The Sweetest (and Toughest) Job

Latest Episodes:

Our Third Baby's Birth Story and My Postpartum Journey So Far with Eric Olson Nov 07, 2019

Show notes

My husband Eric joins me again on the podcast so we can share the birth story of our baby girl who joined us at the end of September. Eric and I also discuss my postpartum journey up to this point. At six weeks postpartum there have been countless sweet moments, joyful baby snuggles and tender moments. But there have also been really tough moments - feelings of isolation, a loss of past life, the immensity and exhaustion that takes its toll when caring around the clock for a sweet newborn.
We talk about the Unbuckle Me tool during the podcast which assists in unbuckling a car seat - it works great for our almost 5 year old who now sits in the third row of the car and would also be great for a grandparent or anyone with arthritis or just a tough buckle on a seat! You can buy one at this link: HERE
Thank you as always for listening! We would love to connect with you via Instagram or Facebook @sweetestandtoughestjob
We would be so grateful if you could leave us a review - it helps others find the podcast!

Pregnancy and Postpartum Fitness with Brittany Van Gilder Oct 31, 2019

Show notes

Fitness can be challenging when you find out you are expecting. Your body goes through tremendous changes which can be different for everyone. Similarly, the postpartum body can feel foreign and it can be daunting to get back into a fitness routine after having a baby. In this episode, I chat with Brittany Van Gilder all about pregnancy and postpartum fitness.
Brittany is a pregnancy and postpartum fitness coach who is passionate about educating women regarding changes that take place in the body and how these changes impact fitness. Whether you've been an athlete all your life or fitness is brand new to you, being active is healthy for both you and baby during this special chapter and Brittany wants to help guide you along this journey.
Highlights from this episode:

Advice for expecting Mom's that are nervous about what they are able to do fitness-wise
Exercises to steer clear of when pregnant and those that are beneficial
Postpartum fitness tips and advice when easing back into a routine
Postpartum guidance on healthy and beneficial exercises

For 20% off either the Postpartum Fitness Program or in-person or remote coaching use code STJ19
Mom Gets Moxie Website: https://momgetsmoxie.com/
Connect with Brittany on Social Media on Instagram or Facebook @momgetsmoxie
As always we would love to connect with you on Facebook or Instagram @sweetestandtoughestjob
If you can leave us a rating or review we would greatly appreciate it! It helps others find the podcast. Thank you for listening!

Refocusing Your Relationship With Your Partner After Becoming Parents with Michelle Purta Oct 24, 2019

Show notes

It's no secret that parenting is made easier when it's a team effort. What happens when your relationship steers off course, you hit bumps in the road or your relationship is challenged after you bring a baby home?
Michelle Purta is a life coach who helps women be happier in their relationships by teaching them how to empower themselves through heightened self awareness and effective communication. These two areas were things she struggled with in relationships because she wasn't shown or taught them at home or at school. Now she wants to help moms everywhere so that they can enjoy their marriage through every stage of motherhood and teach their kids how to do the same!
Michelle and I are having a conversation about the challenges that couples face after becoming parents for the first, second or subsequent time. Michelle offers simple tips to refocus your relationship.
Highlights from the episode:

Simple tips to refocus and reconnect with your partner
The importance of self care and looking inward to strengthen your relationship with your partner
Changes that might occur in your relationship after bringing a baby home
How to move forward together when your relationship is off course

Visit Michelles website www.michellepurta.com
Connect with her on her Facebook Community @Marriage & Motherhood
Instagram @herconnectedfamily
As always we would love to connect with you at The STJ Podcast!
Instagram or Facebook @sweetestandtoughestjob
Thank you as always for listening!!!

Tips and Strategies to Combat Infant and Toddler Feeding Challenges with Kelly Mingus Oct 17, 2019

Show notes

Are you having difficulty getting your baby to take a bottle? Dealing with acid reflux? Nervous about transitioning to solids? Are your toddlers super picky or are you battling with them to eat at mealtime?
Kelly Mingus, owner at Nashville Pediatric specialists offers tips and strategies to work on all of these challenges and more. Mealtime and feeding challenges can be frustrating for many parents but there are strategies that can definitely help and feeding therapies that can make it easier.
Highlights from the episode include:

What to consider when baby refuses the bottle
Acid reflux and gas in infants and babies
Transitioning your baby to solids from breastmilk or formula
Strategies for picky toddlers
Tips to help expand toddler diets
Toddler mealtime challenges

Kelly has worked with children for over 16 years and has spent 10+ years as a speech pathologist in private practice. She's worked in school settings including at a school devoted to children with learning differences and her experience also extends to working in a hospital setting, level 1 trauma center as a speech pathologist providing diagnostic assessments to children in the ICU, and educating medical professionals on goals and recommendations.
Visit Nashville Pediatric Specialists at their website: https://nashvillepediatricspecialists.com/
Instagram or Facebook: @nashvillepediatricspecialists
As always we would love to connect with you at The STJ Podcast via Facebook or Instagram @sweetestandtoughestjob and would greatly appreciate a rating or review to help others find the podcast.
Thank you for listening!

Discussing Postpartum Mental and Emotional Changes with Ashley Ball Oct 10, 2019

Show notes

Ashley Ball is a licensed Marriage and Family therapist and Mom to two girls ages 3 1/2 and 10 months. Ashley and I are having a conversation about postpartum - the period after your baby's birth that often does not get discussed! Having a baby can coincide with so many changes mentally and emotionally that Moms don't always talk about or recognize. Highlights from the episode include:

Asking for help postpartum
Feelings you might experience in the postpartum period
Your relationship with your partner postpartum
Challenges you may encounter that are common
Ideas on self care after having a baby

You can connect with Ashley on Instagram @ashball_wellness
As always, we would love to connect with you at The STJ podcast on Instagram or Facebook @sweetestandtoughestjob and would be so appreciative if you have a minute to leave a rating or review wherever you get your podcasts - this helps others find us!
Thank you so much for listening!

Navigating the New Normal: Preparing an Older Sibling for a Newborn and Transitioning from One to Two Kids with Ann Kaplan Oct 03, 2019

Show notes

Making the transition from one to two kids or growing your family beyond can be overwhelming and difficult to navigate for many families. On this episode, I talk to Ann Kaplan a birth worker and parent coach who works with moms and moms-to-be providing parenting support from conception to college. Ann provides great insight and tips on navigating the new normal when your family is expanding.
Highlights from the episode include:

How to prepare an older sibling for a new addition to the family
Dealing with mom guilt and the balance of caring for more than one child
Time management in a growing household
Learning to give yourself grace in this season of life
Challenges parents encounter when going from one to two kids

As a birth worker and parent coach, Ann helps parents discover how to raise great kids on their own terms. She helps moms prepare, plan and experience incredible births, then she helps them transition into motherhood and find balance as moms and as individuals. From time management to learning discipline techniques when kids are getting out of control, her coaching helps moms create the family energy and room to be themselves within their families.
Visit Ann's website for an overview of her coaching and parenting support at www.mommeexperience.com
Join her Facebook Group: Real Life Momming
Access her Free Guide: Get Kids to Listen at http://bit.ly/mamaguide
As always, we'd love to connect with you at The STJ podcast on Instagram or Facebook @sweetestandtoughestjob
If you have a minute or two we would be grateful if you left a rating or review wherever you get your podcasts to help others find us.
Thank you so much for listening!

Workplace Support for New Parents with Debi Yadegari Sep 26, 2019

Show notes

Returning to work after having a baby can be challenging for all Moms, Dads and partners. Debi Yadegari is the Founder and CEO of MommaWork, a management consulting firm that is helping transform the dynamic between working parents and corporate leadership across the country. Her company has been named an industry disruptor by Forbes Magazine and is Working Mother Magazine’s go-to resource for lactation accommodation law questions.

Highlights from today's episode:

Challenges parents face when returning to the workplace
Preparing to go out on maternity leave and planning your return to work
Navigating your breastfeeding rights in the workplace
Changing identity when you become a parent
Maximizing work-life balance
New parent transitions when returning to work

MommaWork strategically partners with companies to provide invaluable working parent support. On the employee side, MommaWork offers corporate lactation support services and a new parent transition and family coaching program, while on the employer side, MommaWork offers legal compliance oversight, human resources support and manager sensitivity training.

As an attorney, a certified lactation consultant, and mother of five children (ages 14, 12, 11, 8 and 2), Debi is a sought after expert and frequent speaker on the issues plaguing working parenthood, including the increasingly complex and quickly-shifting area of lactation accommodation law. Her eye-opening presentations have been a national wake-up call for companies to get real about their employees’ needs, and the bottom line.

Debi started MommaWork with a mission -- to offer the types of support working parents need most so they may achieve BOTH their families’ personal goals and professional success. To date, MommaWork has helped countless families and Debi could not be more proud!
Visit www.mommawork.com and connect with Debi and her company:
Instagram @momma_work
Facebook @mommawork
LinkedIn MommaWork
As always, we'd love for you to connect with us at The STJ Podcast on Instagram or Facebook @sweetestandtoughestjob
If you have a minute, we would greatly appreciate leaving a rating or review wherever you get your podcasts - this helps others find us!
Thank you for listening!

Advocating To Find Health Answers For Your Child with Kim DeLiema Sep 19, 2019

Show notes

At just 6 weeks old, Kim DeLiema's son Jason contracted viral meningitis and spent five days in the Children's Hospital. Whether related to that illness or not, this began a long journey of health issues for Jason that Kim has been tirelessly trying to find answers to. Kim shares her experience in trying to help her son, what she has learned and encouragement for any parent who may also be trying to find answers for their child. On the episode we chat about:

The terrifying experience with viral meningitis when her son was 6 weeks old
Advocating for your young children before they can for themselves
Transitioning to Gluten Free with her son and family
Sensory Processing Disorder
Occupational Therapy for her son in efforts to help find answers
Chronic illness and ear infections and navigating specialists to find answers
Mom judgement and making decisions that put your children's health first
Finding your inner Mom voice, being confident in who you are as a parent

Kim is a medical social worker and fitness coach, Mom to two children and one fur baby and wife to a law enforcement officer. She describes life as so busy but filled with purpose.
You can connect with Kim on Instagram @kimspiration_fitness and also follow her navigation her son's Sensory Processing Disorder @sweetly_sensory
A Heart For All Students is offering my listeners 10% off the 6 week self-paced course: 4 Steps to Meltdown Recovery. Register for the course HERE and use code: SWEETEST2019 to receive the discount. The course comes with live support to guide you along the way.
As always, we would love for you to connect with us on Facebook or Instagram @sweetestandtoughestjob
If you have a minute, I would be so grateful if you would leave a rating or review - it helps others find the podcast. Thank you so much for listening!

Preparing for Birth and Postpartum Physical Recovery with Dr. Whitney Sippl, Women's Health PT Sep 12, 2019

Show notes

Incontinence, painful intercourse, scar pain, pelvic or back pain, pelvic pressure or abdominal separation are commonly experienced during pregnancy or after having a baby; however, though COMMON, these conditions are not "NORMAL" and there are many ways to address these concerns. Dr. Whitney Sippl of Restored Physique Physical Therapy chats with me about the many physical changes that occur during pregnancy and how you can better prepare for labor and delivery and an easier recovery after birth. We talk about the common but not normal physical changes that occur during and after labor and delivery or a C-Section and all about postnatal healing and recovery.
This is a conversation that you wont want to miss if you're pregnant or after giving birth. Whitney gives awesome tips and lots of information that you probably have never heard before. Postpartum physical recovery is so important and can have lasting effects, well into much later years in life if not addressed properly - Whitney shares ways you can take care of yourself NOW for lasting health for your future.
Learn more about Dr. Whitney Sippl and her company Restored Physique Physical Therapy by clicking HERE.
For 20% off her online course use the codes below:

Prenatal Physical Health & Labor Prep Class: This class will discuss the physical preparation to have a healthy pregnancy, delivery, and postpartum recovery. This includes access to 9 videos in addition to the intro video for approximately 2.25 hours of content. This class will address primarily the physical preparation to have a healthy pregnancy and delivery and is a great adjunct to childbirth education classes.
Click HERE for more info on course description and use code PP20 for 20% discount.
Postpartum Physical Recovery Class: This class will discuss ways to heal and get your body back after your baby is born and is intended for women during pregnancy and the postnatal period. Ideally this class would be taken during pregnancy to prepare for the postnatal period; however, the information is very beneficial whether you are early postnatal or even years postnatal. This includes access to 5 videos in addition to the intro video for approximately 1.5 hours of content

Click HERE for more info on course description and use code PR20 for 20% discount.
A Heart For All Students is offering my listeners 10% off the 6 week self-paced course: 4 Steps to Meltdown Recovery. Register for the course HERE and use code: SWEETEST2019 to receive the discount. The course comes with live support to guide you along the way.
As always we would love to connect with you on Facebook or Instagram @sweetestandtoughestjob
I'd be so grateful if you took a minute or two to leave a rating or review which helps others find the podcast. Thank you!!

Postpartum Health and Wellness with Amanda Johns Sep 05, 2019

Show notes

On this episode Amanda Johns talks with me about postpartum health and wellness. If you are expecting, or just had a baby whether it's your first or subsequent, you don't want to miss our chat. The postpartum period is often a time we don't talk about and we should! Amanda and I discuss wellness, areas to focus on to aid in recovery after birth, resources to consider and much about the healing process you might not have considered before.
Amanda owns Root and Bloom Postpartum Care through which she nurtures mamas through education, one-on-one support, and postpartum meals. She is trained as a Lactation Educator and Counselor, Ayurvedic Postpartum doula, and is finishing up her certification as an INNATE Postpartum Care provider.
You can connect and follow Amanda on Instagram @rootandbloompostpartum
During the episode, Amanda and I talk about the following resources:
Books:
The First 40 Days
The Fourth Trimester (Includes information about Abhyanga)
Postnatal Depletion Cure
A Mind of Your Own: The Truth About Depression and How Women Can Heal Their Bodies To Reclaim Their Lives
Resource to find Postpartum doulas and care in your area: INNATEtraditions.com
Gut Health Information by Kelly Brogan
Vaginal Steaming Information: Steamy Chick
Breastfeeding/Postpartum Support Group with Local Chapters: La Leche League
As always, we would love for you to connect with us on Facebook or Instagram @sweetestandtoughestjob
If you have a minute, please consider leaving a rating or review, it helps others find the podcast. Thank you SO much for listening!

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