In today’s digital age everybody’s got an opinion, and not only that, everybody’s got a platform to share those opinions. As if moms didn’t already feel the pressure that comes with parenting. Now we see hundreds of photos, videos, blog posts an news articles all trying to rank, or measure our parenting skills. But sometimes we forget about the one and only metric that actually matters, are our kids happy? Matriarch Digital Media (matriarchdm.com) produces this and other podcasts that understand...
Aug 30, 2022•32 min
As parents we sometimes get lost in the day to day of raising children, coupled with working and maintaining a relationship with your significant other. Bert reminds us all that it is healthy to step away sometimes and do things you love and enjoy so you don't lose yourself. So ask yourself what are the key things that make you happy and why? Matriarch Digital Media (matriarchdm.com) produces this and other podcasts that understand, encourage and uplift women.
Aug 16, 2022•40 min
Today Bert challenges us to face our fears. Taking risks, and doing things that scare us is what keeps life interesting. Sure you might fail a couple times, maybe even a hundred times, but you’ve still won by continuing to try. Let’s all try to do one thing that scares us today, who knows, you just might succeed. Matriarch Digital Media (matriarchdm.com) produces this and other podcasts that understand, encourage and uplift women.
Aug 02, 2022•38 min
As busy moms, wives, and working women there comes a time when you need to unplug from it all and have some fun! Bert takes a girls trip with friends for the first time since the pandemic to relax and unwind. She shares fun stories of her weekend adventure and tips for how to have fun with no agenda. Matriarch Digital Media (matriarchdm.com) produces this and other podcasts that understand, encourage and uplift women.
Jul 19, 2022•30 min
Raise your hand if you’ve ever felt personally victimized by someone you considered a friend. We have all had run-ins with toxic people. People that intimidate us, or make us feel less than. Some of those people we dare to call our friends. How do tell a friend that their behavior is not okay, or that they made you uncomfortable? Bert shares her experiences with mean girls and how she’s helping her daughter navigate girl world in her tween years. Matriarch Digital Media (matriarchdm.com) produce...
Jul 05, 2022•36 min
Bert shares her anxiousness and fears surrounding social media and her kids. As a Social Media Manager, she understands all too well the influence these platforms can have on your children. As scary as it may be, it is our responsibility as parents to understand what our children are engaging in, to help them develop healthy habits with technology in this digital age. Matriarch Digital Media (matriarchdm.com) produces this and other podcasts that understand, encourage and uplift women....
Jun 21, 2022•38 min
Today Bert gushes over one of her most beloved pastimes…television! From nostalgic moments of bonding with family and friends to enjoying some much-needed alone time after a long day, the idiot box holds a special place in all of our hearts. Find out what shows Bert recommends, and maybe even pick up a tip on how to enjoy your favorite entertainment whenever you want. Matriarch Digital Media (matriarchdm.com) produces this and other podcasts that understand, encourage and uplift women....
Jun 07, 2022•35 min
Making friends as an adult can be hard. Making friends as a parent can be even harder. What do we do when the friendships we've tried to cultivate turn sour? Tune in this week on Me Before Mom as Bert tackles toxic friendships and giving each other a little grace. Matriarch Digital Media (matriarchdm.com) produces this and other podcasts that understand, encourage and uplift women.
May 24, 2022•42 min
Parenthood is all about making choices. Deciding on formula or breastfeeding, which brand of diapers are best for my baby or what foods should they be eating. These choices can leave us all wondering if we're doing the right thing for our kids. Tune in this week on Me Before Mom as Bert talks about a struggle all moms deal with on different levels, "Mom Guilt". Matriarch Digital Media (matriarchdm.com) produces this and other podcasts that understand, encourage and uplift women.
May 10, 2022•40 min
Bert opens up Season 3 of Me Before Mom by navigating the constant demands of motherhood and how sometimes your kid can feel like your boss! Matriarch Digital Media (matriarchdm.com) produces this and other podcasts that understand, encourage and uplift women.
Apr 26, 2022•37 min
TRIGGER WARNING: THIS EPISODE CONTAINS SENSITIVE AND POSSIBLY TRIGGERING CONTENT, LISTEN WITH CARE.Let us take a moment to pause, take a deep breath, and give ourselves - and everyone around us - a break. COVID-19 has and continues to affect us all. Our lives have been turned upside down by social distancing, quarantines, and lockdowns. This week on Me Before Mom, Bert speaks candidly about her own mental health struggles during this collective time in human experience and shares the intimate de...
Feb 16, 2021•27 min
This week on Me Before Mom entertainment journalist, actress, podcast host, influencer, comedian, and mom, Heather Brooker is speaking with Bert about her journey to motherhood, parenting in Hollywood, and how working from home has its ups and downs. Bert and Heather compare lockdowns between California and Minnesota and the ways their kids are coping with being at home. For more information, check out Bert's website: https://bertmanderson.comFrom this Episode: Heather Brooker Motherhood in Holl...
Feb 02, 2021•36 min
Bert is talking with author, creator, influencer, and blogger Brandi Riley about how she is educating other influencers, raising independent kids, and balancing life during a pandemic. Brandi explains how working on her self-esteem and gaining a more accurate sense of self-importance has helped her show love to the people most valued in her life. Bert and Brandi remind us to take time to appreciate where we are right now as moms and being a good mom looks differently for everyone – some moms mak...
Jan 26, 2021•43 min
Bert is continuing her conversation on race and opens up about the humbling and awkward conversations she’s having with her kids about racism. Bert explains how she is talking to her kids differently based on what they are seeing from pre-school to tween and why you don’t need to be an expert on race to talk to your kids and acknowledge what they are seeing. Bert invites you to walk on this journey with her and talk about how we can raise the next generation of white children to recognize social...
Jan 19, 2021•18 min
Bert has been dreaming about and wanting just a little bit of alone time since she became a mom. Now it’s happened, the kids are doing their own things - without her. This week Bert is reflecting on the old saying “the days are long, but the years are short” and what it means to finally have that alone time she’s always dreamed of. Bert discusses how being tired as a mom changes from physical to emotional as her children’s needs change from toddlers to teenagers and reminds us all to stop once a...
Jan 12, 2021•17 min
This week Bert discusses where she is at on her very personal journey of racial reconciliation and why it is important to do the hard, ugly work of looking at herself as a white woman of privilege and facing racism head on. Bert address what it means to be a “white savior” in the black community and how white people can really help people of color (Hint: it’s not about just showing up in an emergency). From this episode: TIME magazine - George Floyd’s Death and the Long History of Racism in Minn...
Jan 05, 2021•33 min
Bert is reminded of summers spent with her family growing up in the 90s and compares them to her kids as they spend more time at home this summer. Bert wants to know, with all of the uncertainty surrounding COVID-19, if life is returning to a simpler time and if it is good to let your kids be bored, after all Bert’s mom didn’t entertain her during her long summer days as a kid. Is it good to let your kids be bored?For more information, check out Bert's website: https://bertmanderson.comFrom this...
Dec 15, 2020•17 min
In this week’s episode Bert is opening up about her personal struggles during quarantine and how being an extrovert during lockdown brought her to her lowest point. As moms we often take care of others before ourselves, Bert reminds us to put our oxygen masks on first before we put on oxygen for everyone else. Bert shares her transition from being an always positive person to someone that couldn’t see hope in any situation and how she finally found the help she needs. For more information, check...
Dec 08, 2020•15 min
Associate Professor of Biomedical Engineering at the University of Iowa, and brother-in-law to Bert, Dr. James A. Ankrum is back for the third and final interview on COVID-19 and coronavirus. In this week’s episode Dr. Ankrum is discussing the second (or third) wave of the virus, what we really need to understand about holiday gathering with its risks and the potential vaccines on the horizon in 2021.From this Episode:Dr. James A Ankrum, University of Iowa, Mendeley.com publications, Google Scho...
Dec 01, 2020•59 min
Associate Professor of Biomedical Engineering at the University of Iowa, and brother-in-law to Bert, Dr. James A. Ankrum is back for more on COVID-19 and coronavirus. In this week’s episode Dr. Ankrum is breaking down masks, how to understand the models and charts, coronavirus testing, and transmission in kids and schools.From this Episode:Dr. James A Ankrum, University of Iowa, Mendeley.com publications, Google Scholar publicationsstatnews.comBill Nye the Science Guy doing the mask test91-divoc...
Nov 17, 2020•35 min
Associate Professor of Biomedical Engineering at the University of Iowa, and brother-in-law to Bert, Dr. James A. Ankrum is breaking down the science surrounding COVID-19 and coronavirus. Dr. Ankrum is explaining how to understand the information about vaccines, how clinical trials are performed, and the safety of vaccines being developed. Bert learns about Operation Warp Speed happening at the FDA, and the national security surrounding a stockpile of chicken eggs.For more information, check out...
Nov 12, 2020•39 min
This week’s episode is the season one finale of Me Before Mom! Bert reflects on her first season as a podcast host. The highs, the lows and all the fun in between! And you know Bert wouldn't leave you without a few sage pieces of advice as she heads into the break. Bert is hard at work on Season Two (we promise it won't take a year! - we'll be back before you know it) We'll be keeping you up to date with bonus materials as well. Thank you so much for your support of Me Before Mom. And remember, ...
Mar 03, 2020•7 min
This week on ME BEFORE MOM, Bert shares her own expertise as a professional blogger and practical advice to help you create a stronger Instagram presence. With the growth of social media and how it has changed the way that we live Bert shares her theories about social media plus gives practical advice to help you navigate the development of your online presence. For more information, check out Bert's website: https://bertmanderson.comMatriarch Digital Media (matriarchdm.com) produces this and ot...
Feb 25, 2020•12 min
This week on ME BEFORE MOM, Bert discusses branding. With the growth of social media and how it has changed the way that we live one thing is clear... You are a brand whether you like it or not. Bert shares her own expertise at a professional blogger and early adopter of social media (she had Facebook when .edu(s) were required!) She shares her theories about social media plus gives practical advice to help you navigate the development of your online presence. For more information, check out Ber...
Feb 19, 2020•15 min
This week on ME BEFORE MOM, Bert continues her multi-part series to kick off the new year right! Bert wants to help you find ways to be better and feel better about yourself in 2020. The "Be Better At" series will focus on advice to help you feel and do better. This week, Bert discusses how to have more fun with your kids. It can be challenging to balance all of our daily responsibilities with the needs of our children. But taking the time to enjoy your children's company and make memories with ...
Feb 11, 2020•7 min
This week on ME BEFORE MOM, Bert continues her multi-part series to kick off the new year right! Bert wants to help you find ways to be better and feel better about yourself in 2020. The "Be Better At" series will focus on advice to help you feel and do better. This week, Bert discusses how to be better at Instagram. Bert shares her own expertise at a professional blogger and practical advice to help you create a stronger Instagram presence. For more information, check out Bert's website: https:...
Feb 04, 2020•7 min
This week on ME BEFORE MOM, Bert continues her multi-part series to kick off the new year right! Bert wants to help you find ways to be better and feel better about yourself in 2020. The "Be Better At" series will focus on advice to help you feel and do better. This week, Bert discusses how to support friends who are depressed. Bert shares her own experience and practical advice to help you be a better, more thoughtful and supportive friend to your friends and loved ones living with depression. ...
Jan 28, 2020•5 min
This week on ME BEFORE MOM, Bert continues her multi-part series to kick off the new year right! Bert wants to help you find ways to be better and feel better about yourself in 2020. The "Be Better At" series will focus on advice to help you feel and do better. This week, Bert discusses how to make mom friends in real life. It can be extremely challenging to make new friends as an adult. It can be even harder when you are a mom. Bert shares her own experience and practical steps to help you take...
Jan 21, 2020•6 min
This week on ME BEFORE MOM, Bert starts a brand multi-part series to kick off the new year right! Bert wants to help you find ways to be better and feel better about yourself in 2020. The "Be Better At" series will focus on advice to help you feel and do better. This week, Bert discusses how to find time for yourself. When you put yourself last behind everyone else in your family's needs, no one wins. Bert shares her own experience and practical steps to help you carve out time for yourself. For...
Jan 14, 2020•8 min
This week on ME BEFORE MOM, Bert concludes her multi-part Affirmations series. Mom guilt is real and Bert wants to help you move past it. She discusses the importance of self-affirmations and how implementing them can improve your outlook (including scientific research). Bert will walk you through a series of affirmations and provide explanations for how best to use them. For more information, check out Bert's website: https://bertmanderson.comMatriarch Digital Media (matriarchdm.com) produces t...
Jan 07, 2020•12 min
