As women, many of us are walking through life with a heavy load on our shoulders. Feelings of having too much on our plate and not enough time to complete everything. In this episode, we talk through books that have helped clarify this maxed out phenomenon but also where we can be advocates for ourselves. Where we can stand up for our needs and ask for the help that will make the mental and physical load much easier to handle. Today’s podcast sponsor: BetterHELP.com/HERself Books (affiliate link...
May 18, 2020•32 min
A heavy episode full of raw emotions and real thoughts. With Abby discovering that their 3rd child will have Down syndrome, we wanted to bring in an episode to meet you where you are. The grief you have gone through and the feeling of loss that can sit on our shoulders is real. This episode is full of different coping strategies as well as tangible ways you can help, or ask for help, during the times we all need it most. Resources: Jack’s Basket Gigi’s Playhouse Down Syndrome Association of WI L...
May 11, 2020•27 min
Inspired by all of your questions, we have Vanessa on to bring the taboo out of sex. This is such an important topic that seldom gets discussed in this much detail, even among close friends. Join us as we uncover how sex, conversation, and relationships go hand in hand and where we as women can find joy and confidence in such an important part of our lives. Resources: Vanessa Marin: Website and Instagram Let’s connect! HERSELF INSTAGRAM: instagram.com/herselfpodcast MEET AMY: instagram.com/amesk...
May 04, 2020•50 min
Today’s episode is dedicated to all of you! We are answering your questions that came in from Instagram as we go through how we met, the ins and outs of starting and keeping the podcast going, all things kids but also what we miss about life beforehand. The first 8 minutes covers Abby’s recent news with her 3rd baby. The details on the tests, emotions and the most up today results are all part of this discussion. Let’s connect! HERSELF INSTAGRAM: instagram.com/herselfpodcast MEET AMY: instagram....
Apr 27, 2020•44 min
Krystle comes on to get real about the issues she sees as a physical therapist specific to women’s health issues, especially during pregnancy and directly postpartum. Your burning questions on Pubic Symphysis Dysfunction (that dull or acute pain on the front part of your pubic bone), organ prolapse (when your organs fall into your vaginal canal), peeing while jumping, painful sex, and many more. She gets vulnerable and emotional talking through her own c-section recovery and how the physical and...
Apr 20, 2020•51 min
Our husbands... so honest in the dark and the light times. As a follow up from our conversations the last two weeks with Dr. Tracy D, the four of us detail out the roller coaster our relationships have been on the last few weeks and the solutions we have found that work. Drew Kiefer and Colin Green also give their male perspective on life in a pandemic and how they used Tracy’s wisdom to propel themselves and our relationships forward. Let’s connect! HERSELF INSTAGRAM: instagram.com/herselfpodca...
Apr 13, 2020•41 min
Anyone else feeling the weight of COVID-19 on their relationship? We brought Dr. Tracy back on the podcast to dive into the topics and questions you had in regards to relationship struggles in uncertainty. How can you keep your bond strong in hardship? Communications strategies when life is tense Fact plus feeling language When you feel like blaming or getting defensive, what to do instead Every storm will run out of rain but when the end is unknown, using strategies to prevent relationship stre...
Apr 06, 2020•33 min
Tracy joins the podcast today. She is answering questions about individual stress, anxiety, and emotions as we all wade through the coronavirus epidemic. She walks through several positive strategies we can use to get out of our mind and into the present moment as much of our stress is anticipatory. With 40,000-50,000 thoughts a day, it is no wonder that we can feel overwhelmed. She teaches us strategies on how to bring self-compassion and awareness into our lives to help us. She also speaks to ...
Mar 30, 2020•37 min
We made a pivot this week. This episode won’t be on severity stats or the latest closure, but will be on how we are doing and coping with the news in the world today. It’s a tricky time for all of us and we hope our vulnerability and honesty about the struggle and pain helps you not feel so alone. As always, we will also leave our listeners with what is working and the tangible ideas you can implement today to propel you, your family, and the community forward. We even have a special guest entra...
Mar 23, 2020•33 min
“I have to stop forcing the old, and building the new.” How many times have you battled to keep our old life to end the day exhausted and unsuccessful? Sometimes we have to jump on a new train if we are heading the wrong direction, as difficult as that may be! Amy joins the podcast to tell her journey through the trenches that the role of a mom and step mom can take. Her truth is inspiring and allowed us to put ourselves in another woman’s shoes. The grit she has built through pivots in her care...
Mar 16, 2020•50 min
Shannon Tripp is doing A LOT of things. She is a former pediatric ER nurse, she homeschools her 4 children, has a beautiful marriage with her husband Ryan, and recently launched a course to help caregivers feel confident in emergency situations. We ask her about her big move to Hawaii, about homeschooling, the emergency situations that every parent/caregiver should be prepared for, and more. Listen in on how this mama tackles all of this and shows up with her bright smile. Resources: Shannon Tri...
Mar 12, 2020•45 min
Mom guilt comes in all shapes and sizes, but one thing we can all agree on is that none of us are immune to its stresses. The pressure we put on ourselves as moms is HEAVY. But, how can we start to question mom guilt, wrestle it, and overcome it? Tears were shed during this episode as we dug deep into own mom guilt and talked about how we’ve faced it over the last 4 years. We’re RIGHT there with you if it is something you still face- as you’ll hear, we still face it too. Let’s connect! HERSELF I...
Mar 09, 2020•42 min
The most tangible interview the HERself podcast has done to date! As we know, all moms are working moms whether they are in an office or at home surrounded by kids. Elicia Shepard gives tips SAHM, working moms, and women in general can do to improve their relationships with children, their spouses, and most importantly… themselves. The importance of community and asking for help are more prevalent in this role and season than most. You’ll be nodding your head in agreement with how this everyday ...
Mar 02, 2020•59 min
Molly Millwood joins the podcast today as our first author in our first ever book club. If you have read her incredible book To Have and To Hold: Motherhood, Marriage, and the Modern Dilemma...you know how powerful her message is. We both consider this a must read book for every new mama as we found it to be a life changing book. It is both freeing and validating for women in the throes of one of life’s biggest transitions: motherhood. Special takeaways: Resentment for our partners are generally...
Feb 24, 2020•1 hr 13 min
Our husbands are back on this week’s episode and we go through some of our hardest challenges and conversations that we’ve experienced in our relationships to date. Skeletons come out of the closet and seasons of contention are brought to the forefront, this was not an easy episode to record. But, we think it’s important because we know others might be in their hard season right now. You are not alone. We’re hoping you might be able to pull a tip or two to help propel your relationship forward. ...
Feb 17, 2020•44 min
Relationships take work. Period. And good relationships are worth putting the time and energy into. Progress over perfection is key to creating a relationship that two unique people can both enjoy but we all know that some advice is better than others. We give our honest thoughts on some of the common advice we have all heard and share what we’ve really found helpful. Abby’s Takeaways Just because he does it differently, doesn’t make it wrong His opinions matter too Amy’s Takeaways Learn how to ...
Feb 10, 2020•31 min
As first time moms, we both struggled. BIG issues for us were the preconceived notions of what it was supposed to look like and comparing everything from how our body looked to how we nurtured our kids. Our culture looks at motherhood with rose colored glasses and idealizes the experience. Only when we’re willing to open up and get honest, can we support each other by affirming that some of motherhood is just REALLY hard. This is what the episode is made to do. Asking for help, self-care, and ke...
Feb 03, 2020•48 min
“The only thing to do is move forward, that’s it, it really is that simple”. In this guest interview with Kate Lemere, we cover everything from fitness and nutrition to vaginal healing and baby blues. Kate’s take on common terms like “letting yourself go” and the question of “am I the only one going through this” is not only inspiring but extremely validating for women in every walk of life. Her message is clear, remove the urgency, the expectations, the extremes and we can tackle any goal that ...
Jan 27, 2020•1 hr
Teddy Roosevelt said it best: “comparison is the thief of joy”. We can instantly go from feeling great about our life to feeling mediocre if we start comparing. Often nothing has actually changed about your situation, you just went out and found that someone else’s Instagram life looks better. Comparison can lead to lust and envy and doesn’t lead to the contentment and gratefulness we’re seeking. There will always be shinier rings, bigger houses, clearer skin, and unique skills that other people...
Jan 20, 2020•36 min
Hindsight is 2020. If you could go back in time and tell your younger self 3 things what would they be? You don’t have to find your husband in college To get through things, you have to stop avoiding and actually get through them Not everyone gets an opinion on your life xo, Amy The plan for your life may change Enjoy the journey It’s okay to ask for help xo, Abby Let’s connect! HERSELF INSTAGRAM: instagram.com/herselfpodcast MEET AMY: instagram.com/ameskiefer MEET ABBY: instagram.com/abbyrosegr...
Jan 13, 2020•26 min
In this episode we bring our husbands on to give real responses to the questions we all have as women. If you want tangible tips from husbands/dads who open up right from the start… grab your headphones! These two tell all on dividing household tasks, entering parenthood, and that 3-letter-bad-word we refer to as “nag” and how to ditch it for good. It was really important to us that our first guests would be our husbands, because they are a big part of our story. Drew and Colin have been in each...
Dec 27, 2019•36 min
Body image. It sure is a j o u r n e y ! Research shows that issues surrounding how a person views their body can go back to as early as age 4 and our parents and household can make a BIG impact. Most of us will struggle with our body confidence at one time or another, but there are ways to get to a more confident place. This week we dig in to where Abby still struggles from her former, fuller figure and how Amy has overcome many of the common habits and thoughts that seep into a person’s mind. ...
Dec 27, 2019•27 min
Welcome to the HERself Podcast! Amy and Abby here and we are SO glad you have joined. In episode 1, we dive into a series of questions. Our responses will help you get to know us on a deeper level and also articulate just how open and honest these episodes will be. What is your greatest body insecurity? What debt do you have? What makes you feel sexy? Jot down your answers as we open up the real conversations that will help you get one step ahead of where you are now. Let’s connect! HERSELF INST...
Dec 27, 2019•37 min
