I recently reflected on all the things that I chose to do. After writing out my list I was amazed to discover that it was my little, daily choices that built the life that I'm living right now. Not my external circumstances. Not the hard things that are just part of life. But my choices. This was an empowering realization that gives me hope and confidence that I can continue to create a life that I love - and you can too. Lots of encouragement and actionable steps in this weeks episode.
Dec 30, 2020•15 min•Ep 141•Transcript available on Metacast This Christmas season I've been reflecting on how God wants to help me in my life. I share some of my thoughts and insights on this weeks podcast and I hope it gives you hope and something to ponder about in your own life.
Dec 23, 2020•7 min•Ep 140•Transcript available on Metacast Did you know that novelty - new experiences and deviances from our normal routine - is actually a need to live a life with energy and enthusiasm? In this episode we talk about how to harness the power of novelty this holiday season and how to make it part of 2021.
Dec 16, 2020•13 min•Ep 139•Transcript available on Metacast I LOVE habits and routines, but when my schedule is unpredictable and frequently interrupted it has been so hard to make anything stick. This week I'm sharing what I've finally figured out about creating habits when I'm in survival mode and what you can do to have success with your habits when you are in a hard season.
Dec 09, 2020•17 min•Ep 138•Transcript available on Metacast This week I am sharing how to create a holiday season everyone enjoys - including you there! It is possible to have a rejuvenating holiday with your children by taking a few minutes to figure out what you want, what you don't want, and what your limitations are. All the details and our Thanksgiving last week as a case study are in this weeks episode.
Dec 02, 2020•23 min•Ep 137•Transcript available on Metacast At the beginning of October I was waking up to the fact that I've been on autopilot for most of 2020. I've been doing things without much thought to try and keep up and meet needs in every aspect of my life. And I was weary. As I pondered what to do about my situation, the phrase "Simplify to Soar" came to mind. In this weeks episode I share all about what that phrase means to me and what I've done to create space in my life to be able to evaluate how I'm using my time and energy and make the sw...
Nov 25, 2020•18 min•Ep 136•Transcript available on Metacast When I asked the moms at the Create a Life You Love class last week what was the biggest barrier to making their goals happen the majority answered: Exhaustion! After a incredibly unusual year (plus all the other stuff in our personal lives that has nothing to do with the pandemic), we are all feeling a bit tired. But the reality is - I was tired before 2020 (you probably were too). In fact I've been exhausted most of the last seven years since becoming a mom. It's just reality with pregnancies,...
Nov 18, 2020•28 min•Ep 135•Transcript available on Metacast This week I'm sharing our absolute favorite family dinner ritual that turns even the craziest night around. This is a zero prep, major fan favorite that gets everyone running to the table (win!). I started it out of desperation one night and it's stuck around and become something even more wonderful that I could have imagined. Listen to this *short episode and give it a try tonight!
Nov 11, 2020•9 min•Ep 134•Transcript available on Metacast Have you ever felt like you were drowning in clutter and chaos at home? This weeks chat with Steph @the_secret_slob is sure to bring you both validation and encouragement. Steph shares how she was able to apply the @the_flylady system in her own life to develop habits and routines that keep her home clean. But as she points out - it was never about having a clean house. After you listen come share your biggest take-away here in the comments!...
Nov 04, 2020•52 min•Ep 133•Transcript available on Metacast This weeks chat with @elizabethjacox_ is a story of six years of internal struggle shifting from a life in academia researching stem cells to becoming a full time stay at home mom with four young children. It was a major pivot point in her life, and it wasn't until she decided to own that choice that she could let go of feelings of failure and embrace the beautiful life around her. This conversation is sure to both validate the life altering (and maybe slightly traumatic) experience of becoming ...
Oct 28, 2020•44 min•Ep 132•Transcript available on Metacast This weeks conversation with Angela Red Elk is inspiring and eye-opening. Angela shares her perspective as a Native American healing from intergenerational trauma, as well as the importance of knowing who you are and where you fit in the world, and how this has all impacted her motherhood.
Oct 21, 2020•52 min•Ep 131•Transcript available on Metacast Are you a to-do list person? I know they are popular tool for getting things done, but I don't use them. Why? I go into all the reasons in this week's episode along with what I do instead. The result? Clarity, major progress in a small amount of time, ability enjoy spending time my kids instead of feeling interrupted, and I'm able to "get it all" done and have a break. Have a listen today for a simple alternative to the ever growing to-do list! Key Points: Pros of a To-do List: get everything ou...
Oct 14, 2020•14 min•Ep 130•Transcript available on Metacast We all know "doing it all" is a myth. And yet how many of us still drive ourselves to exhaustion trying to check off all the to-dos on our lists? How many of us keep pushing ourselves further than our limits? Well in this episode I share some principles and practices that help me juggle all the needs of my family and many of our wants. And spoiler alert - I don't have it all figured out. BUT I have been around the block a few times of complete burn out and I'm learning to stop myself before I dr...
Oct 07, 2020•31 min•Ep 129•Transcript available on Metacast Do you ever have problems sleeping because your mind is racing? For me it is a sure sign I'm overwhelmed. In this episode I talk about the 5 steps I use to face the overwhelm head on and create space and calm in my brain. Key Points from this Episode: Steps I take when I'm feeling overwhelmed: Recognize that I'm feeling overwhelmed. Usually this means I can't sleep because my mind is racing. Brain dump everything in my head. Either mind map or just write it out in a list. Categorize my brain dum...
Sep 30, 2020•15 min•Ep 128•Transcript available on Metacast This weeks chat with Annie Stoker @annielynnfavoritethings is one that literally had us both in tears. As a young mom with two children, Annie shares how she is proactively working to diminish the effect that anxiety has on her life and the specific things she has been learning. She also shares deeply personal moments where she knows that God has been there strengthening her through the hard time and growing pains of motherhood. This is a powerful conversation that you won't want to miss.
Sep 23, 2020•44 min•Ep 127•Transcript available on Metacast Today I want to share some scripts that will help you advocate for yourself in a couple ways. We'll talk about when you are discovering things about yourself and you need to have discussions with someone you trust as well as how to ask for help. Key Points from this Episode: Step one to having a productive conversation is you learning to become aware of your own thoughts. You don't need a quiet place to start to figure out your thoughts. It can be while you're making lunch or doing other things....
Sep 16, 2020•26 min•Ep 126•Transcript available on Metacast Today I’m talking with Mary Caplin, mother of two and a certified doula. She shares some incredible defining moments in her mothering journey. She talks about paradigm shifts and some sacred moments of grieving through a miscarriage. Key Points from this Episode: Being a mother who is committed is more important than any "accomplishments." Thinking about your commitment to you kids helps you recognize the good that you are doing in your daily life. We can't be perfect 100% of the time, but we ca...
Sep 09, 2020•47 min•Ep 125•Transcript available on Metacast Today I’m talking about what thriving is! What the definitions of it are, how it has evolved over time for me and what it can mean for you. Key Points from this Episode: Thriving used to be this desperate wish that I hoped was possible for me during motherhood. Thriving is all about growing. Think about plants, if they are growing and doing well, we often call it thriving. When things are going well, if you are thriving, you are preparing for future challenges. (Ex: building routines, making fre...
Sep 02, 2020•28 min•Ep 124•Transcript available on Metacast Today I’m talking about why I don't stress about homeschooling and how I do that. There are some very practical tips and some thoughts that I have that help me not totally freak out. Key Points from this Episode: There are going to be interruptions, so plan for them! Make food accessible to all your kids that they can reach and take care of those needs on their own. Keep carrots on the bottom shelf in the fridge. Make triple batches of muffins and keep them in the freezer. Have special toys like...
Aug 26, 2020•35 min•Ep 123•Transcript available on Metacast Today I'm sharing with you some lessons I learned from the last week of pregnancy and the first few weeks of postpartum. Our experiences may be different, but the process is what I want you to focus on with today's episode. That process can be applied to other circumstances in your life (even if it isn't pregnancy)! Key Points from this Episode: The Soul part of Pillars of Thriving (Soul, Scope, & Structure) makes or breaks if you are suffering in misery whether circumstances are great or diffic...
Aug 19, 2020•31 min•Ep 122•Transcript available on Metacast Today I’m talking about the power of actually writing down your morning and evening routines. Finally doing this one little thing has been hugely transformative for my life. Also, I'm sharing big announcements about the Thriving in Motherhood 2021 Planner and the Create a Life You Love founding members beta program experience. Key Points from this Episode: Having the morning routine and evening routine written down help move us along when our brains are not working as effectively as they can be....
Aug 12, 2020•16 min•Ep 121•Transcript available on Metacast Today I’m talking with Tiana Woodbury, mother of two boys. She shares her experiences with her first child having a club foot and what that process has been like for her. She talks about how to live with joy and make her own joy. She shares how she has learned to lower her expectations and love it! Key Points from this Episode: Sometimes life throws you a curve ball and you have to adjust your plans quickly to make the most of the situation. With the help of other moms and doctors you can learn ...
Aug 05, 2020•43 min•Ep 120•Transcript available on Metacast Today I’m sharing with you the very specific steps that I took to prepare for a major life change. This can apply to a new baby, a move, or any other major life change. Key Points from this Episode: Notice your fears and anxieties. Write down thoughts. Create a new road map to work from - have a paradigm shift so you can operate from your circle of influence. Use your personal super powers to solve your problems and create a vision for how things can go. Share that vision with your family and st...
Jul 29, 2020•32 min•Ep 119•Transcript available on Metacast Today I’m talking with Jeni Awerkamp, who was also my first interview back on Episode 1 ! We talk about how things have changed over the past two years and how Jeni has changed her experiences by changing her thoughts. Key Points from this Episode: Give ourselves space and grace when we are in transitional times in our lives. Recognize that we will have more stable times to come. Our thoughts have a huge role in us feeling well. Being able to shift the unhelpful thoughts can change our entire re...
Jul 22, 2020•52 min•Ep 118•Transcript available on Metacast Today I’m talking about our family values. How I came up with them and how we implement them in our household. These help my family catch the vision and the values that help us get to where we want to go. Key Points from this Episode: Core values are unifying and keep our families together heading in the same direction. Turn your values into a family cheer! We try to "catch" the kids living these values and talk about it at dinner together. What we look for, we see more often in our lives! Creat...
Jul 15, 2020•14 min•Ep 117•Transcript available on Metacast Today I’m talking with Jessica Ralston. She's a mother of six, homeschools, and she and her husband both run businesses out of their home. Today she shares her journey of going from a place of chaos and just surviving to taking some intentional steps to regain her personal power and take care of herself and, in turn, create a beautiful life for her family. Key Points from this Episode: The decision of being more intentional with physical health, can lead to being more intentional with other thin...
Jul 08, 2020•47 min•Ep 116•Transcript available on Metacast Today, I'm sharing with you something I've been working on for years, which is the Three Pillars of Thriving and the Three Identities associated with them. This episode explains how you can actually thrive in any season of motherhood. Key Points from this Episode: The struggle between knowing that we are made for motherhood and feeling like it is REALLY hard is where these pillars grew out of. How we're think about life and ourselves is what influences our reality. Take time to notice where you ...
Jul 01, 2020•30 min•Ep 115•Transcript available on Metacast Today, I'm talking with Annette Pimentel. She's a mother of six children and an author of children's non-fiction literature. Today we're talking about how she learned to embrace who she is to be an authentic mother and to use her strengths and talents to create a culture in her home that allows her to fully be her as well as to use her strengths to solve problems. Key Points from this Episode: Knowing the story of why you made a decision during a hard time helps form who you are. Being a mom doe...
Jun 24, 2020•46 min•Ep 114•Transcript available on Metacast It's taken me years to figure out the logistics of creating and maintaining a clean home. Today, I'm taking you through the very practical aspects of how to declutter and how to clean. Key Points from this Episode: Getting rid of things does not equate to having a tidy home space. Creating a home for each thing (read: containers) helps the space feel neater. The Dollar Tree is a great option to find cheap containers. Use containers to help support your habits and routines. Find a routine for a p...
Jun 17, 2020•38 min•Ep 113•Transcript available on Metacast Today I'm talking with Hannah Rust. She's a mother of almost 3 children. We talk about when she realized that she can do things differently than the way she had always done them and differently than the way others have done thing around her. This lead to her decision to live very intentionally. Key Points from this Episode: Choosing an unmedicated and natural birth for her second pregnancy was one of turning point decisions that lead to intentionality. Speak more kindly to yourself! Recognize th...
Jun 10, 2020•57 min•Ep 112•Transcript available on Metacast 
