that decisiveness is the biggest struggle of doing. Making decisions toward your dreams (the doing) can be crippling. But for the doing to take place, the decisions must be made. You must become a DECISION MAKER AND AN ACTION TAKER. It is the only path to your dreams. Listen in to hear how to learn how to become a better decision maker and action taker - in order to be a DOER who realizes all her dreams.

Links mentioned:

Shameless Mom Con WaitList

Thank you to our sponsors:

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350: Katie Goodman: The Improvised Life Jul 03, 2019

Katie Goodman is an award-winning musical comedian, author, speaker, and life-coach. She is a nationally touring keynote speaker on the topic of using the tools of improv comedy in everyday life.

Her musical comedy show, “Broad Comedy,” runs Off-Broadway and tours across the country. She has been seen on Showtime, on Current TV, and on TruTV. Her comedy videos, having amassed 3 million views, can be viewed online. She received a Time Out New York Critic’s Pick for Best Cabaret and is signed with Comedy Dynamics, North America’s largest independent record label. Her album “Halfway Closer To Dead” is available on iTunes. As a keynote speaker, workshop leader and trainer, Katie has taught over 10,000 people the art of improvisational comedy. She writes for O Magazine and is the author of Improvisation For The Spirit: Living A More Creative, Spontaneous and Courageous Life Using The Tools of Improv Comedy. And you’ll definitely want to check out her podcast, The Improvised Life with Katie Goodman.

Listen in to hear Katie share:

How you’re already using improvisation in your life - and how to use it more to your advantage
Why learning improvisation is a valuable life skill
How to practice getting lost and living in unpredictability - especially if you’re a control freak
How to live more authentically by refusing to compete
How to use improv to change your parenting game
The magic of creating space in moments where you feel you have no control

Links mentioned:

Connect with Katie
Tune into Katie’s podcast: The Improvised Life
YouTube video: Half Way Closer To Dead
Free Resource: Gag Your Inner Critic Worksheet
Katie’s Website
Katie’s Facebook
Katie’s Instagram
Katie’s Twitter

Thank you to our sponsors:

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349: 9 Ways To Improve Your Self Worth Jul 01, 2019

I have recently had multiple mamas reach out to me to ask me to do an episode on self-worth.

AND I’ve been repeatedly noticing that questioning one’s worthiness is a common stumbling block for a number of my coaching clients. In fact, perhaps the most common stumbling block.

When it comes to self-worth, we need to look at a few things:

Why do you feel a lack of worth?
What is at the root of your struggles with self-worth?
How is lack of worth showing up in your life?
How is lack of worth holding you back in life?
What are the dangerous risk factors of not cultivating a strong sense of self-worth?
What simple action steps can you take to improve your self-worth?

Cultivating a strong sense of self-worth can take time - as many of us have been sitting in self-doubt and grappling with negative self-talk for years, maybe decades. But when you start to identify the root of your struggles and see some of the patterns around poor self-worth in your life, it can quickly become clear how you can change course.

Changing course doesn’t have to be big and overwhelming. It can be small, simple steps you take to integrate a more positive and powerful sense of self into your identity. And this can be SO FREEING. In this episode, I walk you through 9 such steps.

So, let’s get to it, shall we?

Let’s all step up and step into our badassery.

Links mentioned:

SMA Episode 341: How to Create Authentic Affirmations That Become Tangible Truths

Thank you to our sponsors:

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348: Priyanka Raha: Kids & Technology: Mentoring Over Monitoring Jun 26, 2019

After a successful fifteen-year career in the tech industry and noticing the amount of exposure her two young boys were giving to their tech devices Priyanka Raha took her passion for technology and her children’s future and launched her startup, PopSmartKids in February 2018. With PopSmartKids, she is driving the Mentoring-Over-Monitoring revolution and is committed to promoting digital citizenship and responsible online behavior. In June 2019, the company will officially launch PopSmartWrite, an interactive learning tool for children to create stories through writing.

Priyanka holds a Bachelor's degree in Engineering (Electronics and Telecommunication) and an MBA in Strategy and Systems from Purdue University. She has worked and lived in nine cities across India, US, and Europe, before settling in Seattle, which she calls home now. A core member of the Female Founders Alliance and other female founder communities, she is a zealous supporter of women founders and women in tech. This year she spoke about mindful and meaningful tech at the Women in Tech Regatta Seattle.

Listen in to Priyanka share:

How to shift our mindset around technology to be about mindful integration instead of a sense of constant invasion
How to use technology as a magic wand to support your child’s emotional development and create good global citizens
How to use technology to open up communication rather than shut it down
Playing the role of a mentor of technology use vs constant monitor and manager of technology use

Links Mentioned:

Join us at Shameless Mom Con 2020 on March 27th & March 28th! Get on the WaitList for tickets here: Mom Con 2020
Connect with Priyanka and Pop Smart Kids
Pop Smart Kids on Facebook
Priyanka on Facebook
Priyanka on Instagram

Thank you to our sponsors:

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347: Are You Stuck In Distraction From Action? Jun 24, 2019

I’m going to challenge you on something today. Are you ready?

I want to know how you get caught up in distraction from action?

Do you get stuck in vicious loops of email → social media → checking work data and never actually dig into the projects that will take your business or career to the next level?

Or maybe your vicious loop looks more like pick up toys → clean up kitchen → change laundry → check phone, over and over all day long?

Or what about the constant loop of researching → planning → list making?

Or maybe you make rules for yourself that distract you from the action - like, “I must wash all our baseboards and organize my closet before I start my [book/blog/podcast/apply for a job/write the email asking for a raise].”

Sound familiar???

All of this is a distraction from the action - busyness that serves as a facade for productivity. We mistake tasks and to do’s for goals and action steps. There is a huge difference though.

Tasks and to do’s don’t take a closer to realizing our dreams. In fact, they are often hiding places and safe spaces that hold us back from our dreams.

Conversely, goals and action steps are critical steps toward accomplishments that reap great benefits - much greater than clean baseboards.

Listen in to learn 5 steps to engage in MORE ACTION and LESS DISTRACTION.

Links mentioned:

Join us at Shameless Mom Con 2020 on March 27th & March 28th! Get on the WaitList for tickets here: Mom Con 2020

Thank you to our sponsors:

Paint Your Life: Get thirty percent off your painting. And FREE shipping. To get this special offer, text the word Shameless to 47-47-47. That’s Shameless to 47-47-47. Text S-H-A-M-E-L-E-S-S to 47-47-47. Message and data rates may apply.

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346: Leanne Kabat: The 5 Seasons Of Connection Jun 19, 2019

Leanne Kabat is the CEO of MamaCon, an award-winning conference for moms, and host of The 5 Seasons of Connection™ podcast.

She is also an author, speaker, parent coach, and former teacher who helps women live more intentionally, more confidently and more deeply connected to those they love using the transformational power of The 5 Seasons Strategy. Leanne developed this framework because in 2006 she received a medical diagnosis that gave her five years to live and every second with her three children mattered. Over a decade later, she is healthy, happy, and only two countries from reaching her life goal of visiting 50 countries before she turns 50.

This is Leanne’s second time on the show and she always brings all the goosebumps and truthbombs, so I couldn’t be more excited to have her back to share her brilliance once again!

Listen in to hear Leanne share:

How a massive brain crash and being told she had 5 years to live uprooted and improved her life
How to live like it matters
The unexpected magic she discovered in her mission to help 50 mamas in 50 days
The 5 seasons of parenting and how to navigate them
How to weather parenting storms and know when it’s time to plant new seeds

Links mentioned:

Connect with Leanne
Join Leanne’s free Facebook group
SMA Episode 108 Leanne Kabat: When You Only Have 5 Years To Live
Join us at Shameless Mom Con 2020 on March 27th & March 28th! Get on the WaitList for tickets here: Mom Con 2020

Thank you to our sponsors:

Paint Your Life: Get thirty percent off your painting. And FREE shipping. To get this special offer, text the word Shameless to 47-47-47. That’s Shameless to 47-47-47. Text S-H-A-M-E-L-E-S-S to 47-47-47. Message and data rates may apply.
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345: How To Be The Leader Of Your Life Jun 17, 2019

Someone is going to be the leader of your life.

Will it be you?

Being the leader of your life is a tremendous responsibility and a huge opportunity for all great things. How much are you capitalizing on that opportunity?

As we enter a new season - a season where many moms find comfort in commiserating over lack of childcare and the countdown to the first day of school, I invite you to consider how you can be the leader of your life to make this summer full of adventure, full of magic, full of fire - all on your own damn terms. Yes, that is all truly in your power.

Tune into this SMA episode for 4 powerful ways to be the leader of your life this summer - and #everydamnday.

Links mentioned:

Join us at Shameless Mom Con 2020 on March 27th & March 28th! Get on the WaitList for tickets here: Mom con 2020

Thank you to our sponsors:

Talkspace: To match with your perfect therapist for a fraction of the price of traditional therapy, go to Talkspace, Make sure to use the code SHAMELESS to get your first week free and show your support for this show.
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344: Nicole DeBoom: Mother, Runner, Visionary, Feminist Jun 12, 2019

Born and raised in the Chicago suburbs, Nicole DeBoom was a standout swimmer, qualifying for the 1988 Olympic Trials and later graduating from Yale University. She decided to pursue the sport of triathlon, and a lucky seat assignment introduced her to her future husband, Tim DeBoom (who would later become a 2-time Hawaii Ironman World Champion), on a flight to the 1995 Triathlon World Championships. Nicole started racing professionally in 1999, racking up countless podium finishes. During the final stage of her racing career in 2004, Nicole created and introduced something that had never been done before – the very first running skirt.

Shortly afterward, Nicole went on to launch Skirt Sports with the mission of helping women find inspiration, confidence, and courage through the transformative power of running and fitness. Today, Skirt Sports is a national women’s apparel brand offering a full line of products that fit real women’s bodies and support their busy running lives. Currently, you can find Nicole chatting with customers at the Skirt Sports Boulder flagship store, helping women change their lives through her non-profit organization Running Start, interviewing visionaries for her popular podcast Run This World and chasing around her 7-year-old girl, Wilder.

Nicole’s energy is as big and dynamic as her racing career. I think you’re going to love this conversation as much as I did!

Listen in to hear Nicole share:

How she went from being a professional athlete who didn’t want kids to have a daughter that completely changed her sense of identity
How she adapted to NOT doing it all
Her evolution from a professional athlete into a working mom with a mission (and the shift in identity when you no longer workout 3 times a day)
Her mission in building a company that makes athletics and working out more feminine and more accessible to women of all abilities and body types
What inspired her to start a nonprofit and the impact it’s had on other women

Links mentioned:

Connect with Nicole
Shop Skirt SportsUse the code SHAMELESS20 for a discount
Check out Running Start
Nicole’s Podcast: Run This World
Facebook: @nicoledeboom
Instagram: @nicoledeboom

Thank you to our sponsors:

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343: 6 Ways to Stop Staying Stuck & Lost Jun 10, 2019

Wanna know the very best way to stay stuck and lost in your life?

Keep telling yourself, “I’m stuck, I’m lost, I’m confused, I don’t know my passion…

Your words matter and your thoughts matter.

Your words create your thoughts. Your thoughts create your beliefs. Your beliefs create your actions. Your actions create your dreams – or your disasters.

If you’re telling yourself you’re stuck, you will stay stuck. If you’re telling yourself you’re lost, you’ll stay lost.

Soooo…

What if you started telling yourself, “ I’m curious, I’m looking, I’m learning, I’m exploring, I’m gaining clarity”???

If you tell yourself you’re learning and exploring and gaining clarity, you’ll start noticing new things around you. You’ll start seeing things in a new light. You’ll feel your perspective shift – because you’ve given yourself permission to be open to the process of growth, rather than staying shut off and unable to bring in a new energy.

You must stop blocking the very energy you need to get unstuck, the very energy you need to start finding yourself.

Here are 6 action steps you can take today to stop staying stuck in your stories and lost in your life:

Listen to SMA Ep 247 How to Pursue Your Passions
Upgrade your language
Get curious
Create space and grace for exploration, learning, dreaming
Write down your dreams and desires – the dreams you write down are the dreams that will most likely to happen
Don’t need all the answers now - recognize you’re in a phase and embrace the phase for what it is

Listen in for a deep dive into these 6 action steps!

Links mentioned:

SMA Episode 247: 7 Steps To Find Your Passion

Thank you to our sponsors:

Bioclarity: So go to BioClarity.com and get 40% off skincare routines PLUS an additional 15% off EVERYTHING on their Bioclarity when you use my code SHAMELESS at checkout.
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342: Christine Hassler: Managing Your Expectation Hangovers Jun 05, 2019

Christine Hassler is the best-selling author of three books, most recently Expectation Hangover: Free Yourself From Your Past, Change your Present and Get What You Really Want. She left her successful job as a Hollywood agent to pursue a life she could be passionate about. For over a decade, as a keynote speaker, retreat facilitator, spiritual psychologist and life coach, and host of the top-rated podcast “Over it and On With It”, she has been teaching and inspiring people around the world. Christine believes once we get out of our own way, we can show up to make the meaningful impact we are here to make.

Listen in to hear Christine share:

Her rock bottom phase: finding herself in serious debt, constantly sick, suffering from depression, estranged from family, in a broken relationship with her fiance
How to reframe “fixing” your life vs learning from your life lessons
How to navigate expectation hangovers
Why you shouldn’t prevent your child from feeling negative feelings
How we use spiritual bypassing to forgive too quickly
Why your inner critic must exist and to turn up inner wisdom to turn down your inner critic

Links Mentioned:

Connect with Christine

Podcast: Over It and On With It

Thank you to our sponsors:

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341: How To Create Authentic Affirmations That Become Tangible Truths Jun 03, 2019

If I’m telling the truth, I used to think affirmations were kinda ridiculous. In fact, a few years ago I tried doing affirmations every morning, as prescribed by someone else, and I just felt like a total fool.

About a year ago, I decided to give them another go – on my own terms. After some thoughtful consideration, I declared 13 affirmations that felt authentic to who I am. They felt a little uncomfortable, yes, but they felt concrete and actionable and in alignment with my core values – which actually felt powerful and exciting instead of ridiculous.

I have been writing affirmations pretty much daily for almost a year and I’ve seen my desire and ability to take confident and courageous action SKYROCKET. Since my technique has been feeling good and getting me actual tangible results, I thought it would be worth sharing with you.

Listen in to hear 9 steps to creating meaningful affirmations that become actual TRUTHS in your life. These are the actual steps I have taken to create the affirmations that I write #everydamnday – the affirmations that are actually deeply, positively impacting my daily life and my ability to reach my biggest goals ever.

Links mentioned:

Grab your ticket for my Bubbles & Blueprints Virtual Workshop on June 8th or June 13th

Thank you to our sponsors:

Care of: For 30% off your first month of personalized care/of vitamins, visit Take Care Of and enter the code SHAMELESS30 at checkout.
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340: Andrea Owen: Women, Wine Culture, and Why It's Not Ok May 29, 2019

Andrea Owen is an author, mentor, and professional certified life coach who helps high-achieving women let go of perfectionism, control, and isolation and choosing courage and confidence instead. She has helped thousands of women manage their inner-critic to create loving connections and live their most kick-ass life.

She is the proud author of How To Stop Feeling Like Shit: 14 Habits That Are Holding You Back From Happiness which has been translated into 16 languages, as well as her inaugural book, 52 Ways to Live a Kick-Ass Life: BS Free Wisdom to Ignite Your Inner Badass and Live the Life You Deserve.

When she’s not juggling her full coaching practice or hosting retreats, Andrea is busy competing in triathlons, chasing her 11-year-old son and 9-year-old daughter or making out with her husband, Jason. She is also a retired roller derby player having skated under the name “Veronica Vain”.

Andrea is a returning guest. I specifically asked her to come back to the show to talk my in-depth on a topic we didn’t have time to dive into in her first interview here - her alcohol use, abuse, and recovery.

Alcohol misuse among women is at an all-time high - because the billion dollar alcohol industry (run by men) is marketing wine to women as a daily coping mechanism. This is problematic is so many ways.

Regardless of your relationship with alcohol, I think you’ll learn something from this episode. Andrea is sober and I have 1-2 drinks on a regular basis - so you’re going to get two perspectives in this conversation.

Listen in to hear Andrea share:

The danger of stigmatizing alcoholism
How wine culture - targeted at women, especially moms - makes it ok to use alcohol as a coping skill
The danger of normalizing alcohol use in everyday scenarios
The truth about the mental gymnastics & negotiation around alcohol use
How she navigated her son’s autism diagnosis and her father’s death sober
How sobriety brought her courage and self-confidence to take on anything in life

Links mentioned:

Connect with Andrea: Andrea Owen
SMA Ep 194 with Andrea Owen: Your Kick-Ass Life
Resource: She Recovers
Resource: Hip Sobriety
Resource: The Temper
Book: This Naked Mind by Annie Grace
Andrea on Facebook
Andrea on Instagram

Thank you to our sponsors:

Stamps: Right now, my listeners get a special offer that includes a 4-week trial PLUS free postage AND a digital scale without any long-term commitment. Just go to Stamps, click on the Microphone at the TOP of the homepage and type in SHAMELESS.
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339: 5 Ways To Grow Your Growth Mindset May 27, 2019

Whether you are facing a day full of awesome or a day full of crap, you get to choose how you manage your head and your heart #everydamnday.

You can choose to let the universe get the best of you or you can choose to use your best self to get exactly what you need out of the day.

You can choose to see limitations or opportunities every single day.

You can choose to be sucked in and pulled down by circumstances or you can RISE UP and touch what feels positive, productive and purposeful.

You can shrink in fear and trepidation or you can remind yourself that you have already proven yourself to be strong, powerful, capable, resourceful, and resilient over and over and over in this lifetime – and today will be no different.

Every day you get to choose to tap into growth mindset – or not.

I’m not saying this is an easy choice – some days it’s hard, even grueling. But the more your practice the more your trust yourself – to stretch into possibility and potential and find what you want and what you need even in situations where it seems there is no way to win.

Listen in to learn 4 powerful ways to readily tap into growth mindset #everydamnday.

Links Mentioned:

Grab your ticket for my Bubbles & Blueprints Virtual Workshop on June 8th or June 13th.

Resources Mentioned:

Book: Mindset by Carol Dweck

Thank you to our sponsors:

Fabfitfun: To get $10 off your first subscription box (making it only $39.99 for $200 worth of products) go to Fabfitfun and use the code SHAMELESS at checkout.
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338: Dr. Saundra Dalton-Smith: 7 Ways to Incorporate More Rest and More Joy Into Your Life May 22, 2019

Dr. Saundra Dalton-Smith is an author, speaker, and board-certified physician. She has an active medical practice in Alabama (near the Birmingham area). Dr. Dalton-Smith is a national and international media resource on the mind, body, spirit connection and has been featured in Women's Day, Redbook, and First For Women magazine. She is the author of Set Free to Live and Come Empty (winner 2016 Golden Scroll Nonfiction Book of the Year and 2016 Illumination Award Gold medalist). She is a member of the Christian Medical and Dental Association and a repeat keynote speaker at their annual gathering. She has shared her tips on merging faith and medicine with over 16,000 health care professionals to encourage the current and next generation of doctors to treat the whole person.

I wanted to Dr. Saundra to come on the show to talk about her new book Sacred Rest. This is a really eye-opening conversation that provides a ton of insight into 7 different types of rest and why each is important. Dr. Saundra’s work goes much deeper than just the need for sleep. I think this conversation will be just the permission you might need to incorporate more types of rest (and joy!) into your daily life.

Listen in to hear Saundra share:

How ⅔ of the population is sleep deprived
The truth behind highly functional, high producing women (hint: low joy, low quality of life)
The difference between sleep and rest and why you need both
The 7 types of rest - sleep is only 50% one of the types!
How to use flow break cycles to have the work rest ratio to recover the energy you need to have energy during all waking hours
How to have rest periods even in the midst of family/kid chaos, as well as model rest to your kids

Links mentioned:

Quiz: Rest Quiz

Website: I Choose My Best Life

Book: I Choose My Best Life

Twitter Handle: @DrDaltonSmith

Facebook Page: Dr. Saundra Dalton – Smith

Instagram: @DrDaltonSmith

Pinterest: @DrDaltonSmith

Thank you to our sponsors:

Swanky Badger: You can go create your own personalized Father’s Day gift today by going to swanky badger dot com, forward slash SHAMELESS and you’ll get 10% off your first purchase. That’s Swanky Badger.

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My Intent: Go to My Intent and use code SHAMELESSMOM for 30% off until May 31.

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337: How To Cultivate Conscientious Connections May 20, 2019

Lack of true connection in our lives is a verified epidemic - meaning there are actual studies that show that we (women especially) are feeling more isolated, lonely, and depressed than ever before.

The most beautiful I have witnessed since starting the Shameless Mom Academy is the connection between so many of you. It started in our free private Facebook group. It carried over into our MOMENTUM Mamas membership community, and it was the most magical part of Shameless Mom Con.

Connection with other women is what saves us from ourselves. Yet, we often really struggle to find connections that are true and deep and meaningful.

In this episode, I share 6 symptoms of lack of connection - everything from jealousy to low worth, to holding on to secrets. Then I walk you through 6 ways you can implement and integrate more conscientious connections in your life. Lastly, I give you 5 ways to take the first step toward more meaningful connections starting today.

If you feel like you need to find “your people”, this episode is for you.

Links Mentioned:

Save $50 on my Bubbles & Blueprints Workshop

Get on the Shameless Mom Con 2020 Wait List

Thank you to our sponsors:

Instacart: Get your groceries delivered to your door! Save $10 off your first order at Instacart or on the Instacart mobile app when you use the promo code SHAMELESS10 at checkout.

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336: Bonnie Mae: Domestic Abuse Survivor and Warrior May 15, 2019

Bonnie Mae is a Shameless Mom to two sons ages 10 and 12, as well as a survivor and warrior of an abusive relationship that spanned 10 years. She has a passion for advocating for the needs and safety of her children as well as herself. She has an associates degree in human services. She used to think she wasn’t using putting her degree to good use - until recently. She recently took the bold, brave steps to become an educator and speaker to youth and young adults - teaching around all issues related to domestic violence. She teaches the warning signs of abusive behavior, offers advice on how to safely get out of abusive relationships, and coaches around the impact of abuse on one’s life. She speaks at various organizations, as well as middle and high schools.

Bonnie reached out to me a few months ago when I said I wanted to broach the subject of domestic violence on the show. I’m deeply honored that she took the brave step to share her story and her lessons with us all. Her story will have ripple effects that she will never see - that may well save lives of other Shameless Moms.

Listen in to hear Bonnie share:

How she internalized emotional abuse and believed she as worthless as her husband told her she was
Why she stayed with an abusive partner for 7 years - and how abusers manipulate their victims
Her rock bottom moment and how she finally got her kids and herself safely out of her husband’s grip
The steps leading up to her terminating her ex-husband’s parental rights
How she talks to her kids about their family’s abusive past
The impactful new direction her past is giving to her current life
Her top recommendation to women currently in abusive relationships

Resources mentioned:

Connect with Bonnie on Instagram
Connect with Bonnie on Facebook

Thank you to our sponsors:

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Swanky Badger: You can go create your own personalized Father’s Day gift today by going to swanky badger dot com, forward slash SHAMELESS and you’ll get 10% off your first purchase. That’s Swanky Badger.

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335: 7 Ways to RISE UP in Work and Life May 13, 2019

One of the themes I’ve been seeing repeatedly in our community recently is around feeling stuck in roles that feel out of alignment with our core values. This shows up in our jobs when we see that companies we work for don’t truly stand behind their mission statements.

This happens in our families when we see our siblings, parents or in-laws not acting in high integrity.

This happens in our friendships when we see the women around us judging and gossiping and putting other women down.

This is hard to watch and even harder to be a part of when we feel we are right in the middle of it all. It often feels like a massive breach of our own integrity - which feels confusing and really conflicting.

I want to challenge you to step back from these situations for a moment to get a better view of what’s going on and consider the ways you can RISE UP when you’re in the middle of situations which feel our of integrity and out of alignment with your personal and professional core values.

Here are 7 ways to start to RISE UP in work and life:

Position yourself as a leader
Unapologetically own your strengths, gifts, and ZOG
Unapologetically own what you suck at
Know what you stand for
Know what you don’t stand for
Know the difference between tattling and documenting/reporting
Be humble and gracious, while still standing in your power (rather than shrinking in gratitude)

Listen in to this full episode to hear the deep dive on these 7 techniques.

Links Mentioned:

Get on the WaitList for Shameless Mom Con 2020

Thank you to our sponsors:

Katie the Cookie Bee: Katie the Cookie Bee
Third Love: To find the perfect fitting bra and get 15% off your first purchase got to Third Love
Bioclarity: So go to Bioclarity and get 40% off skincare routines PLUS an additional 15% off EVERYTHING on their website when you use my code SHAMELESS at checkout.

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334: Sarah Holland and Beth Silvers: Navigating Politics with Compassion & Curiosity May 08, 2019

In this episode, I had the honor of talking to two powerful leaders who love to talk politics - even though they are on opposite sides of many issues. If you struggle to have compassionate conversations around politics with friends & family who have differing beliefs and belief systems, this conversation will be really eye-opening and helpful.

Sarah Stewart Holland (from the left) has always loved politics, although her political opinions

have changed d

rastically over the years. She worked in politics and on Capitol Hill before

moving back to her hometown of Paducah, KY, where she served on the Paducah

City Commission. She is happily married and the mother of three sons. Sarah likes her bourbon

on ice, her romantic dramas with a British accent and her iPhone fully charged.

Beth Silvers (from the right) owns and operates Checking In with Beth Silvers, a life and

business coaching practice. She has been recognized as one of Ohio’s Most Powerful and

Influential Women by the Ohio Diversity Council, a Human Resources GameChanger by

Workforce Magazine, and one of Cincinnati’s Forty Under 40 business leaders. Beth lives in

Union with her husband, Chad; daughters Jane (8) and Ellen (3), and miniature schnauzer, Lucy. She loves people, politics, poetry, and watermelon.

Listen in to hear Beth and Sarah share:

The typically strongest values on the right vs the left
How your family of origin impacts your politics
The power of observing vs judging
The value of getting curious instead of confrontational
The power of acknowledging and addressing shared concerns and shared values
Why people of privilege need to have the uncomfortable conversations
How to navigate difficult conversations with grace
Why it’s important for moms to be politically engaged

Links mentioned:

Thank you to our sponsors:

Talkspace: To match with your perfect therapist for a fraction of the price of traditional therapy, go to Talkspace, Make sure to use the code SHAMELESS to get your first week free and show your support for this show.
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333: Shameless Mom Con Recap + 6 Life Lessons May 06, 2019

Shameless Mom Con was last weekend and the power, momentum, and magic that came out of 3 days of Shameless Mom togetherness is enough to light my life - like forever.

I had no idea how overwhelmingly powerful this event would be until it started. And from the moment it started - when 30 MOMENTUM Mamas descended on my hotel suite, shortly followed by another 20+ Shameless Moms - it was very clear that this was going to be a life-changing few days. Within our first 10 minutes together I felt like we were all long lost friends - and maybe we were??? Maybe we had all been looking for each other for a very long time.

I know many of you could not attend the event, so I wanted to bring some of Shameless Mom Con to you. In this episode, I’m going to share some highlights from the event, as well as share 6 major Shameless Mom Con takeaways with you. These 6 takeaways have the potential to shift your life in big ways. Take notes!

Links mentioned:

Get on the Shameless Mom Con 2020 Waitlist shameless Mom Con.

Thank you to our sponsors:

AVA: Ladies, it’s finally time to understand your body. Visit avawomen.com to learn more. You can receive $20 off your order by going to AVA and using my code SHAMELESS.

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332: Susie Pettit: Beat Overwhelm, Anxiety and Your Own Inner Critic May 01, 2019

Susie Pettit has been helping women live lives they love for over 10 years. She is the host of the podcast Love Your Life Show and owner of the Wellness Company Strength: Mind & Body, LLC. She is a certified Life + Wellness Coach and a mom of 3 teenage sons.

Susie is passionate about helping women live lives that feel as good on the inside as they look on the outside. She spent more than half her life living a life she did not love; as a people pleaser, codependent perfectionist, trying desperately to win an award for ‘Martyr of the Year’.

Luckily she hit rock bottom and now has the breadth of experience to teach first hand about setting healthy boundaries, beating your inner critic, conscious parenting, and how to use mindfulness-based tools to beat overwhelm and anxiety. She uses two foundational frameworks: Her 5 Pillars of Wellness and the Thought Model.

Listen in to hear Susie share:

Being raised by my controlling and manipulative parents and building a life based on their standards, not her own identity
How she stopped looking for external validation
All her worst fears came true, she hit rock bottom, and she rose from the ashes
How people pleasers are actually people deceivers
The thought-model around the think-feel-act loop that gives you control in the most challenging moments in your life and how to use the “power pause”
Why having no contact with her parents and siblings is the most loving relationship she can have with them
How to increase your emotional intelligence and emotional literacy
How to get out of your own way during challenging communication with others
When you should treat your parents like toddlers - yes, really...

Links Mentioned:

Connect with Susie
Susie’s Podcast: Love Your Life Show
Sara’s interview on Susie’s show: Love Your Life Show
com: 10 Day Consciousness Cleanse use the code SHAMELESS to get 50% off
Check out Susie’s Thought Model

Thank you to our sponsors:

Fabfitfun: To get $10 off your first subscription box (making it only $39.99 for $200 worth of products) go to Fabfitfun and use the code SHAMELESS at checkout.
Talkspace: To match with your perfect therapist for a fraction of the price of traditional therapy, go to Talkspace. Make sure to use the code SHAMELESS to get your first week free and show your support for this show.

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331: The 3 BIG Mistakes You're Making Right Now Apr 29, 2019

I talk a *lot* about perfectionism and how it shows up for me. The more I talk about it the more I hear you all saying, “ME TOO!!!”

If you tend to be a perfectionist and or high achiever and/or Type A kinda gal, this episode will speak to you. It might even scream at you…

There are three BIG mistakes that I see perfectionist/high achiever/Type A women make over and over. These are mistakes that we make even when we think we’ve overcome our perfectionism. I mean, let’s be honest, we’re all works in progress and old habits DIE HARD.

Here are the 3 BIG mistakes I see a lot of us (yep, including me) make over and over:

We’re constantly waiting for the “right time” to take action in our life
We listen to fear instead of embracing resistance
We don’t give ourselves space & grace we truly need to evolve

If any of this speaks to you - this episode is a must listen. Make sure to let me know how this conversation landed for you. I always love hearing from you!

Thank you to our sponsors:

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330: Kate Northup: How To Be More Productive By Doing Less Apr 24, 2019

As an entrepreneur, bestselling author, speaker, and Shameless Mom, Kate Northrup has built a multimedia digital empire with her husband, Mike Watts, that reaches hundreds of thousands globally. They are committed to supporting ambitious women to light up the world without burning themselves out in the process. Kate teaches data-driven and soul-driven time and energy management practices that result in saving time, making more money, and experiencing less stress.

Kate recently birthed her second book into the world, Do Less: A Revolutionary Approach to Time and Energy Management for Busy Moms. I’m telling you, you need this book in your life.

Kate’s name has been on my 2019 Dream Guest List - and as luck would have it, her team reached out to me before we got around to reaching out to her. When I told her about this, she said, “Oh yeah! That’s called egg wisdom.” To which I replied, “Huh?!?” She told me all about egg wisdom later in the interview and it was simply fascinating.

Kate is going to open your mind up in a few new directions today and I can’t wait to hear how this resonates with you. Definitely let me know!

Listen in to hear Kate share:

Why it pays to pay more attention to your period and how to tap into the ways it gives you renewed energy and productivity
How to tap into your “egg wisdom” to attract more of what you want without working harder
How mother’s brains are rewired and how to use this to your advantage
The power of doing less to accomplish more

Links mentioned:

Thank you to our sponsors:

Hylands: For more information about Hylands, visit Hylands.
Cheers Health: Visit Cheers Health and Enter promo code SHAMELESS at checkout to Get 10% off your first order and a free gift.

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329: 4 Gifts Of Imperfect Action Apr 22, 2019

Dear Perfectionist Friend,

I SEE you.

I see you stuck in your mess.

I see you holding all those dreams, but crippled by analysis paralysis every time you think about taking the next step.

I see you waiting until just the right time to take the next right step - yet never actually finding just the right time.

I see you wanting more and feeling nervous, sometimes even terrified, about going after more.

I see you worrying about what others might think if you flop.

I see you anxiously stuffing your dreams into deep hiding places because you think you might fail.

If you want to know how I can see you so clearly, it’s because I AM you.

I know what it’s like to desire perfection so deeply you cannot make a decision or take any action - because... FEAR.

I know what it’s like to spend inordinate amounts of mental energy on a decision because you think making the wrong decision could ruin everything.

I know what it’s like to stay stuck in your head full of worry and doubt, while parading through the world with a big cheesy grin that screams, “I’m fine. I’m even better than fine. I’m GREAT. #EVERYDAMNDAY. SO GREAT!” - but actually, feel not great at all.

Probably the most valuable lesson I’ve learned in motherhood and entrepreneurship is that perfect sucks. In fact, perfect is paralyzing. And imperfect action is ridiculously liberating.

If you fancy yourself a perfectionistic kinda gal, this episode will open your eyes in all the best ways. Listen in - maybe more than once. And take notes on the beautiful, life-changing gifts of imperfect action.

Thank you to our sponsors:

BruMate: Right now, Brumate is giving my listeners a special discount of 15% off your first order when you go to www.brumate.com and use our code SHAMELESS, that's BruMate.
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328: Dave Hollis: On Identity, Vulnerability, Sobriety, and Allyship Apr 17, 2019

Dave Hollis is husband to Rachel Hollis, father to Jackson, Sawyer, Ford and Noah Hollis and the CEO of the Hollis Company after a 17 year run at Disney left his role as President, Theatrical Distribution for The Walt Disney Studios. Dave looks to take the experiences as global theatrical sales head for Disney, Pixar, Marvel, and Lucas film to the expansion plans in the next, exciting phase of Hollis Company — focusing on media (books/podcasts/radio/tv), live events and merchandise. Dave drives a 1969 Ford Bronco and intermittently likes the family dog, Jeffrey.

I invited Dave to come on the show to talk about what it’s like to have a massive shift in identity as he flipped his profession upside down to leave a successful career in order to support his wife’s career. I also wanted to learn more about his journey into personal development, as so many of you have asked me how we can get our partners more involved and invested in areas of growth and evolution. I so appreciate Dave showing up to this conversation so OPEN & READY.

Listen in to hear Dave share:

The challenges that present themselves in the face of massive success
The power and gift of discipline when life is moving at 100 MPH
How his identity has evolved as he walked away from his successful career to support Rachel’s career and dreams
His fears and vulnerability around building a new identity
How women can get their partners involved and invested in personal development (without nagging & preaching!)
Why he stopped using alcohol as a coping skill
What his “ally” tattoo means to him as a straight white man who is fully aware of his white privilege
A sneak peek into his upcoming book!

Links Mentioned:

Connect with Dave and Rachel at The Hollis Co.
Tune into Rachel and Dave’s morning show on Instagram
Dave on Instagram
Dave on Facebook
Rise Podcast with Rachel Hollis
Rise Together Podcast with Rachel and Dave Hollis

Thank you to our sponsors:

Lola: Get organic cotton tampons and other hygiene products delivered right to your door. To get 40% off all subscriptions, go to My Lola and use the code SHAMELESS40 at checkout.
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327: Mom Guilt Is A Lie Apr 15, 2019

This is going to sound pretty controversial, but I’m saying it anyway. Because of #truth...

Mom guilt is a lie.

That’s not to say your feelings of guilt aren’t real. THEY ARE.

But, as you sit in those feelings, please know this:

Mom guilt is a social construct in which women are indoctrinated to think they should feel bad for ever prioritizing themselves, their identity, their careers, or their happiness over their kids.

You know how I know this is true?? Because I know the following:

Men are not asked, “How do you do it all? How do you juggle your career with your family?

Men are not asked, “Don’t you feel bad when you have to travel for work and you don’t get to see your kids for 3 days?”

Men don’t have to internalize messages like, “I don’t know how you work so much. I would feel so bad not being at my kid’s games/practices/plays/recitals.”

When men consider taking up new hobbies/activities they don’t automatically think, “That would be awesome, but I would feel so bad taking that time away from my family.”

Women are indoctrinated to feel like shitty moms if they prioritize their careers, their self-care, their sanity over their families needs.

Men are encouraged to prioritize their careers and hobbies over their families needs - “Climb that corporate ladder!” “You gotta start golfing with us, man!” “Meet us every Saturday for pick up basketball!”

I share this all because I want you to take a hard look at your relationship with mom guilt. Guilt of any kind is not productive. It keeps us stuck. It holds us back. It does not serve any positive purpose. So, it you’re spending time stuck in mom guilt, you’re wasting time and energy that could be used for so many other positive things in your life.

Let’s flip this social construct on its head so we can all be more intentional about how we use our energy, our gifts, and our rights to rest (yes, you get to rest more when you stop feeling so damn guilty!)

Listen in to this episode to go on a deep dive into how you’ve been indoctrinated - and how to GET OUT.

Links mentioned:

Book: Drop The Ball by Tiffany Dufu

Thank you to our sponsors:

Bioclarity: Go to BioClarity to get 40% off skincare routines PLUS an additional 15% off EVERYTHING on their website when you use my code LOVELY at checkout.
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326: Debi Silber: How To Move Through And Beyond Betrayal Apr 10, 2019

Dr. Debi Silber, is a Shameless Mom to 4 kids ages 16-23 years old, as well as the founder of The PBT Institute, is a Transformational Psychologist and health, mindset, and personal development, expert. She's an award-winning speaker, coach and author of the Amazon #1 Bestselling book: The Unshakable Woman: 4 Steps to Rebuilding Your Body, Mind, and Life After a Life Crisis. Debi has contributed to FOX, CBS, The Dr. Oz show, TEDx, The Huffington Post, Forbes, Psychology Today, WebMD, amongst others. Her doctoral study led to two discoveries around how women experience and heal from betrayal. Based on her findings, along with 27 years of health, mindset and lifestyle coaching, she's created a proven approach to help women heal (physically, mentally and emotionally) from a life crisis, specializing in betrayal.

In addition to Debi’s education and professional experience in the field of betrayal and forgiveness - she has lived it all, multiple times. Her passion comes from her journey, from finding herself in places she didn’t plan, mending and rebuilding relationships that nearly broke her.

Listen in to hear Debi share:

Why it’s only the people who are closest to us can actually betray us
Why you must unpack all the components of a betrayal
The three things that do NOT work when trying to heal from betrayal
The 5 Stages from betrayal to post-betrayal breakthrough
The necessary path of a betrayer: apology/remorse/restitution
How to heal your shame after betrayal
The layers & stages of forgiveness and building trust

Links mentioned:

Connect with Debi: The PBT Institute
Debi Silber’s Twitter
Debi Silber’s Facebook Page
Debi Silber’s YouTube channel
Book: Radical Forgiveness by Colin Tipping

Thank you to our sponsors:

Instacart: Get your groceries delivered to your door! Save $10 off your first order at Instacart or on the Instacart mobile app when you use the promo code SHAMELESS10 at checkout.
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325: Michelle Obama's 4 Secrets To A Successful Marriage Apr 08, 2019

I think we can all agree that marriage is hard. It is also awesome. But it does not come without intentional work. It’s easy to glorify other people's' marriages and assume they “have it all” when that is never actually the case.

I recently read Michelle Obama’s book, Becoming. Then I went as saw her speak here in Seattle. In both instances, I was touched by the way she talks about marriage and essentially the “secrets” of her marriage.

She is married to a dreamer, while she is admittedly much more pragmatic. She is married to someone who wants to serve all the people, while she wants to prioritize serving her family and those closest to her. She is married to someone who can’t manage his time to save his life, while she loves structure and schedules and routine (and being on time for it all)!

In reading Michelle’s book and hearing her talk, I was able to curate four secrets to a successful marriage that I think will help all the rest of us:

Set clear boundaries and expectations
Assume your partners have the best intentions
Assume your partner can actually do the things they say they can
Shamelessly build, own, and grow your own identity

Listen in for a deep dive on these concepts around marriage (and to learn how to see your partners' most annoying characteristics as gifts)!

AND make sure to stick around for the end when we talk about asking for support rather than permission. This is a game changer in how you can maintain your identity as well as a high level of respect and equity in your marriage.

Thank you to our sponsors:

Cheers Health: Visit Cheers Health and Enter promo code SHAMELESS at checkout to Get 10% off your first order and a free gift.
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324: Kara Loewentheil: Unf*ck Your Brain Apr 03, 2019

Kara Loewentheil is a Master Certified Coach and Host of the UnF*ck Your Brain Podcast. Three years ago she did what every Jewish parent dreams of for their child: She left her legal career running a think tank to become a life coach. Now she teaches feminist women how to undo the effects of patriarchy in their brains and create true authentic confidence from inside. She has grown her coaching business from zero to seven figures in the last 3 years and is passionate about teaching women how to overcome anxiety and self-doubt so they can take on the world.

I have recommended Kara’s podcast more than any other in the last 6 months and so many people have come back to tell me it has transformed their mental game. So, I knew I needed to get Kara on the show. Whether you’re wanting to change the way you feel about your body or become a master thought manager in order to change the outcomes in your life, Kara’s brilliance will transform your thought patterns and shift your behavior in powerful ways.

Listen in to hear Kara share:

What thought work is and the power you have to choose your thoughts
The practice of shifting into neutral thoughts, rather than forcing ourselves into positive thoughts
Why you should embrace that all humans suffer
Why thought work is more valuable and beneficial than any diet
How thought work can shift your relationship with your body

Links mentioned:

Connect with Kara: Unf*ck Your Brain
Kara’s free challenge: Free Five-Day Confidence Challenge
Kara’s podcast: Unf*ck Your Brain Podcast

Thank you to our sponsors:

Free Fly: You can get 20% off when you visit Free Fly and use promo code SHAMELESS.
KiwiCo: Visit KiwiCo and get your first crate free!
BarkBox: Get a FREE EXTRA MONTH of Barkbox with any 6 or 12-month subscription by visiting BarkBox.

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323: The Secret Struggles of Stay At Home Moms Apr 01, 2019

A few of you have asked me to do an episode specifically on the struggles of being a stay at home mom (SAHM). I’m excited to talk about this, cause I’ll be honest… My life’s dream was to be a stay at home mom and 4 months of that “dream” damn near killed me. I cried uncle and quit that gig (and hired a nanny) when Vinnie was still tiny. So, I have the UTMOST respect for those of you who stay home with your babies (of any age - even school age)!

I posted on Facebook a couple weeks ago and asked for SAHMs to share their biggest struggles and I found the responses FASCINATING. First of all, it was really interesting to get a sneak peek into your lives.

But the most fascinating part???

A lot of your struggles are so similar to working moms’ struggles. And here we all are thinking that working moms and stay at home moms have so little in common and can’t possibly “get” the other sides perspective. Not so.

Regardless if you’re a SAHM or working mom or work from home mom, I think you’ll learn something from this episode.

Big thanks to everyone who has reached out to me about this topic and contributed your stories and struggles. So much love for you.

Links mentioned:

Get your ticket to Shameless Mom Con

Thank you to our sponsors:

ButcherBox - Get the Ultimate Breakfast Bundle - that’s 2 packages of Bacon and 2 lbs. of Breakfast Sausage for FREE in your first box PLUS $20 off your first box, go to Butcher Box OR enter promo code SHAMELESS.

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322: Tiffany Bluhm: International Adoption, Birth Rejection, and Systemic Racism Mar 27, 2019

Tiffany Bluhm wants every woman to recognize, embrace, and pursue the big dreams and beauty born inside of them. The author, blogger, speaker, teacher, podcast host, wife, and mother shares her personal stories of self-value and self-doubt, international adoption, entrepreneurship, marriage, heartbreak, motherhood, and more with an ever-growing audience now numbering in the hundreds of thousands. In addition to reaching readers via her own blog, Tiffany shares her disarmingly perceptive, honest, and frequently funny writing on other popular outlets including ScaryMommy.com, Deeply Rooted Magazine, and more. As co-host of the Why Tho podcast and an in-demand speaker, Tiffany also leads key conversations about modern faith, contemporary women, culture, and so much more. She has penned two books: the acclaimed Bible study Never Alone, released in February 2018, and her newly released book, SHE DREAMS: LIVE THE LIFE YOU WERE CREATED FOR, Tiffany lives in Tacoma, Washington, with her husband and is a Shameless Mom to her 4 and 8-year-old sons.

Listen in to hear Tiffany share:

Her story of being born in an orphanage in Dehli India and adopted by a white family at age 2
Her experience of being unlike everyone around her from the time she was born because of her birth story and her skin color
How rejection at age 21 reopened her birth rejection trauma
The suicide rate and mental health struggles are 8 times greater in adoptees
Why her decision to adopt internationally had nothing to do with her experience of being adopted
How she has faced discrimination as an East Indian woman, especially since 9/11
How she is talking to her kids about systemic racism and walking her black son through his own awareness of discrimination at a young age

Links Mentioned:

Connect with Tiffany: Tiffany Bluhm

Tiffany on Facebook: Tiffany Bluhm

Tiffany on Instagram: Tiffany Bluhm

Tiffany on Twitter: Tiffany Bluhm

Get Tiffany’s Book: She Dreams

Watch Tiffany’s Women To Watch Talk: Youtube

Thank you to our sponsors:

Instacart
Brumate
Betabrand

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321: 10 Ways To Lighten Your Load and Lighten Up Mar 25, 2019

Heaviness can show up in our lives in a lot of ways. Sometimes it’s a trauma like a cancer diagnosis or the death of a parent. Sometimes it’s a transition like a new job or a new baby or moving to a new city. Sometimes it’s a stressful phase - lots of expectations at work, a partner who is traveling a lot. Sometimes it’s general overwhelm - so. many. things. to keep up with #everydamnday

In these times of heaviness, sometimes we are tempted to tell ourselves to “Stay Strong!” and “Power Through!” But the reality, sometimes you actually TRULY need a break - a respite. And after that break, you will actually be more STRONG and POWERFUL.

It is really important to make a concerted effort to lighten our load and lighten up sometimes (probably more often than you think). When we give ourselves the space & grace to do so, we come back to focus, we have renewed our mental and emotional reserves. This rejuvenation is almost always palpable. These breaks for levity and lightness are so valuable.

Listen in to hear a deep dive on these 10 ways to lighten your load and lighten up:

Dedicate time for play - whatever that means for you
Find your zen
Listen to funny podcasts
Watch a comedy special or funny Netflix series
Engage in menial tasks
Find an inspiring place to complete hard tasks
Go shopping
Make hard things fun
Read a funny book
Give yourself rewards

Links Mentioned:

Join us at Shameless Mom Con: Shameless Mom Con

Thank you to our sponsors:

Open Fit
Grove

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320: Lori Kennedy: On Being An Empath While Raising Empaths Mar 20, 2019

Lori Kennedy is the founder and CEO of The Wellness Business Hub, which provides professional training and personal development for health practitioners looking to build and grow their businesses online. She’s also a mom and lover of all things related to coffee. Lori’s two foundational programs, The Wellness Business Academy and The 10K Success System, are growing a powerful community of health leaders who are transforming the way healthcare is done all over the world. She is also the host of The Business of Becoming Podcast for entrepreneurs who want to build the business and life of their dreams… all on their own terms.

This is Lori’s second time on the show. I wanted her to come back on to talk about her very personal experience as a Highly Sensitive Person (HSP) and an empath, who is also raising a highly empathic kids. Lori is always such a thoughtful sharer of knowledge & wisdom and this conversation is no exception.

Listen in to hear Lori share:

How she recognized she is a highly sensitive person and empath, which she had identified as social anxiety for years
How she protects her energy while running a massive business
How she works around being contained in small spaces and crowds
How she conserves energy for the right people and the right time
Why she takes pride in her firm boundaries
The best trick to turning around a hard morning or a hard day
How to see your child(ren)’s empathic tendencies
How to create space for empathic kids to process & release

Links mentioned:

Join me at Shameless Mom Con in Seattle on April 26th & 27th: Shameless Mom Con
Connect with Lori: The Wellness Business Hub
Lori on Facebook: Lori Kennedyinc
Lori on Instagram Lori Kennedyinc

Thank you to our sponsors:

Hello Fresh: Save $80 off your first month of meals by visiting Hello Fresh and entering the promo code SHAMELESS80 at checkout.
Talkspace: to find your perfect match therapist for a fraction of the cost of traditional therapy, go to Talk Space and use the code SHAMELESS at checkout to save $45 off your first month.
Bioclarity: Go to Bio Clarity to get 40% off skincare routines PLUS an additional 15% off EVERYTHING on their website when you use my code LOVELY at checkout.

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319: 3 Years of Community, Connection, Identity & Impact Mar 18, 2019

Today we are celebrating 3 years of The Shameless Mom Academy. I launched this show three years ago not knowing up much I would love it, not knowing how much it would change my life, not knowing how many lives it would touch.

The last 3 years have been a blur and a dream - and the best part is that we are only getting started. The growth of this podcast stems directly from you all implementing what you learn on the show. You consistently turn the advice into action. You are open to learning and growing and expecting more out of your life, your marriage, motherhood, and your career. You show up and take imperfect action and get vulnerable and ask for help.

I am SO HERE for all of this.

3 years, 319 episodes, 160 guests, 1.5 million downloads in 140 countries - and this is just the beginning.

When I look back on all this, I can tell you the most valuable pieces have been the community, the connections, the impact and how that has stretched & expanded your identity and mine.

Thank you for every single download, share, comment, like, DM, review, email. YOU make The Shameless Mom Academy the Shameless dream that could.

Links mentioned:

Join me at Shameless Mom Con in Seattle on April 26th & 27th: Shameless Mom Con

Thank you to our sponsors:

Hourglass Cosmetics: Get free shipping with your purchase of a full sized Caution Mascara at Hourglass Cosmetics and use the promo code SHAMELESS at checkout.
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318: Kristen Carbone: The Shameless Journey Of A Preventative Mastectomy Mar 13, 2019

Kristen is the founder of Brilliantly, a brand that provides the support women need on their journey toward feeling vital and strong in their mind and body after a mastectomy. Motivated by her own personal experience, she is committed to providing solutions that help women deal with long term physical and emotional needs so they can prosper in their post-surgical life.

Listen in to hear Kristen share:

How losing her mom to metastatic breast cancer at age 23 led her to have a preventative mastectomy
How she talked to family, friends, and her kids about her decision
What her surgical journey looked like and the unexpected challenges it presented
How to be a better self-advocate and how to seek support in advocacy
The impacts of surgery and scars on body image

Links Mentioned:

Join us at Shameless Mom Con on April 26th & 27th: Shameless Mom Con
Connect with Kristen: Brilliantly
Kristen on Instagram - @Brilliantly and @kristen_brilliantly

Thank you to our sponsors:

Rothy's: Go to Rothys and enter shameless to get your new favorite flats and free shipping
Simple Health: Don’t miss your chance to try this service for free - my listeners get the $20 prescription fee waived by going to Simple Health or entering code shameless at checkout.
Fabfitfun: Use my code SHAMELESS to get $10.00 off your first box!

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317: 5 Absolute Truths of Abundance Mar 11, 2019

If you expect abundance, you will find abundance in all areas of your life. If you expect scarcity, you will find scarcity. We receive what we are looking for and what we are open to.

When you know you can do great things, you do great things.

When you know you can do hard things, you do hard things.

What you get out of life and the circumstances you create for yourself are your doing.

When it comes to abundance, women often sell themselves short. We don’t feel worthy or deserving. We think others deserve things more than us. We weirdly think that if we have more, there will be less for others. This is all untrue.

Here are truths I want you to adopt in order to expect abundance in your life:

You are innately deserving of good things
You deserve good things as much as anyone else
You are just a qualified and capable as anyone else
Your beliefs will determine your outcome
You having more doesn’t take away from others - it actually creates more for everyone

Links Mentioned:

Join us as Shameless Mom Con on April 26th & 27th: Shameless Mom Con
SMA Interview with Rachel Rodgers: Million Dollar Badass
Rachel Rodgers Farnoosh Torabi So Money Interview Rachel Rodgers

Thank you to our sponsors:

Instacart: Get your groceries delivered to your door! Save $10 off your first order at Instacart or on the Instacart mobile app when you use the promo code SHAMELESS10 at checkout.
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Cove: For a one month for free offer use code: With Cove

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316: Abbey Ashley: High Achieving Guilt Free Mama Mar 06, 2019

Abbey Ashley is the Founder of The Virtual Savvy. She helps aspiring virtual assistants launch and grows their own at-home business from scratch. Abbey started her own virtual assistant business in 2013 and was able to double the salary from her full-time corporate job, working only 20 hours a week... in just 30 days! She's since gone on to grow a multi-six figure business and retire her husband ALL from her at-home business. It's now her passion to help others start their own VA business so they can taste the freedom and flexibility of entrepreneurship as well.

Listen in to hear Abbey share:

How she started her virtual assistant business and replaced her full-time income while on maternity leave
What kinds of work moms can do from home as a VA
How to get started as a VA (it’s easier than you think!)
The pros and cons of working for a VA company vs starting your own VA business
How she has gotten over mom guilt in order to embrace being a high achieving entrepreneur

Links Mentioned:

Join me at Shameless Mom Con on April 26th & 27th: Shameless Mom Con
Connect with Abbey: The Virtual Savvy
Get Abbey’s Checklist: Checklist
Abbey on Facebook
Abbey on Instagram
Abbey on YouTube

Thank you to our sponsors:

Grove Collaborative: Shop at Grove Collaborative today and get a FREE $30 Mrs. Meyer’s gift set with your first order at Grove Collaborative.
Headspace: If you’ve been wanting to add mediation to your life, check out the Headspace app and get a free month trial at Head Space
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315: 4 Steps To Play Bigger In Life Without Asking Permission Mar 04, 2019

When I look around to see who’s taking action in their lives, I see a lot of women doing two things:

Waiting for an permission
Waiting for an invitation

Stop.

Please.

There is no reason to ask permission to play bigger in your life.

There is no reason to wait for an invitation.

NONE.

These are actually just “noble obstacles”, as Jon Acuff calls them. These are the obstacles that we let stand in our way as a crutch to stay comfortable, procrastinate, dwell in our own perfectionism, live in fear, and keep our lives way. too. small.

Today, I’m giving you 4 steps to start playing bigger in your life without asking permission:

Take a seat at the table
Know your worth and your power
Assume you’re qualified
Reach out and connect with the big dogs

99% of the time, there is not a benefit in waiting to take action. 99% of the time, the best time to take action is now. 99% of the time the best time to play bigger is now. 99% of the time when you start to play bigger, you get to live bigger. 99% of the time the net result is RADNESS.

Are you ready to take a seat at the table?

Links Mentioned:

Join me at Shameless Mom Con on April 26th & 27th: Shameless Mom Con

Thank you to our sponsors:

Care: Save 30% off your Care.com Premium Membership by going to Care.
Talkspace: to find your perfect match therapist for a fraction of the cost of traditional therapy, go to Talkspace and use the code SHAMELESS at checkout to save $45 off your first month.

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314: Carin Rockind: Resiliency After Abuse & Armed Robbery Feb 27, 2019

Carin Rockind is a leading happiness expert, motivational speaker, and the creator of PurposeGirl, a movement to empower purpose-driven living. She has taught thousands of people real-life strategies to reclaim their happiness, and live to their fullest potential of success and well-being. Having survived domestic abuse, divorce, and armed robbery, she teaches others to be resilient through stress and grow from trauma.

After fifteen years as a marketing executive, Carin pursued her great passion: teaching women to thrive. Carin was one of the first 250 people in the world to earn a Masters degree in Applied Positive Psychology from the University of Pennsylvania, where she has also served as adjunct faculty. Carin speaks at large companies worldwide and is a regular contributor to national media such as NBC, CBS, PBS, and NPR. She recently launched Women's Global Happiness Day in over fifty cities around the globe.

Listen in to hear Carin share:

How being held a gunpoint changed the trajectory of her life
Why women are less happy today than 30 years ago
How we ignore living in our own bodies - because we’re conditioned to try to live in men’s bodies
Why happiness sometimes actually sucks
How her second miscarriage at age 43 sent her into a deep depression and then inspired her to launch Women’s Global Happiness Day
The power, beauty, and opportunity of Post Traumatic Growth

Links Mentioned:

Join me at Shameless Mom Con on April 26th/27th: Shameless Mom Con 2019
Connect with Carin: Carin Rockind
Carin’s podcast: Purpose Girl podcast
Check out Women’s Global Happiness Day: Women’s Global Happiness Day
Carin on Facebook
Carin on Instagram

Thank you to our sponsors:

Betabrand: Get 20% off the most comfy Dress Pant Yoga Pants ever at Beta Brand.

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313: Why Magic And Discomfort Are Soulmates Feb 25, 2019

A few weeks ago I made a post on social media about magic and discomfort being soulmates. This is the straight up #truth, friends. Embrace it.

The next morning I was listening to SuperSoul Conversations with Oprah and she 100% confirmed my theory (cause O and I are BFFs. Obviously.)

On Oprah’s show, she was interviewing Steven Pressfield and they were talking about resistance - and that resistance MUST exist in all opportunities that provide growth, evolution, and magic.

In fact, Steven said, “ Most of us have two lives. The life we live, and the life unlived within us. Between the two stands Resistance.”

WOW.

YES.

So much YES.

I see so many Shameless Moms embracing the resistance to make big things happen. And it is MAGIC. It is powerful and profound, and life-altering.

And I see Shameless Moms who feel the resistance and take it as a sign that something is not meant to be.

Mama…. NO.

I want you to lean into the resistance. See it. Embrace it. Own it. Walk through it. It will change you - in all the BEST ways.

Listen in to hear me share the 3 phases of leaning into resistance that will allow you to walk through resistance, find your power and declare a magical VICTORY on the other side.

Links Mentioned:

Shameless Mom Con: Shameless Mom
SuperSoul Conversations with Oprah and Steven Pressfield: Unlock Your Creative Genius

Thank you to our sponsors:

Third Love: To find the perfect fitting bra and get 15% off your first purchase got to Third Love
Instacart: Get your groceries delivered to your door! Save $10 off your first order at Instacart or on the Instacart mobile app when you use the promo code SHAMELESS10 at checkout.

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312: Lisa Woodruff: Organize 365 Feb 20, 2019

Lisa Woodruff is a Shameless Mom to two teenagers and the founder of Organize 365, the creator of the 100 Day Home Organization Program, the Sunday Basket Workshop and Sunday Basket Workshop Paper Organization Certification Program.

As the Amazon bestselling author of The Mindset of Organization, Take Back Your House One Phase at a Time & How ADHD Affects Home Organization. Lisa shares her belief that organization is not a skill you are born with. It is a skill that is developed over time and changes with each season of life.

Lisa has helped thousands of women reclaim their homes and finally get organized with her focus on functional organizing, encouragement, and humor her through her weekly podcasts Organize 365.

Listen in to hear Lisa share:

How everyone can benefit from organization, even if you’re not an organizer by nature
How to better manage the (research proven) 28 hours of week required to manage a home
How to implement her Sunday Basket system that will create a ton of freedom in your week and in your head
Specific steps to get kids involved in organization
The science behind how much time and energy you safe when you commit small amounts of time organization

Links Mentioned:

Connect with Lisa: Organize365
Lisa’s 100 Day Organization Program
Join Lisa’s FB group: Organize365

Thank you to our sponsors:

Grove Collaborative: Shop at Grove Collaborative today and get a FREE $30 Mrs. Meyer’s gift set with your first order at Grove.
Fabfitfun: To get $10 off your first subscription box (making it only $39.99 for $200 worth of products) go to Fabfitfun and use the code SHAMELESS at checkout.
Native: For 20% off your first purchase, visit Native Deodorant and use promo code shameless at checkout.

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311: Acknowledging and Navigating My White Privilege Feb 18, 2019

For the better part of 2018, I was trying to figure out the best way to talk about race in The Shameless Mom Academy. I was doing all the research, learning all the things, curating all the resources.

I wanted to be able to have the most valuable, productive, well-planned conversation possible.

Then I realized something.

I was sitting up on my high horse of white privilege waiting to make this as comfortable as possible for me, so I could make it as perfect as possible for you.

And that is NOT how this conversation should go. This is not about my comfort. This is not about tying anything up in a bow.

And by waiting to have this conversation with you, I was not only sitting in my white privilege, I was continuing to make space for white supremacy at the expense of people of color, including my friends of color and Shameless Moms of color.

So, a few days ago, after an incident in this community that screamed of privilege, I knew I could not sit this out any longer. By waiting to talk about this I was doing harm, I was being complicit. I was part of the problem and not part of the solution.

I sat down and recorded this to share what I’m learning about white privilege, how I’m navigating it and what resources I’m finding to be the most informative and valuable.

My hope is that you find this informative and eye-opening. After over a year of reading and research, I have been humbled over and over by how little I understood about white privilege and how much I was doing to contribute to the problem more than the solution.

Please note the people and resources listed below. These women have been instrumental in my learning over the last year - and have been powerful forces of education and support in countless conversations about race at the expense of their own time, energy, and resources. They are heroes and warriors.

Resources:

Books:

Me and White Supremacy Workbook by Layla Saad

This Will Be My Undoing by Morgan Jerkins

We’re Going To Need More Wine by Gabrielle Union

I’m Judging You by Luvvie

So You Want To Talk About Race by Ijeoma Oluo

The Last Black Unicorn by Tiffany Haddish

White Fragility by Robin Diangelo

Hunger by Roxane Gay

This Body Is Not An Apology by Sonya Renee Taylor

Becoming by Michelle Obama

People to follow on social media:

Layla Saad

Rachel Cargle

Ijeoma Oluo

Danielle Brooks

Sonya Renee Taylor

Lena Waithe

Laverne Cox

Tracee Ellis Ross

Issa Rae

Serena Williams

Ericka Hart

Jessamyn

Roxane Gay

Catrice Jackson

ShiShi Rose

Morgan Jerkins

Please note this list is not comprehensive. These are resources that have been helpful to me. I would love to know if there are others that have been helpful to you.

Thank you to our sponsors:

Bioclarity: Go to BioClarity and use the code SHAMELESS at checkout to get your free clarifying masque when you purchase a skincare routine.
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310: Jenell Stewart: Kinky Curly Coily Me Feb 13, 2019

Jenell B Stewart is the founder and editor in chief of the award-winning website Kinky Curly Coily Me. She launched her career by educating and uplifting women with natural hair by way of her extremely popular website and YouTube channel. Jenell has been featured in Essence Magazine, Black Enterprise, and starred on the Dr.Oz television show as a Beauty Expert.

Jenell has a masters in education, is a wife and mom of two beautiful children ages 4 and 6. Jenell’s love Of motherhood prompted her to create her lifestyle brand self titled Jenell B Stewart where she discusses a range of topics including mom life, entrepreneurship, wellness, mental health, marriage, traveling, and faith.

Jenell is always Looking for innovative ways to engage with her vastly growing audience which reaches over 1 Million. She launched a women’s empowerment podcast self-titled the Jenell B Stewart Podcast where she empowers women especially moms, to live their best life.

Listen in to hear Jenell share:

How she used her strengths as a strong-willed child to create her own career rather than follow a prescribed path
The painful practices that young black girls endure managing their hair
The phases and impact of the “natural hair journey” for a black woman
How to she turned a hobby into a side hustle and then into a full-time business that supports other women
How she manages imposter syndrome
Why you should go to therapy now - before you hit crisis mode

Links Mentioned:

Connect with Jenell: Kinky Curly Coily Me or Jenell B. Stewart
Chris Rock hair documentary: Good Hair
Jenell on Youtube
Jenell on Instagram
Jenell on Facebook

Thank you to our sponsors:

Talkspace: to find your perfect match therapist for a fraction of the cost of traditional therapy, go to Talk Space and use the code SHAMELESS at checkout to save $45 off your first month.
Rothy’s: To get free shipping on any order of Rothy’s shoes, as well as free returns, go to Rothy's and use the code SHAMELESS at checkout.

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309: How to BE SEEN Feb 11, 2019

How much do you let yourself BE SEEN on a daily basis? Do you stand in your power, own your space, and show up as your unapologetic self #everydamnday? Or do you find yourself hiding, avoiding, shrinking, blending in, apologizing, settling for a life (or a job or friendships or a marriage) that you don’t truly love?

If you are ready to BE SEEN in any area of your life, this episode is for you. I walk you through 8 commons ways women avoid being seen and 7 steps you can take to start BEING SEEN #everydamnday.

Warning: you’ll probably be pretty pumped up to go out and BE SEEN at the end of this episode - which is awesome, because we are going to do a free BE SEEN Challenge in The Shameless Mom Academy starting Monday, February 18th. Register for the challenge here: Be Seen.

Links Mentioned:

Join our free 7 Day BE SEEN Challenge: Be Seen

Thank you to our sponsors:

care of: For 50% off your first month of personalized care/of vitamins, visit Take Careof and enter the code SHAMELESS50 at checkout.
Instacart: Get your groceries delivered to your door! Save $10 off your first order at Instacart or on the Instacart mobile app when you use the promo code SHAMELESS10 at checkout.

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308: Laura Vanderkam: How To Create More Time In Your Day Feb 06, 2019

Laura Vanderkam is the author of several time management books, including Off the Clock, I Know How She Does It, and 168 Hours. Her TED talk, "How to gain control of your free time," has been viewed more than 7 million times. She is the co-host, with Sarah Hart-Unger, of the podcast Best of Both Worlds. She lives outside Philadelphia with her husband and four children, and blogs at LauraVanderkam.com.

Laura sent me a copy of Off The Clock and I could not put it down. The stories were so compelling and her tactics around time management made me straight up PUMPED UP about being a better time manager in order to create more time in my life and more space in my head.

Take notes on this episode. There are so many fantastic pointers!

Listen in to hear Laura share:

The secrets of people who have all the time in the world
How a mom or 18-month-old triplets created 3 hours of personal time for herself #everydamnday
What she learned from time tracking her habits for 8,784 hours
How to change your perspective on time and immediately have more time in your day
How to better prioritize time for things you actually enjoy
Why checking our phones makes us feel like we have less time
How to use memories to expand the time
Why you should plan your upcoming weeks on Friday and not Sunday (or Monday!)

Links Mentioned:

Connect with Laura: Laura Vanderkam
Tune into Laura’s podcast: Best of Both World
Laura on Facebook
Laura on Twitter
Laura on Instagram

Thank you to our sponsors:

Headspace: If you’ve been wanting to add mediation to your life, check out the Headspace app and get a free month trial at Head Space.

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307: How To Be More Adaptable #everydamnday Feb 04, 2019

If you are a perfectionist or recovering perfectionist, motherhood might just kick your butt in the worst ways. Motherhood requires you to give up control of everything:

when you eat
when you sleep
when you shower
how clean your house is
when you get your work done
how to manage others (babies are not manageable, neither are husbands)
how to manage emotions (cause an exhausted, hormonal mama has no emotional regulation)
how your body looks/feels

You can’t control any of it AND you’re supposed to be actually enjoying some of it. WHAT? HOW???

Adaptability is the gift of motherhood. But, I’ll be the first to tell you it does not feel like a gift to a Type A perfectionistic kinda gal. Adaptability might be your worst life skill. In fact, if you dislike spontaneity, last minute change of schedules, going with the flow, figuring things out on the fly, motherhood will knock you down. And you won’t be able to get back up until you learn to become more adaptable.

No one tells you about the very necessary skill of motherhood. You just see everyone around you being all adaptable and you’re thinking, “how the hell do they do it?”

How do other moms not lose their minds when naptime doesn’t happen?

How do other moms keep their cool when they have to cancel something fun because of a sick kid or a massive tantrum?

How do other moms go with the flow and take the punches so effortlessly?

Some of them do not control freaks by nature like you and me. And some of them have learned to lean into the unpredictability of motherhood – which I know sounds just awful, but it’s actually really helpful. Improving your adaptability will help you enjoy motherhood and get out of your own way when things change on a dime (like every hour of #everydamnday.)

Listen in to hear how you can start taking small steps to become more adaptable and start building confidence around your ability to go with the flow like all your zen mama friends.

Links Mentioned:

Get on the Wait List for Shameless Mom Con in Seattle, WA: Shameless Mom
Join me at Inspired Mama in Grand Haven, MI

Thank you to our sponsors:

Betabrand: Get 20% off the most comfy Dress Pant Yoga Pants ever at Beta brand.
Lola: Get organic cotton tampons and other hygiene products delivered right to your door. To get 40% off all subscriptions, go to My Lola and use the code SHAMELESS40 at checkout.

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306: Shannon Jamail: Surrender, Forgiveness, and How To Do It Afraid Jan 30, 2019

I’m so excited to welcome Shannon Jamail back to the SMA. I invited Shannon to come back to the show because I wanted to talk about her book, Surrender. In the book, she shares how she conscientiously moved out of fear, anxiety, stress, negative thinking, judgment, and imposter syndrome and into forgiveness, surrender, love, joy, and purpose.

Every chapter has a powerful story/experience from Shannon’s life, coupled with her lessons learned and actionable steps that are very accessible to the reader (you and me!)

I found the book to be so helpful to me, especially when it comes to forgiveness and moving forward from the stuckness that old resentments keep you in.

Listen in to hear Shannon share:

How she had to apply her own principles of SURRENDER to her own life after she burned down her own kitchen (literally)
How to embrace and move through anxiety and shift into a “Do it afraid” mindset
How to move past resentment and into forgiveness in family relationships
Active steps to forgiving someone
How to more actively choose LOVE in your life and the universal truths to choosing love

Links Mentioned:

Connect with Shannon: Mind-Body Complete

(use the code SHAMELESS10 to save 10% off Shannon’s shop/book/retreats!)

Shannon on Facebook
Shannon on Instagram
Shannon’s podcast, Happy Hour with Shannon and Dee
Shannon on Twitter
Shannon on LinkedIn

Thank you to our sponsors:

Talkspace: to find your perfect match therapist for a fraction of the cost of traditional therapy, go to Talkspace and use the code SHAMELESS at checkout to save $45 off your first month.
Fabfitfun: To get $10 off your first subscription box (making it only $39.99 for $200 worth of products) go to Fabfitfun and use the code SHAMELESS at checkout.

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305: 4 Ways To Manage The Mental Load of Motherhood Jan 28, 2019

I have to laugh as I was recording this episode because I kept accidentally saying “the motherload” every time I went to say “the mental load of motherhood”. And let’s be honest. The mental load of motherhood is THE MOTHERLOAD.

The Motherload (aka the mental load of motherhood) includes the 175 running lists you keep in your head in every single moment of #everydamnday.

It includes:

every school form you need to sign tonight
how much creamer you have left in the fridge
how many rolls of TP you have in the house
when you need to call your mom
what bills you need to pay by next Wednesday
when the kids have their next day off school
every single email you need to reply to today and which ones can wait until tomorrow
what time the babysitter is coming on Friday
which hotel you need to book for spring break
which of your kid’s friends can’t have peanuts
which of your kid’s friends you need to buy bday gifts for
which socks your kid will NOT wear
how many pairs of clean undies every single person in the household has left before you have to do laundry again
what you’re having for dinner tonight and tomorrow and the next night and the next night and the next night and the next night
which kid will eat crusts
which kid will eat carrots
which water bottle the kid will drink out of
which water bottle the kid won’t drink out of

You are a damn library of information. You are basically hosting your own world wide web in your head.

It’s a lot.

It’s too much.

It’s maddening.

And sometimes it feels SUPER unfair.

The Motherload is exhausting on so many levels.

I want to give you some hope. But I’m going to warn you that this will require some work on your part. But the work will be REWARDING. The work will lessen the load!

When it comes to The Motherload, we tend to make it really hard on ourselves. We get in our own way over and over. We get stuck in perfectionism and martyrdom and make ourselves miserable.

Listen in as I give you 4 methods to manage the madness. These methods are simple (although not necessarily easy if you’re Type A like me) and they are going to dramatically improve your life and create space in your head (who doesn’t need more space in their head?!)

Links Mentioned:

Join me for Inspired Mama in Grand Haven, MI on March 23rd: Inspired Mama

Thank you to our sponsors:

Third Love: To find the perfect fitting bra and get 15% off your first purchase got to Third Love
Instacart: Get your groceries delivered to your door! Save $10 off your first order at Instacart or on the Instacart mobile app when you use the promo code SHAMELESS10 at checkout.

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304: Rachel Steinman: Inherited...A Memoir of 4 Family Suicides Jan 23, 2019

Rachel Steinman is the debut author of “Inherited: An Insane Family Memoir,” coming out soon. Described as a literary Jackie Collins, Rachel’s writing is steamy and confessional while remaining poignant and inspirational. Rachel received her Bachelor's in Psychology from UC Santa Barbara and her Masters in Education from UCLA. She’s written a treatment for a TV series based on her book and is working on adapting the story to become a serial podcast. When she’s not writing personal essays, she's writing editorial copy part-time for a luxury lifestyle business. Rachel lives in Los Angeles with her Internet marketing genius and hilarious husband, their athletic, musical and bright teenage daughters (13 and 16), and their ridiculously cute rescue puppy.

I reached out to Rachel after she shared part of her story in a Facebook group we’re in. She shared that she was writing a memoir about four suicides in her family and her path to mental health advocacy. Rachel’s family story is tragic, but not without some valuable lessons. And her journey in uncovering the layers of her family story is beyond compelling. I am so grateful she agreed to come on the show and share her story with us.

Listen in to hear Rachel share:

How she found her grandfather’s unfinished memoir that told the story of 4 family suicides
How learning her family history helped her destigmatize mental illness
The importance of teaching your kids about their families stories, traumas, and risk factors
How family trauma becomes a part of our DNA
How she faced her family after writing about their darkest moments – and strengthened strained relationships

Links Mentioned:

Find Rachel’s writing on Medium Rachel Steinman
Follow Rachel on Twitter
Connect to resources at The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI): NAMI

Thank you to our sponsors:

Hello Fresh: Save $80 off your first month of meals by visiting Hello Fresh and entering the promo code SHAMELESS80 at checkout.
Hourglass Cosmetics: Get free shipping with your purchase of a full sized Caution Mascara at Hourglass Cosmetics and use the promo code SHAMELESS at checkout.
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303: 6 Tips To Turn Around A Terrible Day Jan 21, 2019

I’m not gonna sugar coat it. You will have hard days. Like, curl up in a ball and cry hard days. Like lay on the floor kicking and screaming hard days. Like, lose your cool with your kids hard days. Like, hate your husband hard days. Like you want to throw your coffee in your co-workers face hard days.

It’s going to happen.

And here’s the deal.

You can handle it.

You can do hard things.

You are resourceful and resilient.

You have superpowers.

You can make magic happen.

But without firmly believing in these 5 things, you won’t be able to turn your hard days around.

You must firmly believe you can change the course of your day. You must deeply connect to your ability to shift your own narrative and trajectory in the middle of your hardest moments. This takes some work - and a lot of practice.

The good news is that the chaos of kids gives you plenty of opportunities to practice, right?? So, don’t worry, you have plenty of time to become an expert Terrible Day Turn Arounder.

In this episode, my very special guest Vinnie Dean joins me to talk about our recent opportunity to turn around a terrible day. It was a hard day, friends. There were a lot of tears. We were both exhausted and shaken – unsure we could change the course of the day (and it was only 10 am). But WE DID IT.

I talk you through how Vinnie and I turned our day around as well as 6 tips you can put in your back pocket for the next time you need to turn around a terrible day.

Links Mentioned:

Join me at Inspired Mama on March 23rd: Inspired Mama

Thank you to our sponsors:

Bioclarity: Go to Bio Clarity and use the code SHAMELESS at checkout to get your free clarifying masque when you purchase a skincare routine.

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302: Nicole Walters: Unexpected Overnight Shameless Mom of 3 Jan 16, 2019

By age 28, Nicole Walters was a highly-paid executive at a Fortune 500 company, managing multibillion-dollar accounts. But something wasn’t right. “My job was feeding my family, but not my soul,” she says. So in YRTK, Nicole quit her corporate job to open her own business and product development consulting firm, The Monetized Life. As her audience ramped up, so did her revenue—she made $11,000 in the first three weeks of working with small business clients full time. Now, when she’s not hanging out with her husband and their three adopted kids, she shares her secrets to earning “passive income” with other entrepreneurs through her wildly popular online course, 1K1Day. “I teach people how to add commas to their bank accounts,” says Nicole. “They learn that they don’t have to trade time for money.”

I discovered Nicole on Instagram and was immediately drawn to her story of becoming an unexpected overnight Shameless Mom to 3 sweet daughters. I am so excited to share her Shameless story with you all!

Listen in to hear Nicole share:

How she became an unexpected, overnight mom to 3 daughters
The boundaries she built around her commitment to motherhood, even before she knew she would become a legal guardian to her daughters
The hilarious and brilliant ways she shows up (sometimes virally) to motherhood
How and why she quit her corporate job online, in front of 10,000 people
Her secrets to building a multi 7 figure business

Links Mentioned:

Connect with Nicole: tv
Nicole on Facebook
Nicole on Instagram
Nicole on Periscope
Nicole on Youtube
Nicole on Twitter

Thank you to our sponsors:

Talkspace: to find your perfect match therapist for a fraction of the cost of traditional therapy, go to Talk space and use the code SHAMELESS at checkout to save $45 off your first month.
For 50% off your first month of personalized care/of vitamins, visit Take Care of and enter the code SHAMELESS at checkout.
Simple Health: Find a better way to get birth control – delivered right to your door. Go to Simple Health or use the code SHAMELESS at checkout to have your $20 prescription fee waived.

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301: Why You Should Set Your Secrets Free Jan 14, 2019

I recently had a conversation with a group of women about the secrets we hold and how they hold us back. Truth be told, a lot of women hold onto secrets for the better part of their lives - and these secrets cripple us in multiple areas our lives. If you have been holding onto a family secret since you were a little girl, there is a part of you who is stuck in the body and mind of that little girl. Holding on to secrets and not allowing ourselves to process and heal from them can arrest our development and impede our ability to deeply connect with others.

When we start to share our secrets with trusted people we experience freedom, healing, relief, and power. And we often find that our secrets were not as big as we let them become in our own minds.

When you share your secrets in groups of women, you’ll quickly learn that everyone has secrets, stories, and experiences that have felt crippling to them at certain times in their lives. And when we start sharing these stories, we begin to heal and we allow ourselves to connect more deeply in our relationships with others - win/win!

In this episode, I’m going to share with you a series of secrets that other women have allowed me to share, as well as a few of my own. I think you’ll see through these examples how your sharing your secrets can set you FREE and allow you to be more SEEN - which can be life-changing.

Thank you to our sponsors:

Butcherbox: For $20 off your first box and 2lbs of FREE salmon go to Butcher Box shameless and use the code SHAMELESS at checkout to save $20 off your order and get 2 lbs of FREE ground beef in every box for the life of your subscription!
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300: Rose Wetzel: Shameless Ninja Warrior Jan 09, 2019

As the founder of Stack-It! Mamas, Rose Wetzel loves empowering women when they feel most vulnerable – after giving birth (at least that’s when SHE felt most vulnerable). A personal trainer and professional athlete (obstacle course racing, specializing in Spartan Races and American Ninja Warrior), Rose has to stay fit for her livelihood (getting paid to work out sounds nice, right?), but after a post-delivery complication/emergency surgery set her back many months, she had to start from scratch to rebuild her fitness, while working through postpartum depression, and worrying about her husband’s rare cancer returning. (It hasn't!)

She tried all the tools in her trainer toolbox, but when she didn’t get efficient results, she got creative…until one day something clicked. In fact, it worked so well that not only did she get her strength and career back on track, but she realized her new calling: to focus on helping women feel fit, energetic, and confident after having a baby, AND make sure their results lasted. Her new method, call the Stack-It! Method flips traditional fitness on its head - helping you restore your energy through self-care routines that involve habits other than working out - like baths and rest!

Rose and I worked together as personal trainers years ago, and the minute I found out she was pregnant, I told her she had to come on the show one day. I could not be more excited to share her story with you for our 300th episode!

Listen in to hear Rose share:

How being the youngest daughter of 9 kids shaped her life
Her rock bottom postpartum moment she took to Facebook live to share with the world
How she clawed her way out of postpartum depression and back to the podium
The impact of childbirth and motherhood on the life of a professional athlete
Her mindset resets around not reaching her biggest goals in the last year
How she’s preparing for her upcoming year of racing and American Ninja

Links Mentioned:

Join my Plan & Prep Pajama Party: Pajama Party
Connect with Rose: Rose Wetzel
Join the Stack-It! Mamas FB group
Follow Rose on Facebook
Follow Rose on Instagram
Rose’s husband Tim’s Blog: Race Sherpa Rises

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299: 5 Uncommon But Super Effective New Year's Practices Jan 07, 2019

If you are a high achiever, or a perfectionist, or prone to anxiety or depression, you likely already feel totally behind on your New Year’s goals/resolutions.

I am with you. As a high achiever prone to anxiety it’s easy for me to feel totally behind if I haven’t met three new goals by January 2nd at noon. So, we’re in this together.

Let me help you out…..

You are not behind.

You are right where you’re meant to be.

In today’s episode, I’m going to walk you through 5 uncommon & unconventional but super effective New Year’s practices that will help you exhale and allow you to create space for everything you truly want in 2019.

I’m going to give you a sneak peek at these 5 practices, but you also must listen in so you can see how these practices will be the most useful and effective for you!

5 Uncommon, Unconventional, but Super Effective New Year’s Practices:

Don’t start anything new on January 1
Spend some time with your calendar
Spend more time listening than planning
Don’t start with goals, start with dream lists (this is *magic*)
Plan small, even tiny, action steps - not leaps

On top of this deep dive into these 5 practices, I also give you 5 DO NOT DO practices that will probably clear a ton of negative space in your head, in order to make space for GREATNESS in 2019. You ready???

Links Mentioned:

Join me for my 2019 Plan & Prep Pajama Party: shamelessmom.com/pajamaparty

Thank you to our sponsors:

com: Save 30% off your Care.com Premium Membership by going to Care.
Beachbody On Demand: Start your free trial and get access to their 14 days results plan when you text SHAMELESS to 303030.

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298: Molly Mahar: Reconnect and Reclaim Your Truth Jan 02, 2019

Molly Mahar is Shameless Mom to Max and Juliet and the founder of Stratejoy — an online community that has helped thousands of women reclaim joy and meaning in their world. She’s an entrepreneur, mama, and adventurer obsessed with taboo topics, designing personal experiments, and the power of sisterhood. Molly teaches everything she knows about claiming ownership of your life + your truth in her 10-month program, Reclamation.

A free spirit with a passion for mindful entrepreneurship, Molly loves sharing her knowledge with others and cracking numerous self-deprecating jokes. Bonus if she gets to be barefoot + dole out hugs upon entry! She has spoken at numerous events and conferences and been featured in The Washington Post and Forbes.

Molly’s superpowers are telling the truth kindly, gathering awesome women together, and yes — reclaiming joy.

I have been dying to connect with Molly for years, so I am so excited that we got to finally have this conversation. I think you’re going to love it!

Listen in to hear Molly share:

Her desire to pursue and embrace mastery in 2019
How she learned she pregnant – when she thought she had bipolar disorder
Why she wiped out half her business and half her income on purpose
Specific practices you can use to reconnect and reclaim your truth
How to pay attention to what brings you pleasure and joy– and make decisions around those feelings
The 4 questions you should have answers to in order to pull yourself out of tough moments and days

Links Mentioned:

Register for my 2019 Plan & Prep Pajama Party: Pajama Party
Connect with Molly: Stratejoy
Learn more about Reclamation: Reclamation
Follow Molly on Instagram: Molly Mahar
Follow Stratejoy on Instagram: Stratejoy

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297: My Most Impactful Interviews of 2018 Dec 31, 2018

I could not be more grateful to each and every guest who joined me in the SMA in 2018. So many of these interviews had BIG impact. A wanted to share a variety of the episodes I found to be the most impactful in 2018 – based on the guest's stories, my experience with the interview, and your feedback on these episodes.

If you missed any of these, go listen NOW. If you want to know which episodes are worth a second listen, it’s these ones. Enjoy!

Episode 194 with Andrea Owen: Your Kick-Ass Life

How women hold ourselves back from happiness and numb ourselves with food, alcohol, TV and social media.

Episode 210 with Kelly Herron: Not Today Mother F*cker

How she survived a vicious attack and used her terrifying story to become a warrior.

Episode 238 with Dana Malstaff: Divorce, Proactive Crying, and Getting Naked

How getting to know herself better led her to divorce and a new sense of hope.

Episode 240 with Debbie Reber: Differently Wired

The pervasiveness of Differently Wired kids and how we can be more supportive of their gifts, talents, and strengths

Episode 244 with Dr. Jenny Yip: Coping with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder

Her story of OCD in different phases of her life and how she helps treat other moms and kids with OCD and anxiety.

Episodes 246 and 248 Danny J: Saved By The Daughter She Placed For Adoption Part 1 and Part 2

How having a baby and placing her for adoption at 16 saved her from her eating disorder, depression and suicidal ideation

Episode 264 with Jessica Butts: Front Seat Life

How knowing and embracing your personality type can change the course of your life

Episode 270 with Nichole Sylvester: Surviving Abuse, Addition, and Murder

How she addiction and abuse, and hit rock bottom when her ex-boyfriend murdered a woman in her home

Episode 280 with Courtney Shorter: Grief, Joy, and Soul Free Mamas

How her 10-year infertility journey led to a brain tumor, the loss of twin baby girls, and ultimately her sweet boy, Hendrix.

Episode 284 with Rachel Rodgers: Million Dollar Badass

How she emerged from a childhood impacted by poverty, addiction, mental health issues, and the loss of her father at the age of 12 to become a 7 figure earner. And why she firmly believes all women should aim to be 7 figure earners.

Links Mentioned:

Register for the 2019 Plan & Prep Pajama Party: Pajama Party
Take Jessica Butts’s personality quiz
Get Nichole Sylvester’s book: Oh Shift

Thank you to our sponsors:

Third Love: To find the perfect fitting bra and get 15% off your first purchase got to Third Love

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

296: Karen Bonnell: Co-Parenting in Marriage, Separation, and Divorce Dec 26, 2018

Karen has over 30 years of experience working with couples and families facing transition, loss, growth and change. Her work as a Collaborative Divorce Coach spurred her determination to write “The Co-Parenting Handbook” with Kristin Little, Child Specialist. Parents learn the best ways to support their children, strengthen their co-parenting, and discover the necessary tools to skillfully create a two-home family.

“The Parenting Plan Workbook” followed with contributor Felicia Malsby Soleil, JD. And most recently, Karen and Patricia Papernow, PhD released The Stepfamily Handbook, for parents ready to date and hoping to one day successfully create a stepfamily.

As a teacher, trainer, facilitator, Karen played an instrumental role in developing the year-long facilitator training program for the Compassionate Listening Project. As a certified Compassionate Listening trainer, Karen utilizes this heart-centered approach to authentic speaking and capable listening used around the world in high-conflict situations such as Israel/Palestine. Her deep listening skills make all the difference working with co-parent pairs in conflict as they find their way through the pain of divorce into a future with optimism.

Listen in to hear Karen share:

How to parallel parent if integrated co parenting is not possible
When you should see a co parent coach
How to know when kids are really struggling with divorce/restructuring of family
How to know when kids are ready for you to introduce new partners into your family unit
What to do when your partner is not capable of co parenting
How reading the Co Parent Manual can improve, and potentially save, your marriage NOW

Links Mentioned:

Connect with Karen: https://coachmediateconsult.com
Subscribe to Karen’s Youtube channel
Karen’s Book: The Co Parenting Handbook

Thank you to our sponsors:

Hourglass Cosmetics: Get free shipping with your purchase of a full sized Caution Mascara at hourglasscosmetics.com/shameless and use the promo code SHAMELESS at checkout.
Katie’s Crib podcast: Check out this new podcast hosted by new mom Katie Lowes, who played Quinn on the hit show Scandal. Check out Katie’s Crib on shondaland.com or anywhere you listen to podcasts.

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295: My 5 Biggest Shifts of 2018 Dec 24, 2018

With just a few days left in 2018, I wanted to take a minute to reflect on my biggest shifts of the year. I have to tell you, when I sat down to think about this I had no idea what I would come up with.

I am so glad I did this exercise, as it allowed me to see a lot of growth and triumph. I can close the door on this year knowing I stretched myself in a number of powerful ways and I’ve laid the groundwork to do more of the same in 2019. Cause a girl’s growing is never done!

I’m really excited to share my 5 Biggest Shift of 2018 with you. Although, if I’m being honest, a couple of these made me pretty uncomfortable, which you’ll hear me express as I talk through them. In fact, one of them I didn’t even want to talk about. But you know I’m not about holding back. So you get to be in on ALL OF IT.

What have your biggest shifts in 2018 been? I would LOVE to hear from you!

Links Mentioned:

SMA Ep 194: Your Kick-Ass Life with Andrea Own

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294: Radiah Rhodes: Being Is The New Doing Dec 19, 2018

Radiah Rhodes is a visionary, entrepreneur, designer, engineer, and coach. After two decades of experience leading small businesses and Fortune 100 companies in the beauty and information technology industries, Radiah became known for her strategic insights, impeccable design aesthetic, and natural ability to connect, lead, and get results. She has led and coached many executives and organizations to deliver exceptional business results and launched a strong portfolio of multi-million dollar products and services around the globe.

Most recently Radiah authored the book, Being is the New Doing: A Divine Guide to Owning Your Energy, Time and Peace of Mind. She also launched a collection of brands and products designed to transform and expand your intention and well-being.

As an entrepreneur, corporate leader, wife, and Shameless Mom to two amazing and active children, Radiah knows what it takes to be extraordinary in life and leadership. She trains clients on how to tap into and leverage their intention as the fuel and fire to create any desired outcome with ease and authenticity.

Listen in to hear Radiah share:

Why intention is a measure of how you’re showing up and who you’re being
How to elevate your intention through regimens and routines that open up space in your life
How making declarations about who are can help you redefine yourself
Why you need a rotating “energy leader” in your household
Why you must recognize that your Busy Badge defines who are you being… is it working for you or against you?
Why we get stuck staying small in order to stay safe

Links Mentioned:

Connect with Radiah at Evok: Evok Life
Get Radiah’s book: Being is the New Doing
Check out Radiah’s Evok INTENTION Planner System

Thank you to our sponsors:

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293: 5 Ways To Keep Going When You Want to Quit Dec 17, 2018

Raise your hand if you’re a quitter!

Oh, you’re not??

Fantastic.

While it’s likely that you wouldn’t identify as a quitter, you probably feel like quitting things on a regular basis.

Annnnd, it's possible you actually do quit things sometimes – maybe even on a regular basis.

We quit diets and workout programs and books and friendships and jobs and clubs and committees and marriages. Don’t get me wrong, sometimes quitting is 100% the right move. See link below for my episode on the merits of being a quitter!

But, sometimes we need to pull up our big girl pants and SHOW UP and POWER THROUGH and DO HARD THINGS.

On these days, when we can’t see the light at the end of the tunnel and we’re not sure there will ever be a pay off for our valiant efforts, we need some skills to keep us going.

This episode will give you the skills you need to keep moving forward, to keep taking action, to prove to yourself that you are a powerful, resilient, tenacious badass who gets what she wants and needs out of life. Cause you actually ARE that lady already. I know it. Let me show you.

Links Mentioned:

SMA Ep 28: Be A Quitter
SMA FB Group: Shameless Mom #everydamnday
Download my 15 Minute Manifest: 15MM
Get on my email list to get the 2019 Plan & Prep Pajama Party Invitation: News Letter

Thank you to our sponsors:

Mack Weldon: For 20% off your first order of the most comfortable underwear, socks and leisure wear your guy will ever wear, go to Mack Weldon and use the code SHAMELESS at checkout.
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292: Jody Agard: Surviving Suicide, A Drug Dealer, And Infidelity Dec 12, 2018

Jody is the Shameless mom, a wife, and a nature lover. She’s a two-time Amazon bestselling author of “Let Love in 101; A Practice Guide to Happiness” and her most recent book “Mommy Reboot; A Busy Mom’s Guide to Self-Care”.

Jody is a self-care coach working exclusively with busy moms who want to feel less overwhelmed and more fulfilled and she’s known in her industry for transforming the lives of moms through the art of self-care.

She’s the face behind the Mommy Reboot Facebook group, a rapidly growing worldwide community of busy moms who are passionate and determined to be a good mom by taking care of themselves.

Jody’s vision is for a world where women around the globe are caring for and nurturing themselves as easily as they do for their children and families.

She believes that “self-care can no longer be a cutesy catchphrase, it must be...a movement...a revolution, and a new way of living for the modern day woman.”

Listen in to hear Jody share:

How she survived losing her dad to suicide, finding herself pregnant by her drug dealer boyfriend, and leaving her marriage to an unfaithful husband when she had a 10-month-old baby
Why and how to be grateful for opportunities for resilience
Your (surprising) #1 job as a mom and a woman
How to incorporate self-care in non-traditional, unconventional, simple ways
The truth about self-care and why it must be more than a cutesy catchphrase – and more of a revolution

Links Mentioned:

Connect with Jody: A Mommy Reboot
Join the Mommy Reboot Facebook community: Groups Mommy Reboot
Follow Jody on Instagram @mommyreboot
Follow Jody on Twitter @mommyreboot

Thank you to our sponsors:

Homesick Candles: Save 10% off any order over $50 and get free shipping at Home Sick when you use the code SHAMELESS at checkout.
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Songfinch: To save $20 off your Personalized Song From Scratch, go to Songfinch and use the code SHAMELESS at checkout.

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291: Permission To Eat, Drink, And Be Merry Dec 10, 2018

Let’s get really clear about something real quick…

You deserve to enjoy your holidays.

You deserve to eat the cookies.

You deserve to drink the nog.

You deserve to live it up and laugh out loud and love lots in all the ways that fill your soul.

AND, you deserve to do all this guilt-free.

That said, I want you to be mindful and intentional about what truly brings you joy.

I want you to be aware of delightful indulgence vs mindless consumption.

For me, delightful indulgence is:

A piece of my Aunt Sara’s chocolate cake
A glass of a full-bodied red
Extra time spent with family and friends
Crab dipped in melted butter at my Aunt Marybeth’s annual crab feed
Wearing pajamas all day
Watching Elf 87 times
A cold, crisp run in the sun in my mom’s neighborhood
Putting my phone down and being more present

For me, delightful indulgence is NOT:

Going to bed so full my stomach hurts
Being wide awake with insomnia because I had 3 glasses of wine after dinner
Eating so many cookies I have a massive sugar rush and then crash an hour later
Hungover parenting
Skipping workouts
Constant posting to FB/IG

Because I know what my delightful indulgences are, I am careful to prioritize those things. In fact, I often pass up a lot of other things to make space for these delightful indulgences. I’ll skip the nog in order to enjoy the red. I’ll pass on the cookies to enjoy every bite of the cake. I’ll switch to club soda after 2 glasses of wine so I will sleep well. I’ll decide which days I’m wearing PJs all day, so I can also determine which days I’m getting up to go running.

Determine your delightful indulgences. Then make space for them. Then, say NO to the things that are not as awesome as your delightful indulgences. Don’t be in constant consumption mode. Be in thoughtful consumption mode. You will enjoy every bit of your holidays more.

Tune into this episode to get specific pointers on how to be intentional around your delightful indulgences so you can spend your holidays in delighted JOY.

Thank you to our sponsors:

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290: D Arlando Fortune: From Facing 5 Felonies to Finding Fatherhood Dec 05, 2018

Fortune is a Shameless Dad and the oldest of two kids. These things should have made him a responsible, motivated leader – which he is today. But his road to get here reads differently…

Although he graduated from university with honors & an opportunity to play professional baseball, he chose to become an accountant for the government. But, the government wasn’t challenging enough for his active imagination. So, he started studying successful people and decided that’s what he wanted to do with his life.

It was at this point that his life changed. It got much worse before it got better. Financial success in real estate revealed emotional & mental wounds that needed healing. Before he could make those shifts in mindset, he battled addiction, 5 felony charges, and found himself facing a potential 12-year prison sentence.

He then wrote a book about his journey & the lessons he learned along the way. As a father, coach, author, & speaker, Fortune brings a unique approach to understanding the wisdom of living a purpose-driven life. You’ll learn from him not only the practical steps for improving the major areas of your life; but also the scientific evidence & spiritual elements that lead to a blessed life and business.

Listen in to hear Fortune share:

His entrance into fatherhood as an addict
How facing 5 felony charges and a 12-year prison sentence turned his life around
How he got clean in order to show up for his kids
The power of habit in overcoming addiction
How he uses his No Doubt Mindset to stay focused and successful

Links Mentioned:

Connect with Fortune: D Arlando Fortune
Download Fortune’s free audiobook: Overcoming Procrastination
Follow Fortune on Facebook
Follow Fortune on Instagram

Thank you to our sponsors:

Canvas People: To get a FREE 11x14 canvas print (just pay shipping) of any of your photos, go to Canvas People and use the code SHAMELESS at checkout.
care of: For 25% off your first month of personalized care/of vitamins, visit Take Care Of and enter the code SHAMELESS at checkout.
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289: How To Quit The Kiddie Comparison Trap Dec 03, 2018

We spend a lot of time in the SMA talking about the comparison as it relates to us as women. But we haven’t really dug into how we compare our kids to other kids. I’m noticing as Vinnie gets older that kiddie comparison is A THING.

I think some of the kiddie comparison trap stems from the same place as our own comparison trap: our own insecurities, poor self-worth, self-doubt as women and moms - and maybe some guilt, too??

In this episode, I dig into 5 ways to look at your child’s strengths, struggles, and phases a little differently. I share ways to focus on the power of perseverance, problem-solving, resourcefulness, and compassion over disparity, weaknesses, and fitting in.

I also encourage you to work on YOU. If you’re comparing your child to other children, you might have some Shameless work to do on yourself.

Let me know how this episode resonates with you and how you have seen kiddie comparison traps play out in your circles of moms.

Thank you to our sponsors:

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Fabfitfun: To get $10 off your first subscription box (making it only $39.99 for $200 worth of products) go to Fab Fit Fun and use the code SHAMELESS at checkout.

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288: Julie Ciardi: Divorced Mommy Nov 28, 2018

Julie Ciardi is a Shameless divorced and remarried mom of 3 kiddos. She divorced when her oldest two kids were 2 and 4. She remarried and now has a third child, age 4, with her new husband. She has a very modern blended family. She recently took a flying leap from corporate, leaving behind a high paying multi-six figure salary to be an entrepreneur with 2 businesses. She launched a brick and mortar women’s boutique, Haven Boutique, where she styles women for their daily hustle. Then she launched her podcast, Divorced Mommy to help divorced moms with their mindset and long-term vision to create the life they want and their children need.

Listen in to hear Julie share:

How to conscientiously frame your story around your divorce
How to model to your friends and family around how to talk about your family’s rearrangement
The mindset resets to start rebuilding your life and mental space during and after divorce
How she and her children’s dad manage their 50/50 co-parenting/custody schedule
How to find power and strength in divorce

Links Mentioned:

Connect with Julie: Divorced Mommy Blog
Podcast: Divorced Mommy
Divorced Mommy on Instagram

Thank you to our sponsors:

Canvas People: To get a FREE 11x14 canvas print (just pay shipping) of any of your photos, go to Canvas People and use the code SHAMELESS at checkout.
Kathie Lee Gifford book - The Gift That I Can Give You: Get 30% off Kathie Lee’s children’s book, The Gift That I Can Give You at Faith Gateway and enter the code SHAMELESS at checkout.

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287: 4 Steps To Protect Your Energy Over The Holidays Nov 26, 2018

I recently polled our Shameless Mom #everydamnday Facebook group, asking what you all needed help with right now. I got over a tons of responses and many of those responses had a lot of likes – letting me know that a lot of you are facing the same obstacles. But the most liked response was, “How to protect energy and boundaries so you still have joy during the holidays.”

This response was the most liked comment by a landslide.

Here’s the deal about the holidays – you have every right to create the experience you want.

You have every right to say NO.

You have every right to create space to rest.

You have every right to create more joy and less stress.

You have every right to make it all about you and your immediate family and not about a million other people.

You have every right to unapologetically set boundaries, protect your energy, and enjoy the heck out of yourself.

Here are 4 ways to protect your energy and build better boundaries so your next month can be more of a fairy tale and less of a nightmare. I’m going to dive into how to make space for the things and people you love, how to prioritize things that bring you joy, and how to actually RELAX over the holidays. Sound good?!?

Links Mentioned:

Join MOMENTUM Mamas (enrollment closes at 5 pm on November 26th!): Shameless Mom

Thank you to our sponsors:

Rothy’s: To get free shipping on any order of Rothy’s shoes, as well as free returns, go to Rothy’s and use the code SHAMELESS at checkout.

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286: Heather Boorman: Fringy Parents and Fringy Kids Nov 21, 2018

Heather Boorman lives an intensely joy-filled and full life as a homeschooling mom to 3 fringy kids and the executive director and therapist with Boorman Counseling. She passionately advocates for differently wired kids and adults through her work as a national speaker, writer & podcaster at The Fringy Bit. Heather’s also the author of The Gifted Kids Workbook, which provides mindfulness-based activities to help kids reduce stress, balance emotions, and build confidence.

Listen in to hear Heather share:

How she meets the unique needs of her three fringy kids through a mix of homeschooling and traditional schooling
Her definition of fringy kids
Common misconceptions of gifted kids and parenting gifted kids
The importance of self-compassion when parenting fringy kids
Why it’s ok to go AWOL sometimes – and what to do if you suspect another mom might have gone AWOL

Links and Resources Mentioned:

Get on the Wait List for MOMENTUM Mamas Wait List
Connect with Heather online: The Fringy Bit
Connect with Heather locally: Boorman Counseling
Connect with Heather on Facebook
Workbook: The Gifted Kids Workbook

Thank you to our sponsors:

Songfinch: To save $20 off your Personalized Song From Scratch, go to Songfinch and use the code SHAMELESS at checkout.
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285: How To Stop Staying Stuck In Your Struggles Nov 19, 2018

Last week I gave a talk to Moms In Finance in Seattle and it was pure FIRE and GOLD. It was basically a combination of FIVE podcast episodes I’ve already done wrapped up into a 30-minute talk that will totally change how you turn your struggles into strengths and take power in your life to rewrite ALLLL the stories that are keeping you stuck as all get out.

Listen, we all have our “stuff”…..

And most of us let our “stuff” dictate our struggles. We let our “stuff” create stories in our heads that keep us stuck. We allow our “stuff” to hold us back from finding and thriving in our strengths.

How about we just stop?

Stop sitting in your stuff.

Stop settling for stuck.

Start shining your story.

Start standing in your strengths.

Listen in to hear exactly how.

Links Mentioned:

SMA Episode 241: Turn Your Struggles Into Strengths
SMA Episode 149: Stop Saying Sorry
SMA Episode 28: Be A Quitter
SMA Episode 221: 7 Phrases of Freedom
SMA Episode 237: 15 Minute Manifest
Get on the MOMENTUM Mamas Wait List

Thank you to our sponsor:

Canvas People: To get a FREE 11x14 canvas print (just pay shipping) of any of your photos, text SHAMELESS to 484848.

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284: Rachel Rodgers: Million Dollar Badass Nov 14, 2018

Rachel Rodgers is a woman of color, a mother of four and a seven-figure business owner -- in that order. Rachel started her career working as a lawyer with nonprofits, federal judges and Hillary Clinton.

Rachel is founder of Million Dollar Badass, a high-level Mastermind for women looking to take their businesses from 6 to 7 figures. She firmly believes all women should desire to become millionaires – because of the profound impact a woman’s money can make on the world.

Rachel is also my business coach. I adore her, even though she terrifies me on the reg by pushing me to think WAY bigger than I am comfortable with. Everyone woman needs a Rachel in her life. I can’t to share my Rachel with you.

Listen in to hear Rachel share:

How she emerged from a childhood impacted my poverty, addiction, mental health issues, and the loss of her father at the age of 12 to become a 7 figure earner
The power and value in knowing our stories and how they impact our current reality
Why all women should aim to become millionaires
The risks of living in a scarcity mindset
How to overcome mindset obstacles in order to live a million dollar lifestyle

Links Mentioned:

SMA Episode 235: Why I Want to Be a Shameless Millionaire
Website Hello Seven
Podcast: Hello Seven
Facebook Group Hello Seven
Instagram @rachelrodgersesq

Thank you to our sponsors:

Fabfitfun: To get $10 off your first subscription box (making it only $39.99 for $200 worth of products) go to Fabfitfun and use the code SHAMELESS at checkout.
care of: For 25% off your first month of personalized care/of vitamins, visit Care Of and enter the code SHAMELESS at checkout.
Kathie Lee Gifford book - The Gift That I Can Give You: Get 30% off Kathie Lee’s children’s book, The Gift That I Can Give You at Faith Gateway and enter the code SHAMELESS at checkout.

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283: Relationships, Boundaries, And The Stories We Make Up Nov 12, 2018

It was pointed out to me a few weeks ago that I might be the kind of person who makes up BIG stories in my head that are often UNTRUE.

This happens when I think someone might be mad at me or when I think I’ve been wronged or when anything feels unjust in my world.

I’m quick to make assumptions, jump to conclusions, and sometimes downright freak the heck out. And it’s often all for nothing. The story I created in my head was just that – a story – with no basis in reality.

Can anyone else relate?

So, the reason this happens is a thinking process called the Ladder of Inference. This is where we take in an experience or some sort of data and then filter it, determine it it’s a threat or a benefit to us, make assumptions, jump to conclusions, form beliefs and take action based on these beliefs.

I’m really good at climbing that damn Ladder of Inference super fast, which can totally mess up my head and sometimes my interactions with others. I know I’m not alone here. Listen in to hear how you might be climbing this ladder with me and how it’s potentially damaging your relationships and maybe even your upcoming holidays.

Thank you to our sponsors:

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282: Taryn Perry: How To Be A Shameless Coach And Influencer Nov 07, 2018

Taryn Perry is a Shameless Mom of 4 and a 6 figure earner as a Beachbody coach. She became a Beachbody coach 10 years ago to prove the infomercials were a big fat lie and she lost 25 pounds and built a whole new career, replacing her 6 figure commercial real estate salary in just 3 years. Since then she has worked with multiple MLMs and in multiple fitness spaces as a Turbo Kick instructor, a CrossFit coach, a Boot Camp coach and a Core de Force instructor. She recently added nutrition credentials to resume as well. She never stops showing up for herself (at 4am) or her business, which has taken her to the top ranks of Beachbody and landed her on QVC with Tony Horton.

I’ve known Taryn for years and I’ve watched her do more in her MLM than any other woman I know. Given how many moms I know test the network marketing waters, I had to ask Taryn to come on the show and share her secrets.

Listen in to hear Taryn share:

How she built her business on connection and relationships, not through sales
The power of consistency
How she manages the naysayers
What her exact paychecks have looked like over the last 3 years
Her secret sauce to making a magical career in a network marketing business

Links Mentioned (go to shamelessmom.com and click on Ep 282 for clickable links):

Taryn on Instagram
Free Kitchen & Ab Makeover ebook
Join Taryn’s Free Facebook Community: Momstrong Project

Thank you to our sponsors:

Kathie Lee Gifford book - The Gift That I Can Give You: Get 30% off Kathie Lee’s children’s book, The Gift That I Can Give You at Faith Gateway and enter the code SHAMELESS at checkout.
Third Love: To find the perfect fitting bra and get 15% off your first purchase got to thirdlove.com/shameless.

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281: Top 4 Lessons Learned After 1 Million Downloads Nov 05, 2018

If you’re listening to this episode, you have been a part of my journey to 1 million downloads in some way and I can’t thank you enough. I did not get here alone. I got here because YOU listened, downloaded, subscribed, reviewed and shared this podcast. For that, I am beyond grateful.

Over the course of almost 300 episodes and over 1,000,000 downloads, I have learned some truly valuable lessons that apply to so many areas of life. I think you’ll be surprised at how much some of my lessons may apply to your life - today.

So, listen in as I share what I’ve learned when it comes to consistency, gratitude & grace, asking, and connecting. And then go practice these things in your own life #everydamnday. You might be blown away by the amazing places they take you.

Links Mentioned:

SMA Episode 199: The C Word You Need To Use Way More Often

Thank you to our sponsors:

Canvas People: To get a FREE 11x14 canvas print (just pay shipping) of any of your photos, go to Canvas People and use the code SHAMELESS at checkout.
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280: Courtney Shorter: Grief, Joy, and Soul Free Mamas Oct 31, 2018

Courtney Shorter is the Owner and Event Designer at RyanMorgan Events and Soul Free Mamas, where she plans memorable events and retreats that bring people together… Courtney has always loved planning gatherings, parties, and yes...meetings! Fascinated by all the details in dressing up, dancing, the music, lights, the food, and the glamour. Much like a stylist helps her clients find the best garments to showcase the greatest versions of who they are; Courtney helps her clients throw the best party or event to exhibit the very best of what they have to offer.

Over the last few years, life has been a world wind of joy and pain but Courtney’s mission is always to find the joy... She loves to bring fun and help families find their joy. Her company, named after her twin angel babies, Ryan and Morgan, is built on a bedrock of love, a passion for what’s possible and a commitment to be an unstoppable force for good! As a way to honor her babies, after many years of event planning and heartbreak, she recently extended her business to empower women who have experienced infant loss, miscarriages, and/or women who are living with infertility. Courtney has created a powerful space for women that crave to be heard and supported along this lonely journey.

Listen in to hear Courtney share:

How her 10-year infertility journey led her to find a brain tumor
The story of the birth and loss of her 1 pound twin girls
How finding regular joy saved her from her grief
Why she created her own grief group to connect women of color experiencing grief

Thank you to our sponsor:

Fabfitfun: To get $10 off your first subscription box (making it only $39.99 for $200 worth of products) go to Fab Fit Fun and use the code SHAMELESS at checkout.

Links Mentioned (clickable links are available if you go to shamelessmom.com and click on Episode 280):

Connect with Courtney at Ryan Morgan Events
Join Courtney’s private Facebook group: Soul Free Mamas
Get Sara’s Shameless Friday emails: The Shameless Mom Academy
Follow The Shameless Mom Academy on Instagram

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279: 4 Ways To Make More Time For Yourself Oct 29, 2018

A recent conversation in our Shameless Mom #everydamnday Facebook group stopped me in my tracks.

One Shameless Mom posted that she only got a couple hours of time to herself each month. And that her partner thought this was an appropriate amount of time – he didn’t see why she might need anymore.

I found this disconcerting.

But more disconcerting was the chorus of moms who commented saying they too didn’t get much if any, time to themselves on a regular basis.

MAMAS.

This is NOT ok.

Time to yourself is essential. Time spent serving no one but you is crucial.

Sacrificing regular time to yourself is sacrificing your true self and your basic need to cultivate your identity outside of the roles of mother and wife.

Whether its taking a bath, going out with girlfriends, getting a massage, sitting alone reading in a coffee shop, going to book club, taking a photography class, joining a knitting circle – you need time just for you.

And this time should not be a gift from your partner. This time should be a requirement of your relationship.

In this episode, I dig into these 4 steps to getting more time in your life:

Make it a requirement, not a reward
Ask for support, not permission
Work in small doses #everydamnday
Opt out and unscheduled whenever possible

Thank you to our sponsors:

Homesick Candles: Save 10% off any order over $50 and get free shipping at Home Sick when you use the code SHAMELESS at checkout.

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278: Heather Chauvin: Mom Is In Control Oct 24, 2018

Heather Chauvin has been named the next generation’s thought leader in parenting and women’s leadership. Her mission is to crack women open to their deep potential and help them create the life their soul craves.

Heather is the creator of the New & Noteworthy Podcast, Mom Is In Control, and has been featured on/in the OWN network, Huffington Post, and various other media outlets. Through her Courageous Rewrite Initiative, Heather gives voice to many humans who courageously took inspired action to create lives they’re proud of.

With wit and wisdom, Heather inspires a global community of women to take back control of their lives and evolve how they lead, work, play, and parent.

Listen in to Heather share:

Why she’s excited to have her mom move in with her despite their challenging past
How she went from almost taking her own life to almost having her life taken from her
Why you need to focus on energy management NOT time management
Why you need to slow down to speed up
The phases of Survival  Momentum  Thrival  Creative Abundance and how they touch different areas of your life
The power (for you) in giving your child a safe place to experience any emotion

Links Mentioned:

Heather’s podcast: Mom Is In Control
Connect with Heather: http://heatherchauvin.com
Join Heather’s Facebook group

Thank you to our sponsors:

BarkBox: Get a free month of Barkbox with any 6 or 12 month subscription by visiting www.barkbox.com/shameless.

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277: 17 Ways To Protect Your Kids From Predators Oct 22, 2018

I often tell people that my “mommy podcast” is not about momming. It’s no about how to potty train your kid or get through sleep training. It’s generally NOT parenting advice.

Except now.

Because I will shamelessly declare that there are a few instances in which I will use my platform to give parenting advice. Protecting your kids from predators and sexual violence is one of those instances.

A few weeks ago I released an episode titled, “How To Not Raise A Rapist.” After that episode, I got a number of messages asking, “What about our daughters? How do we protect our girls from predators.”

I immediately knew I needed to create this follow up episode. And this episode is not just about protecting your daughters. It’s about protecting girls and boys from predators.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

17 tools to protect your kids from predators
6 reasons victims don’t report assaults
6 things every parent should know about predators
The reality of people who perp on kids and the exact behaviors they use to build trusting relationships before they victimize

Resources/Links Mentioned:

SMA Episode 271: How to Not Raise A Rapist
Book: It’s Not The Stork (for young children)
Book: It’s So Amazing (for slightly older children)
Book: It’s Perfectly Normal (for preteens)
(and follow up books)
SMA Episode 120 with Amy Lang: Bird and Bees and Kids
Resource - RAINN: https://www.rainn.org
Article - Parents Magazine: How To Protect Your Kids From A Predator

Thank you to our sponsor:

Follain: Save over 50% and get Follain’s Clean Essentials Kit today for only $22. Go to www.follain.com/shameless and enter the code SHAMELESS at checkout to get free shipping.

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276: Katie Krimitsos: Reframing Mom Guilt and Other Mommy Myths Oct 17, 2018

Katie Krimitsos is a Shameless Mom, wife, adventurer, podcaster, business strategist, seeker and change maker. She's committed to brightening the light of women around the world - through her Biz Women Rock community, which supports Women Entrepreneurs - and now through Meditation for Women, guided meditations that are specifically created with the special journey of women in mind. These meditations are tools to help women reconnect with the divine wisdom already inside of each us so we may live our own, extraordinary lives.

I connected with Katie at an event after some light stalking… She had the most magnetic energy and I knew I wanted to connect with her. We ended up chatting and I immediately felt like I found a new friend. I am so excited to share her with you.

Listen in to hear Katie share:

How motherhood exploded her universe in unpredictable, expansive, dynamic ways
How she created her Mompreneur Mission Statement and what she included in it
How she has reframed and renamed “mom guilt” so it doesn’t exist in her world
Why it’s a myth that you have to make less money in motherhood
When and why you should push pause, get quiet, and take a timeout
How transparency and sharing helps us turn our struggles into strengths

Links Mentioned:

Connect with Katie: Biz Women Rock
Join Katie’s private Facebook group
Katie’s Meditation Podcast: Meditation for Women
Katie’s Business Podcast: Biz Women Rock

Thank you to our sponsors:

Canvas People: To get a FREE 11x14 canvas print (just pay shipping) of any of your photos, go to Canvas People and use the code SHAMELESS at checkout.
Scentbird: To save 50% off your first order and get your first scent for just $7.50, go to Scentbird and use the code SHAMELESS at checkout

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275: 4 Ways To Let Your Freak Flag Fly Oct 15, 2018

Like most women, I spent a lot of my life trying to blend in. I wanted to be the same as all the people around me. In fact, I hated that I had red hair and freckles for my entire childhood. I didn’t like looking different.

However, today, as a 42-year-old woman, mom, wife, entrepreneur, I LOVE standing out. I love being my own unique person. I love being recognized for what makes me different. I love my red hair and freckles (and I get super offended with certain skin care companies say they have creams to minimize/lighten freckles – WTF?!? Not cool.)

I’ve come a long way in owning my differences, embracing my oddities, and sharing my true self. And the result has been magical – as now I attract all the best people into my life.

When I was trying to blend in I had a lot of relationships that were NOT satisfying. Sometimes I felt misunderstood and like I needed to hide parts of myself.

No more.

Now I let my freak flag fly and the people I attract people have many of the same values as me, and often the same interests (Real Housewives, entrepreneurship, fitness, personal and professional development, mental health awareness). I actually build friendships around geeking out on common interests instead of pretending to like what someone else likes. And, it’s SO MUCH BETTER. Who knew???

Listen in to this episode to learn 4 ways you can let your freak flag fly and how flying your freak flag will change the dynamics of your relationships.

Thank you to our sponsors:

Fabfitfun: To get $10 off your first subscription box (making it only $39.99 for $200 worth of products) go to Fabfitfun and use the code SHAMELESS at checkout.
RXBAR: RXBAR is offering you an exclusive pack of 6 adult bars and 4 kids bars + 25% off your first order when you go to RXBAR and enter the code SHAMELESS at checkout.

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274: Marina Pearson: The Joy of Being Oct 10, 2018

Marina Pearson is a Shameless Mom to 3-year-old Leo, host on The Joy of Being Podcast, bestselling author and investor. Aside from being featured on/in ITV This Morning (in Europe), Marie Claire, The Guardian and The Daily Mail she lives her life working on projects that light her up. When she isn't spending time with her son at the beach in Javea Spain (where she lives) she is running exclusive Joyriding Retreats in Spain for women/mums in business who want to ditch the overwhelm or overseeing her investments, or hosting her Joy of Being Podcast where she interviews transformation professionals, business owners and creatives on how moms and women in business can live a life full of joy and freedom.

Listen in to hear Marina share:

The power of not limiting yourself to one title/role
The power of stressing less and living more
How she mothered in spite of feeling she lacked the “mom gene”
How to create space between emotion and reactions in order to feel more in control of your reactions
How she manages a challenging/unconventional custody schedule
The difference between easy and effortless and how to create more effortlessness in your life
The truth about Connection (yes, it starts with a capital C)

Links Mentioned:

Marina’s Podcast: Joy of Being
Connect with Marina: Marina Pearson
Free Resource: Joy Catalyst Scorecard
Marina on Instagram
Marina’s free Joy of Being Facebook group

Thank you to our sponsors:

Talkspace: to find your perfect match therapist for a fraction of the cost of traditional therapy, go to Talk Space and use the code SHAMELESS at checkout to save $45 off your first month.
Third Love: To find the perfect fitting bra and get 15% off your first purchase got to Third Love

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273: How to Do it ALL FOR YOU Oct 08, 2018

I’m guessing someone at some point told you something like, “If you take good care of yourself, you’ll be so much more able to take good care of others.”

Can we just call BS on this?!?

First of all, you are allowed to take good care of yourself because you damn well deserve it, not because you need to serve others better.

AND…

When is the last time anyone ever told a dude to take good care of himself so he could better serve others?

Ummmm, never.

You wear a million hats and serve others in a million ways.

But if you don’t serve yourself first, you won’t see the beauty in any of it.

You’ll be anxious, bitter, overwhelmed, exhausted, and uninspired to use your best gifts to their full capacity.

When you show up in any role do it FOR YOU.

Prove how strong you are FOR YOU.

Show how patient you are FOR YOU.

Let yourself cry FOR YOU.

Be assertive with your voice FOR YOU.

Share your time and energy FOR YOU.

Laugh out loud FOR YOU.

Become an artist FOR YOU.

Run a marathon FOR YOU.

Quit your job FOR YOU.

Go for the promotion FOR YOU.

The idea that you should take care of yourself so you can better take care of others is bullshit.

Take care of yourself because you are a hero, friend, mother, daughter, visionary, QUEEN, ruler, woman who damn well deserves to take care of yourself FOR YOU.

Thank you to our sponsor:

care of: For 25% off your first month of personalized care/of vitamins, visit www.takecareof.com and enter the code SHAMELESS at checkout.

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272: Colleen Hauk: How To Live The "And" Life Oct 03, 2018

Colleen Hauk is a public speaker, co-author of the bestselling book, Women Who Ignite, a Certified Professional Success Coach and creator of YOU SO NEW ™, a program designed for successful professionals who fail to take care of their personal life.

All of this coupled with over 15 years of corporate leadership, training, and consultative selling, Colleen shares her skills, personal experiences and research in a unique way to authentically connect and empower high-performers to ‘have it all’ without losing it all.

Married to her supportive husband, Matt, they live in Southern California where both were born and raised. They enjoy life with their beautiful children, Jordan (24), Ethan (12), and Reese (9), camping, hosting fun-filled evenings with friends, and spending quality time with their nearby extended family.

Listen in to hear Colleen share:

How picture perfect lives aren’t usually picture perfect
The costs of prioritizing her work over everything else
The impact of her family having to walk on eggshells around her
How to live the “and” life
How to define your own version of “having it all”
How she intentionally integrates her personal and professional life

Links Mentioned:

Connect with Colleen: Colleen Hauk
Colleen’s Free Guide: The Me-Time Starter Guide
Get Colleen’s Best Selling Book: Women Who Ignite
Colleen on Facebook
Colleen on Instagram
Colleen on Twitter
Colleen on LinkedIn

Thank you to our sponsor:

Canvas People: To get a FREE 11x14 canvas print (just pay shipping) of any of your photos, go to Canvas People and use the code SHAMELESS at checkout.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

271: How To Not Raise A Rapist Oct 01, 2018

There are so many things I want to scream out of rage and disillusionment right now. But that is not what is most productive. What is most productive is being an intentional part of the solution.

The solution is to dismantle rape culture. And it starts HERE.

It starts with how we are raising our boys.

Now.

Today.

It starts with the conversations you’re having with your sons and the behavior you’re modeling.

Is it a big undertaking?

Yes.

Can we do it?

Yes.

In this episode, I explain the exact (science/research based) parenting my husband and I are committed to because we are committed to not raising a rapist.

If I had a daughter, I would want to know that every boy, young man, and the older man she was in contact with understood and valued these guiding principles.

Please listen and share with everyone you know who is participating in any way to raise the next generation of men.

See full show notes in link in bio for recommended articles and books related to raising emotionally intelligent boys.

Resources:

Article: 3 Do’s and Don’ts For Raising Emotionally Intelligent Kids

Article: 5 Ways To Raise Emotionally Intelligent Boys In The Era Of Toxic Masculinity

Article: How To Raise Emotionally Intelligent Kids

Book: Raising Cain: Protecting The Emotional Life of Boys

Book: Raising An Emotionally Intelligent Child

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270: Nichole Sylvester: Surviving Addiction, Abuse, And Murder Sep 26, 2018

Nichole Sylvester is International Bestselling Author of OH SHIFT: A Journey from Chaos to Consciousness and host of the OH SHIFT Show. She is a Shameless single mother to her 13-year-old daughter, a Spiritual Success Coach and a transformational speaker on a mission to guide people home, to themselves, to discover their innate power. She supports thousands of people per year through her online programs, private coaching, and retreats.

I heard Nichole in an interview on another podcast recently and immediately Instagram stalked her and asked her to come on the SMA. Her story is mind-blowing. From watching her dad OD in front of her to smuggling drugs taped to her body between states to having a woman murdered in her own home at the hands of her abusive ex-boyfriend, Nichole’s journey is more than you think one woman can endure. Yet, here she is. A survivor and a warrior and a powerful thought leader.

Listen in to hear Nichole share:

How she survived rock bottom when her ex-boyfriend murdered a woman in her home
How she drugged her abusive boyfriend to escape with her daughter
How she turned a life of addiction and abuse into a life of service and purpose
The power and purpose of radical compassion
How to move into the “lesson and leadership” phase to share your story
Why you need to start with celebration in your life in order to get over feeling like you’re not enough

Links Mentioned:

Connect with Nichole: Nichole Sylvester
Nichole’s Book: OH SHIFT
Nichole’s Podcast: OH SHIFT Show
Nichole on Instagram
Nichole on Facebook
5-day money mindset challenge: Own Your Money Shift

Thank you to our sponsors:

Fabfitfun: To get $10 off your first subscription box (making it only $39.99 for $200 worth of products) go to Fabfitfun and use the code SHAMELESS at checkout.
Green Chef: For $50 off your first box of Green Chef meals go to Green Chef.

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269: Abortion And The Murky Undercurrents Of Your Past Sep 24, 2018

Every now and then I get an email from a Shameless Mom that just blows me away. A couple weeks ago I got one such email – detailing a mama’s struggle with her current relationship with an addict and her past decision to terminate a pregnancy.

What was so overwhelmingly touching about this email was that a lot of the email was about how HAPPY this mama is. That 96.34% of the time she is extremely happy, caring, empathetic, and grateful.

But then there was the admission that, “the murky undercurrents of my past sometimes swirl with the polluted storm of my present; and my sunny disposition is immediately overcast by a darkness so ominous and pensive, that I fear I will suffocate under all the darkness......”

I asked this Shameless Mom if I could share her story and do some processing on this episode and she so kindly agreed.

To any mama who has struggled to make peace with your past or is currently struggling to find peace in the present, this is for you.

Links Mentioned:

Resource: Design Mom Gabrielle Blair speaks on abortion

Thank you to our sponsor:

Lola: Get 100% organic tampons delivered right to your door for 40% off. Go to my Lola and use the code SHAMELESS40 at checkout.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

268: Erika Tebbens: Roller Derby To MLMs To Political Office Sep 19, 2018

Erika Tebbens is a Sales Strategist for female entrepreneurs. She teaches women to sell in a way that feels good, instead of "pushy." She's also a leader who encourages women to play bigger and show up more boldly in business, and in life. She runs a vibrant and dynamic group for women in business and does public speaking for passionate, female entrepreneurs. When she isn't working, you can find her sipping black coffee on her couch with her husband, 13-year-old son, and two very spoiled dogs.

I was so excited to have Erika join us in the SMA because I wanted to ask her about all her unconventional hobbies and interests – like roller derby, running for political office, and building a successful direct marketing business. I was so curious to learn what guided her confident behavior. I loved hear her story and I think you will too!

Listen in to hear Erika share:

How roller derby stopped her from being “swallowed” by motherhood
What inspired her to get involved in politics even though she didn’t have the traditional credentials – and the powerful ripple effect her campaign had
How she maintains the confidence to try new, scary things on a regular basis
Why she left a successful MLM/direct marketing company
Tips on selling without being sleazy (KEY for any moms in sales and/or direct marketing positions!)

Links Mentioned:

Connect with Erika: Erika Tebbens
Erika’s course: Sell It Sister
Erika on Instagram
Erika on Facebook
Erika’s free Facebook group

Thank you to our sponsors:

Scentbird: To save 50% off your first order and get your first scent for just $7.50, go to Scentbird and use the code SHAMELESS at checkout
RXBAR: RXBAR is offering you an exclusive pack of 6 adult bars and 4 kids bars + 25% off your first order when you go to RXBAR and enter the code SHAMELESS at checkout.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

267: 5 Tips To Set And Meet Every Deadline Sep 17, 2018

There is a saying that goes something like, “A goal without a deadline is just a dream.” I couldn’t agree more.

Don’t get me wrong - dreams are nice.

But a goal with a deadline is much more likely to dramatically change your life.

An early mentor of mine used to always say, “Cut your deadlines in half.” His purpose in giving this advice is that if you could accomplish something in half the time you thought possible, you’ll constantly be raising the bar for yourself. You recognize quickly that you are strong and powerful beyond measure.

In this episode, I’m going to dig into how to start setting better deadlines and actually meet them. I will also talk about your procrastination habits that might be really impeding progress toward your goals on a regular basis. This is something most of us are guilty of and it’s usually subconscious.

The best time to set a deadline is right NOW. You ready?

Thank you to our sponsors:

Canvas People: To get a FREE 11x14 canvas print (just pay shipping) of any of your photos, go to Canvas People and use the code SHAMELESS at checkout.
True Botanicals: to get free samples and save $20 off your order of $40 or more for your first purchase, go to True Botanicals and use the code SHAMELESS at checkout.

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266: Jessica Turner: Stretched Too Thin Sep 12, 2018

Jessica Turner is here to share her new book, Stretched Too Thin. She is also the author of the Wall Street Journal bestselling book The Fringe Hours and the founder of the popular lifestyle blog The Mom Creative. Additionally, she is an award-winning marketing professional, speaker, and freelance writer. She has been featured in numerous media outlets including The Today Show, O Magazine, Pregnancy & Newborn Magazine, Better Homes and Gardens, and Inc.com. She and her husband, Matthew, live with their three children in Nashville, Tennessee. Kids 10, 7, 3.5

Jessica is a mover and a shaker to her core. She is also completely Shameless about how she builds a guilt-free life (read: empire) in which she gets to live out all her dreams, in spite of conventional norms and myths around mom guilt and work-life balance.

Listen in to hear Jessica share:

How she manages working a full-time corporate job plus being a writer on the side – GUILT FREE
Most common mom challenges and how to manage them
The power of noting and affirming mom’s similar experiences
How we can better manage the mental load of motherhood and professional aspirations
How to let guilt be a motivator in your life
The difference between work/life balance and work/life satisfaction

Links Mentioned:

Connect with Jessica: The Mom Creative
Jessica’s book: Stretched Too Thin
Jessica on Facebook
Jessica on Twitter
Jessica on Instagram
Book Snobbery on Instagram

Thank you to our sponsors:

Lola: Get 100% organic tampons delivered right to your door for 40% off. Go to Lola and use the code SHAMELESS40 at checkout.
care of: For 25% off your first month of personalized care/of vitamins, visit Care Of and enter the code SHAMELESS at checkout.

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265: How To Reset And Reframe Your Fall Sep 10, 2018

Last week I tore my heart out and left in a kindergarten classroom in the pocket of my sweet Vinnie. It was a journey to get to that day, and just when I thought I had won the day by not having a monumental meltdown, Vinnie had a monumental meltdown on the way home from school and I was reminded that my work here will never be done. Which is a relief in this time of transition…

Even if you aren’t like me and didn’t have to tear your heart out and leave it in a kindergarten classroom last week, this is likely a season of transition for you.

Aside from tearing my heart out last week, I love transitioning between seasons. I try to be really intentional about what I’m gearing up for, what I want to get out of it, and how I want to grow during each and every season.

I know there will always be bumps. Nothing will ever go completely according to plan. But growth will occur. And on the other side of that growth is amazing things I can’t even imagine yet….

It’s a constant pursuit of imperfect perfection and magic, right?!?

If you’re wondering how you can embrace the transition into fall and how you can reset & reframe your mindset so you can really OWN the heck out of the rest of 2018, this episode is for you!

Listen in to hear me share some powerful mindset resets that will light up your fall!

Links Mentioned:

Free Resource: 15 Minute Manifest
Membership Community: MOMENTUM Mamas
Email me: info@shamelessmom.com

Thank you to our sponsors:

Talkspace: to find your perfect match therapist for a fraction of the cost of traditional therapy, go to talkspace.com/shameless and use the code SHAMELESS at checkout to save $45 off your first month.
Third Love: To find the perfect fitting bra and get 15% off your first purchase got to Third Love

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264: Jessica Butts: Front Seat Life Sep 05, 2018

Jessica Butts is CEO and Founder of Front Seat Life.org where she helps inspire, motivate and educate people to live their life from the front seat using their innate abilities. She is also the author of the popular books, “Live Your Life from the Front Seat” and “Don’t Do Stuff You Suck At”.

Jessica is a retired psychotherapist. Today she is a life and business coach, and Myers-Briggs expert whose mission is to inspire others to accomplish magnificent things by embracing their innateness. She shares her message around the country in her sassy, no-holds-barred entertaining manner.

Leaving the corporate world after 15 years to start her own company has been the hardest and most rewarding challenge of her life. As an ENFJ, Jessica thinks outside the box, leads with her heart and is obsessively organized. She’s passionate about personal development, traveling, deep connections with those in her life and helping create aha’s for her clients.

I knew from the moment Jessica and I hit record that this conversation would be FIRE and she did not disappoint. Get ready for a super high value, fast pace convo that miiight just knock your socks off.

To get the most out of this conversation, do Jessica’s free assessment (link below) before listening in, so you can know your personality type as we discuss all things personality type!

Listen in to hear Jessica share:

How knowing and embracing your personality type can change the course of your life
How intuitive type people can thrive in a world dominated by sensors
The struggle of feelers and why we’re often misread by others and marginalized
How to assess your kids

Links Mentioned:

Connect with Jessica: Jessica Butts
Jessica on Instagram
Free Myers Briggs Assessment

Thank you to our sponsors:

Butcherbox: For grass fed beef, organic chicken and heritage breed pork delivered to your door go to Butcher Box/shameless and use the code SHAMELESS at checkout to save $20 off your order and get 2 lbs of FREE ground beef in every box for the life of your subscription!
Fabfitfun: To get $10 off your first subscription box (making it only $39.99 for $200 worth of products) go to Fab Fit Fun and use the code SHAMELESS at checkout.

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263: Action Alleviates Anxiety Sep 03, 2018

I only recently realized anxiety has been a part of my life for almost my entire life. When worry has been your gift for as long as you can remember, you don’t really think about it being anything other than normal.

A few years ago a sleep doctor asked me for how much of my life I had been hyper-vigilant. Me? Hyper-vigilant? Huh…. I had never thought about myself or my worry this way.

I sat quietly and thought for a moment and then clearly and immediately knew the exact age.

I was 8 was when I started trying to stay awake all night in case we were robbed. I woke up screaming nightly, convinced I heard someone moving our kitchen table across the linoleum floor (cause robbers usually go for kitchen tables first??) It became such an obsession that my mom eventually took me to a child psychologist to see why I might be so preoccupied with these intrusive thoughts.

Today, I have other obsessions and intrusive thought patterns. As of late, they have been mostly related to sending my child off to kindergarten.

While I am ridiculously excited to see him leaping toward this next step with his eyes and heart wide open, I am in deep mourning that we are closing the door on a chapter of our lives that has exploded and exposed my mind and heart to the world in ways I never thought possible.

This transition has my anxiety all sorts of fired up and ready for action. In this episode, I share a recent event that put me over the edge and my top three tactics that help me keep my anxiety manageable in these tender and trying times of my life.

To all you Shameless Moms who are also blessed with the gift of worry, you are not alone. I am with you. Always.

Thank you to our sponsors:

Canvas People: To get a FREE 11x14 canvas print (just pay shipping) of any of your photos, go to Canvas People and use the code SHAMELESS at checkout.
True Botanicals: to get free samples and save $20 off your order of $40 or more for your first purchase, go to True Botanicals and use the code SHAMELESS at checkout.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

262: Janna Denton-Howes: Redefining Sex And Intimacy Aug 29, 2018

Janna Denton-Howes is a Shameless Mom to 2 daughters and marriage coach who is pioneering a movement for women to free themselves from sexual expectations and redefine intimacy in their marriages. Affectionately called, "Chief Libido Officer" and "Husband Whisperer" by her participants and coaching clients, Janna not only helps married women take sex off their to-do lists but shows couples how to transform conflict into connection in 5 seconds or less!

One of her greatest accomplishments in life has been to beat the odds of teenage marriage and still be partnered up with her prom date, 18 years later. When she isn't working from her garden shed office, you can find her having a beach fire with her husband and their two daughters or curled up with a book about the male brain.

Listen in to hear her share:

Why the culture around sex is changing for the better
Causes of low libido in women and why your low libido has nothing to do with you
What men really want: to be desired and admired
Women really want: protection and connection
Routines to make intimacy easier, more relaxed, and more enjoyable
How couples can make a 180-degree shift in their relationship

Links Mentioned:

Connect with Janna: Janna Denton Howes

Janna on Facebook

Janna on Youtube

Janna's Program: 30 Days to Wanting it More

Janna’s 7 Day Pleasure Challenge

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261: 5 Things I No Longer Say Yes To Aug 27, 2018

I’ll be honest, boundaries are tricky for me. I’m a people pleaser for sure. But I’m also acutely aware of my (shamelessly selfish) needs. Over the last few years, I have gotten so much better at practicing what I preach and now I really embrace certain boundaries and 100% OWN them.

Getting clarity around boundaries is so freeing. It has allowed me to have an immediate go-to responses to things that used to make me feel guilty and take up waaaay too much mental energy.

As a result of all these boundaries I stopped saying yes to a bunch of things – and there are 5 things that really stand out. You might want to stop saying yes to these 5 things too. You have my blessing.

Thank you to our sponsors:

True Botanicals: to get free samples and save $20 off your order of $40 or more for your first purchase, go to True Botanicals and use the code SHAMELESS at checkout.

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260: Jill Angie: Rebel Runner Aug 22, 2018

Jill Angie of Not Your Average Runner is an RRCA certified running coach and Master certified life coach who wants to live in a world where everyone is free to feel fit and fabulous at any size. She started the Not Your Average Runner movement in 2013 to show that runners come in all shapes, sizes, and speeds, and since then has assembled a global community of revolutionaries that are taking the running world by storm.

Jill and I dig into all things running and body positivity here. We both firmly believe that you are already 100% perfect as is. And you can be a runner at any size or speed. We also both firmly believe you will find more power in all areas of your life if you start running. If you’ve been looking for the inspiration to get yourself moving, this is it. Promise.

Listen in to hear Jill share:

Why she walked away from her marriage to be more authentic in her life
How getting half-naked in the middle Brooklyn impacted and improved her body image
Why running equals freedom and power at any size or pace
How to overcome self-doubt to get yourself out the door for the first time
How to become a Rebel Runner (hint: you already are one)
Options for the best plus size running bra

Links Mentioned:

Join the Shameless Mom MOMENTUM Mamas
Connect with Jill: Not Your Average Runner
Not Your Average Runner Podcast
Not Your Average Runner on Facebook
Join the Not Your Average Runner Free Facebook Group
Not Your Average Runner on Instagram
Jill’s Favorite Bra Brands: Enell (use code jillship at Enell for free shipping) and She Fit

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259: The Power Of Positive Thinking Aug 20, 2018

One of the things I am most convinced of in life is our ability to control our outcomes by controlling our thoughts. If you think positive and powerful thoughts, you will do positive and powerful things. If your thoughts are filled with self-doubt and harsh judgment of your abilities, you will likely find yourself stuck in a place you don’t know how to move out of.

This isn’t to say changing your thoughts comes easily. It doesn’t. But it comes steadily with small investments in critical thinking and intentional integration.

Harv Eker says, “No thought lives in your head rent-free.” Each thought you have will either be an investment or a cost. It will either move your toward happiness and success or away from it. It will either empower you or disempower you. That’s why it’s imperative you choose your thoughts and beliefs wisely.”

One of the biggest responsibilities you have to yourself is to manage your thoughts in a manner that allows you to live a life you feel proud of, that you feel at peace with, and that you feel in charge of.

Listen in to learn how to better manage your thoughts in order to get the outcomes you really want in life.

If you need help and ongoing support with any of this, make sure to check out our MOMENTUM Mamas program. Registration is open with discount pricing this week only. This program promises to make you a BOSS of your thoughts.

Links Mentioned:

Join the Shameless Mom MOMENTUM Mamas
Danny J interview: Saved By The Daughter She Placed For Adoption Part 1 and Part 2

Thank you to our sponsors:

RXBAR: RXBAR is offering you an exclusive pack of 6 adult bars and 4 kids bars + 25% off your first order when you go to RX BAR and enter the code SHAMELESS at checkout.
Fabfitfun: To get $10 off your first subscription box (making it only $39.99 for $200 worth of products) go to Fab Fit Fun and use the code SHAMELESS at checkout.

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257: 6 Ways To Build A Champion Mindset Aug 13, 2018

Mindset is everything. It can make you and it can break you. When it comes to winning at life, you have to do a lot of mindset work. It’s the only way to see your gifts, appreciate your gifts, and fully utilize your gifts.

A mindset reset can help you find joy and success in the most difficult of situations. A champion mindset keeps you resilient and powerful at all times. If you think about the people around you who are winning at life – you can probably see that they do indeed have a champion mindset.

In this episode, I’m going to share with you how you can have a champion mindset through 6 steps:

Relentless pursuit and focus
Putting on blinders
Protecting your headspace (get rid of crabs)
Taking radical responsibility for reprogramming self-limiting beliefs
Viewing everything as practice
Staying in motion/momentum

Links Mentioned:

Free ebook: 15 Minute Manifest
Book: You Are a Badass At Making Money

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256: RB Fast: The Advocacy Path Aug 08, 2018

RB Fast is a leadership coach for schools and nonprofits based in Denver, CO. She travels the globe facilitating workshops and retreats focused on team building, strategy, and leadership growth. From large conferences to private boardrooms, RB shows up as a partner and guide for every client. When she isn't helping organizations realize their big vision, she's probably in her garden and kitchen preparing delicious food for the people she loves, including her beloved husband, Steve, daughter, Mia or snuggling her fur babies, Moe and Dexter.

RB started her journey into motherhood as a full time student and bartender who could only afford to take 9 days of maternity leave. 9 days. The journey inspired her to take conscientious action to create a more powerful life. Today, she is very thoughtful and intentional in how she weaves social justice and advocacy into her parenting and her professional work with non-profits.

Listen in to hear RB share:

The value of creating your own beautiful space
Her 9-day maternity leave and the postpartum depression that followed
What life was like working as a bartender until 3:30 am and being a full-time student with a newborn baby
How she started a business by making a list of her skills and posting it to Facebook
Survival vs perfectionism – and why survival mode is way more productive and perfectionism might be a luxury you can’t afford
The importance of learning and listening to others stories/experience/perspectives
The advocacy path learning/questioning/action

Links Mentioned:

SMA Ep 234: Megan Flatt: How to Own Your Mama Advantage
Connect with RB: Beeline Consulting
Resource: Nonprofit Board Health Checkup
RB on Twitter
RB on Instagram
Website: Vote Smart

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255: My Home Birth Expectations vs. Reality Aug 06, 2018

It’s easy for us to underestimate our own power. Giving birth is the single most powerful a woman can do. I chose to do it unmedicated. I don’t think this is necessarily the best way, but it’s the way I chose. And my low-risk pregnancy allowed me to do this at home.

I learned through my home birth experience that I can do really hard things. That said, I would not opt for another unmedicated birth. It’s interesting how experience can change our perspective, isn’t it?

This is the story of Vinnie’s birth and my maddening realization that sometimes the only way out is through.

Thank you to our sponsors:

Care.com: Save 30% off your Care.com Premium Membership by going to Shameless Mom.

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254: Christine McAlister: Building A Life With Passion Aug 01, 2018

Christine McAlister is an entrepreneur, business coach and the author of The Income Replacement Formula: Seven Simple Steps To Doing What You Love And Making Six Figures From Anywhere.

An expert on turning tragedy into triumph, she founded her company, Life With Passion, after the full-term stillbirth of her first daughter, Maeve.

She's been featured in Inc., Business Insider, The Huffington Post, and the Entrepreneurs On Fire podcast. Christine helps high-achievers all over the world to quit and stay out of their 9-5s, by building businesses out of their passions.

Christine and her husband and 2-year old "rainbow baby" Fiora live with their 2 rescue dogs, near their Arabian horses, in Louisville, Kentucky.

I wanted to have Christine on the show to talk about her traumatic story of loss and how she found herself a completely new person a few years later. We talk about how motherhood changes us forever, especially in the face of loss and trauma.

Christine’s passion and energy are infectious. It is so clear that she has built the life that is best for her passions and she’s obviously very talented when it comes to helping others do the same!

Listen in to hear Christine share:

How she endured the loss of her daughter, Mauve, and the lessons learned from her trauma
Why she left a successful business to build something new
Why she believes, “when the mindset is strong, the strategy is simple.”
How to identify your passions and determine if you should (or shouldn’t!) build a business around them
The 7 steps of a freedom based lifestyle

Links Mentioned:

Get a free chapter of Christine’s book: Life With Passion
Get Christine’s book: The Income Replacement Formula
Join Christine’s private Facebook group
Christine on Instagram

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253: 6 Tiny Tweaks To Improve Productivity Jul 30, 2018

I’m going to be a little controversial here and tell you that if you feel you don’t have enough time in your day, it’s your own fault.

I don’t say this because I doubt you are super busy. I know you have a lot of balls in the air. I totally get it. But I also know that the constant overwhelm of busyness is usually due to two things:

Taking on too many things and not being clear on what you need to say no to
Poor planning/use of the precious time you have

I don’t say any of this to point fingers or place blame, as I don’t think I’ve ever met a mom who didn’t struggle with this. So, I promise, we are all in this together.

How about we get serious about owning out time and feeling in control of our days, shall we?

Listen in as I give you 6 proven tiny tweaks to help you better manage your day and increase your productivity.

Warning: the implementation of any one of these tweaks will ease your overwhelm tremendously. Be prepared to feel lighter and more free almost immediately.

Links Mentioned:

Shameless Mom Momentum Mamas Wait List
Podcast: Online Marketing Made Easy With Amy Porterfield
Product Recommendation: Panda Planner

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252: Beryl Young: Finding Your Creative Self After Motherhood Jul 25, 2018

Beryl Young is a Shameless Mom to her 8-year-old daughter, as well as the founder of Recapture Self and creator of Momtography® photography classes. Inspired by Beryl’s traumatic entrance into motherhood, Momtography® began in 2011 in the DC Metro Area as a creative business experiment. Over the past 7 years, Momtography® has expanded to include an online learning experience and local classes across the US taught by licensed teachers in 12 cities. Beryl calls herself a creative coach who grants women permission to seek an identity beyond motherhood using creativity as a tool for living a bigger, bolder, more meaningful life.

Beryl is a highly inspired and creative woman who will motivate you to seek new creative pathways for sure. I had so much fun chatting with her and I’m pretty sure she will spark something in you as well.

It can be very challenging to find creative outlets when you are managing the overwhelm and necessary nitty-gritty of motherhood. Beryl is going to teach you how to start digging into creative spaces in simple and fun ways.

Listen in to hear Beryl share:

The value of living in integrity personally and professionally
How family planning and trauma changed her professional direction
How to use The 100 Steps Project to initiate creativity
How you can communicate with your partner to get more time to pursue your interest
Life hacks to get creative and stop over thinking everything
How to stay wildly creative and also be successful as an entrepreneur
How getting tattooed and dying her hair helped her thrive with anxiety

Links Mentioned:

Connect with Beryl: Recapture Self
SMA Ep 234: Megan Flatt: How to Own Your Mama Advantage
SMA Ep 200: Gretchen Rubin: The Four Tendencies
Beryl’s Free Photo Challenge
Beryl on Instagram
Beryl on Facebook

Thank you to our sponsors:

PlanetBox

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251: Managing Deceit Jul 23, 2018

Last month, we found ourselves in the middle of a string of traumatic lies at the hands of someone we trusted on the most vulnerable level. Managing that kind of deceit was overwhelming. It took some time to figure out how to move forward.

When someone breaks your trust in a big way, it’s easy for your mind to go to dark places. It’s easy to give into fear. It’s easy to make up stories in your head that do not serve you.

In this episode, I’ll share how someone deceived my family and our community. I’ll also share how I managed this situation. As someone who can’t even handle being told a white lie, this was a tough situation for me. But I learned how to not make it about me and how to move on, even feeling some compassion for the person who caused so much harm.

I’m sharing this episode in hopes it will help others who have been deceived on any level and might be struggling to process the deceit and move forward.

Links Mentioned:

Join the Momentum Mamas Wait List: Shameless Mom

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250: Lauren Golden: The Free Mama Movement Jul 18, 2018

Lauren Golden is a Shameless Mom to 3 kids and loves helping mamas free themselves from the 9-5 grind. She launched The Free Mama Movement to show working moms that they don’t have to choose between family and financial stability.

Hundreds of families today are happier and more fulfilled thanks to Lauren and her online programs. Whether you’re a single mom, a military mom, or a mom in a two-parent family who doesn’t want to sacrifice your time with your babies in order to provide for them, Lauren wants you to know that you don’t have to.

Today, as the fearless leader of The Free Mama Movement and a thriving community of over 3,500 women, Lauren is passionate about showing other moms how to start and run a successful freelancing business from home. In her upcoming book, she shares her own story — along with plenty of practical advice for anyone looking to leave the 9-5 behind and make a real living from home.

Lauren has amazing energy and I knew within moments of starting this interview that we would have some magical synergy. I am so excited to introduce you to Lauren, her story and her work!

Listen in to hear Lauren share:

How a traumatic loss changed her life and made her quickly quit her job
How she went about “crafting” the life she really wanted
Her belief in the “have-it-all” lifestyle
The negative impact of business building on a marriage
Why “busy” is a dirty word
How to cut your responsibilities in half

Links Mentioned:

Connect with Lauren: The Free Mama Movement
Lauren on Facebook
Lauren’s free Free Mama Movement Facebook group
Lauren on Instagram

Thank you to our sponsors:

Canidae: We talk about families, and your pet is an important part of your family and they deserve the best. Go to Canidae to try CANIDAE for free by requesting a free sample and get other special offers!
care of: For 25% off your first month of personalized care/of vitamins, visit Take Care of and enter the code SHAMELESS at checkout.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

249: Sara Dean: Kick Your Imposter Syndrome To The Curb Jul 16, 2018

Everyone struggles with Imposter Syndrome. EVERYONE.

Over the last year or so I have been noticing how prevalent Imposter Syndrome is among some of the most successful people I know. It has become abundantly clear that we all struggle with feeling worthy.

So, now that I’ve confirmed that this is a problem for you, lol, I’m going to talk to you about how to manage it.

Listen in to hear me share:

What Imposter Syndrome is and how it might be impacting your life
The time I saw Macklemore struggle with Imposter Syndrome
How I see the women over apologizing, minimizing, and giving away their self-worth
The negative feedback loop that keeps you stuck in Imposter Syndrome mindset
3 ways you can stop shrinking
6 ways to improve your confidence in less than 10 minutes a day
5 ongoing practices that will help you overcome Imposter Syndrome

Links Mentioned:

SMA Episode 149: Stop Saying Sorry

Thank you to our sponsors:

Canvas People: To get a FREE 11x14 canvas print (just pay shipping) of any of your photos, text SHAMELESS to 484848.
Daily Harvest: To get 3 FREE cups/smoothies in your first order, go to Daily Harvest and enter the code SHAMELESS at checkout.

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248: Danny J: Saved By The Daughter She Placed For Adoption (Part 2) Jul 11, 2018

Please Note: This is Part 2 of Danny-J’s story. If you didn’t listen to Episode 246 last week, go back and listen to that first!

Danny-J is an award-winning entrepreneur, coach, podcast host, and storyteller. As the former founder of The Sweaty Betties, an online fitness community, Danny-J discovered the most effective method for capturing attention and increasing revenue—sharing personal and brand stories. Danny-J's work can be heard in her weekly podcast, The Best Life Podcast and can be followed in real time on all the social media platforms.

As a real-life example of "Truth is Stranger than Fiction" she uses her real "Jerry Springer Life" stories to engage with her audience, teaches life lessons and inspires others to rewrite their stories. Danny-J now teaches innovative brands and influencers to close more sales, become better leaders and blow up their brands with the irresistible power of sharing. She also helps tens of thousands of families become debt-free by sharing her real life getting out of debt story and challenge #FindTheMoneyProject.

I have been following Danny on social media for a while now. When I learned she gave up a baby for adoption as a teen mom, I asked her to come on the show to be interviewed as a Shameless Mom. Danny’s story is filled with trauma and heartache, but it ends in triumph and so much love and joy that she could never have anticipated as a young desperate and clinically depressed young woman.

In this interview, we dive deep into Danny’s childhood, which was deeply impacted by her family’s religion, sexual abuse at the hands of her cousin, learning her biological father was a sperm donor, a serious eating disorder, depression with ongoing suicidal ideation, and a pregnancy at age 15 that ultimately saved her life.

Listen in to hear Danny share:

How having a baby at 16 saved her from her eating disorder, depression and suicidal thoughts
How giving up her baby actually gave her life purpose again
How her grown daughter coached her on meeting her sperm donor bio dad last year
How opening all the doors in her biological family relationships has improved all her relationships with her parents
Why she is a Shameless Mom even though she didn’t raise her daughter

Links Mentioned:

Connect with Danny: Danny J
Danny’s podcast with Jill Coleman: The Best Life Podcast(Episodes 18 and 19 are her adoption story and her interview with her daughter)
The Best Life Podcast on Instagram
Danny J on Instagram

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247: 7 Steps To Find Your Passions Jul 09, 2018

One of the most common questions I get is, “How do I find my passions?”

Author Kristin Hannah says, “Finding your passion isn't just about careers and money. It's about finding your authentic self. The one you've buried beneath other people's needs.”

I couldn’t agree more.

It is easy for moms to lose themselves in motherhood. It is very common to wake up one day, years into motherhood, and wonder:

What am I passionate about?
What are my hobbies?
What would I do with myself if I had free time?
What makes me happy outside of my family?
How would I fill my time if I didn’t have kids to take care of?
What is my favorite food?
Do I even have a favorite color?

The path to finding your passions and bringing TONS more joy and magic into your life is pretty simple, but not necessarily easy. It takes some time, but it’s well worth it – and the discovery can be really fun.

Listen in to this episode as I share 7 steps to find your passions in life (beyond motherhood and family life.) I think you’ll be excited about starting a new journey of exploration after you take this in!

Thank you to our sponsors:

Fitfabfun: To get $10 off your first subscription box (making it only $39.99 for $200 worth of products) go to FabFitFun and use the code SHAMELESS at checkout.
Canidae: We talk about families, and your pet is an important part of your family and they deserve the best. Go to Canidae to try CANIDAE for free by requesting a free sample and get other special offers!

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246: Danny-J: Saved By The Daughter She Placed For Adoption (part 1) Jul 04, 2018

Listen in to hear Danny share:

How having a baby at 16 saved her from her eating disorder, depression and suicidal thoughts
How giving up her baby actually gave her life purpose again
How her grown daughter coached her on meeting her sperm donor bio dad last year
How opening all the doors in her biological family relationships has improved all her relationships with her parents
Why she is a Shameless Mom even though she didn’t raise her daughter

PLEASE NOTE: this episode has been divided into Part 1 and Part 2. Make sure to come back next week to enjoy Part 2.

Links Mentioned:

Connect with Danny: dannyj.com
Danny’s podcast with Jill Coleman: The Best Life Podcast(Episodes 18 and 19 are her adoption story and her interview with her daughter)
The Best Life Podcast on Instagram
Danny J on Instagram

Thank you to our sponsors:

Wing Alpha: Get $25 off your first cell phone bill when you go to Wing Alpha, click Join Wing and enter the code SHAMELESS.
Simple Contacts: Get $20 off your contact lenses at Simple Contacts and enter the code SHAMELESS20 at checkout.

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245: 5 Ways To Love The Skin Your You're In Jul 02, 2018

Body image has been a hot topic for me my whole life because it has been a struggle for me my whole life.

Working in the fitness industry for 16 years made me hyper-aware of how every woman battles her own body at some point in her life – sometimes for her entire life.

Having worked with thousands of women, I can tell you that a woman who weighs 125 pounds often has then same insecurities as a woman who weighs 225 pounds. Our insecurities are universal because they are programmed into us from a ridiculously young age.

Today I’m going to talk you through 5 ways to start deprogramming the lies you tell yourself about your body so you can start healing the relationship you have with the body that has served you well your whole life.

I’m going to give you a lot of information and a lot of resources, so take notes! Then go follow these Badass Body Positivity Babes on Instagram:

Sonya Renee Taylor: @sonyareneetaylor (author of This Body Is Not An Apology)
Chrissy Metz: @chrissymetz (Kate from This Is Us)
Mirna Valerio: @themirnavator (runner, writer, speaker)
Jessamyn Stanley: @mynameisjessamyn (athlete)
Danielle Brooks: @daniebb3 (Tasty from Orange is the New Black)
Alizabeth Swaim: @curvyhipsandtintedlips
Ashley Graham: @ashleygraham (model)
Corissa Enneking: @fatgirlflow
Mary Lambert: @marylambertsing (singer/songwriter with Macklemore)
Keala Settle: @kealasettle (the bearded lady in The Greatest Showman)
Jes Baker: @themilitantbaker (author, speaker, blogger)
Erin Brown: @iamerinbrown (author, speaker, activist)

Additional Links Mentioned:

SMA Episode 19: No, I didn’t lose my baby weight

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244: Dr. Jenny Yip: Kids And Moms Coping With OCD Jun 27, 2018

Jenny Yip, Psy.D., ABPP, is a clinical psychologist, author, speaker and a nationally recognized Obsessive Compulsive Disorder and anxiety expert. Since childhood, Dr. Yip has fought her own personal battle with OCD. Like so many others, she found herself falling victim to the daily struggles that OCD can bring to one’s life. Inspired by her childhood struggles and motivated to helping others overcome theirs, Dr. Yip established the Renewed Freedom Center in Los Angeles to help those suffering from OCD and anxiety disorders by providing the most advanced treatment available. She developed the Family Systems Based Strategic CBT, integrating Mindfulness Training and Strategic Paradoxical Techniques with Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT). For over a decade, she has successfully treated severe OCD and anxiety disorders with this comprehensive modality.

I am so grateful to Dr. Yip for coming on the show and so openly sharing her story of postpartum Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. I know many moms will be able to relate to the crippling effects of anxiety during that postpartum time. Dr. Yip does an excellent job shedding light on postpartum anxiety, hypervigilance, and OCD.

After we cover adult OCD, we dive into what OCD can look like in children of all ages. You might be surprised, as OCD can manifest in many different ways in kids. If you have a child you think might be struggling with impulses, anxiety/worry, routines, depression, defiance, attention – there might be some new insights in this conversation for you.

Listen in to hear Dr. Yip share:

All the ways OCD can manifest, as well as the 3 different ways it showed up in her family growing up
The crippling grip Postpartum OCD had on her and what it cost her in her relationships with her twin sons
How adults can use Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Exposure Therapy to quickly improve their OCD symptoms
What OCD looks like in children – what is quirky kid behavior vs OCD behavior
Why OCD is often misdiagnosed as ADD, ADHD, or Oppositional Defiant Disorder in kids
What kinds of treatment models are successful in treating kids with OCD and anxiety

Links Mentioned:

Work with Dr. Yip and her team: Renewed Freedom Center
Dr Yip’s Podcast: The Stress-Less Life with Dr. Yip
Jenny Yip on Facebook
Jenny Yip on Twitter
Jenny Yip on Instagram
Book: Productive, Successful YOU! End Procrastination by Making Anxiety Work for You Rather Than Against You
International OCD Foundation
Anxiety and Depression Association of America

Thank you to our sponsors:

Bioclarity: Get 50% off your skincare routine + free shipping. Go to Bio Clarity and enter the code SHAMELESS at checkout.
Wing Alpha: Get $25 off your first cell phone bill when you go to Wing Alpha, click Join Wing and enter the code SHAMELESS.

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243: 11 Non-Negotiables That Complete My Life Jun 25, 2018

Do you know what your non-negotiables are?

What are the things you can’t go without? What are the practices, habits, routines, rules you make sure to incorporate on the regular to protect yourself from overwhelm, exhaustion, and loss of identity?

Identifying and implementing non-negotiables is a surefire way to have more control over your days and your JOY.

Non-negotiables might include anything from a consistent bedtime to saying no extra work events to practicing affirmations first thing in the morning. Non-negotiables serve to protect your energy, create more joy, bring you peace and build better boundaries.

In this episode, I’ll walk you through the 11 non-negotiables that help me build a life I love and keep me sane when sh*t goes sideways – cause that definitely happens every now and then.

Links Mentioned:

SMA Episode 221: 7 Phrases of Freedom

Thank you to our sponsors:

Canidae: We talk about families, and your pet is an important part of your family and they deserve the best. Go to Canidae to try CANIDAE for free by requesting a free sample and get other special offers!
Butcherbox: For grass fed beef, organic chicken and heritage breed pork delivered to your door go to Butcher Box and when you use the code SHAMELESS10, you’ll save $10 off your order and get free bacon for life! Go now, limited time offer!

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242: Rachel Paz: Repression and Orgasmic Meditation Jun 20, 2018

Rachel Paz is a Shameless Mom to her 9-year-old sonm as well as a relationship-readiness coach for independent women who feel like finding companionship and intimacy is impossible without settling.

Rachel didn’t magically know exactly what she wanted in a relationship and how to get it - but a divorce and entering the dating world again were a wake-up call to address the fear of intimacy she had experienced her whole life. To get at the root of the issue, she broke down everything she did in relationships to figure out the reason why behind it. Along the way, Rachel realized that everything she did in relationships that had her feeling like she was settling, were actually behaviors that inherently avoided intimacy. Through identifying the patterns of these self-sabotaging behaviors and practicing alternative ways of doing things, she developed a sense of loyalty to herself that had never been there before, leading her to have deeper and more fulfilling relationships than she ever thought possible.

Now Rachel leads women on this journey of examining who they are and who they want to be in their relationships, clearing out what’s in the way, and attracting partners that fit. She loves to see women unravel the intricacies of what they want, break patterns, and learn the skills to feel ready to love again without sacrificing themselves in the process.

Rachel gets extremely open, honest, and vulnerable in sharing her story and her path to a much better life through the demise of her marriage and finding herself through Orgasmic Meditation. Rachel’s dad was a priest before having a family. Rachel had always lead repressed, albeit comfortable and controlled, life. But she was not happy or fulfilled. She shares her defining moments here.

If this conversation makes you uncomfortable, that miiiight mean you need to stick around and hear the message. This is a powerful conversation that might really hit home in ways you did not think possible.

Please note: while Rachel shares in the episode how Orgasmic Meditation (OM) changed her life, her sharing that experience is not intended to be an endorsement of the organization that teaches OM courses. Her coaching practice is based on principles she learned through practicing OM, and doesn't include OM itself, unless specifically requested.

Listen in to hear Rachel share:

Why (and how) she started practicing Orgasmic Meditation
How Orgasmic Meditation helped her reprioritize her whole life and discover her true preferences and passions for the first time
The common traits and struggles of an independent (often proudly Shameless woman) and how to rectify these
Why identifying as an “independent woman” might actually be harming you more than helping you
The 8 steps to take responsibility for the relationships in your life
One step you can take today to start getting more of what you truly want in your life

Links Mentioned:

Connect with Rachel: Rachel Paz
Rachel on Facebook

Thank you to our sponsors:

Wing Alpha: Get $25 off your first cell phone bill when you go to Wing Alpha , click Join Wing and enter the code SHAMELESS.
Canvas People: To get a FREE 11x14 canvas print (just pay shipping) of any of your photos, text SHAMELESS to 484848.
Canidae: We talk about families, and your pet is an important part of your family and they deserve the best. Go to Canidae to try CANIDAE for free by requesting a free sample and get other special offers!

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

241: Turn Your Struggles Into Strengths Jun 18, 2018

Let’s get real.

Real fast.

Shit happens.

We all have brutally painful moments in life where everything changes. Dreams are lost, hearts are broken, grief is all consuming, the pain is REAL. And sometimes relentless.

There is a time and place to sit in your pain.

And there is a time and place to turn your pain into POWER.

Today, I’m going to share 4 of my biggest struggles that I turned into 4 of my biggest strengths. These struggles have touched every area of my life. I know you’ll be able to relate to at least one of them, possibly all of them.

Tune in, take notes, and then get to work.

Consider how you can start turning your struggles into your strengths by moving away from the limits of pain and into alllll of your power.

Links Mentioned:

SMA Episode 214: Angela Stowell: On Grief Growth and Giving

Thank you to our sponsors:

Prep Dish: To get your first two weeks of paleo/gluten free meal plans, recipes, and grocery lists for free, go to Prep Dish.
care/of: For 25% off your first month of personalized care/of vitamins, visit Care/Of and enter the code SHAMELESS at checkout.

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240: Debbie Reber: Differently Wired Jun 13, 2018

Deborah Reber is a New York Times bestselling author, coach, and the founder of TiLT Parenting, a podcast and online community for parents raising differently wired children. Debbie’s podcast has more than 300,000 downloads and on it, she interviews high-profile thought leaders in parenting and education. Debbie’s new book is Differently Wired: Raising an Exceptional Child in a Conventional World.

Prior to launching TiLT, Debbie spent fifteen years writing inspiring books for teen girls. As a teen girl authority, she frequently spoke about self-esteem and confidence.

In 2013, Debbie and her family moved from Seattle to Amsterdam, where she currently writes and homeschools her 13-year-old differently wired son, Asher.

I will share that I rarely read a book cover to cover before interviewing my guests. But I found Differently Wired to be such an essential read, I read every single page. Whether your child is differently wired or not, you will find such comfort and wisdom in Debbie’s stories and expertise.

If you are parenting a differently wired child, Debbie’s work will be an invaluable resource. If you are in a community with differently wired kids (and I promise you are, whether you know it or not), you will learn how they see the world and how you might best be able to support their families.

If you are parenting a neurotypical child, you will still find a ton of parenting support throughout the book. I dog-eared page after page. I cannot recommend this book highly enough.

Listen in to hear Debbie share:

How many kids fall under the umbrella of differently wired and why being differently wired provides many gifts and opportunities
How to parent from possibility instead of fear
How to introduce your child based on their strengths, not their struggles
How to manage the parenting comparison trap (and all those families with picture perfect vacation photos on social media)
How to use your loud and unapologetic voice when it comes to being an advocate for your child

Links Mentioned:

TiLT ParentingWebsite: http://www.tiltparenting.com
Connect with Debbie Reber: http://www.debbiereber.com
Podcast: TiLT Parenting
Debbie on Facebook
Debbie on Twitter
Debbie on Instagram

Thank you to our sponsors:

Bioclarity: Get 50% off your skincare routine + free shipping. Go to Bio Clarity and enter the code SHAMELESS at checkout.
Canidae: We talk about families, and your pet is an important part of your family and they deserve the best. Go to Canidae to try CANIDAE for free by requesting a free sample and get other special offers!
Prep Dish: To get your first two weeks of paleo/gluten free meal plans, recipes, and grocery lists for free, go to Prep Dish

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239: 3 Things To Think About In June Jun 11, 2018

And all of the sudden we are HERE.

Summer!

The longer I am a mom, the more conflicting emotions I hear around summer.

“Yay! Summer adventures!”

“How will we navigate a different camp every week?”

“Precious times with my babies! Can’t wait for summer fun!”

“I have to be home for how long with these kids???”

“When can we just get back to our normal routine, please?!”

Regardless of where you stand on summer and time off school, you have the power to make this a fun, memorable and functional few months for you and your family. It does not have to be all madness and chaos.

Listen in to hear me dive into the 5 F’s of summer:

Common fears & frustrations of summer
How to create freedom for you and your family this summer
How to plan for fluidity in order to be more nimble as these fluctuations in schedules come your way.

Links Mentioned:

Resource: Custom Bucket List

Thank you to our sponsors:

Simple Contacts: Get a $20 vision test and $30 off you’re your contact lenses at Simple Contacts and enter the code SHAMELESS at checkout.
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238: Dana Malstaff: On Divorce, Proactive Crying, And Getting Naked Jun 06, 2018

Dana Malstaff is the CEO and Founder of Boss Mom. She is a mother of 2, an author, business strategist, podcaster, blind spot reducer, and movement maker. She is the author of Boss Mom: The Ultimate Guide to Raising a Business & Nurturing Your Family Like a Pro. With over 9,000 students in various courses and a 20k+ community.

With over 10 years of experience in content creation, marketing, sales, community building, and business strategy, Dana grew the Boss Mom brand into a six-figure business in less than a year. Her Boss Mom Movement is all about losing the guilt when it comes to raising babies and businesses at the same time, and believes that pursuing our passions and building our dreams while including our children in the process, is the best way to build thriving businesses and families.

I met Dana at an event a few months ago and I knew I had to have her on the show when she got super vulnerable and super Shameless about her recent divorce and the impact of major transitions on a mom’s and business woman’s life. She shares a ton in this interview. I know you will be so fired up and inspired by Dana’s story and wisdom.

Listen to hear Dana share:

What inspired the Boss Mom movement
The power of proactive crying
When you’re not a “kid person” but you are a parent
The difference between feeling like a mom and feeling like a woman
How getting to know herself better lead to her divorce
Why you need to spend more time naked
Her philosophy: “Hope is not in the situation, it’s in the solution”

Links Mentioned:

Connect with Dana and her community: Boss Mom
Dana’s free Trello training
Boss-Mom free Facebook group
SMA Ep 88 Untame Yourself with Elizabeth DiAlto

Thank you to our sponsors:

Prep Dish: To get your first two weeks of paleo/gluten free meal plans, recipes, and grocery lists for free, go to Prep Dish.
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Sudio: Save 15% off all Sudio headphones at Sudio and use the code SMA at checkout.

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237: Your Magical 15 Minute Manifest Jun 04, 2018

One of the simplest ways you can transform your life is by creating a morning routine that frames and fuels your day. I have talked about this ever since starting this podcast and now I’ve created a super simple 15 minute morning routine for you, the 15 Minute Manifest.

The 15 Minute Manifest is inspired by my morning routine and the morning routines of many of my mentors. This routine will give you clarity, vision, power, and a sense of freedom as you enter each new day. I think you’ll find it extremely liberating and life-giving.

For those of you who think you don’t have 15 minutes to spare in the morning, two things:

You probably do –you just need to make time (set an alarm a little earlier, stop hitting snooze, organize yourself the night before, let your family know that you are implementing a new habit and they need to take some responsibility for morning time habits as well)
If you truly can’t spare 15 minutes, this routine can be done in as little as 6 minutes and still be extremely impactful.

So, now that you have NO EXCUSES for not taking ownership of your day, tune in to this episode and download your free copy of my 15 Minute Manifest to get started on your own #15minutemanifest first thing tomorrow morning.

THEN – tell me how it went! We’ll be talking about the 15 Minute Manifest all week in our private Facebook group, Shameless Mom #everydamnday. Join hundreds of other Shameless Moms and me as we practice our 15 Minute Manifests together!

Links Mentioned:

Get your 15 Minute Manifest PDF: Shameless Mom Academy
Join our free, private Facebook group: shameless Mom

Thank you to our sponsors:

Canidae: We talk about families, and your pet is an important part of your family and they deserve the best. Go to Canidae to try CANIDAE for free by requesting a free sample and get other special offers!
Bioclarity: Get 50% off your skincare routine + free shipping. Go to BioClarity and enter the code SHAMELESS at checkout.

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236: Dayna Kurtz: Universal Mother Rights May 30, 2018

Dayna M. Kurtz, LMSW, CPT, is a leading authority on the subject of women transitioning to motherhood and serves as Director of the Anna Keefe Women's Center at the Training Institute for Mental Health in Manhattan. She is a writer, licensed social worker, and Certified Personal Trainer.

Dayna is the author of The Female Body Fix and a contributor to The Doctor's Book of Natural Remedies. She also serves as a Real Answers expert on TheBump.com. She has written or been consulted on articles for The Huffington Post, The Today Show, Pregnancy & Newborn, Pop Sugar, Big City Moms, Pregnancy Corner, Women's Running and numerous other outlets. A sought-after speaker, Dayna regularly presents on the subject of Mothercare. She lives in New York City with her family.

Dayna and I immediately hit it off in this conversation and I couldn’t be more excited to share her brilliance with you all.

Listen in to hear Dayna share:

Her confidence in mothering prenatal vs the reality of mothering postnatal
How to thrive rather than just survive in the drama and trauma of the first year
The importance of using exercise as a healing modality
Other healing modalities during postpartum recovery
Her powerful philosophy around Mothercare: The universal right of every woman to have access to safe, cost-effective, reliable, evidence-based tools to make motherhood more joyful and enhance her experiences in mothering

Links Mentioned:

Connect with Dayna: Dayna Kurtz
Dayna on Instagram
Dayna on Twitter
Dayna on Facebook
Book: Mother Matters Order Mother Matters for a mother you love

Thank you to our sponsors:

Canidae: We talk about families, and your pet is an important part of your family and they deserve the best. Go to Canidae to try CANIDAE for free by requesting a free sample and get other special offers!
Efy Tal: For beautiful jewelry, you will never want to take off, go to Efy Tal jewelry and use the code SHAMELESS at checkout to save 25% of your entire order.

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235: Why I Want To Be A Shameless Millionaire May 28, 2018

Who wants to be a millionaire?

[stands up, raises both hands, and jumps up & down] I DO.

Why is there shame for women around desiring massive success and wealth building?

I’ll be honest. I find this really disturbing and frustrating. Are men bashful about success and wanting to get rich?

NO.

In this episode, we are going to dig into reasons women desire wealth and the specific reasons I want to be a millionaire.

I will also share why I refuse to be shy or apologetic about this and how we are doing all women and our children a huge disservice when we keep our ambitions quiet and secretive.

Women openly striving for high levels of success, whether through a job title or a certain income level, do not cultivate a culture of greed. On the contrary, women striving for high levels of success cultivate a culture of ambition, focus, and drive that often comes from a place of brilliant intellect, insight, and compassion that the world desperately needs.

If you have self-doubt and questions of worthiness when it comes to success and wealth this episode is for you.

Tune in to hear the specific steps I’m taking to become a millionaire and the steps you can take to start upleveling to the next level of success you desire in your life.

This episode is jam-packed and super meaty. Be prepared to take some notes.

Please share this episode with the women in your life who want more success and more money!

Links Mentioned:

Join our FREE, private Facebook community: Shameless Mom
Article: I Want To Be Rich And I’m Not Sorry

Thank you to our sponsors:

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234: Megan Flatt: How To Own Your Mama Advantage May 23, 2018

Megan Flatt is a Shameless Mom to her son Brady who is 9.5 and her daughter Rylan who is 7. She is also a business growth strategist for female entrepreneurs, specifically mom entrepreneurs, who want to lead thriving businesses while remaining present for all the other important things in their lives. Megan believes women make great business owners because we are mothers, not in spite of it. You can almost always find her with a latte in hand, a stack of post-it notes at the ready and a random lego figure in her pocket.

Like me, Megan had a come-to-Jesus kinda moment when her children were very small and she realized she needed to make some changes in her professional life, as well as get over some long-standing beliefs she held around being a stay at home mom vs working mom.

This conversation is fun and inspiring. I am so delighted to be connected to Megan. I love her mission and message and I think it will resonate strongly with so many of you.

Get ready – Megan is going to get you fired up about your mama superpowers!

Listen in to hear Megan share:

Our mutual love of school supplies, post-it notes, and organizational ideas
Her dream of being a SAHM vs her reality
All about the Mama Advantage and the data supporting it
How to find and protect your Grade A time
How (and why) to build a platform, not a pedestal
How to manage your Decision Budget

Links Mentioned:

Connect with Megan: Meganflatt.com
Freebie: Manage your week on your terms with Megan’s workflow template

Thank you to our sponsors:

Canvas People: To get a FREE 11x14 canvas print (just pay shipping) of any of your photos, text SHAMELESS to 99000.
Canidae: We talk about families, and your pet is an important part of your family and they deserve the best. Go to www.canidae.com/podcast to try CANIDAE for free by requesting a free sample and get other special offers!
Weebly: Build a beautiful website and a successful online business with Weebly. Go to Weebly to get 15% off your first purchase.

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233: Moderation Vs Abstinence May 21, 2018

On my recent girls trip to Sedona, a hot topic came up about being a moderator vs an abstainer. This conversation was inspired by two of the women I was with sharing their experiences feeling overwhelmed when trying to moderate alcohol and food in their life.

One woman shared her story of giving up alcohol two years ago because it had become so exhausting to manage her relationship with it. She found herself constantly negotiating with herself about when she would drink, how much she would drink and her struggle to maintain boundaries that felt good to her.

She ultimately gave alcohol up all together – which felt terrifying at the time. She equated it to a breaking up with a boyfriend. Two years later she can see how much freedom she has regained in choosing to be an abstainer when it comes to alcohol.

Another friend shared her struggle with consistently making food choices that support her goals. She talked about the struggles she has when she allows herself to indulge in treats but then finds it taking days, weeks, sometimes months to get back into food routines that support her health goals.

Like the friend who struggled with alcohol, this woman finds her relationship with food to be consuming to the point of often being exhausting and overwhelming. Perhaps abstaining from indulgences would be more liberating??

There is a lot of societal messaging around moderation. But for some people, moderation is actually much harder work that abstaining from something all together.

Often the “treats” we try to enjoy in moderation make us feel worse instead of better – even though we think the indulgence will feel fantastic in the moment. If the aftermath is fraught with regret, remorse, and frustration, then moderation is not really an effective habit, is it?

In this episode, I dive more deeply into this conversation and into some of Gretchen Rubin’s teachings on the topic of moderating vs abstaining. It’s pretty fascinating. I think you’ll find it interesting and helpful if you ever struggle with maintaining habits that best support your goals.

Please share this with other Shameless Moms in your life who might find value in this conversation.

Links Mentioned:

SMA Ep 200 with Gretchen Rubin: The Four Tendencies
Article: Gretchen Rubin on Abstainer vs Moderator

Thank you to our sponsors:

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232: Gina Fresquez: Motherhood and SPD May 16, 2018

Gina Fresquez, MS, CHC, Clarity and Confidence coach and #1 international best selling author, is the founder of The Women’s Side Hustle Society, where she is committed to empowering ambitious, soulful side-hustling women to bring their biggest entrepreneurial dreams to life in a way that’s infused with confidence, joy, ease, and freedom—without having to sacrifice their health, sanity, or lifestyle.

After spending many years in corporate sales and nutrition, Gina’s dream of becoming an entrepreneur came true in 2012, when she started her first side hustle. Since then she has enjoyed the journey of strategically and intuitively coaching her clients through mitigating fears, breakthroughs, transitions, and transformations of building a successful business in a way that feels good to them. Gina accomplishes this through one-on-one coaching, masterminds, and women’s retreats. She also loves sharing stories of other amazing, successful side-hustling women on her podcast, Women’s Side Hustle Society.

Gina is also a Shameless Mom to 3-year-old Ezra who was diagnosed with Sensory Processing Disorder 6 months ago. Gina had long wondered why Ezra’s behavior was such a departure from her and her husband’s calm, chill ways. After a powerful conversation with a preschool teacher, Gina took action to learn more about how Ezra learns and experiences the world and it’s changed her as a mom.

Listen in to hear Gina share:

Her experience parenting a child with SPD – the signs, the treatment, and daily coping
Learning self-regulation with SPD
Why she walked away from a corporate job she loved
How her side hustling resulted in her becoming an international best selling author
How you can go about finding your own soulful side hustle
How to “take the stairs” instead of taking a risky leap into new territory

Links Mentioned:

Website: ginafresquez.com
Free book: 21 Tips to Time Freedom
Book: Women Who Influence
Podcast: Women’s Side Hustle Society
Gina on Facebook
Gina on Instagram
Join the Women’s Side Hustle Society Facebook group

Thank you to our sponsors:

Canidae: We talk about families, and your pet is an important part of your family and they deserve the best. Go to www.canidae.com/podcast to try CANIDAE for free by requesting a free sample and get other special offers!
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231: 3 C's of Lasting Friendships May 14, 2018

Last weekend I got to spend 4 days with friends from high school. We had not all been together for any length of time in 24 years. It was magic.

A few nights after I returned, I attended a happy hour with a bunch of preschool moms from Vinnie’s class. Also, magic.

These two events, while very different, had a lot of similarities. This got me thinking about the value of friendships and how we can find them and fuel them.

Listen in to hear me share the 3 C’s of friendship:

Connection
Camaraderie
Curiosity

I address each C and dive into how you can use it to deepen the friendships in your life. I also give you some solid pointers on finding friendships and connections if this is a struggle for you.

This is a good one – one worth sharing. Please share this episode with the other Shameless Moms in your life. If we all have more Connection, Camaraderie, and Curiosity in our relationships, the world would be a better place.

Links Mentioned:

SMA Ep 118 with Shasta Nelson: How to Deepen Friendships, Health & Happiness
Book: Braving the Wilderness by Brene Brown

Thank you to our sponsors:

Lola: Get 100% organic tampons delivered right to your door for 40% off. Go to Lola and use the code SHAMELESS40 at checkout.
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230: Kym Campbell: Motherhood and PCOS May 09, 2018

Kym Campbell is the creator of the free 30 Day PCOS Diet Challenge and The Beat PCOS 10 Week Program where she seeks to help women overcome their PCOS diagnosis by applying evidence-based approaches to food, exercise, and emotional wellness practices.

After having struggled with health issues since her early teens, it wasn’t until her 30’s when she began struggling with infertility that Kym was diagnosed with PCOS. After a long journey of completely transforming her health through diet and lifestyle changes, Kym fell pregnant naturally after years of failed IVF treatments.

When not busy supporting women with PCOS, Kym’s other passions include writing and recording music, surfing, and spending quality time with her husband and her 10-month-old son.

PCOS stands for Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome. It is much more common than you might think and many women go undiagnosed despite their symptoms of irregular periods, unexplained weight gain, hormonal imbalances and more.

One of the great things about a PCOS diagnosis is that it is often very treatable through lifestyle changes, rather than long-term medications (that come with lots of side effects). Kym talks in depth about symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment.

It is very likely that someone close to you struggles with PCOS – perhaps undiagnosed. For those who go undiagnosed, there is often a tremendous amount of shame around their symptoms and their bodies that seem like they are failing them at times. If you think this episode might be helpful to a friend or family member, please share it with them.

Listen in to hear Kym share:

Kym’s story about the impact of PCOS on her life
Common symptoms, struggles, and health concerns around PCOS
How PCOS impacts fertility
The 3 pronged approach to treating and managing PCOS long term
The most common missing link in treating PCOS

Links Mentioned:

The Free 30 Day PCOS Diet Challenge
Kym’s blog - http://www.smartfertilitychoices.com/
The Beat PCOS 10 Week Program
Kym’s PCOS Support Facebook Group

Thank you to our sponsors:

Weebly: Build a beautiful website and a successful online business with Weebly. Go to Weebly to get 15% off your first purchase.
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229: On Dreading vs Dreaming May 07, 2018

If you struggle with chronic worry or anxiety, it is very likely you go through life spending more time dreading what lies ahead than dreaming about the magic you may be about to encounter. Can you relate?

As someone who has made it my lifelong, full-time job to worry about everything (I mean everrrrrything), I can tell you I have wasted a lot of time and energy dreading, well, life.

And it has been a total waste.

Dread doesn’t serve you.

At all.

Dread doesn’t make your outcomes better. It doesn’t get you to your goals faster. It doesn’t make anything enjoyable.

Dread makes you feel powerless, exhausted and often defeated – before you’ve even tried taking action. Like I said – a TOTAL waste.

On the other hand, dreaming is expansive and promising. It helps you feel optimistic, hopeful, inspired and energized.

Dreaming about your day instead of dreading it can change the way you approach a situation, the way you take action, and the outcomes that you create for yourself.

So, how do we go from dreading to dreaming???

Listen in to this episode to learn how to:

Change hopelessness into hopefulness
Visualize a future you’re totally fired up about (whether it’s just getting through today or powering through the next 5 years)
Turn anxiety into action.

Thank you to out sponsors:

Canvas People: To get a FREE 11x14 canvas print (just pay shipping) of any of your photos, text SHAMELESS to 99000.
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228: Kate Swoboda The Courage Habit May 02, 2018

Kate Swoboda (aka Kate Courageous) is a Shameless Mom to her three and a half year old daughter, the Director of the Courageous Living Coach Certification and creator of YourCourageousLife.com, where she teaches people how to change old patterns of self-doubt and create courageous habits (and courageous lives) using the neuropsychology of habit-formation. She helps individuals who feel stuck start connecting to their most courageous selves, and she helps companies to create more innovative office cultures where teams at every level feel valued for their contribution to the whole.

Kate was deemed one of the top 50 bloggers in health, fitness, and happiness by Greatist. She has contributed to Entrepreneur, USA Today, Forbes, Lifetime Moms, The Intelligent Optimist, MindBodyGreen, Business Insider, and more.

Kate works with companies, teams, and individuals around the topic of courage as it relates to personal development, releasing overwhelm, business and marketing, money mindset, wellness, increasing emotional resilience, and healthy goal-setting using habit-formation techniques.

Her first book, The Courage Habit: How to Accept Your Fears, Release the Past, and Live Your Courageous Life (New Harbinger Publications) has just come out and you’ll definitely want to order it after hearing this interview.

Kate and I dug into a lot of great topics here, but I think I was most delighted by one her response to my final question, “What makes you a Shameless Mom?” Make sure you pay special attention to that!

Listen in to hear Kate share:

How to get out of fear-based patterns and habits
How to incorporate courage based habits
Her thoughts around perfectionism, pessimism, martydom, self-sabotage
4 essential behaviors that cultivate courage and emotional resilience
Why fear thrives in isolation and how to find your community
How to get around the fear of shining too brightly in your life

Links Mentioned:

Kate on Facebook

Kate on Instagram

Kate on Twitter

Kate on Pinterest

Program: The Courageous Living Program

Certification: The Courageous Living Coach Certification

Program: The Coaching Blueprint digital marketing program

Book: The Courage Habit

Free resources for listeners/viewers: Your Courageous Life

Thank you to our sponsors:

Songfinch: Create a personalized song for a special person or occasion using the Songfinch platform of over 300 professional musicians. To get 10% off your Personalized Song From Scratch, go to Songfinch and use the code SHAMELESS at checkout.
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227: Why I Sold My Gym Apr 30, 2018

I made a major life decision and transition a few weeks ago and I can’t wait to share it with you today, as it very much impacts our future together in the Shameless Mom Academy!

Today I talk you through how I made the big, terrifying, overwhelming, and very responsible decision to sell my gym, Sync Fitness.

I share why you should not wait until your fully ready for change before you make big moves.

I walk you through how you can prove your strength, power, and resiliency to yourself so you can feel inspired to take on new challenges.

I teach you the value of leaning into all things exciting and scary – and why these are very specifically the thing you must lean into!

Warning: this episode may just inspire you to go take a flying leap! J

Thank you to our sponsors:

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225: How to Build Your Stage Apr 23, 2018

I recently got an email from Shameless Mama Megan about her experience taking a stand against sexual abuse against children that is happening in the LDS church.

Megan shares how she stood up for herself and her beliefs even though her entire family did not have her back. She stood up through tears and discomfort. She used her voice even when it was shaky. She didn’t back down, even when that would have been the easiest way out.

Megan’s story is a powerful example of how practicing using your voice can change your life. Megan identifies herself as an introvert and a typically quiet person. But now she is also a marcher, a truth teller, an advocate, and a podcast celeb (after thousands of people hear her story here!)

Thank you for letting me share your story, Megan. Your voice matters. Your voice is NEEDED. Keep speaking, sister. It only gets more powerful, life-changing, and life-giving from here.

Listen in to hear Megan’s full story that is guaranteed to light a fire in you this week. Then, will take you through 4 ways to build your own stage, just like Megan did. I will also give you 10 warnings around what to expect when you build your stage, so you aren’t surprised when your knees shake – and you can look forward to the exhilaration that comes with owning your voice.

Links Mentioned:

Thank you to our sponsors:

Butcherbox: For grass fed beef, organic chicken and heritage breed pork delivered to your door go to Butcher Box and use the code SHAMELESS at checkout to get FREE bacon and $20 off your first box.
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224: Sarah Peck: Start Up Pregnant Apr 18, 2018

Sarah K Peck is a writer, startup advisor, and yoga teacher based in New York City. She’s the founder and executive director of Startup Pregnant, a media company documenting the stories of women’s leadership across work and family. She hosts the weekly Startup Pregnant podcast, and she and her husband are the instigators behind More Women’s Voices, a website that promotes women speakers and entrepreneurs.

She’s a 20-time All-American swimmer who successfully swam the Escape from Alcatraz nine separate times, once wearing only a swim cap and goggles to raise $33k for charity: water. To date, she’s written for more than 75 different web publications and has delivered speeches and workshops at Penn, UVA, Berkeley, Harvard, Year of the X, Craft & Commerce, WDS, and more. She’s currently writing a memoir of her experience working in the tech startup world while she was pregnant with her first kid.

Sarah is full of energy and passion around her messaging for moms and entrepreneurs. She is also very realistic and reasonable. She has simplified her life to make her dreams and desires very clear. By living with less, she has been able to create more for herself and her family on every level.

Listen in to hear Sarah share:

Why she left a startup to start her own startup early in motherhood
How she created time and money for herself to afford starting her own business (and some super simple budgeting tips!)
How to do less in order to accomplish more
Why you need to write your personal philosophy and how to make it actionable and not too “fluffy”

Links Mentioned:

Connect with Sarah: Sarah K Peck
Startup Pregnant: Startup Pregnant
Startup Pregnant on Twitter
Startup Pregnant on Facebook
Startup Pregnant on Instagram

Thank you to our sponsors:

Songfinch: Create a personalized song for a special person or occasion using the Songfinch platform of over 300 professional musicians. To get 10% off your Personalized Song From Scratch, go to Songfinch and use the code SHAMELESS at checkout.
Canvas People: To get a FREE 11x14 canvas print (just pay shipping) of any of your photos, text SHAMELESS to 99000.

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223: 3R's To Think About This Spring Apr 16, 2018

Who else is dying for the season of sun, cherry blossoms, and grilling to GET STARTED ALREADY?!?

This is the perfect time to check in with yourself on how you want to Renew, Review, and Rejoice this spring.

In this episode I’ll talk you through:

How you can renew the habits that best fuel you (that may have fallen by the wayside over the winter)
How to access what you want more of and less of this spring and how to take radical responsibility to get it all
How to rejoice in the little things that light you up and find magic moments as the season's change

I’ll share specific examples from my life pertaining from all of the above. Feel free to copy/model/borrow/steal it all!

Happy Spring Shameless friends! Xoxo

Thank you to our sponsors:

Efy Tal: For beautiful jewelry, you will never want to take off, go to Efy Tal and use the code SHAMELESS at checkout to save 25% of your entire order.
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222: Sara LeHoullier: Shameless Stepmom and Busybee Apr 11, 2018

Sara LeHoullier has always been a busy-bee. With a BA in English Literature and a Master's in Sustainable Development, she jumped from teaching English as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Madagascar to managing donor-funded projects with a large NGO, then dove into consulting with Microsoft before striking out on her own. She currently designs Squarespace websites and writes copy for passionate entrepreneurs and small businesses — she’s also the co-founder of Shop the Change, a web app designed to help consumers make value-based shopping decisions and support the brands working to make the world a better place. Her most challenging (and rewarding) position yet is being a stepmom. She’s deeply interested in social change, sustainable business, and creating space for conversations that improve the way we work and live on this planet.

This was such a fun interview. You will hear Sara’s magnetic energy from the very beginning of the interview. I loved hearing Sara’s story and I really appreciate how she opened up about some of the less talked about aspects of stepmotherhood. I know you’ll learn some valuable lessons from Sara’s journey.

Listen in to hear Sara share:

Her unexpected journey into motherhood
The challenges of building an identity as a stepmom
How she worked through the isolation of being a new mother figure and stepmom
How her entrepreneurial journey paralleled her motherhood journey
Where she is now – attracting all the right people at the right time

Links Mentioned:

Busybee: thebusybee.me
Busybee on Facebook
Shop the Change: shopthechange.com
Shop the Change on Facebook
Hotline: The Boys Town Hotline
Book: The Soul of an Octopus

Thank you to our sponsors:

Songfinch: Create a personalized song for a special person or occasion using the Songfinch platform of over 300 professional musicians. To get 10% off your Personalized Song From Scratch, go to Songfinch and use the code SHAMELESS at checkout.

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221: Seven Phrases of Freedom Apr 09, 2018

There are a handful of phrases that can buy you A LOT of freedom. These are small statements you can use to convey big messages that will get you out of over-explaining yourself, stretching the truth to get your way, or rationalizing way more than you need to in any given conversation or situation.

For example, when we over-explain a “NO”, for example, we often say way too much, minimize our power, and give away way too much of ourselves.

These 7 Phrases of Freedom will give you back your time, energy, and sanity:

Not right now.
Let me get back to you.
Can you send me an email about that?
Thank you.
I appreciate you.
That has not been my experience.

Use them liberally, starting now!

Thank you to our sponsors:

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220: Natali Morris - News Anchor Gone Wealth Builder Apr 04, 2018

Natali Morris is a broadcaster, writer, speaker, and the Co-Founder and CFO of Morris Invest. Previously, Natali was a news anchor and technology reporter for NBC, CBS, CNET, and The Today Show. Her mission is to empower couples and families to take control of their money, stop living paycheck to paycheck, and start building real long-term wealth.

After leaving a full-time job and six figure paycheck as a news anchor on NBC in order to raise a family, Natali ended up with an unexpected feeling when it came to money: powerlessness. Instead of shrinking back, she decided to run headfirst into her "powerlessness" and started operating her family's wealth like a business.

As of October 2017, Natali, her husband, and their three children (ages 1, 5, and 7) have achieved complete financial freedom due to the creative money and business decisions they’ve made, and she launched NataliMorris.com as a way to share surprising lessons learned on their journey.

Listen in to hear Natali share:

Why she had to get our of TV and move on to something more powerful and meaningful
What are performing assets and why are they necessary to building wealth
How to create a family mission statement based on your personal family values
Why you should treat your marriage partnership like a business and how to do it
How to be more innovative and creative around wealth building

Links Mentioned:

Find Natali on Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn
Book: Entrusted: Building a Legacy That Lasts by Andrew Howell
Book: Rich Dad, Poor Dad by Robert Kiyosaki
Connect with Natali: Natali Morris OR Morris Invest
Podcast: Investing in Real Estate with Clayton Morris

Thank you to our sponsors:

Canvas People: To get a FREE 11x14 canvas print (just pay shipping) of any of your photos, text SHAMELESS to 99000.
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219: Boundaries (With Judgy People) Apr 02, 2018

“Hi! I'm a devout listener of your podcast, and really appreciate everything you do to make that possible! I've gained a lot of emotional intelligence and lost a lot of guilt over small things!

I'm a 24-year working mama in school with 2 little ones, and on Thursday I'm getting a breast augmentation and lift!!! I'm extremely excited but have not told anyone I work with or really anyone except my 3 closest people.

I decided to go through with this and not let fear of other's judgment affect my decisions! However, I'm still nervous people (especially my in-laws) are going to think I'm "loaded" even though I have always been excellent at budgeting and finances, and work for everything I have. I'm really hoping you can give me some advice on 2 things.

Is it a good idea or is it even possible to keep this private?
2. How do I deal with people's responses if they do find out? I've already come up with a few "mantras" for myself: "You are not a bad mother for getting this done", "You are not robbing money that could have been better spent on your children", "My husband supports this decision, and I am not wasting our money". But I just do not want to deal with the consequences of everyone knowing and having negative reactions.

Thanks again for producing amazing content, that literally changes peoples’ lives!”

I had sooooo much to say about this (of course!) Listen in to hear my reply.

Links Mentioned:

Shameless Mom Academy Ep 161: Boob Job

Thank you to our sponsors:

Third Love: To find the perfect fitting bra and get 15% off your first purchase got to Third Love
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218: Ali Caliendo: Foster Kinship Mar 28, 2018

Ali is a tireless advocate for children and families, focusing on kinship, foster and adoptive families. She launched, funded and currently serves as the Executive Director of Foster Kinship, non-profit organization devoted to the support of kinship families. She founded Foster Kinship to provide much-needed resources and peer-to-peer support for the dedicated individuals working tirelessly to raise their relative’s children, keeping these children both connected to family and safe from harm.

A licensed foster and adoptive parent herself, Ali is a frequent contributor to the local, state and national conversation on kinship and foster care. Ali is completing a Ph.D. in Public Affairs at UNLV and holds a Master’s Degree in Organizational Systems Renewal (OSR) from Seattle University, specializing in family systems and systemic trauma and healing, organizational consulting and group facilitation. Ali currently resides in Las Vegas with her husband and 5-year-old son.

Ali always knew she wanted to mother through adoption. She also felt a tremendous professional pull toward serving children and families who have experienced trauma. Ali has so beautifully pursued her personal and professional dreams in order to impact the lives of over 4,000 children in the last 6 years, while building a family with her husband and son, Anthony.

Listen in to hear Ali share:

What is kinship care and why does it need more dramatically more support and resources
How to find resources and connections for kinship care in your area
10 questions that ID if a child is at risk for mental health/physical challenges later in life
Considerations to make if you’re thinking of starting a non-profit
The beauty of imperfect action and why you shouldn’t wait until you know it all to get build something you’re passionate about
The power of the highs and lows of fostering and adoption

Links Mentioned:

Learn more about Foster Kinship: www.FosterKinship.org

Foster Kinship on Facebook

Ali on Twitter

Tool: Adverse Childhood Experience Questionnaire

Thank you to our sponsors:

Splitting Up Together: Check out this fresh and relatable comedy about a modern approach to divorce, dating, raising a family staring Jenna Fisher. Premieres Tuesday, March 27th at 9:30/8:30c on ABC
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217: The Secret Baptism Mar 26, 2018

We recently made some decisions around education and religion that gave me the opportunity to dig into some discomfort. I thought it was worth sharing here, as I learn more and more that things are not always black and white (Dammit! It’s soooo much easier when they are!)

Sharing here allowed me to process what this journey has been like for me. I think you might find it helpful if you’ve ever had to make uncomfortable decisions around religion.

Annnnd…. I would love to hear your stories discomfort and religion. Email me at sara@shamelessmom.com if you have a story to share.

Thank you to our sponsors:

Splitting Up Together: Check out this fresh and relatable comedy about a modern approach to divorce, dating, raising a family staring Jenna Fisher. Premieres Tuesday, March 27th at 9:30/8:30c on ABC
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216: Ellie Bassick-Trovato: The New Brave Mar 21, 2018

Ellie Bassick-Trovato, the CEO & Founder of The New Brave, discovered a way to thrive in the face of enormous challenges such as depression, compulsive eating, and losing her husband and both of her parents. She created The New Brave to inspire other women to find their way to thrive in the midst of life’s challenges.

The company's mission is to unleash the power and the depth of feminine energy to help heal the world. She is a co-author of the Amazon #1 bestseller A Juicy Joyful Life: Inspiration from Women Who Have Found the Sweetness in Every Day. She writes, speaks, and facilitates workshops that help women live true and express their greatest gifts and their joy. She has impacted thousands of women’s lives through the wellness center she created (Uplifting Connections) and through online and in-person workshops and private coaching.

Ellie is joining The Shameless Mom Academy to share her shameless journey as a woman, widow, a single mom, and a leader. She shares the unexpected gifts that came out of her pain and trauma. We talk about self-love, your inner mean girl, and how to stop harmful self-talk.

Listen in to hear Ellie share:

Her story of becoming a widow with a very young child
How her perspective of Love vs fear got her through her husbands declining health and death
The concept of Thrive brain vs Survive brain
How lack of self-care will paralyze all areas of your life
How to use curiosity as an antidote to judgment

Links Mentioned:

Connect with Ellie: The New Brave
Free Course: 5 Habits Happy People Have
Ellie on Facebook
Ellie on Instagram
Book: Conversations with God
Book: Going Beyond Self Hate
Parenting Workbook/CD Course: The Total Transformation Program by James Lehman

Thank you to our sponsors:

Bissell: For the easiest and most mess-free way to bathe your dog at home go to: Get Bark Bath. Use the code SHAMELESS at checkout to get two FREE bottles of no-rinse shampoo with your order.
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Splitting Up Together: Check out this fresh and relatable comedy about a modern approach to divorce, dating, raising a family staring Jenna Fisher. Premieres Tuesday, March 27th at 9:30/8:30c on ABC

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215: You're Not Special Mar 19, 2018

I was recently at an event and my mind was blown open when I realized this one simple truth:

None of us are special.

Annnnnd – that means we are all equally capable of doing great things.

Those people you put on a pedestal - the heroes in your life – they all have struggles. They all have insecurities and doubts. They all fear failure. They all make mistakes. They all fall flat on their faces sometimes.

And this is a good thing.

It means we are all the same.

While no one is special, we are all unique. No one can ever be more you than YOU. Which means no matter what you do, it will never be the same as anyone else and you can make it as big and bold and badass as you want. There is no reason to hold anything back.

Listen in to learn how to be more YOU by:

Identifying and pursuing your own interests
Learn from people those who inspire you
Identifying commonalities between you and the people you admire most instead of differences
Identifying your zones of genius
Starting passion projects that are just for you
Diving into your story and embracing its impact on your life

Links Mentioned:

Podcast: School of Greatness interview with Lewis Howes and Shaun T

Thank you to our sponsors:

Canvas People: To get a FREE 11x14 canvas print (just pay shipping) of any of your photos, go to Canvas People and use the code SHAMELESS at checkout.
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214: Angela Stowell: On Grief, Growth and Giving Mar 14, 2018

Angela Stowell is co-founder and CEO and of Ethan Stowell Restaurants in Seattle. In 2007, she and her husband, Chef Ethan Stowell, founded Ethan Stowell Restaurants. The couple has since opened 16 restaurants across the city of Seattle. Angela manages over $25.5 million in annual revenue and oversees 320 employees.

Angela has repeatedly been recognized as a powerhouse and consistently conscientious businesswoman. She was named one of the Puget Sound Business Journal’s 2013 “40 Under 40. She and Ethan were the recipients of the 2016 Richard Melman Innovator of the Year Award. Most recently, she was honored as one of the Puget Sound Business Journal’s 2017 “Women of Influence,” a list showcasing women whose outstanding leadership has an outsized influence on the business community, and was named one of the “50 Most Influential Women in Seattle” by Seattle Met Magazine.

Angela sits on the Board of Directors for the United Way of King County where she serves as co-chair for Reconnecting Youth and as the 2018 Annual Campaign co-chair. Additionally, Angela has a seat on the board of local startup, Kigo Asian Kitchen, and is a member of the Seattle Chamber of Commerce Policy Leadership Group.

While Angela shines bright and strong in the Seattle business community, I know her first and foremost as great friend and a fantastic mom. I am so honored to share her Shameless story with you.

Listen in to hear Angela share:

Her traumatic entrance into motherhood after losing twin sons
How she moved forward from grief and found meaning in loss
The power of building a company around giving and serving rather than selling and promoting
What it’s like to be a CEO, philanthropist, activist, and Shameless Mom
How to find time that is just for you when you have multiple full-time jobs

Links Mentioned:

Connect with Angela at Ethan Stowell Restaurants

Angela on Instagram

Book: Hillbilly Elegy

Thank you to our sponsors:

Freshly: For fresh, fully cooked meals delivered right to your door. Save $25 off your first order of 6 meals at Freshly

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213: 8 Tips to Manage Procrastination Mar 12, 2018

Procrastination is something that has come up a lot with my coaching clients recently, so I thought we should dive into that here.

There are many reasons we procrastinate. Sometimes procrastination is wrapped up in our self-doubt. Sometimes it’s wrapped up in perfectionism. Sometimes we’re scared of discomfort. Sometimes we’re paralyzed by anxiety.

In this episode, I’ll walk you through 6 common reasons we procrastinate (I think you’ll find a few of these very enlightening) and 8 steps you can take to procrastinate less.

We’ll talk about everything from simple habits like setting timers to get stuff done, to deeper ideas around assessing your mental health when find yourself in procrastination habits that you cannot seem to pull yourself out of.

Thank you to our sponsors:

KIND: For healthy, delicious snack bars go to Kind to get 10 KIND Bars for free – just pay shipping!
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212: Beth Baker: Running Evolution Mar 07, 2018

"My goal is to get as many new runners as possible, increase the awesome community, and laugh while doing it." - Beth Baker

Beth Baker started Running Evolution out of trying to run and failing for almost a year. She says she made every mistake; bad sports bras, wrong shoes and just, well, doing it wrong. But after falling in love with the sport and helping her friends start running, she knew she was on to something. The business was created 10 years ago and 2000 new runners were made from the program. She has also started her new venture: Coach Running Evolution.com, a online coaching program, where she is certifying and licensing people to start their own coaching program for new runners.

Beth is a colleague and friend of mine in Seattle. We are friends because – well – I stalked her and told her I wanted to be her friend. Seriously. This is how beautiful friendships are made.

Beth creates running magic by helping women share the experiences of learning to run together. I can’t say enough good things about the impact Beth has had on the thousands of runners she has coached. I am delighted and honored to share Beth with you today.

Listen in to hear Beth share:

Why the first three miles of running are the hardest
Why running with a group is so much more beneficial, mentally and physically
The truth about running when it’s really hurt (hint: you’re fine)
Why you don’t need to be fast or run far for running to “count”
Why running communities are especially valuable to moms
Why running slow can be exactly what you need
How to build a community and business around running
How to become a running coach even if you don’t have any coaching experience (and even if you’re not a fast runner)

Links Mentioned:

Run with Beth in Seattle: Running Evolution
Become a running coach: Coach Running Evolution
Beth on Twitter
Beth on Instagram
Book: Bird By Bird by Anne Lamont

Thank you to our sponsors:

Bissell: For the easiest and most mess-free way to bathe your dog at home go to: Bissell. Use the code SHAMELESS at checkout to get two FREE bottles of no-rinse shampoo with your order.
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211: 3 Things To Think About In March Mar 05, 2018

We are well into 2018. It’s not a new year anymore, per se. However, have you started tackling the things you truly wanted to tackle this year? Have you been taking chances, getting out of your comfort zone, and going after the things you truly want – even if they scare you?

As we enter a new month and rapidly approach the spring season (YAY!), the time for action is now. The time to get a little uncomfortable is now. The time to be seen as the you you truly want to be is now.

I just had a conversation with a Shameless Mom last week about how uncomfortable it can be to show up in our lives in new and uncomfortable ways. We risk feeling naked and exposed. We risk judgment and misperceptions from others. It can feel ridiculously vulnerable.

But on the other side of that discomfort is YOU being YOU – standing in your power and your confidence (even if you’re faking it or forcing it a bit at first). It is liberating and life giving.

On the other side of that discomfort you get to move beyond the stagnation and frustration of your current life. You get to solve problems, embrace new adventures, and live bigger.

So, the uncomfortable steps must be taken, right?

In this episode, we’ll talk about how to have uncomfortable conversations (in the most comfortable way possible), how to take uncomfortable action and how to be more open to being seen as who you want to be, rather than who you think you should be.

Links Mentioned

Book: The 5 Second Rule by Mel Robbins

Thank you to our sponsors:

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210: Kelly Herron Not Today Mother F....r Feb 28, 2018

"Not Today Motherf@#!er" was the battle cry Kelly Herron screamed on a Sunday afternoon when she experienced every runner's biggest nightmare - a mid-run assault. Using the skills she recently learned in a self-defense workshop offered at her workplace, she fought back against a transient sex offender who attacked her in a park bathroom, trapping him inside until police arrived.

Her Instagram post showing the frantic GPS lines tracking the violent encounter went viral, inspiring women around the world to fight back - whether it be against assault or even against someone who is underestimating them.

Kelly has been featured by Women’s Running Magazine among the 21 Women Transforming the World through Running, has partnered with Runner’s World Magazine to support survivors through merchandise sales, and has been a tv guest on shows such as Good Morning America, Inside Edition, and The Doctors.

She has used her story to raise thousands of dollars to support survivors and raise awareness about personal safety and self-defense.

This interview will give you goosebumps and tears as you listen to Kelly very eloquently share her story. It will also give you a tremendous about of hope that trauma doesn’t need to define you, and it can even make you better. What you do with trauma is up to you. You have the power to make it something can change your trajectory for the better like Kelly did because only YOU can write the ending to your story.

WARNING: This episode contains content and language not appropriate for children.

Listen in to hear Kelly share:

The play-by-play of her attack and how she prevented being sexually assaulted
Specific self-defense techniques that she used that anyone should use in an attack
Why awareness and perseverance are KEY in saving yourself from an attacker
How she has spent the last year as a fighter, survivor and warrior, and not as a victim
What recovery from trauma looks like on a day to day basis
How her recovery from alcoholism aided her assault recovery

Links Mentioned:

Kelly’s Website and Merchandise: nottodaymf.com

Kelly on Instagram

Kelly on Facebook

Kelly on Twitter

Self Defense Classes in Seattle:

Seven Star Women's Kung Fu

Fighting Chance Seattle

Online Self Defense Course

Women’s Empowerment Safety Course

Thank you to our sponsors:

Third Love: To find the perfect fitting bra and get 15% off your first purchase got to Third Love

Freshly: For fresh, fully cooked meals delivered right to your door. Save $25 off your first order of 6 meals at Freshly

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209: 3 Things To Do When You Feel Helpless Feb 26, 2018

The last couple weeks have been stressful for me on a few different levels. Anyone with me???

Here’s the deal - stress doesn’t have to be lonely and isolating. And we don’t have to sit in helplessness. Because that sh*t does not feel positive or productive.

I have had to do some serious coaching of myself to get out of my head and into action over the last couple weeks and I thought it would be helpful to share this coaching with you.

Listen in to hear me share what I’m feeling helpless about, how I’m making strategic escapes, what kinds of productive plans I’m making, and how I’m dumping & processing with others so I don’t have to go it alone (NO ONE should ever have to go it alone!)

Links Mentioned:

March 14th Women’s March Walkout – a national 17-minute walkout

March 24th: March For Our Lives (in Washington DC and other large cities)

Thank you to our sponsors:

Bissell: For the easiest and most mess-free way to bathe your dog at home go to: Get Bark Bath. Use the code SHAMELESS at checkout to get two FREE bottles of no-rinse shampoo with your order.
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208: Heather Brooker: #TimesUp in Hollywood Feb 21, 2018

Heather Brooker is an actress, comedian, 2 time Emmy Award-winning writer, and host of the Motherhood in Hollywood podcast. She is a regular contributor to the Today Show Parenting Team, The Huffington Post, mom.me, and entertainment website Wonderwall as well as her own blog. Heather has appeared on The Office, Grey's Anatomy, and The Mindy Project just to name a few. She currently lives in Los Angeles with her husband, daughter and celebrity cat, Gracie I Love You.

This is Heather’s second visit to the show. I asked her back because she is such a fun interviewee AND I wanted to get her take on all things Hollywood right now. I wanted to know what she was seeing in her red carpet experiences related to the #metoo and #timesup movements. We also get into some parenting nitty gritty and friendship chit-chat (like why is it hard to make new mom friends???)

Listen in to hear Heather share:

The biggest shifts she sees happening in Hollywood right now and why they are so relevant to all of us
What she predicts for #timesup conversations at the upcoming Oscars
Her thoughts around men in Hollywood right now
How she’s preparing to lose her daughter to kindergarten next year
Drama around making new mom friends – why is it so rigorous???

Links Mentioned:

Heather’s Blog: motherhoodinhollywood.com
Heather's Podcast: Motherhood in Hollywood
Heather on Facebook
Heather on Instagram
Heather on Twitter
Heather on The SMA Ep 38

Thank you to our sponsors:

Bissell: For the easiest and most mess-free way to bathe your dog at home go to: Get Bark Bath. Use the code SHAMELESS at checkout to get two FREE bottles of no-rinse shampoo with your order.
Freshly: For fresh, fully cooked meals delivered right to your door. Save $25 off your first order of 6 meals at Freshly
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207: 4 Health Hacks That Will Change Your Life Feb 19, 2018

You know I love to geek out on self-care and all things health & wellness. So today I’m diving into 4 categories of health to give you practical and tactical tips to level up your health game – BIG TIME.

We’ll explore:

Sleep (how to get more)
Exercise (how much you really need to do to get results)
Nutrition (a super simple way to start eating more mindfully)
Hydration (and how maybe drinking water is kinda sexy)

This episode is chock full of tips, so take notes!

Also, please share this episode with folks in your life who want to with more energy, strength (of mind and body) and pizzazz #everydamnday.

Thank you to our sponsors:

Policy Genius: Quickly and easily compare and buy all different kinds of insurance online in just 5 minutes – life insurance, health insurance, disability insurance, pet insurance, renters insurance. Go to Policy Genius to get started.
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206: Heather Huhman: Beating Infertility Feb 14, 2018

Once Heather R. Huhman and her husband developed their careers enough to feel financially solvent, they decided it was time to start building their family. Unfortunately, the journey to motherhood was long and traumatic. In five years, Heather endured seven embryo transfers (three retrieval cycles with fresh transfers, four frozen transfers), four miscarriages, and stillborn twins before finally giving birth to her daughter Aurora prematurely in January 2016.

Inspired by her own painful experience with infertility and pregnancy loss, Heather launched a twice weekly podcast called Beat Infertility in June 2015. The show features both infertility warriors and fertility experts to empower listeners to educate themselves and become their own self-advocates.

In her professional life, Heather is the founder and president of Come Recommended, a PR company, and a regular contributor to Entrepreneur and Inc. Magazine. She resides in the Washington, D.C. area with her husband, their daughter, and their dog, Mackenzie.

I have been deeply touched by Heather’s story and I am so grateful to have her on the show to share her experiences with infertility and relating to so many mothers who struggle with loss and grief around pregnancy.

Listen in to hear Heather share:

Her infertility story of enduring multiple miscarriages and stillbirths
Her happy ending, that was still fraught with trauma
Why she started an infertility podcast in the middle of her infertility journey
How she thinks her podcast changed the course of her infertility
The unexpected gifts and lessons of infertility
What you can say to someone who is be going through infertility or has suffered a loss

Links Mentioned:

Heather’s Website: HeatherHuhman.com
Heather’s Podcast: BeatInfertility.co
Sara’s Interview on Beat Infertility
Heather’s infertility journey: Ep 109, 110, 111
Beat Infertility on Twitter
Beat Infertility on Facebook
Beat Infertility on Instagram

Thank you to our sponsors:

Freshly: For fresh, fully cooked meals delivered right to your door. Save $25 off your first order of 6 meals at Freshly.com/podcast
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205: 4 Ways to Practice Courage Feb 12, 2018

Wanting to be courageous and actually being courageous can be two really different things. Courage takes intention. Courage takes guts – and sometimes grit. Courage takes practice.

Today I’m going to share 4 ways you can start practicing courageous acts on a more regular basis, so you can:

Stand up.

Stand out.

Stand when your knees shake.

Stand when your voice quivers.

Meet fear in the face.

Practice scary things.

Dream big.

Act big.

I’m going to talk about how to:

Meet fear in the face
Admit failure
Stand up for something
Listen more if you’re an extrovert

Share more if you’re an introvert

Warning: practicing these 4 things might make you a badass.

Links Mentioned:

SMA Episode 149: Stop Saying Sorry

Thank you to our sponsors:

Lola: Get 100% organic tampons delivered right to your door for 60% off. Go to My Lola and use the code SHAMELESS at checkout.
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204: Lori Lee: Love Your Story Feb 07, 2018

Lori Lee, the host and producer of the Love Your Story podcast--an empowerment podcast focused on how we can lift ourselves and others to greater places because of our control over our stories -- found her love, understanding and appreciation for stories as she studied and researched the personal narrative for her Master's degree program in Folklore at Utah State University. A professional writer for the past 25 years Lori has 4 books, over 100 published magazine articles, and she taught writing at Utah State University. Lori has been on Park City TV as a trails host, Studio 5 TV, and multiple radio morning shows to share her expertise. She recently released an audiobook/ebook called The Key To Your Super Self - How your stories unlock your power.

Lori is also a Shameless single mom to her sons, ages 21 and 17. She walked through cancer with her 21year old son last year and he is now thriving.

Listen in to hear Lori share:

The function and importance of our stories
How her story of 3 divorces and enduring her partner’s abuse and addiction fueled her professional journey and her Love Your Story podcast
How to find meaning and comfort out of your sacred spaces of severe suffering
The 4 steps to start rewriting the stories that are holding you back in your life

Links Mentioned:

Lori’s Podcast: Love Your Story Podcast
Lori’s 21 Day Challenge: (Use the code SHAMELESS to save $5 off your registration!)
Lori on Instagram
Lori on Facebook

Thank you to our sponsors:

Freshly: For fresh, fully cooked meals delivered right to your door. Save $25 off your first order of 6 meals at Freshly
Bissell: For the easiest and most mess-free way to bathe your dog at home go to: Get Bark Bath. Use the code SHAMELESS at checkout to get two FREE bottles of no-rinse shampoo with your order.

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203: 3 Things To Think About In February Feb 05, 2018

February is the (arbitrary) month of love. I’ll admit, I’m a bit of a Valentine’s Scrooge. I think I’m still bitter about all those V Days I spent wishing someone would send me some damn flowers and a singing telegram (ok, I know these haven’t really been a thing in like 50 years, but they look cool in old movies.)

In spite of my feelings about Valentine’s Day, I’m ALL about celebrating love #everydamnday and I’m more than happy to use V Day as an excuse to talk about three ways to focus on #lovegoals in February.

Tune in to hear me dig into these three areas of love:

Self Love
Demonstrations of Love
Receiving Love

I get into everything from self-love practices to forgiveness, to the 5 love languages, to graciousness. It’s good stuff. You’ll love it (ß see what I did there?!)

I hope your February is full of family snuggles, kiddo giggles, uninterrupted time alone, your favorite chocolates, a reflection of everything you have to be grateful for, and maaaaaybe a singing telegram.

Links Mentioned:

Book: The 5 Love Languages: Secrets to Love That Lasts

Book: The 5 Love Languages of Children: Secrets to Loving Children Effectively

Thank you to our sponsor:

KIND: For healthy, delicious snack bars go to Kind Snacks to get 10 KIND Bars for free – just pay shipping!

Barkbox: get your pup a box of customizable treats and toys. Get an extra FREE month with a 6 or 12 months subscription.

Go to Bark Box

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202: Aby Moore: The Truth About Blogging As A Business Jan 31, 2018

Aby Moore is a full-time blogger and online course creator. Aby writes You Baby Me Mummy, an award-winning top UK Family lifestyle blog, where she specializes in blogging advice, coaching, and courses. She helps mums create more freedom in their lives by turning their blogs into their businesses.

Aby built her blog while her baby slept on her chest. Within 15 months she was making more money off her blog than she had ever made at a traditional job. She takes her business very seriously and she wants to help you do the same.

Aby is no-nonsense and brutally honest in her advice, which I really appreciate. She is not going to sugar coat what you need to do to be successful. She’s going to tell you what to do and she expects you to do it. Annnnnd, she is also a total sweetheart. So you’re in for some fun, too.

Listen in to hear Aby share:

The difference between blogging for hobby vs blogging for business
How to build a business around your blog
Why you must be obsessed with your blog and your content
The power of leveraging partnerships
Social media tips to connect brands and companies
Why you actually DO have time to make your dreams come true (the brutal truth!)
The biggest blogging mistakes moms make

Links Mentioned:

Thank you to our sponsors:

Freshly: For fresh, fully cooked meals delivered right to your door. Save $25 off your first order of 6 meals at Freshly when you use the code SHAMELESS at checkout!
KIND: For healthy, delicious snack bars go to Kind Snacks to get 10 KIND Bars for free – just pay shipping!

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201: Managing Feedback, Finding Outlets, Building Your Life Jan 29, 2018

Today’s episode was inspired by a couple lessons I learned after getting some not-so-nice feedback about the podcast last week.

Receiving other’s feedback is always an opportunity for reflection.

Then comes action.

Decide what to do with this new information.

Is it valuable feedback?

Is it garbage?

Is it a little of both?

The feedback I received was a little bit of both. But it provided me with a two really valuable lessons that I’m passing along to you:

You MUST have an outlet you truly enjoy and you must prioritize that outlet in your life. Listen in and I’ll give you bunch of ideas.
You are always building things – in multiple areas of your life. You must take radical responsibility for what you are building and how you can constantly seek growth and evolution. Listen in for specific examples.

Let me know what you think about this episode. I would love your feedback.

Links Mentioned:

Leave us a review: www.shamelessmom.com/review

Find me on Instagram (awesome giveaway currently going on!): www.instagram.com/shamlessmomacademy or @shamelessmomacademy

Thank you to our sponsors:

Third Love: To find the perfect fitting bra and get 15% off your first purchase got to thirdlove.com/shameless

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200: Gretchen Rubin: The Four Tendencies Jan 24, 2018

Gretchen Rubin is the author of several books, including the block-buster New York Times bestsellers, Better Than Before, The Happiness Project and Happier at Home. Her newest book is The Four Tendencies. She has an enormous reader- ship, both in print and online, and her books have sold more than two million copies worldwide, in more than thirty languages.

She makes frequent TV appearances and is in much demand as a speaker. On her weekly podcast Happier with Gretchen Rubin, she discusses good habits and happiness with her sister Elizabeth Craft. Rubin started her career in law and was clerking for Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Connor when she realized she wanted to be a writer. She lives in New York City with her husband and two daughters.

I was beyond excited and honored to have Gretchen join me on the show (as evidenced by my fangirling at the beginning of the episode.) Gretchen could not have been more fun or fascinating to interview. We also clicked really well and had a lot of similarities, which made it all the more fun to pick her brain. Like she said at the end, “we could keep talking all day.” So, we are basically besties now.

Listen in to hear Gretchen share:

What are the Four Tendencies and why should you know your tendency
Why it’s helpful to also know others’ tendencies
How Obligers can immediately get more of what they want rather than caving to others all the time
What freedom looks like for each tendency (this might surprise you)
How can you get more of what you want TODAY by knowing your tendency

Links Mentioned:

Take the Four Tendencies Quiz
Gretchen’s website: Gretchen Rubin
Gretchen’s Books: The Four Tendencies, The Happiness Project, Happier At Home, Better Than Before, Power Money Fame Sex
Gretchen and Elizabeth’s Podcast: Happier
Follow the SMA on Instagram

Thank you to our sponsors:

Freshly: for fresh, fully cooked meals delivered right to your door. Save $25 off your first order of 6 meals at Freshly when you use the code SHAMELESS at checkout!

KIND: for healthy, delicious snack bars go to KIND Snacks to get 10 KIND Bars for free – just pay shipping!

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199: The C Word You Need to Use WAY More Often. Jan 22, 2018

Today I’m going to tell you about the least sexy C word you need to use WAY more often.

I think this C words is one of the most impactful words in your life if you put it into practice. In fact, I can see how this word assisted me in running my first 5K, my (only) marathon, and many triathlons. It is representative of how I parent daily. It has been a huge part of my success in building 3 different business platforms over the last 15 years. It truly impacts everything I do.

When I want something to stay in my life for the long haul, I commit to fully embracing this word, even when it’s not easy. This word becomes a practice unto itself.

I would say this word is one of the most powerful and impactful words in my 42 years of life. It is what keeps me showing up over and over in any area where I want to accomplish great things.

You likely need MORE of this word in your life. Every. Damn. Day.

Links Mentioned:

Thank you to our sponsors:

KIND: For healthy, delicious snack bars go to Give Kind a Try to get 10 KIND Bars for free – just pay shipping!

Policy Genius: Quickly and easily compare and buy all different kinds of insurance online in just 5 minutes – life insurance, health insurance, disability insurance, pet insurance, renters insurance. Go to Policy Genius to get started.

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198: Leslie Juvin-Acker: On Happiness, Wealth and…Your Past, Part 2 Jan 17, 2018

This is Part 2 of my interview with Leslie Juvin-Acker. If you haven’t listened in to Part 1, listen to that first!

In Part 2 of this interview, Leslie dives deep with me to give me some coaching around my own experiences with money (like deep-rooted stuff from my childhood – good times). It’s a really fascinating conversation and I think you’ll learn a ton from some of the connections Leslie and I make based on my history/story.

On top of diving into my story, Leslie shares:

The key to cultivating wealth and a wealth mindset
The one secret to making happiness a habit
The difference between prayer and meditation

This was a really powerful conversation for me and I think you’ll find it really valuable as well!

Links Mentioned:

Connect with Leslie: Leslie Inc
Leslie on Facebook
Leslie on Instagram
Book: Rich Habits, Poor Habits
Work with Leslie at her upcoming NY events: Leslie Juvin Acker (use the code SHAMELESSMOM to access your complimentary ticket!)
Join me for the Shameless Mom MOMENTUM Mastermind! Pop over to SMA Mastermind to save $50 on your registration through today!
THANK YOU to our sponsor Freshly, who provide fresh, fully cooked meals delivered right to your door. Save $25 off your first order of 6 meals at Freshlywhen you use the code SHAMELESS at checkout!
THANK YOU to our sponsor KIND Bars, who provide healthy, delicious snack bars. Got to KIND Snacks to get 10 KIND Bars for free – just pay shipping!

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197: Stop Being Guilty Over Your Pleasure Jan 15, 2018

How many times have you found your self admitting to indulging in a “guilty pleasure”?

Can we all get over that?

Please?

Can we simply enjoy the things that bring us joy and happiness (like long showers, dark chocolate, alone time, cheese, and Real Housewives) without connecting them to guilt?

Cause the truth is that you deserve all the chocolate (and cheese) in the world. You don’t even have to earn it. Or feel guilty about it. You can just have it. Because you’re worthy of joy and pleasure.

It’s really that simple.

Listen in to hear 5 reasons you need to stop being guilty about your pleasures.

Links Mentioned:

SMA Episode 149: Stop Saying Sorry
SMA Episode 179: How You’re Minimizing Yourself and How to Stop
Join me for the Shameless Mom MOMENTUM Mastermind! Pop over to http://www.smamastermind.com to save $50 on your registration through today!
THANK YOU to our sponsor Lola, who provides 100% organic cotton tampons delivered right to your door. Go to mylola.com and enter the code SHAMELESS to get 60% off your first order.
THANK YOU to our sponsor KIND Bars, who provide healthy, delicious snack bars. Go to com/shameless to get 10 KIND Bars for free – just pay shipping!

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196: Leslie Juvin-Acker: On Happiness, Wealth and…Your Past, Part 1 Jan 10, 2018

Leslie Juvin-Acker is Chief Happiness Officer at Leslie Inc. where she coaches stressed, anxious, and overwhelmed senior managers, executives, and entrepreneurs from all over the world. Her message is happiness and she helps leaders find their State of Happiness with intuitive insight, practical advice, and simple solutions.

In addition to her work coaching high achievers, Leslie is a psychic medium, a hypnotherapist, a Reiki Master, a domestic violence survivor, a postpartum depression warrior, and a Shameless Mom to her 5-year-old daughter and 3-year-old son.

I was so excited to talk to Leslie because I wanted to hear about so many aspects of her story and background. This conversation got so deep and involved, Leslie kindly agreed to stay with me longer than planned so we could do a 2 part interview and she could actually coach me in the second half!

Listen in to hear Leslie share:

The power of being the master of your household and empire
How her mother’s work as a sex worker and as a domestic abuse survivor shaped her life and success
How to see what’s going on around you without getting caught up in the drama (whether it’s dinner hour with toddlers or work chaos)
How to stop living at a frantic pace and slow down to listen to what you really want in your life

Be sure to come back next Wednesday for Episode 198 where Leslie coaches me through my own background and experiences with money to help me see where I might be holding myself back. We dive deep into my family history with money and how that has impacted me. This is GOOD STUFF, friends. I hope you’ll enjoy hearing some of my story that I haven’t shared before!

Links Mentioned:

Connect with Leslie: https://www.leslieinc.org/
Leslie on Facebook
Leslie on Instagram
Book: Rich Habits, Poor Habits
Work with Leslie at her upcoming NY events: https://www.eventbrite.com/o/leslie-juvin-acker-12668570549 (use the code SHAMELESSMOM to access your complimentary ticket!)

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195: 4 Steps To Nail Your New Year Jan 08, 2018

There are 4 essential steps you need to take in order to successfully hit any goal or resolution you may be going after this year:

Settle in for the journey, rather than focusing on the outcome
Create a roadmap and follow it
Consistently show up imperfectly
Practice affirmations that shift your self-image

Some (all?) of these might be a little counterintuitive or go against the grain of what you’ve practiced in the past. That is a GOOD thing. Because doing the same old thing will only get you the same old results. Try to do things in a little different fashion this year and you might surprise the heck out of yourself when it comes to your long-term results.

Listen in to hear me dive deep into each of these and explain exactly how you can start getting more of what you really want in the new year!

Links Mentioned:

Book: FINISH by Jon Acuff
Work with me: Join me for the Shameless Mom MOMENTUM Mastermind later this month. I will be working with 40 Shameless Moms to help you dial in your goals for the year and go after what you really want! Not sure what you really want? That’s ok. We will spend some time digging deep during this 6-week program to help you identify what makes you happy and how you can have more of that in 2018! If you’d like to join me, email me at: info@shamelessmom.com

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194: Andrea Owen: Your Kick Ass Life Jan 03, 2018

Andrea Owen is an author, mentor, and certified life coach who helps high-achieving women let go of perfectionism, control, and isolation and choosing courage and confidence instead. She has helped thousands of women manage their inner-critic to create loving connections and live their most kick-ass life.

She is the proud author of 52 Ways to Live a Kick-Ass Life: BS Free Wisdom to Ignite Your Inner Badass and Live the Life You Deserve, (Adams Media/Simon & Schuster). Her second book: How To Stop Feeling Like Shit: 14 Habits That Are Holding You Back From Happiness is out this week!

When she’s not juggling her full coaching practice or hosting retreats, Andrea is busy competing in triathlons, chasing her 10-year-old son and 8-year-old daughter or making out with her husband, Jason. She is also a retired roller derby player having skated under the name “Veronica Vain”.

I loved this conversation. Andrea and I hit it off from the moment we got on Skype together. She is brilliant and sassy – which is my favorite combination for a superstar guest. You care going some great (possibly hard) and valuable things in this conversation. Buckle up. This is not for the faint of heart.

WARNING: this episode contains explicit language relevant to the content and Andrea’s book.

Listen in to hear Andrea share:

3 things that are holding you back from happiness
Why we use alcohol, food, TV, and social media to numb ourselves and how to stop
The truth about gossip and why you do it
Why you need to define your core values, even if you think it’s corny
How grief can cause regression – and how to make that regression a phase, not a habit

Links Mentioned:

Your Kick-Ass Life on Facebook

Your Kick-Ass Life Book: http://yourkickasslife.com/free/

Join the Shameless Mom MOMENTUM Mastermind! For details and Early Bird enrollment, email me at info@shamelessmom.com.

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193: 3 Things to Think About in January Jan 01, 2018

To kick of the New Year I am making a bit of an offering to you. I want to give you my 3 wishes for you in the New Year. I especially want you to be mindful of these wishes over the next month.

I think there is a lot of pressure to DO. IT. ALL. in January and I’m inviting you to NOT.

Instead I want you to consider how three little words might impact your actions for the entire year. These three words are my wishes for you.

EASE.

POWER.

DESIRE.

Listen in to hear how these words are (weirdly) intertwined and critical to your 2018.

I couldn’t be more delighted to be kicking off a new year with YOU. Cheer, friend!

Links Mentioned:

Sponsor: Third Love
Finally find the perfect fitting bra AND get 15% off your purchase at http://www.thirdlove.com/shameless

SMA Momentum Mastermind
Join an amazing group of like minded mamas and me to kick off 2018 in all the best ways possible. Meet with us weekly via virtual video conference call to share wins, goals, struggles, joy. This is MAGIC. Email me at info@shamelessmom.com for more info!

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192: The 3 Most Powerful Changes I Made In 2017 Dec 27, 2017

Every year is filled with so many opportunities to learn, grow & expand in new directions that is hard to identify just a few life altering decisions of the year. But I know there are things I did this year to be more powerful in my everyday life. AND I’m ready to kick off 2018 with some new awareness around how I want to make powerful things happen in my life in the new year.

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191: The Top 10 Episodes of 2017 Dec 25, 2017

I put together a list of our most downloaded episodes of 2017 and I couldn’t be more excited to share them with you. I know it can be hard to keep up with alllll the shows that come out in a year, so I thought this would be a great reference for those of you who might want to catch up on the best of the best that you may have missed in 2017.

These Shameless Moms (and one very Shameless Dad!) lit up my year. In addition to being ridiculously inspired by each of these guests, learned a ton from every one of them. I am delighted to have these friends and colleagues in my life. And I am PUMPED to share them with you again. ENJOY!

Oh, and feel free to share this list with friends you want to introduce to The Shameless Mom Academy. These shows would be a great place for a new listener to start!

Ep 98 Holly Joi Rigsby: Finding Everyday Joi
Holly shares the impact of her divorce and why her divorce was a pivotal move toward happiness. She also shares how she became a sought after leader, even though she didn’t used to identify as one.
Ep 112 Liz Nead: Nead Inspiration and the 100 Day Journey
Liz shares her story of become an unexpected mother to twins at a young age. She also dives into her experience with racism and how “diversity training” has actually been harmful to society.
Ep 142 Mike Vardy: The Productivityist
Mike shares his philosophy that structure = freedom. He gives specific tips on time crafting, schedule theming and journaling to create simplicity and ease in your life.
Ep 150 Renee Metty: On Mindfulness
Renee shares her experiences with silent meditation retreats and how she has trained her self to sloooooow down in order to absorb more and live more mindfully.
Ep 108 Leanne Kabat: When You Only Have 5 Years To Live
Leanne shares her story of being told she only had 5 years to live (10 years ago.) This is one of the most fascinating stories I have ever heard. Leanne also dives into how she lives differently since her shocking diagnosis.
Ep 100 Amy Moses, PT: The Truths and Myths About Your Mommy Bladder
Amy gets into the nitty gritty of your pelvic floor and how you can heal yourself from pregnancy and childbirth trauma in order to have better bladder control and pain free sex.
Ep 118 Shasta Nelson: How to Deepen Friendships, Health & Happiness
Shasta dives deep on the loneliness epidemic. (It’s a thing. For real.) She talks about why you need strong relationships and how to build them.
Ep 140 Jen Lumanlan: Your Parenting Mojo
Jen shares powerful and fascinating research on parenting, the truth about only children, and growth (and attributes) of home schooling.
Ep 144 Julia Freeland: Your Value and REvolve YOU
Julia shares how motherhood qualifies you to be a CEO (seriously.) She also dives into how and why you need to constantly evolve your belief system.
Ep 130 Lauren Pak: Life With Body Dysmorphic Disorder
Lauren shares her struggle with BDD and how paralyzing life was when she was impacted by this illness. She also talks about how women can start to heal from body image issues, based on her own healing process.

Additional Links Mentioned:

Sponsor: Policy Genius
Want to compare all your insurance options, from life insurance to health insurance to renters insurance, in a matter of minutes? Check out Policy Genius at https://www.policygenius.com/
Want to join me for the next Shameless Mom MOMENTUM Mastermind? I will be starting a new group in January! Shoot me an email at info@shamelessmom.com to get on the interest list.

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190: Lisa Druxman: The Empowered Mama Dec 20, 2017

Lisa Druxman is the Chief Founding Mom of FIT4MOM, the parent company to Fit4Baby, Stroller Strides and Body Back. With nearly 2,000 class locations nationwide, FIT4MOM is one of the fastest growing franchises in the country. Lisa is the author of the upcoming book, The Empowered Mama and the host of the Motivating Mom podcast. She has been featured on The Today Show, Good Morning America and more.

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189: Sara, I'm Thinking About Quitting Dec 18, 2017

I got a message from a woman the other day, “Sara, I’m thinking about quitting.” I have a lot of thoughts around quitting. A lot of people will spew BS lines about “winners never quit”, or “pain is temporary, quitting lasts forever.” Yuck. And totally untrue.

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188: Mary Shores: Conscious Communications Dec 13, 2017

Mary Shores is the internationally known author of Conscious Communications: Your Step-by-Step Guide to Harnessing the Power of Your Words to Change Your Mind, Your Choices, and Your Life.

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187: The Most Positive and Powerful Qualities You Possess Dec 11, 2017

I’ve been studying and reading up about all sorts of things related to self identity, Imposter Syndrome, and how we see ourselves versus how others see us. It’s been fascinating and I’ve learned a lot. I did a little experiment last week and I was blown away by the results, so I had to share with you right away. I’m also inviting you to do the same experiment and I’m telling you exactly how to do it!

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186: Cortney McDermott: Change Starts Within You Dec 06, 2017

Cortney McDermott is an award-winning writer, TEDx speaker, and strategist to Fortune 500 executives, entrepreneurial leaders, and think tanks around the world. She writes for a number of international publications, including ‘She Owns It’ and ‘HuffPost’. Her debut book, “Change Starts Within You: Unlock the Confidence to Lead with Intuition” was selected for Inc.com’s “26 Favorite Books of High Achievers” and has been featured in multiple media outlets internationally.

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185: 3 Things to Think About in December Dec 04, 2017

I sat down to record this episode on December 1st and December was already kicking my butt. On the first day of the month. HOW?!? Even with the best planning and the best intentions and the best holiday cheer, December is a month that can catch up with you – quickly. Like within the first darn 24 hours of the whole month, apparently.

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184: Jon Acuff How To FINISH Anything Nov 29, 2017

Jon Acuff is the New York Times-bestselling author of five books. His most recent book is FINISH. He's helped some of the biggest brands in the world tell their story, including The Home Depot, Bose, Staples, and the Dave Ramsey Team. Most recently he's spoken to hundreds of thousands of people at companies such as Microsoft, Nissan and Comedy Central. Featured regularly on national media, Jon has been seen on CNN, Fox News, Good Day LA and several other key outlets.

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183: Unexpected Gratitude Nov 27, 2017

I’m not gonna lie. I’m in major hustle mode right now and that is not my favorite place to be. But sometimes it’s necessary. I’m not at my best when I’m hustling. I get frustrated and anxiety ridden and just downright cranky.

However, I’ve gotten better at checking myself over the years, so I’m actually able to manage myself at these times in my life without making myself or those around me too crazy.

A pivotal moment happened this week that really helped me realize how far I’ve come when it comes to managing the hustle, managing expectations, finding the silver linings at all times, and connecting to my gratitude #everydamnday.

I think my lessons might help you. Listen in and let me know! As always, we’ll continue this conversation over on Instagram and Facebook at The Shameless Mom Academy.

Links Mentioned:

Sponsors:
Esight: offering legally blind people the technology to actually see and interact with their environments in ways they never thought possible. Go to www.EveryoneDeservesToSee.com for more info.

Sudio headphones: www.sudiosweden.com. I’m currently obsessed with their Tre and Regent models of wireless headphones. Use the code SHAMELESS at checkout to save 15% on any order at checkout.

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182: Whitney Nicely: Being Shameless in Real Estate Nov 22, 2017

Whitney Nicely went from no investments (or strategies) to 19 houses, 19 apartment units and 7 chunks of land in less than three years all bringing monthly money to her bank account on auto pilot. She has traveled the United States speaking on stages, teaching her simple strategies, and meeting with other successful real estate investors- and still buying houses the way she teaches others.

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181: 15 Ways to Be A Badass #everydamnday Nov 20, 2017

This episode is to give you power and might to make you do the things you want to do and need to do – BUT – you might be a little scared to do. I’m inviting you to take action, baby steps if necessary, to live a bigger, bolder, braver life. Here’s how…

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180: Katie Anthony: When Mommy Goes Viral (for real) Nov 15, 2017

Katie Anthony is a writer and mother of two boys, ages 3 and 5. She knows a lot about backhoe loaders, velociraptors, and rage. Her writing has appeared in BUST.com, Scary Mommy, Mamalode, and the PEPS Blog. She swears and blogs about parenthood, feminism, and scotch at KatyKatiKate.com.

I was introduced to Katie via one of my favorite podcasts, For Crying Out Loud. Co-hosts of FCOL, Lynette Carolla and Stephanie Wilder Taylor, read a piece of Katie’s writing that had me so fired up, I couldn’t help but Facebook stalk her (my favorite pastime and one of my best skills) and beg her to come on my show.

Luckily, she was flattered by my stalking and said YES.

Phew.

Katie is an amazing witty writer and a truly talented truth teller. I kind of want to live in her head. I think you will too after you hear this interview.

Listen in to hear Katie share:

How writing became her therapy in motherhood
Why she just can’t keep quiet about the ways she sees men abusing their power
All about her buddy Chad, who you know too, btw
How she is managing newfound fame and glory after going viral (for real) a few weeks ago
Why she asks her readers for money (gasp)

Warning: this episode contains explicit language and a decent amount of F bombs. We opted not to edit them out, as they are relevant to Katie’s writing, her personality, and her story. Enjoy them all!

Links Mentioned:

Katie’s Blog (including posts on Harvey, Scott, Kevin and Chad): www.katykatikate.com

Katie’s Book: Feminist Werewolf

Support Katie on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/katykatikate

Katie on Facebook: www.facebook.com/katykatikate

Katie on Twitter: www.twitter.com/yokatykatikate

Scott Rosenberg article

http://deadline.com/2017/10/scott-rosenberg-harvey-weinstein-miramax-beautiful-girls-guilt-over-sexual-assault-allegations-1202189525/

For Crying Out Loud podcast episode where I found Katie

Book: Hunger by Roxanne Gay

Book: Bad Feminist by Roxane Gay

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179: How You're Minimizing Yourself and How to Stop Nov 13, 2017

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178: Melanie Shankle: Church of the Small Things Nov 08, 2017

Melanie Shankle is the New York Times bestselling author behind Nobody’s Cuter Than You, The Antelope in the Living Room, Sparkly Green Earrings and her newest book, Church of the Small Things: The Million Little Pieces That Make Up a Life. She first shared her hilarious observations and loving wisdom on The Big Mama Blog, which helped define a new genre of blogging for women as it attracted a devoted audience now thousands deep.

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177: 3 Things to Think About In November Nov 06, 2017

Here we GO! We are about to dive into the holiday season. Are you ready? I love the holidays and would be happy for them to last for months on end, but I know they can add stress and chaos for a lot of people. I want you to be conscientious about how you enter into your last 2 months of 2017 so you can actually enjoy with ease.

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176: Nichole Nordeman: Slow Down Nov 01, 2017

n addition to being a Shameless Mom to Charlie (14) and Pepper (9), Nichole Nordeman is an award-winning singer-songwriter and acclaimed worship leader who just wrote her first book, Slow Down: Embracing the Everyday Moments of Motherhood. The book is based on Nichole’s song “Slow Down” that pulled the heartstrings of mothers everywhere—with 14 million views in five days and has exceeded 21 million total views.

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175: The Truth About Having It All Oct 30, 2017

The truth about having it all. Let’s get real for a minute. There are a lot of non-truths out there about having it all. And most of the non-truths that exist in our head are there because we have made them up. We look at someone’s seemingly perfect Facebook life and determined that it is possible to be beautifully perfectly happy all. the. time. #nontruth

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174: Maria Alcoke: The Engine Mom Oct 25, 2017

Maria Alcoke is host of the Engine Mom Podcast, a CrossFit-L1 trainer at CrossFit Cove in Columbia, Maryland and runs her own graphic and web development studio, MariaVida Creative.

After over 10 years in the creative field in both agency and education settings, she left the corporate world to pursue her own business right before she the birth of her daughter. Two years in to her motherhood and entrepreneurial journey, Maria has a thriving design business and has merged her passion for teaching and fitness through coaching.

Maria realized the true value of community and connection while navigating some major life transitions which included moving across the country, starting her own business and becoming a mom.

She started The Engine Mom Podcast with the goal to share different perspectives from Moms who are driven by their passions. By sharing these stories, she hopes to empower Moms from all walks of life to be their best selves by identifying what fuels them: their passions and greater purpose.

Maria is an inspiring woman and entrepreneur. She is also one of my very first Shameless Mom Mastermind members and one of my very first Shameless Mom Coaching clients. So, I’m obviously ridiculously proud of her. I can’t wait for you to hear her story. I know she will inspire you to start getting a little more uncomfortable and a lot more excited when it comes to building a life you’re really passionate about.

Listen in to hear Maria share:

Why uncomfortable leaps and scary action steps are necessary
What inspires her to keep following her passions and building a life around things that really cater to her strengths
How Mondays feel when you’re not in alignment with your passion vs when you are
How she suffers from Imposter Syndrome and what she does to overcome it
The power of having a coach and a support system when you’re doing scary things

Links Mentioned:

Engine Mom Website: http://enginemom.com/

Maria’s Graphic Design Website: http://mariavida.com

Engine Mom on Facebook

Engine Mom on Instagram

Free Registration to The Surviving to Thriving Summit

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173: The Beauty of A Back Up Plan Oct 23, 2017

We have officially arrived at the Season of Plan B.

We are at the time of year where sh*t happens:

You’re up all night with a sick kiddo and you miss your early morning workout.
Work chaos strikes and your healthy lunch plan is out the window.
The kids have a day off random day off school (snow day, teacher prep day, why the eff is there no school today day, etc) and your entire schedule is flip turned upside down.
Relatives come to visit for a holiday and your normal routine is tossed by the wayside.
Your husband is sick (pardon the stereotype, but don’t even get me started on how men manage illness…)

In all these instances, having a Plan B is crucial. Your life doesn’t have to be determined by the circumstances of your day – but often your daily action steps do. This means you need to be prepared to manage the heck out of your day even when things turn sideways.

When you practice taking charge of your Plan B a few times, you will build a ton of confidence in your ability to ROCK THE DAY #everydamnday, in spite of the winter blunders that inevitably happen.

Tune in to get some specific tips on how to plan for anything and everything life might throw your way this time of year.

Links Mentioned:

Free Registration for The Surviving To Thriving Summit

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172: Stephanie Lambert: Counter Culture Parenting Oct 18, 2017

Stephanie Lambert is a BOLD Mom Mentor, Life Coach and founder of the BOLD Moms which focuses on approaching parenting and life with a self-directed, sometimes counter-culture, long-term view in mind. The BOLD Moms focuses on supporting local Stay-at-Home Mom Sisters to help them reconnect with themselves, uncover their unique passions and craft their own happiness to lead a BOLD and regret-free life.

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171: How to Make Space For New Habits Oct 16, 2017

Do you have habits that you know are no longer serving you, but you don’t know how to break them? Or maybe you’ve tried to break old habits and they have crept back over and over again? I’ve been talking to people about this a lot recently – as it relates to weight loss, stress eating, skipping workouts, drinking too much alcohol, eating too much sugar, getting sucked into hours of useless social media time, staying up to late at night, hitting snooze too many times in the morning – the list goes

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170: Shannon Jamail: Love Over Fear Oct 11, 2017

Fear. Anxiety. Negative thinking. Imposter syndrome. Does this sound like you? Shannon herself has been there; feeling like an imposter, worrying she will be found out and that she is not enough. She has felt fear and let that both hold her back and push her forward. She has struggled with anxiety and let it debilitate her in the past. She has experienced obstacles that she herself created and cultivated a life around negative thoughts and stories.

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169: 3 Ways to Stand in Your Power Oct 09, 2017

One of the most significant things I have worked on over the last few years (especially since becoming a mom) is standing in my power. This can be scary and uncomfortable as all get out. But it is a necessary part of living the life I want to live, inspiring others through my actions, setting a good example for my child AND having a lot more fun, if we’re being honest!

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168: Anna Willard Spark Your Youth Oct 04, 2017

Anna Willard is an author, personal trainer and the oldest child from a family of five. From her personal exercise journey streaming from numerous sports and multiple injuries, she discovered hope through movement. After many injuries and failed goals she experienced how movement is medicine. Exercise and movement continue to give her hope and allow her to dream again and again! Understanding this power she works with women and men strengthening them on their journey.

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167: 3 Things to Think About In October Oct 02, 2017

Fall is my favorite for so many reasons (let’s be honest, mostly puffy vests and Uggs). But I’m particularly embracing this fall because of some of the things that are going on around me. All around me I see people using their voices, taking a stand, letting their values shine and expressing gratitude. YES! YES! YES! AND YES! More of all of this, please. Listen in to hear what I’m most excited about this month – inspired by some listener emails and reviews.

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166: Ingrid Ortiz Surviving FOMO and The Comparison Trap Sep 27, 2017

Ingrid Ortiz is a Self-Love & Confidence coach helping women end their struggle with comparison, so they can pursue their passion and live life to the fullest. She pivoted from a career in personal training to guide women in a more powerful and profound way.

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165: 5 Surprises after 5 Years of Momming Sep 25, 2017

Vinnie turned 5 over the weekend. How did that even happen? I remember so many days in Newbornland when I thought I wouldn’t make it until 5pm and now I’ve made it 5 YEARS?! What??? How??? The truth is I don’t know. Because motherhood is magic and you don’t know most of the things you need to know until the exact moment you need to know them. So, I don’t know much of anything… Yet…

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164: Elizabeth Friedland: Single Mom Fostering Sep 20, 2017

Elizabeth Friedland is the Senior Director of Corporate Communications for Appirio, a global tech consultancy. She's spent more than 12 years in the public relations and communications world, working in both Indianapolis, where she currently lives, and New York. Outside the office, Friedland writes, directs, and produces award-winning short films. She is also an advocate for foster care; in addition to being a proud foster mother to five children.

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163: Lessons from the Eiffel Tower Sep 18, 2017

Before heading to Paris, we decided that if we were going to visit the Eiffel Tower we needed to go allllll the way to the top. So we bought 3 Eiffel Tower Summit tickets. Vince and Vinnie were very excited about this. I was excited about the idea of it. But I was not excited about the actual doing of it – the endless ride in a glass elevator to a tiny landing way high up in the sky on a structure that most certainly could topple over at any given moment. Not. My. Thing.

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162: Robbin Rockett: Solo Parent Life Sep 13, 2017

Robbin Rockett, Psy.D. is a licensed clinical psychologist and single parent of three young children. She hosts the podcast Solo Parent Life and each week takes on a variety of issues facing single parents, including dating, finances, stress management, parenting, and co-parenting, and brings in experts, therapists, and authors for frank and friendly conversions that offer guidance for solo parents to become more mindful in their own self-care.

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161: Boob Job Sep 11, 2017

Many of you know I recently had a fairly major surgery. What most of you don’t know is that I had a boob job. It’s probably not what you think – as we often jump to a lot of conclusions when we hear about a woman altering her body.

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160: Tonya Leigh: French Kiss Life Sep 06, 2017

Tonya Leigh is the founder of French Kiss Life, a destination for women who want to inject more elegance, style and joie de vivre (enjoyment!) into their daily lives. Her mission is to inspire women to style their minds, bodies, lives and success – from the inside out and the outside in. Through a vibrant online community of over 50,000 women, online programs and immersive LIVE experiences, Tonya infuses a French flair into her teachings to encourage women to slow down.

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159: 3 Things to Think About In September Sep 04, 2017

September is a pivotal month. School is back in session (can I get an AMEN?!) and we are rapidly approaching fall and the final quarter of the year. Over the years I have noticed this to be a time women are ready to hunker down and take care of some serious business. Whoop! Whoop!

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158: Lahana Vigliano: Thrival Nutrition Aug 30, 2017

Lahana Vigliano is a holistic nutritionist and the founder of Thrival Nutrition. She has her bachelor's degree in Nutrition Science + is currently finishing up a program through the Clinical Nutrition Board. She started Thrival Nutrition to help empower and teach people how to get more out of life by feeling your absolute best through nutrition, exercise, and natural remedies. Outside of her passion for nutrition, she is a wife + mother of two. Which is where the journey all started!

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157: You Are Never Without Options Aug 28, 2017

I had a funny situation recently where I pushed some limits that I would have never pushed 10 years ago – back when I was a little more controlling and a little more anal…. It has taken the last 15 years as an entrepreneur + 5 years of motherhood + a few years of infertility for me to realize that, as Marie Forleo says, “Everything is figuroutable.” Today, when my back is against the wall, I know I am never without options. I can create my own outcomes. Damn, that feels good.

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156: Sharon Lipinski: Habit Superhero Aug 23, 2017

As the CEO of BLH Consulting, Sharon Lipinski helps people transform desired behaviors into common practice. She is the author of "365 Ways to Live Generously: Simple Habits for a Life That's Good for You and for Others” which helps people make the 7 generosity habits a reality in their daily life.

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155: Silence is Not an Option Aug 21, 2017

I’ll let you know up front that I was uncomfortable and nervous about recording and releasing this episode. I wasn’t sure where to start and I was worried I wouldn’t know how to finish. But I know I know that silence is not an option. Because we have seen over and over again that silence is death. And I won’t be an accomplice.

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154: Dana Skoglund: Better Body Habits Through Ayurveda Aug 16, 2017

Dana Skoglund is a certified yoga health coach, yoga teacher and mother of 2 rambunctious young boys. She has been studying yoga since 2000, and teaching since 2004. Eventually her desire to take her health and wellbeing into her own hands and to learn how to keep her family healthy led her to Ayurveda in 2011.

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153: I'm Giving You Permission Aug 14, 2017

This episode is the sister episode to Stop Saying Sorry (Episode 149). So, if you haven’t listened to that episode yet, go back and do so now! Now that you’re done apologizing for everything all day everyday – let’s do some fun stuff. Moving forward, I’m giving you permission to be a quitter, to be imperfect, to live bigger and bolder, to try something scary, to forgive and to be POWERFUL - starting today.

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152: Charmaine Ironside: The Diet Dropout Aug 09, 2017

Charmaine Ironside owns and operates two successful Fitness studios in Calgary, Canada with her husband Patrick. She also owns The Diet Dropout, a thriving online coaching business where she helps women overcome challenges with weight, food, and mindset on the road to living their best lives in their best bodies.

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151: 3 Things to Think About in August Aug 07, 2017

It seems impossible that it’s already August, right? I mean, you might be elated because SCHOOL – it’s almost here again. But you might also be bummed – where did summer go and did we really do all. the. things???

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150: Renee Metty: On Mindfulness Aug 02, 2017

Renee Metty, M.Ed is a Shameless Mom to 3 kids, ages 7, 9, 11 and is the Founder and CEO of With Pause™. She believes that one’s greatest asset is the quality of attention you bring to every aspect of your experience. Through speaking, workshops and training, With Pause™ boosts your ability to develop richer connections, manage stress, collaborate effectively and renew your mental clarity.

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149: Stop Saying Sorry Jul 31, 2017

We apologize so much it’s actually offensive. Your empty apology for being late means nothing. Your apology for taking up space in an elevator minimizes all women. Your apology for taking 24 entire hours to reply to an email minimizes the value of you and your time.

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148: Julie Fry: Living with Cancer Jul 26, 2017

4 years ago, Julie Fry was fed up with too much travel and not enough control of her schedule or her family life. She left her corporate sales job and decided to buy a blog, BusinessAmongMoms.com to have more control over her life and spend more time with her kids. She quickly learned she was way too extroverted for a purely online company and pivoted to serve women entrepreneurs with community, education, and support for their businesses through networking and educational events.

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147: IVF: Due Date Update Jul 24, 2017

I recently received an email from Shameless Mom Marie. It was the exact email I needed at exactly the time I needed it – because if you are always on the lookout for well timed events, you’ll find they tend to happen all the time ☺.

Marie shared with me her journey of infertility and the crossroads she is currently at. All of her thoughts mirrored thoughts I’ve had over the last year. It was pretty amazing to read her words and feel like we have been sharing a brain!

If IVF had worked for us last summer, we would likely be due to have a baby right about now. I’ve been thinking about that a lot lately. But I’m not thinking about it more than normal – because I have thought about our IVF experience and our infertility situation on one level or another everyday for the last year.

Actually, I’ve thought about my fertility every day for the last 7 years – when we first started trying to get pregnant the first time.

WOW.

7 years is a long time to thing about something every single day. That’s 2,555 days. Perhaps I need a new hobby….

I wanted to take this episode to reply to the email Marie sent me and share with you where I’m at today – a year after failed IVF – at the time of my once potential due date.

Thank you for listening. It means a lot to me to be able to share here. And I am sending ALL THE LOVE to the mamas out there who can relate first hand to my story on any level. You are not alone.

Links Mentioned:

Photo Credit: Kelsey Moll Photography (thank you Kelsey for our fabulous family photo session!)

Sponsor: Aaptiv.com (use code SMA30 for a free 30 day trial)

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146: Shawna Kaminski: The Myth of Menopause and Metabolism Jul 19, 2017

Shawna Kaminski has been a fitness professional in the industry for over 30 years. She has a Bachelor of Kinesiology and Bachelor of Education and too many certifications to count. She is a teacher at heart, having taught school for 20 years.

She’s a #1 best selling author of Lose Your Menopause Belly available on Amazon.

She’s owned a small group training studio, multiple fitness boot camps, and she helps thousands of online fitness clients worldwide with her fitness and coaching programs. She’s appeared on national TV as a fitness expert, authored articles in numerous publications and created curriculum for international fitness businesses.

Shawna is in her early 50’s, has two children and a one-eyed rescue dog.

Shawna is back on the show today to talk about her book and give us the lowdown on the truths and myths about aging, menopause, metabolism and how you can love yourself at every stage.

Listen in to learn:

Can you cure menopause?
Lifestyle hacks to manage menopause symptoms
Why you need to know about your cortisol, HGH, and insulin
The truth about menopause and belly fat
Why you want to incorporate metabolic resistance training into your fitness routine
Why sleep and stress management are just as important as nutrition and exercise as you age
Why small steps to change your lifestyle are better than giant leaps

Links Mentioned:

Book: Lose Your Menopause Belly

Sponsor: Aaptiv.com (use code SMA30 for a free 30 day trial)

Sponsor: http://www.kindsnacks.com/sma (use this link to get 10 KIND Snacks for $10 + free shipping)

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145: The Power of Doing Something 5,500 Times Jul 17, 2017

Last Thursday morning I tortured myself with a Tempo run (which involved hard running for 1-4 minutes, with rest intervals in between). To distract myself from the pain, I started mentally calculating how many workouts I've probably done since I started working out (in secret) 22 years ago (after never breaking a sweat in my youth).

I figure I've logged at least 5,500 workouts in at this point.

That means:

* 5,500 times I SHOWED UP even if I didn't want to (which is often).

* 5,500 times I did something I didn't know I could do (I doubt myself at the beginning of almost every workout)

* 5,500 times I did my best, regardless of how ugly or imperfect it was

* 5,500 times I proved I can do hard things

These 5,500 workouts have translated into:

* Setting higher goals in all areas of my life

* Trying new things, even if they are scary or I'm not sure I can do them

* Remembering that I am strong, powerful and capable - even when life tries to show me otherwise

* Knowing that I am in control, no matter how crazy things get

* A sense of pride in everything I do - even if it's imperfect

You don't have to do something 5,500 times to understand this or live this. But you do need to:

1. Start

2. Show up even when you don't want to

3. Allow for imperfections

4. Stay humble

5. Own your wins

6. Keep going

It's really simple, actually. Just START.

Here are some things you might have done 1,000-5,500 times without realizing the positive impact on your life:

Change your kids’ diapers first thing in the am

Eat dinner with your family

Walk your kid to school

Drive your kid to soccer practice

Pack school lunches

I know… I KNOW. These do not seem like life altering tasks. But they are. Truly. Listen in to learn why.

Links Mentioned:

Sponsor: Aaptiv.com (use code SMA30 for a free 30 day trial)

Sponsor: http://www.kindsnacks.com/sma (use this link to get 10 KIND Snacks for $10 + free shipping)

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144: Julia Freeland: Your Value and REvolve YOU Jul 12, 2017

Julia Freeland is an entrepreneur and a catalyst for change. She is dedicated to helping professionals, who have stepped away from their career to raise their children, understand their true value and launch the next phase of their lives. Julia coaches her clients through an innovative reinvention process to help them RE-Discover themselves, RE-Invent their identities, and RE-Launch their careers and passions. She is working to break the 1950’s homemaker stereotype and open people’s eyes the value of time spent as a parent.

Julia is an accomplished speaker, leader, facilitator and people development strategist. She helps experienced individuals identify and achieve their goals by inspiring them to consider new perspectives, challenge old beliefs, break through stasis and open up to learning again.

Julia was a stay at home mom for years – and found herself in a situation of many, many stay at home moms, where she vastly underestimated her worth in her role and felt lost and alone as she navigated life after leaving the corporate world. Her perspective on her role as a stay at home mom greatly damaged her self worth and her marriage.

I know you will learn a lot from Julia’s story and you will find yourself cheering as she shares what she has learned over the years. You’ll probably get especially excited when she compares stay at home moms to CEOs. I know I did!

Listen in to hear Julia share:

Why motherhood doesn’t have to stop you from dreaming about what you truly want out of life
Why your dreams are just as important as your partner’s
How SAHM moms are just as worthy and as powerful and skilled as CEOs
How laundry makes you more resilient (seriously)
Why you need to constantly evolve your belief system
The difference between perception of what we do and the reality of what we do
How to evaluate your self worth (and how does it compare to the worth you place in your kids and partner)

Links Mentioned:

Website: REvolveYOU.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ReadytoREvolve/

Instagram: @revolve_you

Twitter: @REvolveYOU

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/julia-freeland-revolveyou/

Sponsor: Aaptiv.com (use code SMA30 for a free 30 day trial)

Sponsor: http://www.kindsnacks.com/sma (use this link to get 10 KIND Snacks for $10 + free shipping)

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143: 11 Ways to Harness More Energy Jul 10, 2017

If I offered you a magical elixir that would give you endless energy would you take it? I WOULD!

Today I’m going to give you 11 elixirs of sorts. Trying any one of these things will likely dramatically improve your daily energy – trying a few other them together might just be better than coffee. Seriously.

Oh, and we’ll talk about coffee too! Your coffee might actually be sucking your energy. I say this as someone who loves my coffee, but is also acutely aware of its limits.

Cozy up and take some notes on this one – cause there are some golden tips in here that will get fired up and totally energized!

Links Mentioned:

Sponsor: Aaptiv.com (use code SMA30 for a free 30 day trial)

Sponsor: http://www.kindsnacks.com/sma (use this link to get 10 KIND Snacks for $10 + free shipping)

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142: Mike Vardy: They Productivityist Jul 05, 2017

Mike Vardy is a writer, productivity strategist, and the founder of Productivityist. He's served as the Managing Editor at Lifehack, and written for 99u, Lifehacker, SUCCESS Magazine, and more. Mike has also spoken at all over North America at events like TEDx Victoria, South by Southwest Interactive, NAPO, and CreativeLIVE.

I met Mike earlier this year when he was speaking at Tropical Think Tank in the Philippines. We bonded over time management and Legos. Seriously.

Mike is going to get you ridiculously excited about organizing your time and make simple life hacks that will create space in your days and weeks.

Listen in to hear Mike share:

Why structure = freedom
The true definition of productivity
The power of time management for kids
What is time crafting and how to do it
Why you should THEME your days (vertically and horizontally)
The power and joy of a daily journal

Links Mentioned:

Find Mike and all his resources for Shameless Moms: Productivityist.com/shamelessmom

Journaling App: Day One

Journaling App: Journey

Sponsor: Aaptiv.com (use code SMA30 for a free 30 day trial)

Sponsor: http://www.kindsnacks.com/sma (use this link to get 10 KIND Snacks for $10 + free shipping)

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141: 5 Questions to Ask Yourself Every Morning Jul 03, 2017

I have a challenge for you. You ready?

I want you to start asking yourself these 5 questions every morning.

What will I do for ME today?
What am I grateful for?
How do I want to serve today?
What is one uncomfortable think I need to today to move closer to a goal?
How will I create joy today?

One of the best gifts you can give yourself everyday is a few moments just for YOU first thing in the morning. This reflective time can happen as you workout, as you journal, as you meditate, or as you shower (seriously, I have the most brilliant thoughts in the shower!)

Starting your day with some intentional focus about how you want to embrace the day not only gives you a strong sense of empowerment and control – it allows you to actually CREATE your day to be whatever you desire.

You will be amazed by how asking yourself just 5 questions every morning will change the course of your day and, in turn, change the course of your life. It is really that powerful and magical. Try me!

Links Mentioned:

SMA Ep 59: How to Create Your Own Miracle Morning

Sponsor: Aaptiv.com (use code SMA30 for a free 30 day trial)

Sponsor: http://www.kindsnacks.com/sma (use this link to get 10 KIND Snacks for $10 + free shipping)

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140: Jen Lumanlan: Your Parenting Mojo Jun 28, 2017

Jen Lumanlan is the host of the Your Parenting Mojo podcast, which distills scientific research on child development into a format that parents can actually use. She has done a TON of research on both child development and education, and also recently launched a course called Your Homeschooling Mojo, which helps parents to decide whether homeschooling is right for their family.

So all that said, a lot of Jen’s friends think it’s pretty ironic that she never thought she would be a parent because she didn’t have an inkling of a motherly instinct in her body. Jen earned a bachelor’s degrees from U.C. Berkeley and a Master’s of Environmental Management from Yale and spent several years in consulting before realizing that she was way more passionate about being a parent than she ever thought she could be, so she went back to school and got a Master’s in Psychology focused on Child Development and is now working on another in Education.

She’s still doing a less-rigorous day job while she ramps up the business that she hopes will enable her daughter’s homeschooling. We’ll talk about what she’s learned from the research she’s read that has helped her to be a better parent but also stop worrying so much about being a better parent and just enjoy life! We’ll also dig into some of the surprising things she learned about the education system while she was doing her master’s thesis research on what motivates children to learn in the absence of a curriculum.

Listen in to hear Jen share:

How and why she uses research to lead her parenting
The truth about only children and social skills and intelligence
How she knew homeschooling would be the best decision for her daughter – even though she’s not school age yet
Why our current education system is not meeting the needs of our kids
The myths (and truths) of homeschooling and homeschooling stereotypes
Why homeschooling is becoming more popular, especially among black families

Links Mentioned:

Podcast: The Your Parenting Mojo podcast - research-based ideas to help kids thrive (and make parenting a bit easier!)

Course: The Your Homeschooling Mojo course - helping people who are interested in homeschooling figure out whether (and how) they can actually do it. Use the code SHAMELESS20 to save $20 on your course purchase.

Interview/Book: How to talk so little kids will listen: Jen’s Interview with Julie King / Book

Interview/Book: It’s Not About The Broccoli: Jen’s Interview with Dina Rose / Book

Podcast Episode: Only Children – Are They As Bad As advertised?

Podcast Episode: Parenting: All Joy and No Fun?

Article: We Don’t Need No Education by Ben Hewitt

Book: Class Dismissed by Meredith Maran

Book: Child of Mine: Feeding With Love and Good Sense by Ellen Satter

Twitter: @akidisforlife

Email: jen@yourparentingmojo.com

Sponsor: Aaptiv.com (use code SMA30 for a free 30 day trial)

Sponsor: http://www.kindsnacks.com/sma (use this link to get 10 KIND Snacks for $10 + free shipping)

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139: How to Stay Motivated for the Next 8 Years Jun 26, 2017

Last week I woke to a Facebook memory from 8 years ago that totally threw me for a loop. This memory was a video of me teaching boot camp in a park in Seattle. I was immediately taken back to that time – when I was so excited and so nervous as I tried to sell spots in my little program that no one had heard of.

Fast forward 8 years and I have accomplished so many tings I never though possible - from owning an award winning gym to having a baby to launching a successful podcast.

So, here’s what really hit home for me a few hours after seeing that FB memory… If the last 8 years are any indication, SO MANY exciting, fun, terrifying, challenging, glorious unknown things are going to happen in my life in the next 8 years.

This got me really pumped up for the next 8 years.

Ok, your turn… I want you to think about a specific memory from 8 years ago.

Where were you?
Who were you with?
What were you doing?
How did you feel about it?

Then play back everything that has happened since then. Look at everything you have accomplished, earned, and learned since then. You are not the same person as you were then.

With what you know now, how will you make the next 8 years count? How will you push yourself? How will you grow and thrive?

Here are some of my suggestions to keep you motivated for the next 8 years – addressed more deeply in the episode, of course!

Take risks
Connect with those who have gone before you
Work with a coach or therapist
Ask for support at home
Be the person you want to be even if you’re not her yet

Links Mentioned:

SMA Episode 13: How To Be A Better Stalker and FanGirl with Lewis Howes

Sponsor: Aaptiv.com (use code SMA30 for a free 30 day trial)

Sponsor: http://www.kindsnacks.com/sma (use this link to get 10 KIND Snacks for $10 + free shipping)

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138: Jadah Sellner: Passions & Transitions Jun 21, 2017

Jadah Sellner is an author, international keynote speaker, poet, and the creator of the Mentorship Lab™ & Build Your Challenge™ at jadahsellner.com.

Since 2009, Jadah has started 3 businesses (including one brick and mortar) and now helps creative CEO’s, visionary entrepreneurs, and social change companies build communities with love, so that you can connect to your bigger vision, reach more people, support your family, and grow your income while NOT adding more work for you.

(You may also know her from her work as co-founder and co-author of Simple Green Smoothies, which has been featured on The Doctors TV show, Oprah's O Magazine, Target and the Wall Street Journal.)

When Jadah’s not helping world changers build their tribes with the Love Over Metrics™ movement, you can catch her reading Shel Silverstein poems at the dinner table. She lives in the San Francisco bay area with her husband, daughter, and their little “chiweenie” dog, Clementine.

Jadah is someone I have admired since hearing her on a podcast interview a couple years ago. I was immediately drawn to her story and her calm, warm energy. While soft in nature, Jadah is a strong, persistent and powerful in her work. She embraces all aspects of entrepreneurship while constantly seeking opportunities to serve women in a deeper way.

Listen in to hear Jadah share:

The specific steps you can take to discover your passions
Why you need to start dating yourself – and how to do it
How to change course without risking it all
Why you have to be ok with not-so-sexy transitions
How to unhook your self worth from the outcomes in your life

Links Mentioned:

More about Jadah: jadahsellner.com

Work with Jadah: jadahsellner.com/build-your-challenge

Jadah on Facebook: facebook.com/jadahsellner

Jadah on Instagram: instagram.com/jadahsellner

Jadah on Twitter: twitter.com/jadahsellner

Book: Simple Green Smoothies

Sponsor: Aaptiv.com (use code SMA30 for a free 30 day trial)

Sponsor: http://www.kindsnacks.com/sma (use this link to get 10 KIND Snacks for $10 + free shipping)

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137: Summertime Self-Care Jun 19, 2017

I’m going to go out on a limb and suggest that maaaaaybe you have put too much time into planning summer for your kids and family and not enough time into planning summer for YOU. Am I right?!?

I want you to love your summer. Like really LOVE it. I want you to cherish time that is only for you. I want you to OWN your space this summer. Can we do that together? I promise to make it simple and enjoyable!

I want to look at 4 areas you might consider when it comes to taking care of YOU this summer:

How will you move?
How will you fuel yourself?
How will you create down time?
How will you create fun?

Listen in to learn creative ways to stay consistent in your summer self care through some simple tricks and tactics. I’ll share ideas on how to keep exercise short & sweet, how to enjoy the best summer fuel without feeling guilty about an summer indulgences, and how to create time that is just for you to enjoy the season doing what YOU want to do (read: not chasing kids around a pool!)

Links Mentioned:

SMA interview with Jill Coleman: How to Eat Every Damn Day

Sponsor: Aaptiv.com (use code SMA30 for a free 30 day trial)

Sponsor: KINDsnacks.com/sma (use this link to get 10 KIND Snacks for $10 + free shipping)

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136: Kori & Mike: Zag Zig Parenting Jun 14, 2017

Married for 23 years, with 4 children, Kori Reed and Mike Becker are on a mission to “Reimagine family stereotypes so that all modern families can thrive.”

They are so committed to this mission that they wrote a book about it - Zag Zig Parenting: (Mis)Adventures of a Career-Driven Mom and a Stay-at-Home Dad

ZagZig Parenting invites you to explore a married couple’s contemporary perspective on parenting through comical vignettes that share their differences, struggles and mistakes.

Written by Kori, a career-driven mom of four children, with commentary from Mike, a twenty-year, at-home dad, this book shows work-life integration from a different lens, and creates a positive environment to reimagine the family framework.

These vulnerable stories about life as a non-traditional family aim to paint a picture of everyday chaos provide comic relief and permit parents to thrive as they embrace their perceived shortcomings in the context of work-family flow. Parenting issues don’t discriminate.

Listen in to hear Kori and Mike share:

How Mike and Kori both started defying traditional gender roles at the age of 16
How parents with two very different personality types can successfully find their parenting groove
What family management looks like for a stay-at-home dad and career driven mom
The power and purpose of therapy
How a Kori learned to juggle being a present parent and career focused mom
What Mike loved about staying home with 4 kids over the course of 20 years
Mike’s biggest parenting secret when it comes to minimizing overwhelm and chaos

Links Mentioned:

Find Kori and Mike here: www.ZagZigParenting.com

But the book here: Zag Zig Parenting on Amazon

Sponsor: Aaptiv.com (use code SMA30 for a free 30 day trial)

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135: How to Make Your Summer Bucket List Jun 12, 2017

After recording last week’s episode I realized I made a mistake. I told you all about Summer Bucket Lists and then I quickly added that since Vinnie is in full time childcare this summer, we didn’t need a Bucket List.

That was dumb.

Very dumb.

We actually DO need a Bucket List this summer. Two in fact.

Listen into hear how I came to this realization moments after finishing last weeks’ episode. I’ll share exactly how we created a Family Summer Bucket List and how I created my very own Mommy Summer Bucket List.

This one little project has me so pumped up for summer. I highly recommend you do it too. I give a lot of helpful pointers in the episode, so you can make your Bucket Lists 100% relevant to all your hopes and dreams for Summer 2017.

You’ll learn:

Why you and your family need separate Bucket Lists
What areas/ideas you might want to cover on your Bucket List
How to get crafty with your Bucket List
Parameters for play vis work on your Bucket List
How creating a Bucket List is different than goal setting
How to make your Bucket List about YOU, not them!

Links Mentioned:

Sponsor: Aaptiv.com (use code SMA30 for a free 30 day trial)

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

134: Barb Anderson: Life with Pediatric Cancer Jun 07, 2017

After graduating at the top of her MBA class and landing an interesting job, Barb Anderson suddenly found herself staring directly in the face of every parent's worst nightmare when her 18-month old son, Jude, was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia. With this diagnosis, Barb was thrown into her new role as a "Momcologist," a position where she serves as chief advocate, medical officer and public relations expert for her family.

Jude's journey has defied all odds, surviving three relapses, two bone marrow transplants and travel across the United States for groundbreaking clinical trials. He is now approaching six months after his second bone marrow transplant (for which Barb was the donor) and recovering well.

Barb loves living in the kind, vibrant city of Tucson, Arizona with her husband, Aidan, Jude and younger son, Finn. When not serving as a Momcologist, Barb loves to cook, drink wine, brew kombucha, and connect with friends & family. She is a double graduate of the University of Arizona with an undergraduate degree in Marketing and an MBA in Entrepreneurship.

I asked Barb to come on the show to talk about her story as a momcologist. She is going to walk us through the last 3 years of her life since Jude was diagnosed with Leukemia at just 18 months old.

Listen in to hear Barb share:

How Jude was diagnosed
What life looks like with the ups and downs of pediatric cancer
What kind of emotional turmoil remains even when the cancer is gone
What it’s like to raise a sibling of a child with pediatric cancer
What NOT to say (or send) to people fighting cancer
The alarmingly low research funding that supports pediatric cancer

Links Mentioned:

Jude’s Man and Woman of the Year Leukemia and Lymphoma Donation Page

Team Jude inspirational merchandise order form

Book: The Emperor of Maladies

Sponsor: Aaptiv.com (use code SMA30 for a free 30 day trial)

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

133: How to Manage Expectations Jun 05, 2017

If you find yourself easily disappointed or frustrated by relationships and/or situations in your life, it’s time to take some #radicalresponsibility, friends.

You create your own experiences, for better or worse. You have more power than you think. Cause, let’s be honest, you’re a badass.

But even the baddest of asses hits a rough spot every now & then, right??

Here are a few tips to help you manage expectations:

Assume nothing
Create win/wins
Communicate, communicate, communicate, and then communicate some more
Be assertive (not aggressive)
Set boundaries
Expect hiccups

When you put these practices in place, you will be able to much more accurately create the exact experiences you desire. You will also open the door for the people around you to do the same. Win/Win!!!

This is especially valuable and helpful as we enter summer. What do you really want this summer? How are you going to get it? It’s up to YOU.

Links Mentioned:

SMA Ep 8 with Lori Kennedy: Is Work/Life Balance Possible?

Sponsor: Aaptiv.com (use code SMA30 for a free 30 day trial)

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132: Sage B Hobbs: Naked Communication May 31, 2017

Sage B Hobbs is the author of Naked Communication. Sage spent more than ten years in counseling, education, and community outreach. Her work has spanned diverse communities, from public schools to a residential treatment program for teens. Her experience ranges widely, including life transitions, personal empowerment, work/life balance, education, family dynamics, youth behavior, fertility struggles, cancer recovery, and more.

When not geeking out on coaching and business development, Sage can be found playing in the mountains with her adorable children and husband, on her yoga mat, or talking at length with a girlfriend.

This was such a fun conversation. Two minutes into my conversation with Sage I felt like we had known each other for years. You’ll hear this throughout the conversation as we piggy back off each others thoughts. How interesting to have such a great connection when talking to someone about CONNECTION!

Sage is helping women show up, well, more naked. Before you panic, know that Naked Communication will mean different things to different women. But, embracing some of Sage’s philosophies and practices will really empower you to be more strong, powerful and capable in your conversations and your connections.

Listen in to hear Sage share:

What Naked Communication means and why you more of need it
Why the goal of every interaction should be connection (and how to make that happen)
The power of mental flexibility and how to make it a game
The truth about forgiveness and why it’s for YOU, not someone else
The steps to a powerful and productive apology
How to have One minute moments of courage that can transform your life and conversations
How to pushing yourself can actually alleviate anxiety
Why Ah-Ha moments are never really ah-ha moments

Links Mentioned:

* Website: SageBHobbs.com

* Book: Naked Communication by Sage B Hobbs

* The ASK Formula Cheat Sheet: How to ask for what you want... and get it. http://www.sagebhobbs.com/ask-formula-cheat-sheet/

* Learn about your own communication styles and patterns with free book chapters at http://www.sagebhobbs.com/naked-communication-book-free-chapters/

* Sage on Facebook

* Sage on Instagram

* Sponsor: Aaptiv.com (use code SMA30 for a free 30 day trial)

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131: Growth Mindset vs. Fixed Mindset May 29, 2017

I very unexpectedly ended up on crutches last week. Although, I guess it’s rare that anyone plans to be on crutches….

In any case, crutches were NOT in my plan as I trained for an upcoming 10K or planned a trip to the beach for the holiday weekend.

But, I fell on my way to the bathroom in the middle of the night (#41goingon86) and badly sprained my ankle. I spent the night at the ER – like the overnight – from 2:30-7:30am on a Saturday night - the best time to land one’s self at the ER, right?

I came home totally cool with my prognosis: no break (phew!!!), but a bad sprain, crutches for the foreseeable future, no weight bearing until I can get in to the orthopedist.

There is a time in my life – ok MOST of my life – that this whole turn of events would have sent me into a massive tailspin. I’m not one to live life spontaneously or embrace roadblocks. I like control. Like, all. the. time.

I have done a lot of work on myself in the last few years – work that allows me to take life in stride, even though that is not my nature. This work has pushed me to live my life in a Growth Mindset – seeing opportunity at every turn – even when I’m on my bedroom floor, screaming, in the fetal position, and about to barf because I’m sure I’ve broken my ankle in the middle of the night.

Listen in to this episode to hear how YOU can adopt a Growth Mindset and get rid of your Fixed Mindset tendencies that might be holding you back. I share 7 different practices and mindset examples that illustrate the difference between a Growth Mindset and a Fixed Mindset.

Understanding how to embrace a Growth Mindset will change everything about your life – from the way you parent (I give you some great examples) to the way you follow your professional ambitions. This is good stuff, friends.

Links Mentioned:

Book: Mindset by Carol Dweck

Sponsor: Aaptiv.com (use code SMA30 for a free 30 day trial)

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130: Lauren Pak: Life with Body Dysmorphic Disorder May 24, 2017

Lauren is on a mission to bring inclusivity and empathy to the forefront of fitness and health. She co-owns and operates Achieve Fitness in Boston with her husband, Jason, where they work daily to fulfill that mission. Lauren has been a personal trainer and strength coach for over 10 years, and she draws on her own past battle with body dysmorphic disorder to relate to and help others who may be going through similar struggles. When Lauren's not at the gym, she can be found spending time with her dog, Diesel, playing football, or relaxing on the beach in Cape Cod.

Lauren wrote an article on her experience with Body Dysmorphic Disorder a few months ago and I was just blown away by her honesty and openness with her experience. I would venture to guess that most women have had body image struggles at one time or another. In Lauren’s experience, her struggles became pervasive and paralyzing.

I found myself able to relate to Lauren’s story in many ways. If you’ve ever struggled with body image, eating disorders and/or disordered eating, I think you’ll be inspired by Lauren’s journey.

Listen in to hear Lauren share:

What daily life is like with BDD
How she was paralyzed by BDD and her weight even though she was never actually overweight
Why it is so hard for people with BDD and body image struggles to talk openly about it
How sharing her story was a crucial part of her healing
Her recommendations to other women who are struggling (…and why she doesn’t give advice)
How she wants to revolutionize the gym experience for women and marginalized populations

Links Mentioned:

Achieve Fitness website: www.achievefitnessboston.com

Personal website: www.lauren_pak.com

Facebook (business): www.facebook.com/achievefitnessboston

Facebook (personal): www.facebook.com/laurenp22

Instagram (business): www.instagram.com/achievefitnessboston

Instagram (personal): www.instagram.com/laurenpak22

Lauren’s blog post: My Experience with Body Dysmorphic Disorder and Depression

Book: Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance by Angela Duckworth

Book: The Broken Mirror: Understanding and Treating Body Dysmorphic Disorder by Katharine A. Phillips

Website: https://bdd.iocdf.org/about-bdd/ (an awesome resource that provides you with professionals as well as groups and programs based on your geographical location.)

Sponsor: Aaptiv.com (use code SMA30 for a free 30 day trial)

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129: The 4 C's of (Re)Building Your Identity May 22, 2017

By now you have heard me share all about how motherhood knocked me on my butt – BIG TIME. It took me longer than I like to admit to adjust to my new life as a mom and to resolve myself to the idea that I would never get my old life back.

My old life wasn’t really any better than my new mommy life (except for there was more time for sleep and wine) – but my old life was a life of predictability and all things KNOWN. So, basically the opposite of motherhood.

Over the last few years, I have been able to see how one rebuilds their identity – because I rebuilt mine. The coolest part of the journey is that one the other side of the fear of the unknown is power and strength I didn’t know I had.

Listen in to learn The 4 Cs of (Re)Building Your Identity:

Character
Courage
Collaboration
Confidence

Walking through these 4 areas will give you the direction you need to build a life you love without feeling overwhelmed (and/or terrified…)

Links Mentioned:

SMA Episode 69: How to Be A Nasty Woman

Sponsor: Aaptiv.com (use code SMA30 for a free 30 day trial)

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128: Tay N Val: Soul Purpose May 17, 2017

Tay & Val are the spiritual consultants and soul mentors that executive coaches of Fortune 500s and founders of multimillion-dollar public companies go to, to answer their "What's Next?" question. Everything they do is grounded in the intention to help you lead your best life.

Award-winning filmmakers, Tay and Val left successful media careers, closed their production company, wrapped work on their nationally televised television series P.S. I’m Sorry, and set off to travel the world by bicycle for a documentary project to inspire dreams. Six years, three continents, more than 400 public talks and national radio and TV appearances (in twelve countries), and 2 TEDx talks later, Tay and Val settled in the Pacific Northwest as City Artists of Seattle. Committed to helping visionary leaders meet their call to greatness with clear-eyed vision, groundedness, and deep trust - they work with leaders and businesses around the globe who hear the call to rise and say yes.

More recently, their work has also appeared on Huffington Post, MindBodyGreen, and Thrive Global. They are also co-founders of M Meditation. Their signature program, Propel Your Purpose, sherpas a soulful tribe of multipassionate, multitalented, and multifaceted millennials (at heart) to bring their whole selves to the table, create a thriving life, and make the impact you’ve always envisioned for yourself and the world.

Listen in to hear Tay n Val share:

Why they left their award winning careers to journey the world on bikes
How one man’s dream changed their dreams forever
The power of their pivotal question, “What’s Your Dream?”
How an 8 year old girl helped us define our #soulpurpose and set us on a path aligned to it
The surprising (and enlightening!) thing Moms around the world shared with us, that shifted our guilt for being the daughters who left home to live our dreams

Links Mentioned:

Discover your #soulpurpose: Taynval.com/soulpurpose

Video: How 2 Ordinary Girls Chose To Be Extraordinary

Video: Tay & Val TEDx talk

Tay & Val on Facebook

Sponsor: Aaptiv.com (use code SMA30 for a free 30 day trial)

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127: Navigating the Messy Middle May 15, 2017

Today I’m going to give you my Bloomsday Race Report and share my weakness – The Messy Middle…

Whenever I set out out to accomplish something I start out 100% inspired, motivated, excited, strong, powerful, eager, peppy, spirited – and eagerly anticipating success.

Then I get about 60 % toward my goal and I CRASH.

This is where things get uncomfortable, uncertain, not-so-strong, less powerful, way less motivating, uncertain and ugly. I often feel self doubt, fear, and negative self talk.

Welcome to the Messy Middle. Have you ever been???

Once I push through the Messy Middle I once again feel optimism, motivation, excitement - all those initial feelings come flooding back. I feel powerful as I approach my finish line or deadline.

When you’re in that Messy Middle, you want to BAIL. Maybe you actually do bail sometimes. I know I have.

Listen in to hear the strategies I use to take control of my Messy Middle and reach my goals (including my Messy Middle at Bloomsday last weekend). These are simple things that will take you far.

The Messy Middle is where you will make something of your goals and dreams OR where you will lay them down to die. The choice is yours. Understand the power of that decision.

You can do anything – but that doesn’t mean it’s easy to do anything. It’s never easy. It’s rarely pretty. But it’s always worth it.

Lastly, SHOUT OUT to the Bethany and Katie, the mamas in the photo for this episode. They were the best Bloomsday running buddies!

Links Mentioned:

Sponsor: Aaptiv.com (use code SMA30 for a free 30 day trial)

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126: Melissa DaSilva: Pride Connections May 10, 2017

Melissa DaSilva is a clinical social worker and founder of the group practice East Coast Mental Wellness in Providence, RI. She serves as an individual and couples therapist, as well as a group facilitator. She has spent many years working in schools as a school social worker and has an upcoming podcast titled Pride Connections.

Melissa is an expert in the field of transgender topics, and works with many trans and nonbinary youth to provide support throughout their transition. She collaborates with outside providers to ensure comprehensive care for those who wish to pursue physical transition. Melissa enjoys working with clients on LGBTQ topics, academic issues, bipolar disorder, and personality disorders. She also has experience supporting clients with anxiety, depression, and life transitions. Her practice is welcoming towards all genders and sexualities, as well as poly and kink couples. She uses a variety of approaches in her therapy including pet therapy, meditation, and places a lot of focus on sleep and nutritional health. When Melissa isn't running her business she is creating art and selling it at local markets.

Listen in to hear Melissa share:

What all the letters mean in LGBTQQIA (they are all different and all important)
What the terms cisgender, non-binary, gender-expansive and gender fluid mean
The difference between sex and gender
How to talk to explain sexual orientation and gender to kids in very simple terms
How can you and your family be supportive of LGBTQQIA children
How to can you be supportive if you suspect your child might be LGBTQQIA
How to ask someone about their sexual orientation and/or gender expression
How to use gender pronouns correctly and appropriately

Links Mentioned:

Podcast Website: PrideConnections.com

Private Practice Website: eastcoastmentalwellness.com

Melissa’s Email: Melissa@prideconnections.com

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125: Why You're Afraid of Change May 08, 2017

Change is the WORST. Or at least that’s what I used to tell myself – for like 30 years.

After becoming a mom I spent a full year feeling completely run over by all the change and unpredictability of my new mommy life. I kept wait for everything to “go back to normal.”

As you can guess – that never happened.

I had to resolve myself to the constant change that is motherhood.

As someone who thrives on routine and predictability, that was a tough pill to swallow. But then I looked at some of ways I had embraced change in other areas of my life over the last 10 years and I was able to slooooooowly start embracing motherhood and change in a new and more positive light.

Before I tell you how to get over your fear of change, let me help you understand why you’re afraid of change:

The known is always more comfortable than the unknown
We live in a fear based culture – so we’re programmed to be afraid of what we do not yet know
We like consistency, predictability and control
We’re scared of failure, mistakes, and of wasting our time and energy

And now – the good stuff - how to get over your fear of change:

Recognize that you are already in constant flux and transition
Consider change an opportunity for a “software upgrade”
Know there will be moments of panic and doubt and possibly a sense of complete failure and/or regret
Know that practicing and embracing change makes it feel less burdensome
Understand that the best way to conquer fear and anxiety is to prove to yourself you CAN do the things you are afraid of
change is not bad – it’s just different

Links Mentioned:

Sponsor: Aaptiv.com (use code SMA30 for a free 30 day trial)

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

124: Sistermixin with Tracey and Jo May 03, 2017

Tracey and Joanne are mothers and sisters who are living the healthiest, happiest life possible. Together they created Sistermixin’ to improve their families health and spread the word of their life changing discoveries.

They are on a mission to share how you can improve your health and your life by removing toxic additives and preservatives from your diet.

Their mission all started when Joana’s young daughter was having significant health and behavior issues. Desperate for answers and willing to try anything, Jo removed additives from her daughter’s diet and saw her daughter change before her very eyes.

Shortly after this life changing discovery, Joana shared her tips with Tracey and they have never looked back.

Listen in to hear Tracey and Jo share:

How Jo was able to completely change her daughter’s health and behavior by changing her diet
What kinds of preservatives your kids are eating that you don’t know are harmful
What to look for when reading food labels
What additives should be most avoided
The truth about food dyes and MSG (and how they are hidden everywhere…)
Simple steps to get started with additive free eating
How to support your child’s special eating habits in social settings

Links Mentioned:

Website: sistermixin.com

Podcast: The Whole Circle

Sistermixin on Instagram

Study: Southhampton Study of Food Dyes and Hyperactivity in Children

Course: Additive Free Made Easy

Food App: ChemicalMaze.com

Episode Sponsor: Aaptiv.com (use the code SMA30 to get your free 30 day trial)

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123: 5 Tiny Habits to Create Momentum in Your Life May 01, 2017

I think one of the hardest parts of motherhood is all. the. things.

I don’t mean physical things – although there is SO MUCH STUFF. Everywhere. Books, legos, art, clothes, balls, more legos, petrified snacks…

But I’m talking more about all the things you need to keep track of on a daily/weekly/monthly/yearly basis. Your brain is constantly firing in multiple directions and that makes it hard to actually forge a path in any one direction for any length of time.

I think this is why we often feel so stuck.

We intend to be really productive, but we get distracted or sucked into something unexpected and our best laid plans fall to the way side. Over and over and over. To the point that we don’t even remember what are best laid plans were….

On a small scale this happens every time we get interrupted by a text or we open out inbox. On a larger scale, this happens when we don’t have built in #tinyhabits to create space in our lives and our heads daily.

In this episode I’ll share 5 quick and simple #tinyhabits that will give you energy and help you create the MOMENTUM you need to move forward in any area of your life you choose!

Links Mentioned:

SMA Episode 102: Scott Colby – Say It With Gratitude

Episode Sponsor: Aaptiv.com (use the code SMA30 to get your free 30 day trial)

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122: Melissa Fox Lehman: Family, Community and Pogo Apr 26, 2017

Melissa Fox Lehman (layman) is the CEO and co-founder of Pogo Rides. For the last 15 years, she’s been helping Fortune 50 companies and nonprofits develop strategy and roll-out global programs. She loves developing actionable strategy and seeing those strategies brought to life. When she became a mom she knew she wanted to focus her energies on building something to make life easier for busy parents. This was the genesis for Pogo.

Melissa and her team are committed to helping families find safe and flexible transportation for their school-age children. As a mother of two, she understands the logistical challenges faced by busy parents of busy kids and believes in the power of communities to help each other live fuller and less stressful lives. Safety, community, and ease are the core tenants of Pogo Rides.

I wanted to have Melissa on the show to talk about how her view of work changed after she had kids. She very consciously chose to shift directions and build a business that could support other families. Her professional mission has evolved right along side her path in motherhood, as I think often happens.

Listen in to hear Melissa share:

The power of sharing in your community
Why it’s ok to outsource duties
Why asking for support helps you and your community
How we can create a lot more win/win opportunities among our neighbors
How to revolutionize your carpool network

Links Mentioned:

Website: Pogorides.com

Melissa’s Email: mlehman@pogorides.com

Sponsor: aaptiv.com (use code SMA30 for free 30 day trial)

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121: 5 Ways to Be More Kind to Yourself Apr 24, 2017

Ok, I’ll admit it… I was hard on myself last week. HARD.

I have a lot going on and I let it get to my head. Sometimes when we have too many things going on we feel we’re not doing any one thing really well. That was me. Just feeling all sorts of mediocre… AND super frazzled.

I had a pity party. I even invited a few people to join me. Luckily, they were kind and helped me get out of my head. I also practiced KINDNESS toward myself.

Being kind to yourself is important. No, it is crucial. Especially when things are chaotic, frantic, overwhelming…

Here are 5 ways to be more kind to yourself when the going gets tough:

Practice personal development, even if just for a few minutes
Create ME time – especially when you don’t think you have it
Catch yourself as you’re falling
Move – sweat, if possible
Ask for help

Links Mentioned:

Book: Year of Yes by Shonda Rhimes

Book: Love Warrior by Glennon Doyle Melton

Book: The Desire Map By Danielle LaPorte

Book: The Slight Edge by Jeff Olson

Book: Daring Greatly by Brene Brown

Sponsor: aaptiv.com (use code SMA30 for free 30 day trial)

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120: Amy Lang: Birds and Bees and Kids Apr 18, 2017

Amy Lang is a childhood sexuality expert and parent educator who helps parents talk to their kids about sex and sexuality. Her engaging, humorous and inspiring style shows parents how to turn conversations they dread into something they look forward to and embrace whole-heartedly. Though her business, Birds + Bees + Kids® Amy helps parents of all beliefs have easy, open and effective conversations about sex with their kids. She is the author of Birds + Bees + YOUR Kids - A Guide To Sharing Your Beliefs About Sexuality, Love and Relationships and Dating Smarts – What Every Teen Needs To Know To Date, Relate Or Wait. Amy has been featured in the Wall Street Journal, Huffington Post Live and Babble.com. Learn more about her work at www.birdsandbeesandkids.com

I have been dying to get Amy on the show for awhile now because I knew there might be things I was already behind on in talking to my 4 year old about sexuality. In this interview, Amy helped me get my ducks in a row and she’ll help you too!

Listen in to hear Amy share:

How her discomfort in talking to her own 4 year old about sexuality catapulted her into a career as a childhood sex expert
At what age you should be talking to your kids about sex and sexuality (hint: NOW)
Why talking to your kids about sex includes talking to them about masturbation (especially girls)
How you can become more comfortable and less awkward as you venture into territory that might be uncomfortable for you
The reality of why were seeing more sexualized behavior and mature dress in younger children and how you can protect your child
The 3 ways you can protect your kids from sexual abuse
Where Radical Responsibility comes into play with parenting and how to find your boundaries between being the parent and being accepted by other parents

Links Mentioned:

Amy’s Website: Birdsandbeesandkids.com

Birds+Bees+Kids on Facebook

Book: It’s Not the Stork

App: Aaptiv.com (use code SMA30 for free 30 day trial!)

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119: How to Win at Failing Apr 17, 2017

The truth about failure:

Failure does not have to suck. In fact, it is 100% possible to WIN while failing. As with most things, it’s all a matter of perspective.

I firmly believe you should fail often and fail fast. That is how you open more doors to see all the possibilities that lie ahead.

Listen in to learn:

Why failure can make goals seem less attainable
Why failure makes creates FEAR (False Evidence Appearing Real)
How failure can lead to self sabotage

Then learn my top tips in failing:

Fail often
Expect hiccups
Be ready to pivot
ID #tinywins
Silver linings
Model failure to your kids

Failure is not a loss. It’s an opportunity.

Links Mentioned:

Psychology Today Article: 10 Surprising Facts about Failure

Shameless Mom MOMENTUM Mastermind: https://smamastermind.com

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118: Shasta Nelson: How to Deepen Friendships, Health & Happiness Apr 12, 2017

Shasta Nelson, M.Div., is the Founder of GirlFriendCircles.com, a women’s friendship learning community. Her spirited and soulful voice for strong female relationships can be found in her books Frientimacy: How to Deepen Friendships for Lifelong Health and Happiness and Friendships Don’t Just Happen! The Guide to Creating a Meaningful Circle of GirlFriends. She also writes at ShastasFriendshipBlog.com and in the Huffington Post, speaks across the country, and is a friendship expert in the media appearing on such shows as Katie Couric and the Today Show.

Shasta is a 10 year Friendship Expert. She knows all the research on friendships – and on loneliness, which is plaguing us even though we are more virtually connected than ever before. Shasta is joining us in The Shameless Mom Academy to share the keys to building friendships and sustaining friendships, which can be a challenge in motherhood. Yes, your time is limited, but the truth is you friendships have never been more crucial.

Listen in to hear Shasta share:

The 3 S’s of a satisfying friendship
Why it is essential that we feel loved, known, and supported
The epidemic of loneliness that doctors are saying is the biggest health epidemic of our time
How our relationship with our spouse is different that our relationships with girlfriends – and why you need BOTH
The power of modeling friendship to your children and how to make sure boys are especially aware of the power and necessity of friendship
The 3 requirements that must be present for a healthy friendship

Links Mentioned:

Join Shasta: Girlfriendcircles.com

Resource: Frientimacy Quiz

Book: Frientimacy: How to Deepen Friendships for Lifelong Health and Happiness

Book: Friendships Don’t Just Happen! The Guide to Creating a Meaningful Circle of GirlFriends

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117: 3 Little Fitness LIES Apr 10, 2017

The TRUTH about fitness is that our society perpetuates a ton of myths that make exercise very confusing. That confusion leads to us wasting our time at the gym or not exercising at all because we don’t understand the truth of how easy and simple exercise can be.

Listen in to hear:

Three fitness LIES that are damaging your results
A BONUS tip that impacts weight loss
The dangers in using exercise as punishment
How long you need to exercise to make it effective
The difference between exercising for health benefits and exercising for weight loss
The significance of food intake compared to exercise when it comes to using exercise for weight loss

Links Mentioned:

Today’s sponsor: aaptiv.com (use code SMA30 to get a free month trial)

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EP 116: Jill Simonian The FAB Mom's Guide Apr 05, 2017

Jill Simonian is the author of The FAB Mom’s Guide: How to Get Over the Bump & Bounce Back Fast After Baby.

The FAB Mom’s Guide celebrates motherhood while poignantly and candidly exploring the

spectrum of emotions and real-life challenges women face from pregnancy through the first year of baby’s life - beginning with Jill's unexpected first pregnancy within her first year of marriage just as her career was taking off (which originally involved plenty of tears and swear words), to giving birth to two daughters in two years. Jill offers easy tools, tricks and humor she and other women actually used to help new moms successfully bounce back mentally and physically within a matter of months, ultimately finding the right balance between home, career and family.

Jill is also known for her work as a TV Host & Entertainment Journalist turned Parenting Lifestyle Expert & Contributor. She is currently on CBS Los Angeles twice a week. She has also worked with the TODAY Show, HLN, and the Hallmark Channel.

Listen in to hear Jill share:

How she found her self unexpectedly pregnant (twice)
How she tried to hide her first pregnancy (and failed)
Here stance on nursing – and her no guilt approach to formula
Why she believes life only gets better after motherhood
Why you should stop negotiating everything with your kids
How tiny professional steps, taken while being a stay at home mom, built a foundation for her current career

Links Mentioned:

Blog: TheFabMom.com

Book: The FAB Mom’s Guide: How to Get Over the Bump & Bounce Back Fast After Baby by Jill Simonian

Book: The Pie Life by Samantha Ettus

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115: Make a Damn Decision Apr 03, 2017

I am not a great decision maker. I can admit to being 100% paralyzed by the decision of what kind of bibs to buy for Vinnie on Amazon a few years ago. BIBS, people.

However, I don’t identify myself as being indecisive, because that label would be crippling for me. That would make me more indecisive. Labels matter. They impact our decisions.

So, I do my best to identify as someone who makes decisions quickly and makes decisions that serve me well. I also set limits around my decision making, so I don’t get analysis paralysis.

Being indecisive is disempowering. If keeps you stuck. It gives you permission to stay in your safe little cocoon of all things known & comfortable. Growth and change do not happen among the indecisive.

Indecision invites in fear and doubt. When you are stuck in indecision you think of all the bad things that could go wrong with Decision A vs Decision B vs Decision C. If you just make a damn decision, you would learn that you are capable OWNING Decision A OR Decision B OR Decision C. In reality, it might not even matter which one you choose as long as you own the one you choose and make it serve you.

If you struggle with decisions or analysis paralysis or feeling stuck, this episode is for you. Be a badass decision maker. Today. And everyday moving forward.

Just make a damn decision.

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114: Joshua Apparicio: Shameless Kid of Be Strong to Stop Bullying Mar 29, 2017

Today’s episode is an extremely special one. We have our first Shameless Kid joining the show! Joshua Apparicio is a 12-year-old seventh grader who has partnered with Be Strong, an anti-bullying organization. Joshua works with Be Strong to share his story of being bullied regularly for 6 years.

In addition to working with Be Strong to help other kids impacted by bullying, Joshua is a published poet (he was first published at age 7) and he recently took his SATs – yes, the ones you’re supposed to take when you’re 16. You could say Joshua has a very bright future…

I recently saw Joshua do an interview with my friend Scott Colby (from our Say It With Gratitude SMA episode) and I was blown away. Joshua is wise and insightful well beyond his years. He is sweet and compassionate and brilliant. I knew I had to have him join us in the SMA.

I am so excited to have such a dynamic young gentleman on our show as our first Shameless Kid. I am also extremely grateful to Joshua and his mother, Shirmin, who were so enthusiastic and thoughtful about this interview.

I was fortunate enough to be able to talk to Joshua’s mom, Shirmin, after we stopped recording, and I was so touched by her grace and strength, qualities she has clearly passed down to her son.

Joshua, wherever you go in life you will make a positive difference. You already are.

Please listen in to hear Joshua share:

What it was like for Joshua to be bullied on a regular basis for 6 years
How Joshua and his mom were finally able to put an end to the bullying
How his Mayor became his mentor when his school district failed to protect him
How his mom coached him every night to help his mindset around his situation
His advice to other kids who are being bullied
The surprisingly kind and compassionate thoughts he has about kids who demonstrate bullying behaviors
Why being a victim of bullying actually positively impacted his life

Links Mentioned:

Be Strong: BeStrong.global

SMA Episode 102: Scott Colby – Say It With Gratitude

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113: The Top 6 All Natural Anti-Aging Secrets Mar 27, 2017

I don’t think aging is a bad thing. I like to embrace my signs of aging:

The burning desire to go to bed earlier
A few wrinkles to prove I’ve smiled and laughed a lot
Some forehead lines, cause apparently I raise my eyebrows excessively – which really enhances my eyes
More cellulite – but who even cares anymore??
A more carefree attitude about imperfections (see #4)
The complete disregard of cultural messages about aging and beauty (thank you #5)
Increased awareness to stop and smell the roses, because now I get it – there is no guarantee that the roses will be there tomorrow
A more shameless attitude about chasing dreams & desires, in spite of others opinions
Dark circles under my eyes – which are just proof that I got to cuddle with my child on three separate occasions during the night last night

Aging doesn’t have to be a bad thing. It doesn’t need to take you down. It is not cause for pills, serums, syrups, lotions, potions, or creams. But you do want to have some awareness about the quality and quantity of your life as you age.

There are 6 KEY ingredients that will slow down the aging process, so you can live LONGER and live BETTER.

Listen in to hear my Top 6 All Natural Anti-Aging Secrets.

PS: I feel qualified to give advice on this because I got carded today and I’m 41 and a half. Cheers!

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112: Liz Nead - Nead Inspiration and The 100 Day Journey Mar 22, 2017

Main Questions:

Liz Nead is a force. She is a speaker, coach, a television host, and an expert in Bringing Life Back to Everyday Life. She is also a mom to 7 kids in her blended family – yes, 7. Liz is impacting the lives of thousands of people worldwide by speaking the truth, pushing boundaries that need shifting, and modeling how delightful everyday life can be.

I reached out to Liz because she is an inspiration to me as a woman, a mother, and an entrepreneur. Liz doesn’t shy away from the truth, or hard work, or her destiny. She makes good things happen all around her, all the time.

Listen in to hear Liz share:

How unexpectedly becoming a mother to twin sons shaped her life
How to live in the moment, be alive, and not be fake
Why a less full life is a better life
The power of pushing physical boundaries and the connection between athleticism and motherhood
The reciprocal role of parents teaching kids and kids teaching parents
Why she took her clothes off on stage that one time…
How “diversity training” has harmed our society
What you need to know about being “racist ready”

Links Mentioned:

Book: The 100 Day Journey: Spark the Shift to Your Best Life by Liz Nead

Huff Po article

Website: http://www.liznead.com/

Book: Gifts of Imperfection by Brene Brown

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111: Why I Had to go to the Philippines Mar 20, 2017

I’m just a few days back from a life-changing week in the Philippines. This journey half way around the world was not an easy choice for me. But it was the right choice, and I’m so glad I did it.

I left on this trip alone, sick, and feeling pretty intimidated. I returned with a new tribe, with newly inspired motivation in multiple areas of my life, and filled with gratitude for such a powerful and positive experience.

Tune in to hear me share:

How I have failed miserably with transitions and new experiences in the past
My 4 goals leading up to this trip
The dilemma of the Imposter Syndrome (for me and everyone)
Why you should take a chance on new and uncomfortable experiences
Suggestions on how to start taking steps outside your comfort zone in order to find your tribe

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110: Hilary Hendershott Profit Boss Radio Mar 15, 2017

Hilary Hendershott has an impressive resume as a financial planner. She owns Hilary Hendershott Wealth Management and is the host of Boss Profit Radio (an awesome podcast). She’s a TEDx speaker. She has been featured in the Wall Street Journal, NBC, ABC, FOX, Forbes, and various other media outlets. She has made over 30 expert television appearances and she’s been recognized as a Top 40 Under 40 Entrepreneur in Silicon Valley.

But, what you’ll probably most enjoy about Hilary is that she is REAL. She tells it like it is and she’s not afraid to be 100% forthcoming with her own story of hitting her debt rock bottom.

I know you’ll all appreciate her # 1 Rule: No Financial Drama. She’s not in the biz to shame people or scare people. She wants to help you neutralize your relationship with money so you can make decisions that empower your life.

Listen in to hear Hilary share:

What it’s like to be a female in a male driven industry
The 6 (quick & easy) daily steps you can take to simplify your finances
How to stop hiding from debt
Ways to take the fear out of money
How much you should really have in savings (and why it shouldn’t all be cash based)
How to be more Shameless with your money

Hilary also gave some really helpful tips on getting involved in the stock market (where more women NEED to play!), and she shared “The 3 F’s in Finding a Financial Advisor:”

Fees
Fiduciary
Philosophy (ok, technically a PH!)

Links Mentioned:

Website: http://www.hilaryhendershott.com/

Email: info@hilaryhendershott.com

Free Guide: Mind Over Money

Stock Market Training: Investing With Freedom for Smart Women

Article: Fiduciary

Podcast: Profit Boss Radio

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109: Lessons Learned Traveling with 8 Kids Mar 13, 2017

We recently got back from a weeklong trip with 4 other families. Our group consisted of 10 adults, 5 four year olds and 3 two year olds. We had a blast. But, don’t mistake fun for rest. I wouldn’t say it was relaxing….

This is the second year we have traveled with this group. After doing this twice, I can say I wholeheartedly endorse group travel when you have little kids. BUT – you must be prepared and know what you’re getting into.

This episode will highlight my 8 lessons learned traveling with 8 kids:

Snacks all the time, everywhere
Eat in vs eating out
Meltdowns
Adult free time
Daily down time
The beauty and fallout of treats and screens
Buffer day
Nothing is as great as it seems, nothing is as bad as it seems

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108: Leanne Kabat- When You Only Have 5 Years To Live Mar 08, 2017

I have to start this by letting you know this was easily one of my favorite interviews ever. You are in for the most gut wrenching story, told by the most amazing heroine and SuperMom, Leanne Kabat.

Leanne moved to From Ottawa, Canada to Sammamish, Washington in January 2016. Before she had a chance to make any friends, her husband left on a week long business trip. Leanne was home with her 4 year old and her 2 year old, and she was 5 months pregnant.

Her husband had been gone a for a few nights when Leanne woke up to pee one night (remember all the pregnancy peeing?!?) When she got out of bed, she passed out, falling on her belly, and woke up on her bedroom floor paralyzed. She would lie there for hours unable to move or speak.

After hours of willing herself to GET UP, she finally regained enough mobility to get up and get herself, kids in tow, to the hospital. What followed were months of testing, the birth of her third baby, tons more testing, and ultimately this prognosis, presented by a large panel of doctors and medical experts:

“We don’t know what you have. But we can tell you that based on the brain damage we are seeing from your ‘incident’, you only have 5 years to live.”

Listen in to hear:

what Leanne’s life was like after receiving a death sentence
her ultimate breaking point 3 years after her diagnosis
how drugs ruined her and mindset saved her
how she finally stumbled upon her MamaCon tribe and how life changing and life giving this tribe has been
why she chose to buy MamaCon based on “the utterly unshakeable belief that no mama should mama alone”

Links Mentioned:

MamaCon website: www.mamacon.net

MamaCon on Facebook

Book: Harold and the Purple Crayon

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107: 4 Reasons You're Not Meeting Your Goals Mar 06, 2017

I have been working with goal setters for the last 14 years. Working in the fitness industry, goals are always part of the conversation with clients. I’ve witnessed women on top of the world because they just crushed a goal. I’ve also witnessed women set the same goal over and over, feeling defeated and deflated in their self-proclaimed failure to ever reach said goal. This can be a viscous cycle that is really damaging to one’s mental health.

Here are 4 reasons I frequently see women fail to meet their goals:

1. You haven’t seriously considered how amazing your life would be if you actually met your goal. Have you really deeply considered what your life would be like if you meet your goal? Would you be more patient with your kids, more productive at work, have more desire to fuel your body well? Would you have more energy and less anxiety? Would you feel more in control of your life and more assertive in your relationships?

2. You’re not putting enough structure around them. If you’re not specific about your goal and the EXACT steps you need to take to accomplish it, you’re not going to succeed. A blueprint of sorts is essential.

3. You’re holding out for a quick fix or next week, next month, next year.

Stop waiting and start taking action. It is really as simple as that. A quick fix is a temporary bandaid. It will wash off after just a few days. Life will always be busy. The “right time” will never present itself. If you’re serious about accomplishing something, you must START.

4. You don’t believe in yourself and you’re quick to give up. Self-limiting beliefs are the silent killer of most goals. You must take steps to improve your head game and tell yourself you ARE worth it. Talk out your plan with a friend or mentor you know would be a great cheerleader. Seeing someone else’s confidence in you will give you confidence in yourself. You must be kind to yourself every damn day – telling yourself you ARE worth it and you CAN do it.

Listen in to this episode to hear exactly how you can combat these hiccups and roadblocks. I have seen women and moms just like you turn their lives around because they made a plan and committed to working the plan. You truly can do anything – as long as YOU believe you can.

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106: Susan Weeks How to Find Yourself when Everything Changes Mar 01, 2017

Susan Weeks is a podcast producer who helps other entrepreneurs get started in podcasting or step up their game in podcasting. Susan’s work online started out of her desire to stay out of the corporate world that had been a part of her past.

After becoming a mom unexpectedly at 39, while newly divorced, Susan’s life changed in every way you could imagine. With a partner who struggled to stay in one place long enough to put down roots, Susan spent years raising her son in many different homes in many different countries. In hindsight, she can clearly see how she lost herself in her relationship and in motherhood.

In recent years, Susan has put down roots and built a life that is true to her identity as a leader and guide to those around her. She has built a business that can be flexible with motherhood and also allows her to put to use her best attributes to serve others.

Listen in to hear Susan share:

How she dealt with divorce, selling her house, walking away from her job and then discovering she was pregnant all in one month.
How she moved all over Europe living someone else’s dream and lost herself
The steps she took to build an online business around her strongest personality traits and her best skill sets from her corporate experience
Why being selfish in motherhood is appropriate and sometimes necessary

Links Mentioned:

Susan’s Website: www.PodcastProgress.com

Susan on LinkedIn

Susan and Podcast Progress on Facebook

Susan on Twitter @sueweeks

Freebie: The Podcast Launching Kit

Freebie: Using the 12 Week Year with Trello

Book: 12 Week Year

Book: The 12 Week Year: Get More Done in 12 Weeks than Others Do in 12 Months By Brian Moran

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105: 7 Secrets to Slow Down & Simplify Feb 27, 2017

Can we all agree to tear off our Busy Badges and chill out a little. Life is only as hectic as you make it. If you find yourself living in constant overwhelm, it’s because you are allowing that to happen. Let’s all start taking Radical Responsibility for our time and our priorities. And for goodness sake, stop indulging your ego by telling others how busy you are.

When I started taking Radical Responsibility for my busyness, I became a LOT less busy. I was able to slow down and simplify my life in a number of ways. I no longer wear my Busy Badge. I tore it off and stomped on it until it was no longer recognizable.

Here are 7 secrets to help you slow down & simplify:

Meal Plan – do not be a slave to the 4:45pm “what’s for dinner” trap. Listen in to hear my top tips on how to make meals suuuuper simple forever.

Time Block Chores – stop doing chores everyday. Yep, I’m giving you permission. It’s a waste of your time and an energy drain. Listen in to hear how to do less laundry and less bathroom cleaning (and stop dusting!)

Divide & Conquer – you are not the only capable person in your family or your neighborhood or your children’s school. Listen it to hear how to enlist help and support.

Social Boundaries – Your kids have social boundaries at school, right. There is a time for play and a time for work and a time to chill. You should have the same at home, especially on the weekends. A go-go-go lifestyle is not good for your kids or for you. Listen in to hear how to create some rules around your social calendar.

Stop Over Scheduling – you and your kids don’t need to be involved in everything. It doesn’t make them more well rounded. It doesn’t make you more important. It just makes everyone a little more nutty. For real. Stop. Listen in to hear how to pick and choose activities.

Quality Quiet Time – this is my best secret. You have to do it. I promise you’ll thank me.

Outsource (groceries, yard work, laundry) – free up mental space and create more time and energy by getting help. It doesn’t have to be expensive. Listen in for cheap tips!

If you can follow any of these 7 steps, you will:

free up mental space
reduce decision fatigue
create space for peace and calm
model good habits to your kids
tear off your Busy Badge

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103: The Truth About Momming Feb 20, 2017

Adele inspired me in a million ways at the Grammy’s. But what touched me most deeply were her comments on motherhood.

In today’s episode I’ll share more about what Adele said and why it was so important, as well as go in depth as to why we lose ourselves in motherhood.

I’ll confirm for you that you are KILLING it, even though no one has thanked you in a really long time.

I will touch on how you do all you do - that you don’t even know you are doing – making you a superhero of the most invincible kind.

I’ll discuss your supreme and extreme sense of responsibility that no one else in your household can relate to.

I’ll award you with your Masters Degree from Newborn University that you gained overnight, while you were in labor, since everyone else probably forgot to give it to you.

I’ll give you permission to be more shameless and more selfish #everydamnday

Links Mentioned:

SMA Episode 22: Erin Brown - Letters to Lola

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102: Scott Colby: Say it with Gratitude Feb 15, 2017

Scott Colby is an adventure lover who has created businesses around his passions. Although he has spent over a decade in the fitness industry helping people create transformations, it is his love of international travel and thirst for adventure that has led him create his favorite brands - Say It With Gratitude and Unplug and Play Adventures.

I invited Scott to come on the show because I wanted to talk to him about the power of gratitude in his life and how he has used it to fuel his career. Scott recently launched Say It With Gratitude, a movement designed to help people have more gratitude and happiness in their lives. It starts with thank you cards, designed by kids impacted by charity.

Scott’s mission with Say It With Gratitude is powerful. The impact gratitude is having on his life and on those he serves is profound. Scott is also quick to clarify that gratitude, while it should be practiced consistently, can be practiced imperfectly. There are no strict rules or “right” ways to do it. The power is in doing it in a way that you are reflecting positively on your own life and touching others in a positive way.

Ways to practice Gratitude:

Say Thank You out loud and often
Appreciate the little things in your daily life
Acknowledge what you DO have in rough times
Acknowledge people with your words and actions
Notice simple pleasures
Notice, take in, and appreciate your surroundings
Get out in nature
Not comparing yourself to others – embrace your unique path and own it
Live your life as if everything is a miracle
Smile at others and make eye contact
Make small talk with strangers
Give compliments freely
Volunteer
Impact on your community

Listen in to hear Scott share:

How gratitude can change your life
How to practice gratitude in new, simple, easy ways
Why we need to resurrect Thank You cards
The power or pivoting
The magic of asking for help

Make sure to check out Say It With Gratitude and the charities and people Scott is currently working with. I was particularly touched by Joshua’s story and Be Strong, a charity to fight bullying.

Links Mentioned:

Website: SayItWithGratitude.com

Scott’s fitness website: ScottColby.com

Scott’s Podcast: The Power to Change

Book: Evolved Enterprise By Yanik Silver

Book: Miracle Morning By Hal Elrod

Book: The Gratitude Connection By Amy Collette

Book: Deep work, Rules for Focused Success In A Distracted World By Cal Newport

App: Insight Timer

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101: 6 Steps to Fall in Love with Your Life Feb 13, 2017

Last weekend Vinnie had two friends overnight for a sleepover. For 24 hours I played mom to 3 kids. DAMN. That is serious business, friends.

It was a very action packed 24 hours, to say the least. And at the end of it all, I learned something really valuable about myself and my current life. I suddenly felt grateful that our IVF experience over the summer had not resulted in a pregnancy. I saw the simplicity of our current life in a new light. I fell a little more in love with my life than I have in a long time.

Over the last week, I have been thinking about what it takes to Fall In Love With Your Life. It takes a lot, but it also takes very little.

Listen in to this episode to hear my 6 Steps to Fall In Love With Your Life:

Embrace a Growth mindset
Quite the comparison trap
Practice daily gratitude and wins
Take radical responsibility for your joy
Find the cracks
Keep your shield up

It is entirely possible to fall a little more in love with your life every single day – if you choose to do so. Let these 6 steps be your guide.

Links Mentioned:

Book: Mindset By Carol Dweck

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100: Amy Moses, PT: Truths and Myths about Your Mommy Bladder Feb 08, 2017

Amy Moses is a physical therapist who works exclusively in women’s health with a specialty in pelvic floor physical therapy. I met Amy a few years ago when she was my pelvic floor PT. I quickly developed a huge girl crush on Amy, as she made me feel so comfortable at such a vulnerable time in my life. She helped me heal my body and become stronger as a women and a mom.

Amy and I dive deep into the world of pelvic floor rehab today – discussing incontinence, pain with sex, and pelvic pain that happens to most women after giving birth (as well as to women who have never given birth!) Amy is on a mission to normalize these kinds of conversations and to bring pelvic floor rehab to all moms.

Perhaps the best part of this conversation and Amy and I disclosing our own personal experiences with pelvic floor dysfunction after having babies. It’s not pretty, friends…. But it’s TOTALLY NORMAL. I think you’ll get a few good laughs as we share our personal journeys – and perhaps you’ll be able to relate!

Listen in to hear Amy share:

The truth about incontinence, pain with sex, and pelvic pain the most of us experience
Why understanding this major women’s health issue is critical in the current political landscape
How Kegels can make everything worse
Why the pad/panty liner industry is making a KILLING off you
What you can expect when you go to pelvic floor physical therapy
How to find a pelvic floor PT near you

Links Mentioned:

Amy Moses on Facebook

Amy Moses at Moye Physical Therapy near Memphis, TN

Directory of Herman Wallace Pelvic Floor PTs

Directory of Women’s Health PTs

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99: What I've Learned About YOU Feb 06, 2017

This week I am celebrating our first 100 Shameless Mom Academy episodes with you. I am toasting you and thanking you for everything you have taught me over the last 100 episodes.

Here is want I know:

You are stronger than you ever thought

You are more powerful now than ever

You are a fighter

You are tough, but gentle

You are saying NO more so you can say YES more

You are telling new stories

You are standing up and speaking out

You are speaking more and listening more

You are walking away from shame and owning YOU, all of YOU

Listen in to share some special milestones with me.

Also, head over to Instagram for our 100th episode giveaway!

Links Mentioned:

SMA Episode 79 Start Telling New Stories

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98: Holly Joi Rigsby: Finding Everyday Joi Feb 01, 2017

Holly Rigsby is a Lifestyle Design Coach for Moms over at HollyJoiRigsby.com. Over the past 11 years Holly has coached over 29,500 women to become the best version of themselves through her programs and products. Holly also has two sons, Tyler and Alexander, who inspire her to live in joy (JOI) everyday.

In this interview, Holly openly and bravely shares how she has found herself at different times in her life unable to find the joy she knew she wanted. Holly has always worked in service to others – as a teacher, a personal trainer, an online fitness expert to moms, and a mom. Serving others is extremely rewarding, but it can come at the expense of creating joy for one’s self at times.

When Holly looks back at her boldest moves in life – to leave her first husband when her son was still very young, to change careers, to make a dramatic shift in her business, she can identify that she makes a move when she is searching for a new level of joy. This is the inspiration for her most recent professional move, the launching of her Lifestyle Design Coaching programs and creation of her new Everyday Joi community.

Listen in to hear Holly share:

How she has become a sought after leader, even though she never identified as one
Why leaving her first husband was an imperative step in finding true joy in all areas of her life
How she built a powerful online community for women to “walk side-by-side, encouraging each other” to reach their goals
How the traumatic loss of her sister inspired her to make a bold professional change
Why the pursuit and acknowledgment of Everyday Joi is essential

Links Mentioned:

Holly’s Website: http://hollyjoirigsby.com/

Holly on Facebook

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97: Women's March: Solidarity and Haters Jan 30, 2017

There is so much to say about my Women’s March on Washington experience. I want to share my story. I want to share the global impact of this movement. I want to tell you what it was like to spend 8 hours with over 1 million marchers. I want to capture it perfectly for you.

But I cannot.

It was so big and so impactful, I can’t find all the words. And you know I’m not one to be at a loss for words…

Because I’m still feeling totally overwhelmed by the magnitude of this event a week later, I asked a few of my March friends to help me explain what it was like to March on Washington.

Listen in to hear the most memorable moments of the day from 4 of my friends – and some of the raddest women I know.

Listen in to hear how the logistics of the day played out, from getting off a red eye, to not peeing all day, to marching with Macklemore, to making friends with Trump supporters.

Then keep listening.

Hear about the haters I’ve encountered this week – the comments and conversations I saw online, and continue to see:

“I don’t really get it. Women already have the same rights as men.”

“I don’t see how this movement is helping anything.”

“From the news coverage, I just saw a lot of angry women who didn’t have a unifying theme/message. It didn’t even make sense.”

“I know a lot of really successful women. No one’s holding women back.”

I’ll tell you what I told the haters – and hopefully you’ll find it useful information that you can share with any haters you encounter.

From where I sit, I see the largest movement of global solidarity ever. I see action. I see power. I see hope.

**Special thanks and huge hugs to my friends Dana, Beth, Angela and Christine who shared their March perspectives in this episode. And thanks to Angela for letting me march with your sign.**

I will not normalize the behavior of this president.

Links Mentioned:

Article: Racial Gender Wage Gap Persists in US Despite Some Progress

6 year old Sophie Cruz’s speech on YouTube

My March pics on The SMA Facebook page

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96: Stacy Tuschl: She's Building Her Empire Jan 25, 2017

Stacy Tuschl started her first business in her parents’ backyard at the age of 18 and turned that company into a 7 figure business. She is a #1 international bestselling author of, “Is Your Business Worth Saving?”. In her book, Stacy reveals proven strategies for pulling entrepreneurs out of a rut and launching them toward business success. Stacy is also the host of the top-rated podcast She’s Building Her Empire.

Stacy loves her businesses (yes, she has multiple) and is extremely passionate about her work. She is also madly in love with her two daughters, ages 4 and 17 months. You could say she’s a little busy. But, it does not feel like too much. It feels right.

Stacy is unapologetic in her approach to business and motherhood and where the two collide – or don’t, because she won’t let them.

Listen in to hear Stacy share:

How she built a 7 figure business that started in her parent’s backyard
What she did as a 21 year old entrepreneur to connect with other like minded, successful people
Why investing in yourself and your business or career, even though risky, is the wisest thing you can do
How to make a plan to START if you want to pursue a new goal or dream
Why daycare is magic

Links Mentioned:

Website: shesbuildingherempire.com

Facebook Group: shesbuildingherempire.club

Book: The Power of Habit

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95: Four Tips to Make Exercise Stick Jan 23, 2017

I wanted to put out this episode at this exact time because this is about the time that we start to reconsider our New Year Resolutions and/or give them up all together.

I would like to offer an alternative. I would like to give you a PLAN. Just because you don’t knock a goal out of the park immediately does not mean you should put that goal on the back burner.

In fact, the best way to approach a goal is through small steps over time. So, if you have already given up on a health goal for 2017, I’m hear to give you permission to put that goal back on the table. Your goal wants to be met. It wants to be realized. It wants to improve your life. Your goal needs you.

So let’s get started, together, shall we?

If you’ve been struggling to make fitness stick in the new year, I year you. While there is a lot of hype about fitness in January, it is usually a very transitional month for people, making it challenging to take on new habits and make them stick. LISTEN IN if you need help getting your rear in gear!

4 Tips to making exercise stick

Have an accountability planHINT: This can involve any of the following: a calendar, your fridge, your family, your friends, your boss, your co-workers, a sticker chart
Do something you enjoyHINT: You won’t always enjoy it in the moment, but you should enjoy the overall experience and the benefits that begin the moment you are done
Tell other peopleHINT: Learn how to brag (yes, there is a “right” way)
Be in it for the long haulHINT: you gotta create some hype around your plan and your plan needs to be evolve-able to keep you engaged for the rest of your life

Links Mentioned:

SMA Episode 92: Pratima Aravabhoomi - From Arranged Marriage to Independent Woman

SMA Episode 69: Nasty Woman Manifesto

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94: Halley Bock: Life, Incorporated Jan 18, 2017

I’m delighted to have Halley Bock back as a second time guest on The Shameless Mom Academy. She is here today to talk about her new brilliant book, Life, Incorporated.

A couple years ago, Halley was approached to write a book honing her expertise in organizational leadership. But, when her personal life started to implode her book took on a different purpose. She started writing about herself and her story, instead of how she led organizations.

In Life, Incorporated she shares how she put herself back together and how any person or organization can create a better, more powerful and positive existence by learning to live from the “Inside Out”.

Listen in to hear Halley share:

What happened when her mother fired her as CEO of her company
What she learned from looking inward instead of outward for validation and growth
What baby steps she took that changed the course of her life and her work
The importance of letting go of busyness
What practices can heal your soul so you can truly live a life you love

Links Mentioned:

Book: Life, Incorporated: A Practical Guide to Whole Hearted Living

Resources: Life, Incorporated Resources

SMA Episode 30 with Halley: Passion vs Purpose

Life, Incorporated on Facebook

Life, Incorporated on Instagram

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93: Panic & Perspective Jan 16, 2017

Nothing is as bad as it seems. Nothing is as great as it seems.

I have been taught this lesson over the years and I needed it this week – a few times. Life threw me for a few loops this week. 5 loops to be exact. There was the mold scare, the car scare, the dog scare, my mom’s medical emergency, and Vinnie’s trip to the ER.

My tendency is to PANIC when I get hit with these curve balls. While I’m outwardly very calm, internally I am planning for the worst in every way. I jump to conclusions, let my mind race endlessly, and assume my pretty little life will be irreparably harmed.

Do you do this? Please tell me I’m not alone.

But, here’s the TRUTH…..

Just to the left (or right) of your internal freak out is this:

It will all be ok
You are strong – phsycially, mentally, emotionally
You have a great support network – husband, friends, family, fan club
You are resourceful
You are adaptable
You are a fighter
You are resilient
You will learn from every challenge
You will grow from every challenge

Therefore, it is imperative that when faced with a challenge or hardship, you must:

Be up for the challenge
Be ready to dig deep
Be ready to stretch yourself in uncomfortable ways
Take the space and time you need
Ask for help
Make concessions
Process

Tune in to hear by 5 crises and how I my perspective saved me from my panic.

Links Mentioned:

SMA Episode 62: Carrie Wilkerson – The Barefoot Executive

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92: Pratima Aravabhoomi: From Arranged Marriage to Independent Woman Jan 11, 2017

Pratima met her husband when she was 20, shortly before their arranged marriage in India. Almost immediately after their wedding, they moved from India to Alabama.

After 8 years of marriage, Pratima found herself preparing to take her own life. She could no longer survive in her arranged marriage and she didn’t yet see a way out.

Out of sheer will and determination to create a different and better life for her daughter, Pratima saved herself. She credits one quote with saving her life, “the darkest hour is before dawn.”

Pratima got out of her marriage, created a career path for herself, never having worked before, and built a life inspired by words that she kept close to her heart and always visible to her eyes.

Listen in to hear Pratima share:

What life was like inside her arranged marriage
The steps she took to start her own life from scratch
How she worked her way out of $92,000 of debt in 6 months
Where she found inspiration and power on her darkest days
What her job with Apple taught her about running her own business
The biggest obstacle she sees women facing

Links Mentioned:

Website: craftstreetdesign.com

Instagram: @craftstrtdesign

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91: 3 Attitude Adjustments You Need to Make Jan 09, 2017

I’ve been thinking about the Attitude Adjustments that are necessary in life when one wants to move forward to accomplish great things. Cause we all want to move forward and accomplish great things this year, right?!

Here are 3 Attitude Adjustments you need to make now (warning: controversial!)

What you focus on expands.
You are only as busy as you think you are.
You can’t have it all – right now – and that is ok.

Perspective is everything. I challenge you to look for new perspectives in this fresh, new year. Don’t let yourself stay in one place. Move – just a little bit forward every day. Work on your head space and your actions will reflect your new attitudes. This is crucial. And you deserve it. Because you deserve to have the best year.

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90: Carmen Sognonvi: Luxury Family Travel Your Can Afford Jan 04, 2017

Carmen Sognonvi is founder and publisher of Top Flight Family, the leading online destination for luxury family travel. Her insights on travel have been featured in TravelPulse, HOTELS Magazine, Seatrade Cruise News, Luxury Daily, Hotel News Now and TravelDailyNews International.

Carmen firmly believes that you can (and should) travel with your kids from a young age. She offers family practical solutions for travel, as well as tips on how to travel in luxury without luxurious price tags.

Listen in to hear Carmen share:

The tops myths of family travel - and the truth behind them
How to start small with family travel
The 3 most common mistakes families make when you traveling (I bet you’re guilty of at least 2!) – and how to fix them
The best upgrades that are worth splurging on
How to get Global Entry for free
The 10 best vacation for families in the US

Links Mentioned:

Shameless Mom Free guide: Top Flight Family Guide to the 10 Best vacations For Kids in the US

Website: http://topflightfamily.com/

Top Flight Family on Instagram

Top Flight Family on Pinterest

Top Flight Family on Twitter

Top Flight Family on Facebook

Article: How to Get Free Global Entry

Website: The Points Guy

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89: The Anti-Resolution Revolution Jan 02, 2017

Have you noticed the Anti Resolution Revolution? I’m a big fan. Huge.

Quite frankly, resolutions suck. They are too big. They are too vague. They are not “bite sized” enough. They are framed as punishments. They are designed to make us fail. Every year….

If you really want to improve your life you have to look at tiny habits. You have to implement small changes that build confidence and improve motivation. You need to be excited and positive about the potential and possibility that lie ahead of you.

In this episode, I share:

Why resolutions suck
Why your brain literally cannot handle your resolution
Why habits are better than resolutions and how they are totally different in nature
What 3 steps you must take to make a new habit successful
Tips to start a new habit, whether you want to eat better, lose weight, be less stressed, manage time better, or just generally love your life more

Links Mentioned:

Article: The Science of New Years Resolutions: Why 88% Fail and How To Make Them Work

SMA Ep 82: The Power of Recency and Frequency

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88: Elizabeth DiAlto Untame Yourself Dec 28, 2016

Elizabeth DiAlto is known for her raw, honest and grounded approach to self-help and spirituality, She is the founder of the Wild Soul Movement, author of Untame Yourself, and host of the popular Untame The Wild Soul podcast. She’s been a teacher, leader, speaker, coach and trainer to groups and individuals for 13+ years and she also consults organizations ranging from start ups to large corporations such as Dove UK.

Elizabeth and I met through our work in the fitness industry. However, she left the fitness industry a few years ago to untame her wild soul and, ultimately, an entire new life for herself. I was so excited to reconnect with her and hear how she made the transition between career paths, and interpersonal relationships, and how she started living a life that was much more authentically hers.

Listen in to hear Elizabeth share:

Why it’s important to work IN, rather than work OUT
What YES feels like in your body, what NO feels like in your body – and how to start uncovering the truth that lies in your gut
The difference between the masculine arts & feminine arts and where you fit
Why it’s ok to change your mind and be inconsistent
How everything you’ve ever needed has always been inside of you

Links Mentioned:

Book: Awakening Shakti

Book/Cards: Ask your Guides

Book: Outrageous Openness

Free Resources: Untameyourself.com/companion

Podcast: Untame the Wild Soul

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87: 2016 Did Not Suck Dec 26, 2016

You can look back on 2016 as the BEST year or the WORST year. If you choose to look back on it as the BEST year, you get to own every amazing experience you had – the moments when you pushed your limits, reached a new high, felt magic, saw beauty, learned something new, had a shift in perspective, totally rocked a challenge, modeled strength to your kid(s), and felt power in your core being.

If you choose to look at 2016 as the WORST year (as I see a lot of people doing on social media), you negate and dismiss everything above. You walk away from an entire year of your life in defeat, without power.

I get it – 2016 threw us for a loop. A big effing loop. I’m right there with you. My year did not go as planned. I’m not pregnant right now. Our next president will not embody a single value of mine. I see pain and suffering at every turn, nationally and internationally.

BUT – I did a lot of great things this year. So did you. I grew this year. So did you. I found silver linings that I never even thought to look for. You can too. I am better for 2016. So are you.

Let’s celebrate everything 2016 was to us. Let’s have a freakin' party. Let’s own the heck out of our wins. I deserve that. You deserve that.

Cheers to a BIG year of challenges and growth and newfound strength & pride. Let’s carry all of this forward into 2017, shall we? We ROCK. Every damn day. Don’t let anyone tell you otherwise.

Tune in to hear my biggest wins of the year, in spite of some of the biggest losses of my life.

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86: Elise Buie - Thrive Through Divorce Dec 21, 2016

Elise is a high conflict divorce attorney who also has her own divorce story. Elise’s divorce involved Hurricane Katrina, multiple moves around the country, and, ultimately, a co-parenting plan where she lives with her kids and new husband in Seattle and her ex-husband comes out to visit and live with them one week each month.

After working through her own divorce, Elise decided to dedicate her law practice to helping other families thrive through divorce. Listen in to hear Elise share:

The biggest mistakes most lawyers make in representing people in divorce
The power and advantages to mediation
How to stay out of court, save a ton of money, and get what is truly best for your children
What true co-parenting looks like
The truth - you can be a horrible spouse and a great parent

Links Mentioned:

Book: The Co Parent Handbook, by Karen Bonnell

Book: Sisters in law: How Sandra Day O’Connor and Ruth Bader Ginsburg Went to the Supreme Court and Changed the World

Blog: (Lagniappe) http://www.elisebuiefamilylaw.com/blog

Website: http://www.elisebuiefamilylaw.com/

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85: My People Pleaser Relapse Dec 19, 2016

I recently had 2 People Pleaser relapses. One was just for a day. One was for a couple months. Why is it so hard to stop pleasing all. the. people???

I know that as an Upholder (see article below), being a people pleaser may well be something I always struggle with. But, even if it’s a life long challenge, I will kick off 2017 recognizing where I fell short in 2016. I will recognize what I lost by prioritizing other peoples’ needs before my own.

In 2017 I will:

Say NO more
Say YES less
Stand up for myself
Tune in to my body and really listen
Push myself to keep firm boundaries around my time, money, space, goals
Start following my intuition in terms of where I really want to go in life over the next few years

What will you do to really listen to yourself and your needs as you prepare to enter a new year?

Links Mentioned:

Article: The Four Tendencies – What Kind of Person Are You?, by Gretchen Rubin

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84: Nikki Closser - Getting Moms in Front of the Camera Dec 14, 2016

Nikki Closser is a Seattle and Michigan based photographer and a new mom. She is madly in love with her work and with her baby. Nikki always knew she would be a working mom. She knew her passion for her work would not diminish in motherhood. However, she didn’t expect her passion for motherhood to be so strong. She admits that while she loves her work, motherhood is magical, and she doesn’t know why she put it off for so long.

Nikki’s work photographing women is phenomenal. I had the immense pleasure of doing a shoot with her about a year ago and felt an immediate connection to her and everything she stands for in womanhood, entrepreneurship and motherhood (even though she was only a few months pregnant when we met). She also might love wine as much as me – so we’re basically soul mates.

The way Nikki reaches women through photography is breathtaking. Every woman she works with is made to feel like a true supermodel. Nikki is kind and gentle, but assertive and confident in her work, putting women at ease the moment they enter her studio. Doing a shoot with her is an amazing life experience I would recommend to any woman.

Listen in to hear Nikki share:

Here first Mama Bear moment – just seconds after her son was born
How she and her husband envisioned and created a travel lifestyle with Van
How she dives deep into work and into motherhood – but doesn’t let the two converge
What she sees through her lens as she photographs a woman
Why she thinks every woman deserves a lavish photoshoot and gorgeous photos of themselves

Links Mentioned:

Nikki Closser: http://nikkiclosser.com/

Sue Bryce: http://suebryce.com/

Nikki on Facebook

Nikki on Instagram

Book: Monique in the Mango Rains

SMA Ep 54: Rebecca Michi Children’s Sleep Consultant

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83: The Power of Recency and Frequency Dec 12, 2016

It is human nature to keep doing the things we’ve done most recently and most frequently.

Showering daily
Drinking coffee
Getting in a workout
Indulging in sugar
Drinking that big ass glass of wine

As you build new habits, the same holds true. If you starting getting up early to workout, once you’ve done it a few times (made it recent & frequent), you’re much more likely to keep doing it.

When you are conscious of the concept of recency & frequency, you can really prove your power in establishing new habits. This can be extremely liberating and assist you in building momentum and confidence with new habits and routines.

To improve the recency & frequency of desired behaviors, habits and routines, you can (and should):

Plan behaviors
Track behaviors as you do them
Track wins
Plan rewards
Self Monitor
Always practice discomfort

Listen in to hear how to implement all this and use it in the final weeks of 2016 and as you cruise into 2017.

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82: Debbi Reber - On Differently Wired Kids Dec 07, 2016

3 years ago Debbie and her family moved from Seattle to the Netherlands. At that time, Debbie and her husband made the decision to homeschool their son Asher, who is “differently wired”. Asher is profoundly gifted and has ADHD and Aspergers. He is extremely intelligent, curious and compassionate – in short, an amazing kid.

When Debbie decided to homeschool Asher, she stepped aside from her traditional author role and began a authoring a new story – the story of the life she and Asher were building as they navigated through the huge transitions of an international move and A LOT of togetherness in their homeschooling adventure.

Through this journey Debbie and Asher created TiLT – an incredible online resource for families with differently wired kids.

Listen in to hear Debbie share:

The advantages and challenges of homeschooling a differently wired child (in a new country)
The power of personal development for kids – and how to get them started
How to lean in to your child’s uniqueness rather than fight it or try to fix it
Steps to creating an impenetrable bond with your child who is differently wired than you

Links Mentioned:

SMA Ep 59: How to Create Your Own Miracle Morning

Carol Dweck’s TED Talk: “The Power of Believing That You Can Improve”

TiLT Parenting: http://www.tiltparenting.com

TiLT Parenting on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/tiltparenting

Debbie’s Author Site: http://www.debbiereber.com

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81: How to Make Happier Holidays Dec 05, 2016

The holidays can be fun. So fun.

Friends. Family. Food. Drinks.

Giving and receiving.

Joy and magic.

The holidays can also be stressful, isolating, depleting and sad.

Loss, regret, and defeat can feel amplified at this time of year.

Whether you are filled with holiday cheer or trudging through the days with holiday blues, here are 6 ways your can have happier holidays:

Give
Have a budget
Be ok with ok
Rewrite history
Create moments that can become traditions
Know thy family
Plan your partying

You can read the full show notes at www.shamelessmom.com.

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80: Michelle Duncan-Wilson: The Not-Meant-To-Mother Mom Nov 30, 2016

Michelle Duncan-Wilson became a mom for the first time at 17 years old. She now has a 17 year old daughter and two sons, ages 8 and 3.

Michelle will tell you she was “not meant to be a mother”. While she is now thriving it took her years to arrive. She had to find her mothering soul and give it some room to grow.

In this episode Michelle shares:

What life was like as a teen mom
How she crammed 40 years of life experience into her first 25 years of life
What she wants her 17 year old daughter to know about being a 17 year old mom
How motherhood has been different, but not easier, in her thirties
Why we are not meant to mold our children, but to accept them in any shape they are
Why mothering pain is not for nothing
How she is currently thriving in “evolution through motherhood”

Links Mentioned:

Michelle’s Website: soulworkformoms.com

Facebook Group: soulworkformoms.com/community

Instagram: @soulworkformoms

Book: Carry On, Warrior by Glennon Doyle Menton

Book: Love Warrior by Glennon Doyle Melton

Book: Tears to Triumph by Marianne Willamson

Book: Shift into Freedom by Loch Kelly

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79: Start Telling New Stories Nov 28, 2016

It is so easy to get stuck in our old stories:

I can’t find a husband because of my daddy issues.
I will never be fit because of my family genetics.
I will never make very much money because no one in my family makes very much money.
I’ll never go to college because we can’t afford it and no one in my family has gone to college.
I can’t start my own business because I don’t know anything about business.
My life will never feel complete with just one child – I’ll always feel a sense of loss over this.

I have told myself some of these stories. I have seen others tell themselves some of these stories.

We get stuck in our stories and don’t progress in certain areas of our lives because we are COMMITTED to our stories. We can see past them, or around them, or through them.

But, the truth???

You can find the man of your dreams.
You can get in amazing shape.
You can make unlimited amounts of money.
You can go to college – and grad school.
You can start your own business.
You can be 100% happy and fulfilled with just one child.

To create a new story, you have to start changing the conversation in your head. You have to start talking to yourself differently. You have to be open to new and different influences. You have to be open to growth and discomfort to find the magic that lies juuuust outside your current comfort zone. Our old stories are comfortable and familiar – which is why we hold them close to our hearts.

By getting challenging yourself to get a little uncomfortable in new conversations with yourself, you will push you right through your old stories and into new ones that will change your attitude. Your new attitude will change your behavior. You new behavior will change your outcomes. Your new outcomes will change your reality.

Start telling yourself new stories.

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78: Kathy Fettke Real Wealth Network Nov 23, 2016

Kathy Fettke didn’t set out to build an empire. But when her husband’s major health scare threatened to cripple their families financial situation, she did got to work…. She rented out rooms in their family home to pay the mortgage. She started cold calling people who might sponsor her radio show. She forged ahead and created a path that lead her family to financial freedom. Now she educates others how to do the same.

Listen in to hear Kathy share:

how her breakdown lead to a breakthrough
how she serves others by offering hope
Tips for tapping into your higher self (like Heart Math)
The importance of being guided by your values and your vision
Whether or not you should buy a house right now
The power of small real estate investments
How rentals can make you rich
The direction she sees the housing market heading in the next 4 years

Links Mentioned:

Book: Retire Rich with Rentals

Website: RealWealthNetwork.com

Heart Math: https://www.heartmath.com/

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77: Happy Birthday and Thanksgiving! Nov 21, 2016

Today is my birthday! On one’s birthday, one should wear a unicorn onesie and drink from a jeroboam (4 bottles of wine in one big ass bottle). #truth

I planned a few ways to kick off my 41st year. Cause let’s be honest, after you have kids, the only birthday celebrations you’re gonna get are the ones you plan yourself. I mean, my 4 year old would love to throw me a party – but I think we all know he’s better at throwing a tantrum than a party… Plus, the magic to planning your own birthday is that you get to do any damn thing you want, right? Listen in to hear what I planned for myself!

It is also Thanksgiving week. We’ll talk about my Thanksgiving blueprint here - how to navigate the food and the family drama. There can be so much of both…

I’m also sharing some listener emails with you. Getting your messages is magic to me. I love reading your stories and hearing how the Shameless Mom Academy has impacted you. Thank you to everyone who has written to me. I adore you. And special thanks to Shameless Moms Audra, Patty and Jessica, who let me share their letters today.

Lastly, in this week of giving thanks, know that I’m so thankful for all you mamas who make up The Shameless Mom Academy. You are my people. xoxo

Links Mentioned:

Facebook: The Shameless Mom Academy

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76: Cierra Seay - The Proud Dropout Nov 16, 2016

Cierra Seay is an entrepreneur running multiple business and the host of The College Dropout Podcast”. She believes there are many roads to success and we don’t need to be limited by a traditional path.

Cierra is also the mother to two little boys, Christian and Caleb. When Christian was just 1 year old, Cierra unexpectedly lost her mother and grandmother, the two most significant women in her life. Of course, this shook her to her core. For about a year and a half after these losses, she told everyone, “I’m fine.” And then she found herself not fine at all.

Listen in to hear Cierra share about her loss & grief, how she coped, and how she has come out stronger on the other side of grief. She also shares what she learned from her mother and grandmother and how she is living these lessons and passing them along to her boys.

Links Mentioned:

Podcast: The College Dropout Podcast

Book: Greatness Is Upon You

Cierra on Facebook

Cierra on Instagram

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75: Hoping and Coping Nov 14, 2016

I know there is a lot of sadness, anger, pain and fear pulsing through our country right now. I wanted to use this episode to give you some thoughts on how to honor your feelings and your grief, while taking steps to continue showing up in all the areas of your life where you are needed right now.

There is tremendous strength, power, and hope on the other side of grief. But you have to work through the grief to find it.

Right now, any chance you have to prove yourself strong and capable is an opportunity. This might start with a workout, or a letter to a public official, or attending a gathering in support of a cause you wholeheartedly support.

Action is important, no matter how small. It will let you find your legs and your voice.

Action will allow you to heal.

Action will show your kids you are a fighter.

Action will slowly unravel the knot in your belly.

Listen in for some inspiration (and a few laughs) that might help you take a few step forward.

Links Mentioned:

SMA Episode 68 with Kim Ades – on how to have a family meeting

Website: Tolerance.org

Articles on how to talk to children about Trump and the election:

How Do You Talk To Your Kids About The Election?

How A Gay Mom Explained Donald Trump To Her Sons

What Do We Tell The Children

How You Can Find The Good In A Nasty Election Cycle

4 Key Lessons Your Children Need To Hear The Day After The Election

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74: Turn Down Your Overwhelm Nov 09, 2016

This time of year is notorious for overwhelm, yes?!? The demands on your time only get worse and more pressing as we get closer to the holidays. Here are some tools for you to put in place if you’re already feeling the overwhelm of the season.

If you’re not overwhelmed yet, I promise you will be… Take notes!

Get up 15-30 min earlier
Make a List, Check it Twice
Prioritize Crucial Results and High Anxiety Items
Understand Parkinson’s Law
Turn off all notifications, buzzers, dingers, get friendly with Airplane Mode
Shut down social media (use a social media timer!)
Unschedule low priority commitments
Get creative with delegation – it doesn’t have to be expensive
Learn and remember…

Links Mentioned:

Book: You Are A Badass by Jen Sincero

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73: 12 Tips To Fuel Yourself with Food Nov 07, 2016

As we move from Halloween toward Thanksgiving, and then Christmas, I already hear women saying:

“I’m going to be good until Thanksgiving.”

“I’m going to reign it in for a couple weeks.”

“No more sugar until Christmas.”

We tend to make a lot of rules for ourselves in relation to food at this time of year. In many cases we feel frustrated and defeated by a holiday, based on what we ate, which is such a bummer. You shouldn’t feel less joy about Halloween because you ate some candy.

In this episode I teach you the philosophies and habits I teach the women at my gym in regards to using food for fuel – rather than punishment. Fueling tour body with food is ridiculously empowering. It helps you move away from a deprivation mindset. It helps STOP using food as punishment.

Listen in to learn about these 12 tips that will help you reframe your relationship with food and how it food can positively impact you as we enter this season of celebration!

Use propro as a cornerstone for every meal
Understand and utilize the concept of volume eating
Get in 20-30 grams of protein for breakfast
Live between 2-4
Stop at 80%
Know Your SFs
Only eat things you enjoy, but also try new things
Be open to quitting sugar. For now.
Designate drinking days
Crowd out crap carbs
Drink the water
Plan everything

Links Mentioned:

SMA interview with Jill Coleman: How To Eat Every Damn Day

Website: skinnytaste.com

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72: Create the Confidence You Crave Nov 02, 2016

Creating confidence is something that comes with practice, experience, and well, faking it. That whole “fake it till you make it” concept – it’s true. Although, I like to say, “fake it till you become it.”

Sometimes you have to try on a new and improved version of yourself to see how it fits. From there, you can tweak, evolve and grow into the person you want to be. Practicing is critical. Without practicing being the new, confident, self assured you, you will NOT become the new confident, self assured you. So, get out there and try her on for size.

It’s ok to strive to be the person you truly want to be. It might feel a little awkward at first. Others might wonder what’s going on. That’s ok. Just keep being the you YOU truly want to be. You will grow in to the role. Your life and landscape will evolve with you, which is fabulous.

Know there will be uncomfortable moments. Anticipate them, prepare for them, own them.

As you start to behave more confidently, you will actually become more confident. Then others will see you as more confident, and you will, in turn, continue to carry yourself more confidently. See that beautiful cycle?!

Listen in to learn more about:

How to be the boss
How to stop blending in
How to raise your hand
How to take the stage
How to get comfortable being uncomfortable

In order to:

Take more leaps in life
Upgrade your quality of life
Get what you actually want
Change your reality and perspective for the better, permanently
Show your kids how to be brave, bold, courageous

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71: How to Manage the Unexpected Oct 31, 2016

The end of last week was almost laughable when it came to how many unexpected things were thrown my way – from a sick kid, to a craiglist scam, to a possibly broken foot (damn yoga), my days got thrown upside down over and over.

Historically, I suuuuuck at being spontanteous and managing the unexpected, but when you’re a mom, you’re not left with much choice. You gotta rock the unexpected every damn day.

I love this quote I read Friday morning by Jen Sincero (from her book, You Are A Badass) – I stumbled upon it EXACTLY when I needed to hear it most: ““Life is an illusion created by your perception, and it can be changed the moment you choose to change it.”

So, I’m sitting her recording this episode, icing my foot, and texting with my doctor friend – then running (gimping) upstairs to put on my unicorn costume for Vinnie’s school Halloween party. Cause that’s how Shameless Moms roll – even when we’re broken, we’re ON IT.

Listen in to learn how you can rock the unexpected even when you think you cannot manage one more thing flipping your world upside down.

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70: Debbie Whitlock on Money, Marriage & Meaning Oct 26, 2016

Debbie Page Whitlock is a business and personal finance expert committed to the financial success of start-ups, solopreneurs and small business owners around the world. An internationally recognized and award winning business coach in Seattle, Debbie wants you to create the prosperity and good fortune you deserve.

Debbie has been a mentor to me for a few years now. Her conversation around women and money is something every woman needs to hear. I am elated to have her join me on the show. Debbie’s expertise will support and guide you, no matter what your current relationship with money is.

Listen in to learn about MONEY and:

The 3 Amigas: Fear/Doubt/Worry
How to get out of “the loop” by changing your physical state
Why an unhealthy relationship with money is not terminal
The power of a quarterly Family Financial Summit

Debbie and I also dive deep into money and marriage. Debbie shares her personal story of how money impacted her marriage and why money was part of the demise of her marriage.

We all have a relationship with money – and it started when we were very young. Your relationship with money impacts your marriage, your family/friend relationships, your children, and your daily decision making. This conversation will help you no matter where you stand with money.

Links Mentioned:

Debbie’s Website

Debbie on Facebook

Debbie’s private Profit Lab Facebook group

Article: The Biggest Money Differences Between Men and Women

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69: How to be a Nasty Woman Oct 24, 2016

Know Thy Triggers.

I say this to my gym members all the time. You have to know what triggers you, if you want to really own the heck out of your life. Knowing your triggers allows you to say yes to the right things and no to the wrong things. Knowing your triggers helps you identify what you want to fight for and what fights are a waste of your time.

Last week I put up a fight. A couple times.

I defended my child.

I defended all women.

Then I wrote a manifesto.

At the end of the week, I came to see there are things I will always fight for. There are people I will always defend, even if I take a beating in the process.

I know what’s right for ME.

I hope this episode helps you define what’s right for YOU.

Here’s my manifesto:

Nasty Woman Manifesto

Stand for women
Stand for children
Stand up to bullies
Take the high road
Where there is not a path, create one
When you listen, truly hear
Share
Fight for the underdog
Don’t back down
Work for the greater good
Connect
Do not fear your enemy
Challenge the status quo
Empower the powerless
Pay your fair share

Will you do yourself a favor and write your manifesto? You can use any of mine you want to get you started!

Send me your manifestos to: sara@shamelessmom.com. I would love to share some other Shameless Moms’ manifestos on an upcoming podcast!

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68: Kim Ades On Blended Families and Frame of Mind Oct 19, 2016

Kim Ades is the president and founder of Frame of Mind Coaching and JournalEngineTM Software. Author, speaker, entrepreneur, coach, and mother of five, Kim is recognized as one of North America's foremost experts on performance through thought mastery. By using her unique process of integrating online journaling in her coaching, Kim helps her highly-driven clients to examine and shift their thinking in order to yield extraordinary results.

I was so fascinated to learn about Kim’s family. She and her husband married 8 years ago and brought together 5 children, ages 9-14, to build a new family. Kim quickly learned a lot about what it took to function and thrive as a blended family. Listen in as she shares:

The significance of traveling as one unit
The power of new traditions (like hot dog stuffed turkey)
The importance of the Family Meeting and the format she recommends (what’s working , what would you do different, what is one request)
The difference between parenting and childing
The truth about parenthood and self management

Professionally, Kim has taken her work with Frame of Mind Coaching to a different level than many of the coaches I have spoken to. Listen in to hear Kim share:

The specific and unique formula she uses to help through major life breakthroughs
The significance of journaling in her practice and why it is crucial for growth
Why we have to go back and rewrite out own stories if we want to move forward in our current space

Lastly, Kim invites you to assess your own frame of mind with her online assessment. This assessment will give you a sense of what's keeping you stuck, and how our coaching can help get you past it.

Links Mentioned:

Kim’s Website

Free, no obligation Frame of Mind Assessment

Resilience Radio Podcast

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67: How to Create Happiness Boosters Oct 17, 2016

I first heard of Happiness Boosters from the amazing Gretchen Rubin (author of The Happiness Project). In the last few months I’ve given considerable thought to how we can create joy or boost happiness on a whim.

Sure, I would love to do a weekend of wine tasting in Napa to boost my happiness. But that requires a lot of planning, travel, and money. It’s important to have big Happiness Boosters like this from time to time. But ,it’s also important to consciously create small happiness boosters for yourself, on a moments notice.

There is no end to the quick (and cheap) Happiness Boosters you can create for yourself – TODAY.

Take a few minutes to rearrange a space in your home or office so you really love spending time in it.

Get rid of something that has been annoying you forever and replace it with something that functions the way you want it to.

Invest in a little things that make a big difference in your quality of life or at least the quality of your day (like my cordless vacuum.)

Do something little to make your home or office more comfortable.

Create something that elicits an emotional response (frame those baby pictures you’ve been holding on to forever!)

These little things make a big difference in your daily happiness. This, in turn, impacts your overall quality of life. Don’t underestimate the little things. They are BIG.

Listen in – and then go get yourself a new soap pump!

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66: Rachel Adams: Lost to Found in 90 Days Oct 13, 2016

Rachel Adams, an extremely successful real estate agent, was living a picture perfect life – until someone called her out, accurately suggesting that Rachel’s picture perfect life was not nearly as perfect as it seemed.…

One conversation changed Rachel’s game forever. That one conversation helped Rachel open up about her quiet (almost secret) divorce, shed 30+ pounds, and create a new life that is not picture perfect, but 100% the life she wants.

In the course of creating a new and much more real life, Rachel learned a lot about herself and realized she had the tools to help other women. So, she partnered with the woman who called her out and wrote a book to guide other women through, Lost to Found in 90 days: Your Journey to Self-Discovery and Ultimate Happiness. transformation.

Listen in to learn:

Why you need Solution Based Lenses
The magic password trick that can the course of your life
How to determine if a friendship is for a season, a reason, or a lifetime – and why breaking up with girlfriends is important sometimes
How to define your legacy and start living it

Links Mentioned:

Book/Video: First 3 chapters of Rachel’s book and first weekly video
Rachel on Facebook
Website: www.lost2found90.com

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65: Finding Greatness Oct 10, 2016

I recently attended Lewis Howes’s Summit of Greatness.

I went to see how he would create greatness and give greatness. I know he is someone who receives other people in the world in a very unique and special way. I wanted to see that magic in person.

And I did.

Over and over.

And over.

To create Greatness, you must be a giver, through and through. You must give love, unconditionally. You must create confidence in those you want to give to. You must be compassionate and empathetic. You must show up with humility and grace.

To receive Greatness, you must be open and willing. You must be listening. You must be at least a little bit vulnerable. You must be considerate of your surroundings – allowing in the things that make you a little uncomfortable, knowing they will make you better.

At The Summit of Greatness, I saw Greatness created and given over and over. I saw it received in a million different ways. I received it myself through connections with new friends, trying things out of my comfort zone, and listening attentively to everything and everyone.

In this episode I share my transformative experience of receiving Greatness.

Links Mentioned:

Lewis Howes Podcast: The School of Greatness

The Shameless Mom Academy, Episode 13: How to Be A Better Stalker and FanGirl.

Fully Raw Kristina on Instagram

Book: The Truth About Style by Stacy London

Kyle Maynard’s website

Event: Summit of Greatness 2017

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64: Nisan Trotter Shameless Dad and Motivational Speaker Oct 05, 2016

Nisan Trotter has been inspiring others onstage since his youth. His mother and mentors saw a gift in him and encouraged him to shine, even when he didn’t feel up to it, even when his peers were making fun of him.

Today, Nisan inspires people on stage across the country with his passion and drive, gifting others with motivation and inspiration.

However, Nisan admits his most important role is not speaking on stage. It is speaking at home – as he raises his two sons. If you follow him on Facebook, you’ll see what an adoring daddy he is to these two.

Listen in to hear Nisan share:

How he overcame bullying and found his voice
How his most challenging relationship, the one with his father, has also been a gift
How you can turn a bad day and a bad attitude into something positive
The power of YOU, that no one else can do
Why it is essential to find what makes you shine and then actually DO that thing

Links Mentioned:

Nisan Trotter on Facebook

Ep 16: Craig Ballantyne, The Perfect Day Formula

Ep 59: How to Create Your Own Miracle Morning

Ep 61: Be Here Now. Mostly.

Ep 62: Carrie Wilkerson Shameless Mom and Barefoot Executive

Book: The Story Factor by Annette Simmons

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63: Listener Lessons: Baby Steps Oct 03, 2016

I have been getting the most amazing emails with feedback and love from our Shameless Mom listeners. I chose 2 recent emails to share with you today. Claire and Kati are two Shameless Moms who sent me their stories and shared how the SMA has impacted their lives. I was touched and honored to receive their love and support.

Listen in to hear how the Shameless Mom Academy has impacted these two mamas daily lives. In different ways, they have learned to take baby steps, every day. They have learned to think a little bigger and start considering their own stories and their own legacies. This is the good stuff, friends….

Claire shares her story of successful IVF and unsuccessful IVF. Claire lives in France (and has invited me to come drink wine with her – YES, PLEASE). She explains how the French healthcare system handles infertility differently than US healthcare system, which I find fascinating.

Kati shares her story of being a stay at home mom for the last 18 years while raising 4 children. She talks about the pressure she has put on herself over the years – and how she is starting to live bigger and better by letting go of her self imposed expectations.

Thank you Claire and Kati for sharing with me and for allowing me to share your stories with our community! Much love to you both!

Links Mentioned:

Ep 31 Wine Not: The Truth About Alcohol and Fat Loss

Ep 59 How to Create Your Own Miracle Morning

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62: Carrie Wilkerson: Shameless Mom & Barefoot Executive Sep 28, 2016

Year ago, one of my mentors told me to look up Carrie Wilkerson. He thought I would be impressed with the way she built a business on her own terms, from her own home, keeping her own family as her #1 priority. Always.

You all know, I love doing Facebook “research.” So, I looked Carrie up, “Followed” her (as her Friends were at capacity, no surprise), and was immediately very impressed.

What drew me to Carrie was her story. Through various Facebook posts over the years, I saw her post these intimate snapshots into her life and her history. Her posts about her family routinely left me teary eyed. While I was trying (desperately) to grow my little family, she filled me with hope as I learned her story of how she grew her (not so little) family. I could feel love and grace and strength in everything she shared.

When I started the Shameless Mom Academy, I knew I wanted to interview Carrie. She is tough but gentle; firm, but kind; loud, but soft. My kind of girl. 100%.

I have heard some of Carrie’s stories a few times now (yes, I totally sound like a stalker). Yet, she still gave me goose bumps over and over in this interview.

Listen in to hear Carrie share:

How she became a Barefoot Executive and how you can be one too
Why your competition is not your competition
How she overcame 6 figures of debt and lost over 120 pounds
How you can divide & conquer and create boundaries in all areas of your life in order to prevent resentment from others
How to say NO and why you should say NO
Why your kids need to be on a stage with a mic, sooner than later

Links Mentioned:

Carrie’s Website

Carrie’s 7 Day Business Blitz (free download!)

Carrie on Facebook

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61: Be Here Now. Mostly Sep 26, 2016

I had an entirely different episode ready to record for you. But then I found myself in a parking lot cranky as all get out, fighting with 26 mylar balloons in the wind and a new episode came over me.

I suck at living in the moment. Big time. When I got pregnant the first time, I was excited, yes. And I was also immediately panicked about how I would ever get pregnant again since the first time took forever and I was already ummmm, old-ish. I’ve always been really good at worrying about things years in advance.

Yesterday, right after my Mylar Moment, I turned on exactly the podcast I needed to hear in that moment – 100% unintentionally. It was a Chalene Johnson podcast about family/work balance that really spoke to me – especially the parts about living in the moment. As it turns out Chalene also struggles with that. We’re basically twins.

Listen in to hear my 4 tips on how to Be Here Now. Mostly.

*Implement Time Blocking

*Improve your Mental/Emotional Prioritization and Separation

*Stop Mind Hustling (you know you do it!)

*Make a Family Plan with Clear Expectations

Links Mentioned:

Chalene Johnson Build Your Tribe Podcast (select How to Balance Family and Business)

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60: Michele Lisenbury Christensen Sex & Relationship Coach Sep 21, 2016

I was so excited and admittedly super curious about the conversation Michele Lisenbury Christensen, a sex and relationship coach, and I would have. Michele was a fun person to interview and maybe not quite what you would expect.

Michele is a mom, wife, and sex & relationship coach. Her life evolves around many things, not just sex and having sex. I most ways, she’s a mom, just like you and me. But she has some expertise that will fascinate you. And guide you.

In this episode, Michele shares:

How we can all improve our marriage by introducing “wagging” today
Why relationships, marriage and sex are more complicated after having kids
The real reason you don’t want to jump in the sack at the end of the day
Simple steps that can be taken to improve your relationship and sex life, starting now
The 5 Keys To Intimacy for New Parents

Links Mentioned:

Michele’s website and services: http://www.lisenbury.com/

Video: 5 Keys to Intimacy for New Parents

Michele on Facebook

Michele on Instagram

Michele on Twitter

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59: How to Create Your Own Miracle Morning Sep 19, 2016

Your morning routine is KEY for owning your day. Back in Episode 16, I spoke with Craig Ballantyne about his Perfect Day Formula and we discussed the importance of a morning routine. Today, I am diving deeper with this concept and sharing exactly how to format your Miracle Morning, based on Hal Elrod’s book, “The Miracle Morning: The Not So Obvious Secret Guaranteed to Transform Your Life Before 8am.”

This book was transformative for me, so I knew it was well worth sharing with you. Hal has a specific (awesome) formula for The Miracle Morning that can easily be adapted to a 6-60 minute routine that will allow you to start your day on the right foot, every damn day.

I have been practicing elements of Hal’s protocol since January and I love it. In this episode I will tell you Hal’s exact Miracle Morning formula and how any mom can tweak this formula to make it work for you and your family.

You need a Miracle Morning routine for 3 important reasons:

1. How you start the day impacts your entire day (remember: how you do anything is how you do everything)

2. You will accomplish a lot more and ENJOY it all if you start your day from a place of being PROactive rather than REactive

3. This routine will create opportunities for growth in multiple areas of your life

I challenge you to start with a 15 minute Miracle Morning practice right away. And you have to let me know how it goes!

You can read the full show notes and access all the links and resources at:

www.shamelessmom.com

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58: Aimee Blair: The Gift of Down Syndrome and Prenatal Diagnosis Sep 14, 2016

Aimee Blair is the mother to three adorable little girls. Her oldest daughter, Julia, has Down Syndrome. Aimee shares her story of learning Julia’s diagnosis early in her pregnancy. She talks about the doctor who told her to terminate her pregnancy and the excruciating 10 days she waited for conclusive test results to find out if her daughter would survive pregnancy.

Aimee also opens up about the hardest day of her marriage amidst Julia’s diagnosis and the scariest day of her life when Julia was just 3 months old.

Aimee wants other moms to know:

The truth about Down Syndrome myths regarding maternal age

How children with Down Syndrome are just like other children, and how they are different

The power of inclusion in education

How moms of children with special needs want to be treated

Why she became a Shameless Mom faster than the most moms

I’m so grateful to Aimee for reaching out to me with her story. She is strong and brave. It was an honor to do this interview and help Aimee share her experience with prenatal diagnosis. This is a sensitive topic and Aimee shares with total grace, in hopes of helping other moms who might walk this journey.

Links Mentioned:

Aimee’s Facebook Group for Families with children with Down Syndrome in Connecticut: CDSC Hartford County

Website: The National Down Syndrome Congress new and expecting parent page

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57: Why You Must Share Your Stories Sep 12, 2016

I have recently shared. A lot.

I’ve told the long story of our IVF journey and ultimately, our IVF failure.

In the process I have learned a lot about the power of sharing our stories.

Sharing stories:

* Connects us

* Creates bonds where there was not one

* Is cathartic and therapeutic

* Creates a more empathetic culture

* Humanizes everyone

* Allows us to not be alone

* Destigmatizes all sorts of conditions – infertility, addiction, mental health, death, sex, loss, grief

At the end of the day, my life is made up of many stories…

My podcast is part of my story.

My gym is part of my story.

My marriage is part of my story.

My child is part of my story.

Divorce is part of my story.

Family Estrangement is part of my story.

Body image struggle is part of my story.

Infertility is part of my story.

IVF failure is part of my story.

In most cases, the deepest connections I make with other people are from struggles I have shared, not because of a perfect image I have conveyed.

Listen in to this episode to learn how you can start sharing just a little bit more in order to create better relationships, and attract the people you want to attract. I also share a very powerful excerpt from Carry On, Warrior by Glennon Doyle Melton that I think every woman should hear.

Links Mentioned:

My personal Facebook profile:

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56: Nicole Rankins: OBGYN Integrative Health Coach Sep 07, 2016

I had the pleasure of interviewing Nicole Calloway Rankins. Nicole is a wife, mother, physician (ob/gyn), and integrative health coach. Nicole juggles many important roles in her life. When she’s not work nights as a Labor & Delivery doctor, she’s working with her integrative health coaching clients. In between those two jobs, she’s taking care of her family.

I was excited to talk to Nicole about life as an OBGYN. I imagine there is a lot to love – so many babies! I also wanted to hear about the not so lovely side of her work. She shared openly about loss, sadness, and poop.

In addition to sharing about her work as an OBGYN, Nicole opened up about her own birth experiences with her two daughters – the trauma of her first birth and the regret of her second one. I appreciate all she had to share here. Birth is a big deal and I love to hear women sharing their stories openly, so we can all learn and grow from each other’s experiences.

Nicole’s role as an integrative health coach really fired me up. She gets to assist women all over the country who are really struggling with things like weight loss, nutrition, stress and spend the necessary amount of time with them to make a difference. She helps women create goals and map out a plan. She walks with her patients step by step, week by week. This is a really amazing job, much broader than a traditional doctor role. I love that Nicole is bridging the gap between medicine and wellness to help so many woman.

Make sure to listen in to hear Nicole’s story and learn how she might be able to help you or other women you know.

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55: IVF: The End Sep 05, 2016

This is easily the most difficult episode I have recorded.

I knew there was a strong chance that IVF would end without a baby. In fact, I planned for it. I planned to be relieved (I don’t have to be pregnant! I don’t have to nurse! I don’t have to be an exhausted hot mess!) I planned to be excited (Let’s book a European vacation!)

I did not plan to feel really, really sad.

We experienced a lot of sadness when it took so long to get pregnant with Vinnie 5 years ago. It felt constant.

This is different.

It feels final.

And so permanent.

There are things to be happy about with this outcome. There are things to be grateful for. But we’re not there yet.

We’ll get there.

But not today. And probably not for awhile. But we will be ok.

Here’s the thing… we won the lottery on September 23, 2012. We were given all we could have ever hoped for – a healthy, perfect baby.

That is enough.

Vinnie is more than enough. In every way.

So, from here we row our little family boat forward, one paddle at a time.

There will be some waves and things might feel a little topsy-turvy for awhile, but there will undoubtedly be amazing views, the best destinations, and all the love & laughter we could ever ask for.

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54: Rebecca Michi - Children's Sleep Consultant Aug 31, 2016

Rebecca Michi (Mickey) is a Mom of two, Wife of one and children's sleep consultant who would not ever dream of telling you to leave your children to cry-it-out. Rebecca loves helping families turn drama into dreamland. When she's not Momming, Wifeing, or consulting you can find her either running (rather slowly) or sipping coffee in Seattle.

I have been so excited about this interview because Rebecca was immensely helpful to me when Vinnie was a teeny, tiny tyke. Through stalking Rebecca on Facebook and participating in her Facebook Q&As for a number of months, I learned everything I needed to know about getting Vinnie on schedule, how to put a sleep routine in place, and what I should expect as he grew. Rebecca provided me with tremendous relief over and over again.

In this interview, Rebecca shares:

When a baby is old enough to get on a sleep schedule
What a sleep routine looks like
Why you don’t have to suffer through crying-it-out
The 2-3-4 Rule (I swore by this with Vinnie!)
How to get your child to go to bed earlier and/or sleep in later

Links Mentioned:

Rebecca’s Website

Rebecca on Facebook

Program: 28 Day Easy Sleep Challenge

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53: Be Grateful, Dammit Aug 29, 2016

I recently received an email from Shameless Mom Rachel that brought me to tears. She talked about her experience with Postpartum Depression and suicidal ideation and how The Shameless Mom Academy has been part of her healing. Her words of gratitude were humbling, to say the least.

Rachel’s email inspired me to create this episode on gratitude. I am so grateful Rachel shared her story. Her story will help Shameless Moms, for sure. Our stories connect us to each other and inspire us to reach out of our comfort zones. Our stories are essential for learning and healing and growing. This is why I share so many of my stories.

In addition to my gratitude for Rachel’s story, I want to share 10 ways gratitude can improve your life. If you think gratitude is a little too “woowoo” for you, this list is for you!

Last, but not least, I want to share my friend Scott Colby’s upcoming event, The Ultimate Gratitude Challenge. Scott will be sharing interviews with 35 of his colleagues (myself included) over the course of 35 days. Scott’s interviews are all about how gratitude helped people out of addiction, loss and grief to improve self worth, relationships and overall quality of life. Scott has a fabulous line up of interviewees. This entire summit is online and free.

Links Mentioned:

Article: The 31 Benefits of Gratitude You Didn’t Know About: How Gratitude Can Change Your Life

Scott Colby’s Ultimate Gratitude Challenge

Shameless Mom Interview with Jen Briggs

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52: How to Follow Your Passion, Part 2 Aug 24, 2016

In Episode 51, I talked about how to find your passion by:

Defining what you love
Defining where you thrive
Defining what stifles you
Defining who you want to be

Be sure to listen to Episode 51, if you haven’t already!

Today I’ll build upon finding you passion by discussing:

Transitions between passions and life plans
How to create time and space for building your passion
How to hustle, smarter
Where your support is
Be kind to yourself, but also fierce
How to find mentors and follow those who have gone before you

The idea of “following your passion” sounds really nice – but actually following your passion takes #ladyballs and a serious plan. This episode will help you put some pieces together so you can move forward, daily; so you can feel confident and excited; so you can finally do that thing you’ve been dying to do.

I also share all the amazing, inspirational and informational podcasts I have learned from – that have allowed me to follow my passion of starting and building a podcast.

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51: How to Follow Your Passion, Part 1 Aug 22, 2016

Finding your passion is no small thing. After you become a mom, you forget what you enjoy and you lose track of past hobbies. When you make an effort to former passion projects, whether it’s on a professional or personal level, you likely find that the things that totally filled you up and fueled you before kids don’t do that any more. It’s all… just different, somehow….

My work has shifted in many ways since becoming a mom. My hobbies have too. My time is different – and way more valuable. So, I’m really picky about how I spend it. I only want to do the things that add value to my life in some way. It has taken me some time to figure this out and define things.

Today, I’m going to share with you the things I’ve learned in the last 4 years of mothering and working and living a life that fulfills me. Here is the basic framework, be sure to listen in for a much more detailed explanation:

Know what you love
Know where you thrive
Know what stifles you
Know who you want to be

You can read the full show notes and access all the links and resources at www.shamelessmom.com

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50: What Your Mother Never Told You About Motherhood Aug 17, 2016

For our 50th episode I wanted to do something a little fun and a little special. I actually recorded this in the 30 minutes before my IVF egg retrieval. I’m not sure it reinforced the idea that I truly want to go for #2, haha…

My mom has always done a great job of painting motherhood in a beautiful picture:

“Your children will always be your proudest accomplishment.”

“There is nothing like a mother’s love.”

“I don’t remember you ever waking up at night.”

“You are your sister were easy babies.”

Moms have a knack for making it look like we just wake up every day and knock everything out of the freakin’ park. As our children age, that is how we remember it too.

“You were the happiest baby in the world.”

“The days just flew by.”

“Nothing compares to being a mom.”

You know what else nothing compares to?

Sipping wine with my husband on a beach without a small child in site.

Or spending a day all alone with no one needing a damn thing from me.

As our children age, we idealize the past and it gets better and better. As NewbornLand becomes a distant memory, we find ourselves falling in love with the memories, rather than recalling the reality, which was survival, barely.

This episode is dedicated to the first 50 episodes of the Shameless Mom Academy and the nearly 50,000 downloads of Shameless Moms listening in to learn and laugh together every week. Thank you for the love and support. You make my motherhood journey so much better.

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49: Perfect, As Is Aug 15, 2016

I received some amazing feedback from Episode 47: I See Someone Handsome (How To Look In The Mirror). I wanted to take some time to go through a couple messages specifically, as they were powerful and deeply impacted me.

As a direct result of the feedback I got from Shameless Moms Anne and Meg, I felt compelled to be a little more bold than normal in a recent social media post and in sharing the photo that goes with this episode (the internet has never met my bare belly before!)

I’m so glad Episode 47 was impactful for you, my lovely and super rad listeners. I’m so glad you’re looking in the mirror and seeing things a little differently than just a week ago. I want to inspire you to recognize your radness every damn day. It can take time and practice to change your self talk. It can take a tremendous amount of humility and courage to “fake it till you become it”. But it is entirely possible to change your relationship with YOU by taking Radical Responsibility in your self care and self love habits.

It starts today. It starts with you. It starts with just a little inspiration. I hope this episode, in conjunction with Episode 47, are the inspiration you need to See Someone Handsome.

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48: Shawna Kaminski - Baby Steps to Big Success (In Anything) Aug 10, 2016

Today I am talking with my friend and colleague Shawna Kaminski. Shawna is a fitness professional, former teacher and single mom. She is as focused and determined as they come. She works from a place of passion and she pushes herself out of her comfort zone as often as possible. This has allowed her to reach great heights professionally, while raising two teenagers.

I admire Shawna for her tenacity and determination to RISE when the going gets tough. I’ve watched her push herself and grow like crazy in the last few years. She is a force.

Today, Shawna will share:

How changing professions has made her feel like she never has to “work” again
How following her passion carried her through her toughest parenting moments
What it’s like to build multiple businesses while raising teenagers
The benefits of baby steps
How she is impacting and improving women's relationships with their bodies as they age

You can read the full show notes and access all the links and resources at www.shamelessmom.com

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47: I See Someone Handsome - How to Look in the Mirror Aug 08, 2016

The other day, Vinnie stood in front of the mirror brushing his teeth and exclaimed, “I see someone handsome!” When is the last time you looked at yourself in the mirror and shouted with glee? Let’s all get better at looking in the mirror. How you talk to yourself in the mirror reflects how you talk to yourself in all areas of your life (remember, “how you do anything is how your do everything.”)

Listen in to hear some shocking statistics on how children view their bodies. Then follow these 7 steps to love your body a little more:

Pull yourself out of the comparison trap
Divorce the D word
Disengage from people who make you feel LESS, build relationships with those who make you feel MORE
ID three likes, with no “buts”
Buy clothes you love, that flatter you as you are
Own your wins and share them
Be vulnerable

Also in this episode: an update on my first 8 days of IVF meds!

Links Mentioned:

Psych Central article: Why Do Women Hate Their Bodies

Rockstar social media influences: Molly Galbraith, Erin Brown, Jill Coleman

Buzzfeed Article: Getting Rid of Clothes I Hated Help Me Love My Body

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46: Portia Smith - Obsessed By Portia Aug 03, 2016

Portia Smith is a writer, influencer and all-around obsessed-aficionado over at Obsessed By Portia. Finding the #MomLife balance is her forte – ensuring style, fitness and happiness are well-maintained. The Obsessed by Portia brand is about channeling your inner #Superwoman – find your passion, be adventurous, and always arrive looking damn good.

In this interview, Portia shares:

How she got started as a mommy blogger (in secret)
Her best tips for following your passion and starting your own gig
How to build relationships and connect with your “competitors”
Ways to engage your family in your passion
The superpower she wants to give you: Sincere Undeniable Confidence, Always

Links Mentioned:

www.obsessedbyportia.com

Obsessed By Portia on Facebook

Obsessed By Portia on Instagram

Obsessed By Portia on Twitter

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45: 6 Ways to Mentally Prepare for Anything Aug 01, 2016

We’re at a time of year when people are preparing for transitions. Maybe you’re getting ready to send your child to a new school – or maybe his/her first school ever (tear…) Maybe you’re getting ready to send your child off to college. Maybe you’re preparing to return to school yourself. Maybe you’re getting ready for a new job or a new season or position in your current job. Maybe you’re getting ready to add a child to your family (I’ve learned I have some “secret pregnant” followers – sending you toooons of love, mamas!)

You probably know by now that I’ve been preparing for IVF. It’s been a long process of preparation, as nothing happens quickly in The Land of the Infertile. I sat down to note the steps I’ve taken to prepare, as I thought this might be helpful to you as you anticipate a change or a transition in life.

These are the things I’ve done to mentally prepare for IVF, but you can apply them to many other situations. I would love to hear how they might apply to something big you have coming up. Shoot me a message [sara@shamelessmom.com] and let me know!

6 Ways to Mentally Prepare for Anything

Don’t be tied to outcomes
Plan rewards for all outcomes
ID all pros and cons in advance
Know your strengths and weaknesses
ID your support system
Clear extra “stuff” out of your life

Listen in and see how you can apply these to your life. Please share this episode if you think it might help someone else who is facing a big event or transition. For those of you about to tackle big things, know I am with you and I have your back. Always.

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44: Caroline Kwash Surviving Postpartum Depression Jul 27, 2016

I have known a few women impacted by Postpartum Depression (also known as PPD). It hits moms in different ways - some mildly, some very severely. It hits moms at different times. Some women experience symptoms almost immediately after giving birth. Some women don’t experience symptoms until their babies are a year old. There is not a pattern or blueprint. It can look like depression. It can feel like anxiety. It can be short lived. It can last for years. Sometimes drugs are necessary and helpful. Sometimes drugs are not necessary. Sometimes drugs make things worse. Every women’s experience is a harrowing journey, often filled with overwhelming emotions.

I am so grateful to Caroline Kwash, the host of the podcast Being Carefull, for coming on the show to talk about her journey with Postpartum Depression. She shares her story from the time she gave birth 18 months ago until today. She tells us about the roller coaster she has been riding and how she has learned to manage the twists and turns over the last year and a half.

Caroline is brutally honest about her experience, which I hugely admire. I know her story will help many other moms. Please share this episode with other communities of moms so the women who need help and inspiration can find it in Caroline’s story.

Caroline kindly shares many tips that help her navigate her daily life and have helped her heal tremendously over time. Her tips are extremely helpful for any moms dealing with PPD. Additionally, her tips are GOLD for any new mom navigating the adjustment into motherhood.

Links Mentioned:

Caroline’s podcast: Beingcarefull.com
Caroline’s Etsy Store Carefull Candles (use promo code HELLO to save 25%!)
Being Carefull on Facebook
Carefull Candles on Facebook
@CarolineKwash on Instagram
@CarefullCandles on Instagram
Book: Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert
Book: Cured By Nature by Tara Mackey

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43: To Have or Not to Have (2 Kids) Jul 25, 2016

I have worried about having a second child every single day since Vinnie was born.

Every. Single. Day.

It’s no secret that motherhood has kicked my butt. Especially that first year. Sweet Baby Jesus…

After 4 years of thinking, worrying, and weighing the pros and cons, Vince and I have finally come to a decision. Our decision doesn’t guarantee any outcomes. But we have a definitive plan. For now, at least. That feels good.

Finally.

Listen in to hear how I weighed baby snuggles, magical mommy moments, and a backup for my senior care against all the barf, poop, and sleeplessness promised by a second child.

Also, I’m in need of your fertility juju. Please send it on over <3.

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42: Angela Arsenault - The Unique Needs of Sons vs Daughters Jul 20, 2016

Angela Arsenault is a writer and editor at Parent.co as well as the host of the new podcast, Where Was I. Angela has recently written a fantastic series of articles about raising boys and girls and the unique needs of each. Additionally, she has fantastic advice about raising children and young adults in this insane digital age.

Angela’s podcast is on a different yet equally valuable topic. On Where Was I, Angela talks through the process of re-entry into the work force. As many of you know, there is an evolution to your role as a mom. Angela explores what happens when moms switch careers from work to home to work again. It’s a fascinating conversation.

On this episode, Angela shares:

The navigation back in to work after being home for any length of time
How boys will be the boys we teach them to be
4 behaviors to model that will make the world better for your daughter
How to manage privacy and social media with your teens
When to address the dangers of social media with your kids

Links mentioned:

Angela’s podcast: Where Was I

Angela’s articles on Teens and Sex in the Digital Age

Angela on Twitter

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41: 5 Ways to Love Your Kids When You Don't Like Them Jul 18, 2016

Let’s get real… We would all die for our kids. We love them so much our hearts physically ache at the mere thought of something bad happening to them. And we know we could not survive without them.

But, sometimes we don’t like them.

When Vinnie smacked my upside the head with a toy car recently, I didn’t really like him for a few minutes.

The next day when he kicked me in the mouth, I didn’t adore him so much.

Sometimes at bedtime, when I’m heading upstairs for the umpteenth time to give another sip of water, or help him try to poop one more time, or find a misplaced toy, or adjust the cracked door so it’s not too open and not too closed, I want to gouge my eyes out.

On today’s episode I talk through 5 Ways to Love Your Kids When You Don’t Like Them. We’ve all been there. And sorry to break it to you – but you’re gonna be there again – probably sometime today.

Here’s how you can love your child when his/her behavior has you dreaming of solo beach vacation with unlimited drinks:

1. Speak their language

Know where they are developmentally

Talk about feelings & emotions

Invite cuddles and conversation

2. Learn their currency

Toys

Food

Activities – parks, games, shows, etc

3. Take space

Tag team with your partner

Have routine time off/help

Use back up care as needed

4. Take care of YOU

Sleep

Exercise

Nutrition

5. Keep Learning

Read books

Attend talks

Connect with parents who have same age kids (live parent groups or FB groups)

Take time to reflect on what’s working and what’s not

We’re all doing the best we can, but you can’t do it all without your tool box. Ask for help and support. Know you’ll screw up. Stay open to learning and evolving. Be committed to doing your best. Keep the wine close by.

You can read the full show notes and access all the links and resources at www.shamelessmom.com

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40: Susan Hyatt - Survivor, Feminist, Warrior, Mommy, Beyonce FanGirl Jul 13, 2016

Susan Hyatt is someone I have admired since hearing her speak at an event a few years ago. At that event, she told the raw story of the day she was sexually assaulted as a young woman. She owned the stage as she shared her story – even in tears, at her most vulnerable, she was a pillar of strength and fortitude.

After that event, I immediately started following everything Susan was doing online. Over the last few years, I have adored her for all she stands for, for all she fights for and for her 100% shameless attitude in every damn thing she does.

Listen in to learn from Susan:

How two teenagers and Beyonce inspire her everyday
How she sets boundaries around her work to improve her work life and family life
How motherhood and your life work/passion can evolve together
What the one crack in Susan’s foundation is – and why it will probably never go away
How to be shameless in work and motherhood

Links mentioned:

Fast Company article: Beyonce, Inc: How Airbnb, Warby Parker, and Others Are Finding Inspiration in Lemonade

Book: Tiny Beautiful Things by Cheryl Strayed

Susan’s Website: http://www.shyatt.com

Susan on Facebook

Susan on Instagram

Susan’s podcast: GO!

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39: Mommy Wars Jul 11, 2016

Recently, I have been asked repeatedly to do an episode on mommy judgment, specifically on moms who judge other moms. Let’s just call this what it is - Mommy Wars. And please know – it’s an ugly place for you. And it’s damaging to your kids.

I’ll be honest, before I was a mom I sat in judgment of my mom friends. I noticed and quite comfortably critiqued:

How Johnny should could benefit from more time outs
The atrocity of little Susie’s frequent hitting
The obvious problem that was Bobbie’s french fry addiction

Then, I had a kid.

My kid’s behavior is not impacted at all by time outs. So we don’t really use them much.

Last week, my kid smacked me upside the head with a metal toy car and gave me a goose egg. The next day he kicked me in the mouth.

On any given Sunday, when we’re out for brunch, you can find my kid eating a well balanced meal of bacon and French fries.

So, who am I to judge…..

I can no longer comfortably critique.

I am IN. IT.

One of the quotes that is always, always close to my heart is, “Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a battle you know nothing about.”

When a horrific accident happens involving a child, let’s not judge. We do not know the story. We do not know the circumstances. And there is no reason to think you are a better mother than any other mother.

I firmly believe we are all doing the very best we can.

It is easy to get caught up in community gossip or media mayhem over news stories involving kids. It’s very easy and very comfortable, sadly, to stand on a holier-than-thou pedestal pointing out the short-comings of another mother.

And all this does is continue to build walls between moms and walls between women. At it’s best, it’s fun gossip between moms. At it’s worst, it’s women discrediting and devaluing other women in front of their kids.

Let’s do our kids a favor and acknowledge that being a mommy is hard and we all do our best everyday. Sometimes things don’t happen the way we want. Sometimes horrible things happen. In those moments, we have an opportunity to be kind and supportive and gentle. We have the chance to listen and learn and practice empathy.

I’m gonna screw up a lot as a mom. A lot.

So are you.

It’s ok.

I’m here for you. And I hope you’ll be there for me.

This is what I want my kid to see.

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38: Heather Brooker: Motherhood in Hollywood Jul 06, 2016

Heather Brooker is a mother, actress, and Emmy Award-winning writer. She currently hosts the popular podcast, Motherhood in Hollywood, where she blends her signature sense of humor with a healthy dose of reality about parenthood and the entertainment business. Heather has had roles on many shows, most notably Grey’s Anatomy, The Office and The Mindy Project (I’m beyond jealous!)

I didn’t know what to expect in an interview with a Hollywood mom. I’ve been known to have some minor Hollywood obsessions here and there. So, I was kind of hoping for a new Hollywood BFF. Heather Brooker totally made all my dreams come true.

Heather is funny and engaging and totally down to earth. We talked about the glitz and glam of being an actress and mom in Hollywood – which is not so glitzty glammy in many cases,.. I know you’ll enjoy Heather’s stories and hearing the reality of life as an actress and mom.

Tune in to hear:

Perceptions and body image in Hollywood
The reality of 99% of Hollywood moms
The rollercoaster of a Hollywood career, especially as a mom
What the day-to-day life of an actress is really like
What happens when Mindy Kaling wants to take a selfie with you

Links Mentioned:

Heather’s website and podcast: Motherhoodinhollywood.com

See Heather’s work: Heather’s Comedy Reel

Mindy Kaling’s Book: Why Not Me?

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37: You Do You Jul 04, 2016

I knew it would happen eventually… I received an email with some “constructive criticism” about the podcast. It was kind of funny, as the “giver” told me she wasn’t going to listen to this podcast anymore, BUT she thought I might want to change my show to be more to her liking in the future.

Ummmm, why????

At any rate, I’m not going to change my colors for anyone. I don’t aim to please everyone… Although, I did do that for over 30 years of my life.

You don’t have to like me. I’m good. I have plenty of people who make my life great. In fact, those are the only kinds of people I’m looking to share my life experience with now – those who want to live big and be themselves, not someone else’s version of them.

So, I’ll do me. You do you.

While I’m busy over here doing me, I’m attracting amazing women and moms who want to grow and reach and expand their boundaries. It’s so cool. It’s so validating. It’s so life giving – and life honoring. I really appreciate all that.

I certainly can’t risk pleasing everyone or changing my ways to please this listener, in particular, as that would compromise my mission. That would compromise ME.

So Imma do me. If you don’t like me, that’s cool. The good news is there are a lot of rad women out there. You’ll find someone else who speaks your language, I’m sure.

And for those of you who are cool with me doing me, we have work to do and place to go. We have dreams to build and wine to drink. We have kids to laugh at and passions to follow. Let’s do this! Together.

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36: Sara Haley - Stop Peeing Your Pants (Postpartum Core!) Jun 29, 2016

Sara Haley is a mom of two little dudes and personal trainer with a specialized focus on the postpartum core. She helps mom heal Diastasis Recti and pelvic floor dysfunction. She is on a mission to get more moms talking about these very normal conditions. She is also a ton of fun – which makes it really easy to talk to her about postpartum peeing and such.

Warning: Sara and I talk (and laugh) about all things peeing and vagina related on this episode. You’ll find it very informative. You’re welcome.

In this episode, Sara shares:

How to squeeze workouts into a busy schedule
3 reminders to motivate you to workout
5 things not to do after having a baby
How to get started with diagnosis and treatment of pelvic floor and core dysfunction
Tips, tools (and toys!) that help heal diastasis recti and pelvic floor dysfunction
The risks associated with letting pelvic and core injuries go untreated

Links Mentioned:

Belly bandit – belly wrap

Elvie Pelvic Floor Exerciser: video with discount code!

Say No To Crunches Challenge

Healthy Choices Food Challenge

Sara’s Website: SaraHaley.com

Sara on Facebook

Sara on Instagram

Sara on Periscope

Sara on YouTube (tons of excellent videos and workouts!)

Sara’s Postnatal YouTube playlist

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35: Show Me Your Muscles! Home Workout Tips Jun 27, 2016

My home workouts are a KEY part of my day, 5 days a week. The convenience of home workouts make them a total no brainer for me. It’s easy to over think and over complicate home workouts. I want to help you with that! No need to spend a ton of money. No need to spend oodles of time sweating alone in your basement. Home workouts can be super efficient and effective, done in 10-30 minutes, 3-5 days a week!

Reasons to workout at home:

Save time
Save money
Model healthy habits to your kids
Engage your kids in your workouts

How to decide what equipment to get:

Consider your goals
Know thyself – don’t opt for something boring that will collect dust (aka $3,000 treadmill)
Space constraints
Budget constraints

You can read the full show notes at www.shamelessmom.com

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34 Dr. Jennifer Freed: On Bullying and Grieving Orlando Jun 22, 2016

Today I am talking with Dr. Jennifer Freed, a child psychologist and the co-founder of AHA! (Attitude.Harmony.Achievement.), a youth-focused non-profit that works to end bullying, improve self-esteem, and empower teens through emotional learning and creative expression.

AHA! was founded in response to the Columbine tragedy and here I am recording this interview 2 days after the Orlando massacre. I think you’ll agree the work of Jennifer and her organization has never been more imperative.

When I scheduled this interview it was intended to be about bullying – which Jennifer and I discuss in depth. But, we also talk through some things you can do to work through the Orlando tragedy. This is a deeply sad time for many people and I wanted to use Jennifer as a resource for those of you who may be struggling in processing the Orlando event.

In this episode, Jennifer shares:

How to take care of yourself and your emotions after a time of crisis (like the Orlando tragedy)
How to introduce young kids to different emotions
What 3 things to do when your child/teen is experiencing challenging or overwhelming emotions
What do to and what NOT to do if your child is being bullied
What steps to take if your child is exhibiting bullying behavior
Why it’s inappropriate to label a child a “bully”

Links Mentioned:

eMotion Cards

Book: The Second Family by Ron Taffel

Dr Robert Brooks

Dr. Jennifer Freed and all her books & resources : http://www.jenniferfreed.com/

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33: On Being Shameless: Know What You Stand For Jun 20, 2016

I think many of us are struggling to recover from the trauma of the Orlando Massacre. I took all of last week to think about how I could address this on the podcast. This episode is what came out of my week of reflection.

I want to be more shameless. I mean, it’s the only way I can really own The Shameless Mom Academy, right? So, here I am – more shameless than I have been on any other episode.

I want you to know I stand for:

Equal rights
Women
Children

I hope you do too.

I also want you to know I have zero time or patience for:

The NRA
Anyone who is cool with the legalization of weapons of mass destruction
Old men making rules for young women
Using religion as a crutch for homophobia
Brock and Dan Turner
Lack of empathy

We’re all in this together, yet we stand so divided. If we treated other people the way we want our children to be treated everything would be so different.

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32: How to GSD Jun 15, 2016

If you’re a lover of a good To Do List, but not great at accomplishing the big items on your list, you NEED a little lesson in GSD.

Remember, every time you say yes to one thing, you are saying no to many other things.

In this episode, you’ll learn how to:

Prioritize the things that will move you closer to a goal or forward in some area of your life
Stop doing the mundane things that don’t move your forward (you don’t have to fold the laundry, people)
Create a functional GSD
Be ok with the incompletion of insignificant tasks
Manage Parkinson’s Law more efficiently

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31: Wine Not? The Truth About Wine and Fat Loss Jun 13, 2016

Ok, don’t hate….

Y’all know I love my wine. Love.

And I know I’m not alone. You love it too, right??

We’re in this together.

I recently had a long wine/weight loss convo with my gym members here in Seattle and I thought it would be worthwhile to share the conversation with you. So, here goes…

Today you’ll learn:

The truth about alcohol and weight loss
What happens to your blood sugar regulation when you drink
Why drinking wakes you up in the middle of the night
Why drinking makes you hangry and carb crazy
How drinking helps you store fat

I will also give you 6 tips to drinking smarter! Don’t worry I’m not going to ask you to give up your precious nectar. Like I said, we’re in this together.

Links Mentioned:

Shameless Mom Academy Episode 18, Jill Coleman: How To Eat Every Damn Day

Girls Gone Strong Article: Wine and Your Waistline: How Alcohol Affects Your Health, Hormones and Fat Loss

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30: Halley Bock - Passion vs. Purpose Jun 08, 2016

I asked Halley Bock to join me for an interview after reading her article on Passion vs Purpose recently. I didn’t know she was such well rounded badass who has owned her space for quite some time – as in owning her company, owning her path to motherhood, owning her relationship with herself, and owning her upcoming book.

Halley is a leader in every way – with a mission to lead more people into revering their relationship with themselves.

Halley is also a mom to two kids - and she and her wife both got to experience the joy (and hell) of pregnancy and childbirth. I was particularly excited to ask her about the role of Family Manager, which often falls upon the mom. When there are two moms, who gets that role?

Listen in to hear:

How Halley and her wife Deli became the moms to two fantastic kiddos
How two moms rule a family – and who is the Family Manager
The BS that is work/life “balance”
The loss of connection through conversation
The disconnection between your life and YOU
How to follow your passion and find your purpose
The perfect superpower Halley and Deli want to give all moms

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A few of the reasons women leaders struggle with confidence:

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