Ask Your Mother

15: The Final Episode

This episode marks a significant shift in our podcast journey. When it all began in a Miami hotel room back in January 2020, little did I know how my endeavor would evolve, becoming a lifeline of connection and support for both listeners and myself during the pandemic. Our mission for the podcast - to support and assist moms and caregivers, has remained constant throughout. We have tackled diverse questions and adapted to changing circumstances, providing support and calm in stormy times. Now, w...

14: Life After Death with Keela Fowler

I am delighted to have a Keela Fowler joining me today to dive into a topic near and dear to both of our hearts and answer a question many of you have been curious about: what happens after losing someone you love? Death can be a catastrophic experience, and it is only natural to wonder when the pain will subside, when the healing will begin, and how life will continue. Keela and I share the common bond of losing our mothers, although our losses occurred at different stages of life. In this epis...

13: Halloween and Kids' Anxiety

Today, I aim to present a novel perspective on Halloween inspired by the numerous questions I have received. The question we are tackling today is, what should a parent do if Halloween is not what their child wants? This issue usually centers on the apprehensions kids may feel about Halloween, kids who do not enjoy the Halloween experience, exceptional kids, or children on the spectrum. But it could also happen in kids with no diagnosable reason why Halloween would be challenging. In those situa...

12: What Do I Want?

This podcast episode marks a new chapter as we step into the world of video for the very first time! My producer convinced me that the possibilities with video are endless, so here we are! Today, I'm embracing a cozy vibe with my favorite Monday T-shirt and my hair freshly washed and left to its natural curls instead of the meticulous look you might be used to. Feel free to check out our YouTube channel for the video experience rather than the audio version. If there are any unexpected quirks or...

11: Making Friends

Hey friends! Today's discussion really excites me because the inspiration came from the Women of Wonder community I lead! Stay tuned at the end for more details about this community. The question we explore today is relevant for women of all ages. The tricky part of preparing this episode was coming up with advice that would resonate with women at different stages of life. The question is: How do I make friends as a grown-up? Let me tell you, traversing the intricate landscape of adult friendshi...

12: Career Advice for Mental Health Careers

I am delighted to be back with you, my friends, after our summer break! Our brief hiatus during the summer months was time well spent, as I devoted my energies to nurturing the Women of Wonder community. Today's episode holds a special place in my heart! It stems from a question I posed on Instagram a few months ago about career guidance. Even though my post was intended for general advice, the very first query I received was related to mental health. Given my expertise in that area I decided to...

10: Women of Wonder

Are you feeling exhausted, overwhelmed, or stuck in a cycle of constant fatigue? Have you ever wished for a space where you can freely share your concerns without fear of judgment while connecting with others who truly understand what you are going through? Well, that is just what I have been working tirelessly to create! It has become increasingly clear that many people are battling isolation and burnout, and I can no longer tolerate or ignore that. The Transformative Power of Supportive Commun...

ENCORE: Grieving for Non-Death Losses

ENCORE: Having It All and Still Struggling with Depression and Anxiety with Kadi Baker

Many people struggle with depression and anxiety, and we don’t know how to help them. We don’t know how to help because depression and anxiety don’t have a characteristic “look.” Sadly, people who seem to “have it all together” and are “full of fun” are sometimes in a deep, dark pit on the inside. It takes courage to acknowledge the depression and ask for help, and their story can be beautiful, honest, and candid as they share their journey. Today’s guest has been in the darkness, and she’s open...

ENCORE: Sex, Fun & Female Pleasure with Thien Kim Lam

Thien Kim Lam is unafraid to have uncomfortable conversations about sex. She’s not your typical romance writer because she’s focused on empowering women to enjoy sex and pleasure for themselves. Thien learned a lot as a sex toy sales consultant and eventually she realized that so many issues were with female sexuality were universal and they needed to be addressed in a positive way. She eventually started Bawdy Bookworms to combine the pleasures of romance novels with the pleasures of sex toys. ...

ENCORE: Coping with Anxiety During Uncertainty

Are you feeling anxious in these uncertain times? Most of us would admit to some level of anxiety during this pandemic, but how do we acknowledge the feelings and learn the coping skills we need to manage? Today’s show comes to the rescue with practical advice from an expert. Join us to learn more! Kayla Chorley is a licensed therapist in Alberta, Canada. As a high school teacher, she’s not only an expert on the topic of anxiety but also an expert on teens with anxiety. Kayla educates us about g...

09: Cycle Magic with Leslie Draffin

Get ready for a uniquely enlightening and empowering episode! Today, we embark on a mind-expanding journey through menstruation and micro-dosing! If you’re wondering how these two worlds collide, you will soon understand because we have an expert joining us! Leslie Draffin is a passionate advocate for activating the divine feminine within women! She joins me to unravel the mysteries of hormonal changes in women, and shed light on what unfolds as we age and begin paying attention to our bodies. B...

08: Psychology Speak

In today's world, mental health terms and diagnoses seem to be everywhere. social media, YouTube, and everyday conversations are filled with references to anxiety, depression, and other mental health conditions. While this trend may help to reduce the stigma around mental illness, it also raises questions about the appropriate use of psychological terms and interventions outside of clinical settings. In today’s episode, I explore the pros and cons of this trend and consider the potential impact ...

07: Anxiety and Other “Am I going to get over this?” Questions

06: Homesick

Will I ever get over being homesick? That is a question most college students will surely relate to! It will also resonate with many adults who have moved away to a new place. My daughter, Faith, is in college, and she joins me to discuss whether or not people who move away from home ever stop feeling homesick. We dive into what it means to feel homesick, different types of homesickness, and how things change over time. Neither Faith nor I know if it is possible to overcome feelings of homesickn...

05: How to Stop Yelling at Your Kids

Parenting can be challenging and frustrating. Many parents reach that point where they just want to explode causing them to yell at their kids or even their partners. There can be several possible reasons behind their actions but one thing is for sure – it’s not a healthy way of communication. However, it’s important that parents know how to deal with stress and their own emotions. That’s what I’m here for – to discuss all about how yelling at kids affects them and how we, as parents, can stop o...

04: Fighting vs. Conflict

While having conflicts in a relationship can be uncomfortable and challenging, it can also spark growth and positive change. While that is the case, there are also couples who never fight probably because of avoidance of the issue. However, it is important to approach such situations in a healthy and constructive way to prevent damage and to strengthen the relationship and grow together as partners. That is why, today, we’re here to answer the frequently asked question on why couples constantly ...

03: Child Attachments as an Adult

Questions that circle around the topic of relationships, whether romantic, friendly or familial, overwhelm many people. They don’t know how to deal with the feelings that come with the relationships they’re in or getting into. The reason for this is because of attachment. And in today’s episode, I’m going to give you a wider perspective on how your experiences as a child translate into adult behaviors. What is it like being on the perfectly secure end of the spectrum? I don’t think there’s anyon...

02: How to Care for a New Mom

One of the frequently asked questions that I get is about what you should do when your friend has a baby. This question may seem to pop up randomly but the same actually crosses many people’s minds especially to those who don’t have kids of their own or those who are at that point in life where many of their friends or relatives are already having kids. In today’s episode, we’ll talk more about how to best show your support to your friends and family when you reach that certain point in life and...

01: When Parents Aren't Perfect

Many things are way different now as compared to when we were kids and one of those that changed massively is parenting. And a lot of parents, especially new ones, fear that they are going to wreck their kids with the way they raise them. It’s normal to feel scared because you think you don’t have the background to learn from and so, it’s quite like you’re navigating an uncharted territory. But don’t worry too much about every little thing that you do because no matter how mindful you are, how g...

Welcome to Ask Your Mother

This podcast has been around for a long time in many different iterations, but today I’m introducing you to the new direction the show will be taking. Born out of my own inability to ask my Mom questions and have her weigh in on the most difficult things I am facing, welcome to Ask Your Mother. I want this to be the place where we can talk about literally anything without feeling weird. It’s not always easy to not have a mother to talk to, so hopefully, this show can fill the gap. Show Highlight...

Everyone Knows But You

Today’s topic is prompted by an interesting listener question about the unsolicited advice that expectant and new parents receive. The truth is that the advice doesn’t stop with being a new parent, but it continues through many life events and transitions. Join me for a closer look. Show Highlights: Two universal truths when you are expecting a baby: Everything is focused on you, the mom–until the baby comes. When the baby arrives, opinions and advice come pouring in. Why it’s a fact that all pa...

Being Not Doing: Don't Get Caught in the Productivity Trap

We are living in the time of the productivity trap. We constantly question ourselves and how much we are DOING, which leads to feelings of guilt. If you are caught in the productivity trap and wondering if you are doing enough, join me for this episode. Show Highlights: How I’ve noticed more and more people feeling unsettled, frustrated, and overwhelmingly sad in 2022 Why we are in the “perfect storm” of year #3 of the pandemic with constantly changing goals and jobs Why we feel guilty when we h...

Clearing Out the Clutter

Happy New Year! A new year is a very appropriate time to consider cleaning out and clearing out the old to make room for the new–and that’s the focus of this solo episode. I’m starting a new group to be a supportive place for moms of all ages and stages. You can find the link in our Resources section, so come join us with a free membership for a limited time. Regarding New Year’s Resolutions–or the lack thereof, I’m sharing what I’ve learned with the hope that my experiences might inspire you. T...

Setting Boundaries Around the Holidays

This seems to be a great time of year to discuss boundaries, as they are likely challenging most of us at this point. I know personally, this season, no matter what you celebrate - this season from Halloween to New Year is challenging to say the least for boundaries. Last year, we didn't really have a lot of choices, and so it made boundaries, maybe a little bit easier to enact because we didn't have any options. But this year, we're not only tasked with figuring out how to celebrate the season,...

Ending the Stigma Around Domestic Violence with Mira Dunning

This episode comes as a result of feedback I’ve received from a previous show on domestic violence. Since this topic clearly struck a chord with many listeners, today’s conversation is a great follow-up. Join us to learn more! Mira Denning is the founder of Stronger Than Silence, an organization that means to end the stigma around domestic violence and help survivors share their stories to pull back the curtain on what goes on behind closed doors. Mira hopes to end the stigma and shame to help m...

Having It All and Still Struggling with Depression and Anxiety with Kadi Baker

Many people struggle with depression and anxiety, and we don’t know how to help them. We don’t know how to help because depression and anxiety don’t have a characteristic “look.” Sadly, people who seem to “have it all together” and are “full of fun” are sometimes in a deep, dark pit on the inside. It takes courage to acknowledge the depression and ask for help, and their story can be beautiful, honest, and candid as they share their journey. Today’s guest has been in the darkness, and she’s open...

Lessons Learned from Working with Victims of Sexual and Domestic Violence

This episode is prompted by two things: my binge-watching of Maid , a Netflix show that takes a look at the nuances of domestic violence, and the recent Gabby Petito case. There are so many misconceptions and misunderstandings around domestic violence, and it’s always puzzling to me how many men and women don’t know what a healthy relationship looks like. It’s just me today, talking about my thoughts and what I’ve seen during my professional career as a trauma therapist working with survivors of...

Coping With Anxiety During Uncertain Times

Are you feeling anxious in these uncertain times? Most of us would admit to some level of anxiety during this pandemic, but how do we acknowledge the feelings and learn the coping skills we need to manage? Today’s show comes to the rescue with practical advice from an expert. Join us to learn more! Kayla Chorley is a licensed therapist in Alberta, Canada. As a high school teacher, she’s not only an expert on the topic of anxiety but also an expert on teens with anxiety. Kayla educates us about g...

Grieving for Non-Death Losses

Grief is a process that everyone goes through in their own way and on their own timetable, and it comes to us in many shapes and sizes. Today’s discussion focuses on grief in the context of non-death losses, which can still seize our hearts. I’m going solo today in sharing about two specific kinds of grief that I’m experiencing. Join me. Show Highlights: How I’m grieving over losing my beloved German Shepherd to a sudden heart issue and sending my oldest daughter off to college How we are gettin...