Explore every episode of the podcast 3 in 30 Takeaways for Moms

Nine years ago this month, I recorded the very first episode of 3 in 30 in my closet, took a deep breath, and pushed publish. That night I celebrated with my husband and our two little kids, never imagining the people I'd get to learn from or the women I'd get to work alongside in the years ahead. Every October I look back on that day with a little bit of awe and a lot of gratitude, and this year I wanted to celebrate the show's birthday in a way that felt especially meaningful to me, by handing the microphone to my team members Emily, Christy, Abby, and Steph, who are each sharing the 3 in 30 episode that has made the biggest difference in her life. What moved me most about their conversation is that none of them expected their episode to be impactful. They came looking for help with their kids, or they almost skipped it altogether, and they walked away having learned something about themselves that shifted how they show up at home. In this episode, you'll hear: 🎂 The praise strategy Christy says felt "a little bit like a con man" at first, and why she still relies on it 🎂 The permission Abby had been giving her kids for years but never gave herself 🎂 Why Steph dreaded editing the episode that ended up staying with her most. If 3 in 30 has made a difference for you, the best birthday gift you could give me is to leave a review on Apple Podcasts telling me which episode stood out and why (I read every single one), and then share that episode with a friend. Thanks for nine years of listening! For full show notes, including takeaways, click here. *** Related Episodes: 026: How to Praise Your Child When It Feels Like There is Nothing to Praise // Tony Overbay 190: Becoming a Less Angry Mom // Natalie Hixson 401: How Radical Gratitude Can Change Your Life // Dr. Tanmeet Sethi 476: How to Deal with Your Stuff So Your Kids Don't Have To // Eli Harwood Episode Sponsors: Quince: Make your fall wardrobe feel easier. Go to Quince.com for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns. Now available in Canada, too. Please tell them we sent you! Ethos: Take 10 minutes to get covered today, with life insurance through Ethos. Get your free quote at Ethos.com/3in30. Application times may vary. Rates may vary. Let's Connect! Join me on Instagram! Get weekly-ish emails with BTS of my life Find Your Magic in Motherhood: Free 3-Day Email Course ***

The power struggles in our home used to be about car seats and leaving the park. Now they're about phones, sleepovers, and YouTube. But whether you're dealing with little kids you can pick up or teenagers who tower over you, the key to handling power struggles is usually the same. When a power struggle starts, it's so tempting to dig in and prove who's in charge. But I've learned that the tighter I grip, the harder my kids pull, especially as they get older and need more room to grow. This week's guest is Denaye Barahona, PhD, child development expert and founder of Simple Families.In this encore conversation, she shares a gentler way through power struggles, one where nobody has to win, and where we can hand over control little by little without losing our connection (and without backing down on the things that matter most!). In this episode, you'll hear: 💜 The one question Denaye asks herself before she digs in because so many of our standoffs turn out to be about our preferences, not our principles 💜 The irony Denaye points out about kids' attention spans because we complain they can't focus while constantly interrupting what they're focused on 💜 The freezing, miserable family ski day that taught Denaye to change her mind, because sometimes the power struggle we most need to let go of is the one we're having with ourselves So here's to loosening our grip a little, and to trusting that handing over power, bit by bit, is part of raising kids who can one day hold the power well. For full show notes, including takeaways, click here. *** Related Episodes: 211: Raising Independent Teens and Tweens // Amy and Margaret from What Fresh Hell Podcast 478: What Every Mom of a Teenager Needs to Hear // Emily Ricks 393: How to Enjoy (Not Just Endure) the Teen Years // Amie Anger, Child & Family Therapist, LCSW   Episode Sponsors: BetterHelp: 3 in 30 Takeaways for Moms is sponsored by BetterHelp. Go to betterhelp.com/3in30 to get 10% off your first month of online therapy. Quince: Make your fall wardrobe feel easier. Go to Quince.com for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns. Now available in Canada, too. Please tell them we sent you! Ethos: Take 10 minutes to get covered today, with life insurance through Ethos. Get your free quote at Ethos.com/3in30. Application times may vary. Rates may vary. Let's Connect! Join me on Instagram! Get weekly-ish emails with BTS of my life Find Your Magic in Motherhood: Free 3-Day Email Course ***

The first time my therapist asked me to picture "little Rachel" on the playground, glasses and all, and offer her the comfort she needed, I thought it sounded so woo-woo. I went along with it, but I was skeptical that imagining my younger self could change anything about how I feel today. What I didn't know then is that there's real science behind exercises like that one. Our sense of worth is built on our memories, and researchers are finding that when we revisit those memories in the right way, we can actually change how they're stored in the brain.This week's guest is Dr. Marisa G. Franco, psychologist and author of Worth: The New Science of Self-Esteem and Secure Attachment. She explains that even though low self-esteem can feel permanent, the truth is much more hopeful: self-worth is a skill, and there are simple, research-backed practices that can help you build it at any age. In this episode, you'll learn: 🧠 Why love and success can actually feel threatening when your self-esteem is low (hint: they don't fit the story you've been telling yourself about who you are) 🧠 The ordinary childhood memory (involving soccer practice pickup) that shaped how Marisa felt every time someone ran late, and what shifted once she revisited it as her adult self 🧠 What Tetris has to do with softening painful memoriesIf you've spent years assuming that the way you feel about yourself is just who you are, I hope this conversation shows you that it can change, one memory and one moment of self-kindness at a time. For full show notes, including takeaways, click here. *** Related Episodes: 433: Making Friends as a Mom: Why It's Hard—and How to Do It Anyway // Dr. Marisa G. Franco 386: Raising Securely Attached Kids // Eli Harwood 245: You're Exactly Where You Need to Be // Alison Faulkner   Episode Sponsors: Tushy: For a limited time, our listeners get 10% off their first bidet order when you go to hellotushy.com and use code 3in30 at checkout. Quince: Make your summer wardrobe feel easier. Go to Quince.com/3in30 for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns. Now available in Canada, too. Zenni: Go to zenni.com/podcast and use code PODCAST15 for fifteen percent off your first order, plus free shipping on all US orders over sixty five dollars. Rebel⁠: Brand names you actually want in home, baby, and outdoor at up to 70% off. Go to ⁠fromrebel.com⁠. ⁠Ethos⁠: Take 10 minutes to get covered today, with life insurance through Ethos. Get your free quote at ⁠Ethos.com/3in30⁠ Application times may vary. Rates may vary. Let's Connect! Join me on Instagram! Get weekly-ish emails with BTS of my life Find Your Magic in Motherhood: Free 3-Day Email Course ***

When I interviewed Shawnee for this episode, I had to chuckle, because one of the things she listed as soul-care was volunteering for her kids' PTO. As an introvert, I think of the PTO as the classic example of something moms finally learn to say no to, so seeing it on her list of things that fill her up was the perfect reminder that there's no single right way to be a good mom.   That's the heart of the Self-Assured Motherhood Program. I'm not here to tell you what kind of mom to be. I'm here to help you figure out who you already are, what you need to thrive, and how to love your people in a way that's truly yours.This week's guest is Shawnee Burt, a SAM alum and mom of four who shares one takeaway from each of the three SAM pillars. If you've ever felt guilty for loving the parts of motherhood that other moms skip, or for needing time that's just for you, this conversation will give you permission to stop apologizing and start enjoying the mom you are. In this episode, you'll hear: 💜 The strengths night Shawnee threw for her friends, the "Bosom Beavers," after spending time digging into her own strengths, and why a few tears were shed 💜 The Alice in Wonderland party Shawnee spent weeks preparing for, and why she no longer feels guilty about it (even though her husband is convinced their house will never recover) 💜 The whiteboard calendar in Shawnee's hallway, and why Mom gets her own color on it Whether you're a mom who goes all out for birthdays or one who'd rather keep things quiet and connected, I hope this episode reminds you that your strengths make you the best mom for your kids. For full show notes, including takeaways, click here. *** Announcements: 🌟 Enrollment for the Self-Assured Motherhood Program closes Tuesday, September 22, at midnight MT! This is the last year I'll teach SAM in its current format. Classes begin October 1st. I hope you'll join me! Enroll at selfassuredmotherhood.com. Related Episodes: 502: 3 Principles that Carried Me Through a Really Difficult Summer 495: Celebrate Your Strengths // Back-to-School Check-In for Moms #2 436: Embrace the Mom You Are—Not the One You Think You Should Be // Julie Bastedo Episode Sponsors: BetterHelp: 3 in 30 Takeaways for Moms is sponsored by BetterHelp. Go to betterhelp.com/3in30 to get 10% off your first month of online therapy. Quince: Make your summer wardrobe feel easier. Go to Quince.com/3in30 for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns. Now available in Canada, too. Zenni: Go to zenni.com/podcast and use code PODCAST15 for fifteen percent off your first order, plus free shipping on all US orders over sixty five dollars. Rebel: Brand names you actually want in home, baby, and outdoor at up to 70% off. Go to fromrebel.com. Ethos: Take 10 minutes to get covered today, with life insurance through Ethos. Get your free quote at Ethos.com/3in30 Application times may vary. Rates may vary. Let's Connect! Join me on Instagram! Get weekly-ish emails with BTS of my life Find Your Magic in Motherhood: Free 3-Day Email Course ***

A few weeks ago, I wasn't sure I was going to open enrollment for my Self-Assured Motherhood Program this year. Of all the work I do, SAM is where I feel like I'm making the biggest difference, but I honestly didn't know if I had it in me. My brother-in-law Logan died unexpectedly this summer, at 44 years old, and I spent most of the season at my sister's house doing dishes, walking the dog, and sitting with her in her sadness. I barely worked at all, which was exactly how it needed to be. But when my kids went back to school and I thought about gearing myself up for another enrollment period for SAM, everything in me said no. In the middle of that much loss, it was honestly hard to remember why any of my work even matters. What changed my mind was a journaling session. As I wrote about my summer, I could see that the SAM principles had been holding me up in my deep grief, and I hadn't noticed it happening while it was happening. That's what today's episode is about, because these principles aren't only useful in the seasons when you have the energy to become a little more intentional or a little more confident. The longer you practice them, they become what you default to when you're going through really difficult times. Today I'm walking through the first three principles of the SAM framework and how each one showed up for me during an excruciating summer. In this episode, you'll hear: 💜 What was taped to the wall behind my sister's desk since 2022, and how it ended up in Logan's obituary 💜 The one thing I never did, not once, in a whole month of caring for a grieving family 💜 Why I canceled a signed contract on our house in late July These experiences are deeply personal to me, but I really do believe they're universal in application, because when you know yourself and honor your needs, you can better love and support your people. That's the whole heart of SAM, and I'd love to spend this year walking through it with a new group of women. For full show notes, including takeaways, click here. *** Announcements: ✨ Enrollment for the Self-Assured Motherhood program is open through Tuesday, September 22nd, and it only opens once a year. Classes start October 1st. All the details are at 3in30podcast.com/sam. ✨ Still deciding? Join me for a free preview class on Tuesday, September 15th or Friday, September 18th at 10:30 a.m. MT. Sign up at 3in30podcast.com/freeclass, and I'll send the replay if you can't make it live. ✨ Logan's full life sketch is on my sister's blog Related Episodes: 484: In Memory of Logan McKenna: A Conversation with my Beloved Brother-in-Law 448: Join Our Team! A Word from our SAM Sisters 316: Considering the SAM Program? You MUST listen to this. Episode Sponsors: BetterHelp: 3 in 30 Takeaways for Moms is sponsored by BetterHelp. Go to betterhelp.com/3in30 to get 10% off your first month of online therapy. Quince: Make your summer wardrobe feel easier. Go to Quince.com/3in30 for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns. Now available in Canada, too. Zenni: Go to zenni.com/podcast and use code PODCAST15 for fifteen percent off your first order, plus free shipping on all US orders over sixty five dollars. Rebel: Brand names you actually want in home, baby, and outdoor at up to 70% off. Go to fromrebel.com. Let's Connect! Join me on Instagram! Get weekly-ish emails with BTS of my life Find Your Magic in Motherhood: Free 3-Day Email Course ***

The sign-ups have started coming in. Fall sports, piano, dance, school plays – it's a lot. And while we know we want our kids to be involved in things so they can thrive, too often we're left burned out and... not thriving. It's easy to assume the problem is the number of activities, and that the fix is to cut something. And sometimes it is. But a lot of the time, the schedule isn't actually the thing making us feel resentful or burned out or exhausted, and cutting out activites won't necessarily touch what's really going on. This week's guest is Meesha Slade, a mom of three busy kids, and she goes underneath the scheduling question, to the question I think we are actually asking, which is, "How do I do this in a way that doesn't cost me myself?" In this episode, you'll hear: 🚗 The brain dump Meesha did while sitting outside her son's TaeKwonDo class, and what showed up on the page that helped her resentment start to lift 🚗 The two hours Meesha spent stewing in a Scout room, and the boundary she set that night that has held ever since 🚗 Why Meesha's daughter was willing to join the swim team but refused to compete in a single meet for three years, and why Meesha decided to accept it This episode isn't going to tell you the right number of activities for your family, because there isn't one. Instead, you'll walk away with more confidence to know what's best for your family during this season so that each person in your family can thrive, including you. For full show notes, including takeaways, click here. *** Announcements: If this episode has you thinking that you'd like to get clearer on what actually matters to you, I'm teaching a free class called How to Show Up More Like the Mom You Want to Be Every Day (Give or Take a Few), offered twice: Tuesday, September 15th and Friday, September 18th, both at 10:30 am MST. In one hour, I'll walk you through the same kind of exercise that helped Meesha see her values on paper. Save your spot at 3in30podcast.com/freeclass. Related Episodes: 494: Voice Your Values // The Back-to-School Check-In for Moms #1 473: Three Things That Help Me Stay Sane During Busy, Overwhelming Seasons 375: 3 Ways Voicing Your Values will Help Lighten your Mental Load // Rachel Nielson on the Happy Mom Summit Episode Sponsors: Quince: Make your summer wardrobe feel easier. Go to Quince.com/3in30 for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns. Now available in Canada, too. Zenni: Go to zenni.com/podcast and use code PODCAST15 for fifteen percent off your first order, plus free shipping on all US orders over sixty five dollars. Rebel: Brand names you actually want in home, baby, and outdoor at up to 70% off. Go to fromrebel.com. Let's Connect! Join me on Instagram! Get weekly-ish emails with BTS of my life Find Your Magic in Motherhood: Free 3-Day Email Course ***

Consistency has never come easily to me. I'm a scattered creative, I have ADHD, and I have struggled with routines and habits for pretty much my whole life. For years I assumed that meant something was wrong with me, and I felt like it was my fault that I couldn't stay consistent with anything. But this week's guest, Monica Packer, has changed how I feel about habit-building. Monica hosts the podcast About Progress, she recently wrote the book Sticky Habits, and she's one of my best friends in real life. She has spent a decade teaching women to build habits in a way that is compassionate and realistic for busy moms. She gave me a new definition of consistency in this conversation, and it is the first one that has ever made habit-building feel possible for someone like me. In this episode, you'll learn: 🫶 The research on invisible labor that explains why habit advice written for men keeps failing you 🫶 Why our insistence on doing it perfectly is the very thing keeping us from staying consistent 🫶 What Monica did to make the habit of going to bed at a good time stick, even though she hates it If you've been feeling the pull to reset all of your routines and create a bunch of new habits this back-to-school season, I hope this episode can help you do so in a way that's supportive and compassionate. For full show notes, including takeaways, click here. *** Announcements: ✨ Sign-ups just opened for a brand new free masterclass I'm teaching: How to Show Up More Like the Mom You Want to Be Every Day (give or take a few 😉). I'll be teaching one tool, not a fancy system or a huge overhaul. I'm teaching it live on Tuesday, September 15th and Friday, September 18th, both at 10:30 a.m. MT. Save your spot here! ✨ Monica's book, Sticky Habits: A Woman's Guide to Reclaim Happiness, Ditch Perfectionism, and Create Habits That Last, comes out September 8th. If you pre-order at stickyhabitsbook.com, then you're invited to the virtual launch party on September 8th, which I am co-hosting. Come join!   Related Episodes: 267: How to Stop Procrastinating in the New Year // Monica Packer 214: Simple Tips to Create New Habits in the New Year // BJ Fogg 269: How to Create a Morning Routine that will Last // Sara Dean Episode Sponsors: Quince: Make your summer wardrobe feel easier. Go to Quince.com/3in30 for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns. Now available in Canada, too. K12 Powered Schools: See how K12 Powered Schools can help unlock your child's full potential. Enroll online today at K12.com/3in30. Zenni: Go to zenni.com/podcast and use code PODCAST15 for fifteen percent off your first order, plus free shipping on all US orders over sixty five dollars. Let's Connect! Join me on Instagram! Get weekly-ish emails with BTS of my life Find Your Magic in Motherhood: Free 3-Day Email Course ***

My instinct, when one of my kids is struggling, is to solve it, save them from it, or to worry about it so intensely that the worrying becomes consuming. These instincts are natural because I love my kids so much, and I hate to see them in pain. But they also don't work, at least not very effectively. Our children need to experience hard things in order to grow, and the most useful thing I can do, as their mom, is to walk beside them, listen to their big emotions, and help them find resources. It doesn't come as instinctually because it's a slower process, but it's what they really need when they're going through something hard. This is the sixth and final episode in my back-to-school check-in series for moms, six short episodes walking you through the six principles of self-assured motherhood, each one with a concrete way to assess how you're actually doing. Today's principle is Support Their Struggles, and I picked that verb over solve, or save, or shame, because supporting means being with your child in the hard thing rather than lifting them out of it. In this episode, you'll hear: 🤍 The list I have moms make in my program that helps them know where to start in supporting their children 🤍 What happened when I first started to suspect one of my kids had ADHD, and how I worked through the overwhelm of getting started 🤍 The green, yellow, and red descriptions for this principle, so you can name where you actually are right now without turning it into one more thing you're failing at Whatever your child is carrying, you can be a steady presence beside them without picking it up and carrying it yourself, and that steadiness will mean more to them than any solution you could hand over. This is slow work; it's hard work, and it matters so much. For full show notes, including takeaways, click here. *** Announcements: Take the free self-assured motherhood quiz at 3in30podcast.com/quiz to see how you're doing across all six principles, and you'll get a discount code when enrollment opens on September 14th.   Related Episodes: 420: How to Best Support a Neurodivergent Child // Kim Gameroz 448: Join Our Team! A Word from our SAM Sisters 399: When Your Teen Struggles with Friends // Brooke Romney Episode Sponsors: Quince: Make your summer wardrobe feel easier. Go to Quince.com/3in30 for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns. Now available in Canada, too. K12 Powered Schools: See how K12 Powered Schools can help unlock your child's full potential. Enroll online today at K12.com/3in30. Zenni: Go to zenni.com/podcast and use code PODCAST15 for fifteen percent off your first order, plus free shipping on all US orders over sixty five dollars. Let's Connect! Join me on Instagram! Get weekly-ish emails with BTS of my life Find Your Magic in Motherhood: Free 3-Day Email Course ***

What you look for, you will find. I have believed that about motherhood for a long time now, long enough that I built a whole journal around the idea, and I have heard from hundreds of mothers who have had the same experience. They weren't finding more good because their children had suddenly changed. They were finding more good because they had started looking for it. That is the whole heart of today's principle, and I love teaching it because it is such a happy way to parent. It makes you feel like a good mom. It reminds you that your kids are awesome, even on the days they are hard. And it gives you hope that all of this work you are doing is worth it, and that it is working. This is the fifth episode in my back-to-school check-in series for moms, six short episodes walking you through the six principles of Self-Assured Motherhood, each one with a concrete way to assess how you're actually doing. Today's principle is Gather the Good, and we're talking about it specifically in the context of noticing and calling out the good in our children. When you start naming the good out loud, something lovely begins to happen. Your child starts to believe that story about who they are, and then they start behaving in ways that support it, which gives you more good to notice, which gives them more reason to believe it. It's a beautiful cycle, and it can start with one sentence said within earshot at the dinner table. In this episode, you'll hear: ✨ The two sentences I say out loud about my kids when I know they can hear me, and why I'm not doing it to get them to behave ✨ Why the child who is hardest to praise is usually the one who needs it most, and what to do when that's the season you're in ✨ The green, yellow, and red descriptions for this principle, so you can figure out where you actually are right now, before the school year gets loud There is so much good happening in your home already, and I hope this is the school year you get to spend more of your energy finding it. For full show notes, including takeaways, click here. *** Announcements: ✨ Want to know how you're really doing across all six principles of self-assured motherhood? Take my free quiz. You'll get a clear picture of where you're thriving and where you could use some support, and you'll be added to the info list for my Self-Assured Motherhood program, which opens for enrollment on September 14th with a special discount for quiz-takers. ✨ If you're looking for a concrete daily practice for this principle, the Flecks of Gold Journal is the perfect tool to help. Related Episodes: 447: What Parents in Disney Movies Got Wrong 304: Motherhood is hard. This helps. 158: Creating Golden Moments with Teenagers // Saren Eyre Loosli of Power of Families Episode Sponsors: Quince: Make your summer wardrobe feel easier. Go to Quince.com/3in30 for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns. Now available in Canada, too. K12 Powered Schools: See how K12 Powered Schools can help unlock your child's full potential. Enroll online today at K12.com/3in30. Zenni: Go to zenni.com/podcast and use code PODCAST15 for fifteen percent off your first order, plus free shipping on all US orders over sixty five dollars. Let's Connect! Join me on Instagram! Get weekly-ish emails with BTS of my life Find Your Magic in Motherhood: Free 3-Day Email Course ***

I have a confession. Of the six principles I teach in Self-Assured Motherhood, soul-care is the one where I'm still not where I want to be. I've taken good care of my mind and my spirit over the years, but when work gets busy, the first things to go are exercise, sleep, and eating well, and I'm starting to feel the cost of that in my body as I get older. I say soul-care rather than self-care on purpose. Self-care has gotten a bad rap over the last few years, and I understand why. It has come to sound like bubble baths and expensive skin care, which can be an overwhelming (and not always helpful) thing to hand a woman who is truly worn out and struggling. A soul is body, mind, and spirit together, and caring for all three is a much bigger and more useful thing to talk about. This is day four of the Back-to-School Check-In for Moms, a six-part series walking through each principle of the Self-Assured Motherhood framework, one short episode at a time. Caring for your soul can be bubble baths, but it can also be eating regular meals, and scheduling your mammogram. It can be learning something interesting, and it can be making sure to schedule a much needed nap. Soul-care is how we make sure we have the energy and bandwidth we need to take care of those we love and thrive in our lives. In this episode you'll hear: 🤍 The story of 33 men trapped underground for 69 days, and the warning the mountain had been giving for months before anyone stopped to listen 🤍 A question one of my SAM students asks about childcare that will change the way the phrase "self-care" sounds to you 🤍 The green, yellow, red assessment for this principle, and the color I had to give myself If something in you has been asking for attention for a while now, I hope this short episode will give you permission to listen. You deserve to be taken care of, just like everyone else in your life. For full show notes, including takeaways, click here. *** Announcements: Take the free Self-Assured Motherhood quiz at 3in30podcast.com/quiz to see how you're doing across all six principles. Quiz-takers get a discount when enrollment opens on September 14th.    Related Episodes: 438: How Soul-Care Can Help You Enjoy Motherhood More: Real Stories from Moms Like You // SAM Sisters 441: The 4 Types of Self-Care Every Mom Needs // Mia Hemstad 320: Making Space for Self-Care: It Might Not Be As Hard As You Think // Dr. Nicole Sparks Episode Sponsors: AirDoctor: Head to AirDoctorPro.com and use promo code 3IN30 to get $250 off select AirDoctor air purifiers, including the 3500, 4000, and 5500 models. Quince: Make your summer wardrobe feel easier. Go to Quince.com/3in30 for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns. Now available in Canada, too. K12 Powered Schools: See how K12 Powered Schools can help unlock your child's full potential. Enroll online today at K12.com/3in30. Zenni: Go to zenni.com/podcast and use code PODCAST15 for fifteen percent off your first order, plus free shipping on all US orders over sixty five dollars. Let's Connect! Join me on Instagram! Get weekly-ish emails with BTS of my life Find Your Magic in Motherhood: Free 3-Day Email Course ***

After years and years of therapy, I have gotten pretty good at setting boundaries with almost everyone in my life. My weakest area, by far, is my own children. I'm a softie, and it is very difficult for me to let my kids be unhappy and not immediately try to resolve it. That instinct comes from something real, because connection with my children is one of my true strengths and I lean into it on purpose, but it can tip over into permissiveness pretty easily. And since I work from home, the line between when I'm mom and when I'm working has stayed blurry for years, which means I have been frustrated with my kids for interrupting me when I was never clear or consistent with them in the first place about when they could and could not come in. This is the third episode in my back-to-school check-in series for moms, six short episodes walking you through the six principles of self-assured motherhood, each one with a concrete way to assess how you're actually doing. Today's principle is Balance Your Boundaries, and because boundaries have become such a buzzword, I want to take us back to a simple definition of what they are and what they are not. Boundaries are what you will do to honor your needs, not what you expect other people to do. Which means the whole thing gets a lot simpler, because it stops depending on anyone else cooperating. In this episode, you'll hear: 💜 A recording I made by accident that I decided to play for you, even though it is not my finest moment as a mom 💜 The image a counselor gave me years ago that I come back to every single time I feel guilty about holding a limit 💜 The sign I'm putting on my office door to help me, and what I'll do the first time on of my kids ignores it Being unboundaried can feel like the loving choice, but it so rarely is. I hope this school year is the one where your boundaries start to feel like an act of love, because that is exactly what they are. For full show notes, including takeaways, click here. *** Announcements: Want to know how you're really doing across all six principles of self-assured motherhood? Take the free interactive quiz at 3in30podcast.com/quiz. You'll get a clear picture of where you're thriving and where you could use more support, and you'll be added to the info list for my Self-Assured Motherhood program, which opens for enrollment on September 14th with a special discount for quiz-takers. Related Episodes: 445: How to Set Boundaries without Damaging Relationships // Rachel on Happy Mom Summit 437: Boundaries and Emotional Resilience in Motherhood // Dr. Jen Riday 251: How to Set Boundaries with your Children // Stacey Collins Episode Sponsors: Quince: Make your summer wardrobe feel easier. Go to Quince.com/3in30 for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns. Now available in Canada, too. K12 Powered Schools: See how K12 Powered Schools can help unlock your child's full potential. Enroll online today at K12.com/3in30. Zenni: Go to zenni.com/podcast and use code PODCAST15 for fifteen percent off your first order, plus free shipping on all US orders over sixty five dollars. Let's Connect! Join me on Instagram! Get weekly-ish emails with BTS of my life Find Your Magic in Motherhood: Free 3-Day Email Course ***

I have spent so much time, energy, and money over the years trying to get good at the things I am simply not good at. Routines are my big one. I am not great at keeping our home organized and running on any kind of rhythm, and there have been whole seasons where I decided that fixing that about myself was the most important work I could possibly be doing. Now, there's nothing wrong with striving to be better, and I am fully on board with growth, but we all have a finite amount of energy, and every hour I spend hyper-focusing on a weakness is an hour I don't get to spend magnifying the things that make me who I am. This is the second episode in my back-to-school check-in series for moms, six short episodes walking you through the six principles of self-assured motherhood, each one with a concrete way to assess how you're actually doing. Today's principle is Celebrate Your Strengths, and I love teaching about this because I love giving every woman permission to acknowledge and celebrate her innate gifts and strengths. When you stop trying to be a well-rounded version of everyone else and start leaning into what you naturally do well, your growth in that area becomes exponential, your joy goes up, and your family gets the very best of you instead of a watered-down imitation of somebody else's mothering. In this episode, you'll hear: 💛 The Olympic gymnast who competed in exactly one event, and why his coaches wanted it that way 💛 A question about baseball from a Harvard Business Review article that I share with every woman in my Self-Assured Motherhood program 💛 The answer one of my kids gave in the car one summer that made me so grateful I had leaned into my strength that day instead of apologizing for everything I'm not You have gifts that nobody else can bring to your family in quite the way you can, and I hope this school year is the one where you spend your energy magnifying those, rather than apologizing for all the rest. For full show notes, including takeaways, click here. *** Announcements: Want to know how you're doing across all six principles of self-assured motherhood? Take the free interactive quiz at 3in30podcast.com/quiz. You'll get a clear picture of where you're thriving and where you could use more support, and you'll be added to the info list for my Self-Assured Motherhood program, which opens for enrollment on September 14th with a special discount for quiz-takers. Related Episodes: 436: Embrace the Mom You Are—Not the One You Think You Should Be // Julie Bastedo 315: A Word from our SAM Sisters 314: How to Feel like Yourself in Motherhood // Aleisha McKean Episode Sponsors: Quince: Make your summer wardrobe feel easier. Go to Quince.com/3in30 for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns. Now available in Canada, too. K12 Powered Schools: See how K12 Powered Schools can help unlock your child's full potential. Enroll online today at K12.com/3in30. Zenni: Go to zenni.com/podcast and use code PODCAST15 for fifteen percent off your first order, plus free shipping on all US orders over sixty five dollars. Let's Connect! Join me on Instagram! Get weekly-ish emails with BTS of my life Find Your Magic in Motherhood: Free 3-Day Email Course ***

It's back-to-school season, and our kids are about to be assessed on their reading, their math, and their writing. But what if we gave ourselves an assessment for how we're doing as moms? (And I don't mean a test involving balancing equations... I would rather not know my score for that. 😬) Instead, we can assess ourselves on our emotional wellbeing, because that affects everything about motherhood. And so I've created a mini series to give us exactly that.In this mini series, there will be six short episodes that walk you through each of my six principles of Self-Assured Motherhood. These are the six areas that make the biggest difference in your joy, your peace, and your emotional wellbeing, and knowing where you stand in each one shows you where you're already doing well and where you could use more support. Today, we are starting with my first principle: Voice Your Values. This is my favorite principle in the framework, and the one I put first because everything else rests on it. In this episode you'll hear: ✨ The two dictionary definitions of "values," and which definition we're talking about here. ✨ The five cards my husband handed me during a values activity at a couples retreat, because they explained a dream of his that had been a mystery to me for years. ✨ The green, yellow, and red definitions I read straight from my workbook, so you can figure out which one describes you right now. You can take my free self-assessment to see exactly where you stand in all six areas — go to 3in30podcast.com/quiz or click the link in the show notes. As you head into the back-to-school season with your kids, I hope you'll take some time to assess where you're at in your own growth and happiness. These six principles are a great place to start. For full show notes, including takeaways, click here. *** Announcements: Enrollment for the Self-Assured Motherhood Program opens September 14th. Take our Quiz and you will be added to the info list, so you will hear first when the doors open. Related Episodes: 375: 3 Ways Voicing Your Values will Help Lighten your Mental Load // Rachel Nielson on the Happy Mom Summit 388: What a Spaghetti Dinner Taught Me About Teaching // 3 Reasons the SAM Program REALLY Works 389: I'm a Seasoned Mom. Is SAM for me? // Wanda Opitz, SAM Alumni Podcast Sponsors: Quince: Make your summer wardrobe feel easier. Go to Quince.com/3in30 for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns. Now available in Canada, too. K12 Powered Schools: See how K12 Powered Schools can help unlock your child's full potential. Enroll online today at K12.com/3in30. Zenni: Go to zenni.com/podcast and use code PODCAST15 for fifteen percent off your first order, plus free shipping on all US orders over sixty five dollars. Let's Connect! Join me on Instagram! Get weekly-ish emails with BTS of my life Find Your Magic in Motherhood: Free 3-Day Email Course ***

I have never been much of a meditator. Sitting cross-legged on my bedroom floor, waiting for my brain to go quiet, has never once worked for me. I'm too in my head, too cerebral, too prone to just thinking harder instead of actually feeling calmer. So when I recorded this episode, I wasn't expecting to walk away from it more relaxed than I've felt in weeks. But that's exactly what happened.This week's guest is Layne Burkette, a licensed therapist who specializes in somatic and nervous system work.If you're heading into back-to-school season already feeling the overwhelm creep in, this conversation will give you real tools, not one more thing to add to your plate. In this episode, you'll hear: 🌿 A sixty-second practice you can do standing at the sink, in the carpool line, or anywhere else your day already has you 🌿 The one sentence that reframes everything about why you snap before you even realize you're upset 🌿 The moment Layne had me try something I've avoided my entire life (and why it actually worked) For full show notes, including takeaways, click here. *** Announcements: FREE RESET: Feel Calm in Minutes by accessing Layne's quick nervous system resets. Related Episodes: 129: Rethinking Meditation as a Busy Mom // Dr. Leah Weiss 483: Types of Support that Every Mom Needs 407: A Two-Minute Daily Practice to Transform Your Mental Health Episode Sponsors: AirDoctor: Head to AirDoctorPro.com and use promo code 3IN30 to get $250 off select AirDoctor air purifiers, including the 3500, 4000, and 5500 models. Quince: Make your summer wardrobe feel easier. Go to Quince.com/3in30 for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns. Now available in Canada, too. K12 Powered Schools: See how K12 Powered Schools can help unlock your child's full potential. Enroll online today at K12.com/3in30. Zenni: Go to zenni.com/podcast and use code PODCAST15 for fifteen percent off your first order, plus free shipping on all US orders over sixty five dollars. Let's Connect! Join me on Instagram! Get weekly-ish emails with BTS of my life Find Your Magic in Motherhood: Free 3-Day Email Course ***

If the back-to-school season is already creeping up on you (the supply lists, the new routines, the mental math of who needs to be where and when), you are not the only mom feeling that low hum of stress. Every year it sneaks up faster than I expect it to, and every year I tell myself this is the year I'll feel ready. And... I never quite do. (Maybe you can relate! 😆) So today I'm handing the mic to three of my favorite people to talk this through with: Abby, our Finance Director, Emily, our Marketing Director, and Christy, our Operations Director. Each of them is going to walk us through how one of their core values is shaping a real decision or mindset shift they're making this back-to-school season. These aren't Pinterest-perfect systems, but they are an honest look at what's actually working for them right now. Whatever season of motherhood you're in, however many kids or what ages, there's a good chance one of their stories will feel a little like your own, and might just help you lead this season with more intention and a lot more peace. Some of what you'll hear includes: 🍎 Why Abby decided she's done fighting her kids over Chromebooks, and what she's trying instead 🍎 The "black trash bag energy" Emily admits she brings to every new school year (and why she's doing something different this time) 🍎 The line Christy's mom used on her as a kid that she still thinks about decades later For full show notes, including takeaways, click here. *** Announcements: If this conversation has you wondering what your own core values actually are, our Self-Assured Motherhood quiz is a great place to start. It only takes a couple of minutes and gives you a real starting point for where to focus your energy this season. Take it at 3in30podcast.com/quiz. Related Episodes: 478: What Every Mom of a Teenager Needs to Hear // Emily Ricks 449: 3 Simple Strategies to Prevent After-School Meltdowns // Alyssa Blask Campbell 306: Creating Back-to-School Routines for a Smooth Transition // Mika Perry Podcast Sponsors: BetterHelp: 3 in 30 Takeaways for Moms is sponsored by BetterHelp. Go to betterhelp.com/3in30 to get 10% off your first month of online therapy. Quince: Make your summer wardrobe feel easier. Go to Quince.com/3in30 for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns. Now available in Canada, too. K12 Powered Schools: See how K12 Powered Schools can help unlock your child's full potential. Enroll online today at K12.com/3in30. Zenni: Go to zenni.com/podcast and use code PODCAST15 for fifteen percent off your first order, plus free shipping on all US orders over sixty five dollars. Let's Connect! Join me on Instagram! Get weekly-ish emails with BTS of my life Find Your Magic in Motherhood: Free 3-Day Email Course ***

With back-to-school season right around the corner, I keep thinking about a moment from my own high school years – a moment so small I barely registered it at the time. I noticed a kid sitting alone, stuck out my hand, and said hi. That was it. What I didn't know was that it would change his life, and honestly, mine too. This is a re-air of one of my favorite episodes from the archives, originally recorded as an interview I did on the podcast Becoming for Teens. I'm bringing it back now because our schools need more kids brave enough to look up, reach out, and make someone feel like they belong. And the truth is, so do our communities. You'll come away from this one thinking about: 💜 The letter Brian wrote me at graduation, and what he said about that first handshake 💜 Why the kindest thing you can do might feel awkward or forced at first (and why that's okay) 💜 The small but specific things teens (and moms!) can do to make someone feel seen This episode is worth listening to with your kids on a family night, in the car, or anytime when they're a captive audience. I think it'll spark a conversation you'll both remember. For full show notes, including takeaways, click here. *** Announcement: Take the free Self-Assured Motherhood Quiz — it walks you through six key areas of motherhood and shows you where you're already doing well and where you could use a little more support. It takes about three minutes.   Related Episodes: 445: How to Set Boundaries without Damaging Relationships // Rachel on Happy Mom Summit 429: How Ordinary Moms Can Make a Difference // Sharon McMahon 419: 3 Things Moms of Children with Disabilities Want You to Know // Katie Blackburn   Episode Sponsors: AirDoctor: Head to AirDoctorPro.com and use promo code 3IN30 to get $250 off select AirDoctor air purifiers, including the 3500, 4000, and 5500 models. Quince: Make your summer wardrobe feel easier. Go to Quince.com/3in30 for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns. Now available in Canada, too. Fodzyme (KiwiBiosciences): We're so excited to partner with Fodzyme and offer you 30% off your first order when you go to ICanEatAgain.com/3IN30. Finally, you can enjoy your favorite foods without the pain. K12 Powered Schools: See how K12 Powered Schools can help unlock your child's full potential. Enroll online today at K12.com/3in30. Let's Connect! Join me on Instagram! Get weekly-ish emails with BTS of my life Find Your Magic in Motherhood: Free 3-Day Email Course ***

Lately, my kids have been watching a lot of TV. More than I'd like to admit. And for a while, I let myself spiral about it. What kind of mom lets her kids zone out on screens all day? What is that doing to them? But then I caught myself, because I've learned that there's a difference between self-confronting and shame-spiraling. And, once I stopped the shame-spiral, I reminded myself that our family is going through a hard time right now, and if some extra screens are going to support us through it, that's not the end of the world. What our home needs most right now is compassion. My kids need an extra dose of compassion, and so do I. That's what gets us through hard times. This week's episode is a recording from a small group coaching call I did back in 2019, with about twenty women who were in the thick of hard seasons with their kids. We talk about how to support your kids through struggles, and how you can support yourself, too. In this episode, you'll hear: 💜 What one woman in the group said about being grateful she had a really hard firstborn 💜 Why one mom realized that worrying about what her in-laws thought of her parenting was actually getting in the way of what her kids needed most 💜 The concept of "shark music," and how the soundtrack playing in your head during your kid's meltdown might be making everything harder than it has to be If you or your kids are in a hard season right now, I hope this episode can give you some support. For full show notes, including takeaways, click here. *** Announcements: Wondering where to start on your journey to Self-Assured Motherhood? We created a free three-minute assessment at 3in30podcast.com/quiz that shows you exactly where you are across all six principles, including Support Their Struggles, the principle at the heart of this episode. Related Episodes: 357: Tips for Staying Calm During Your Big Kid's Big Meltdowns // Cheryl Cardall 440: Tools for Parenting a "Spicy" Child // Mary Van Geffen 449: 3 Simple Strategies to Prevent After-School Meltdowns // Alyssa Blask Campbell Episode Sponsors: BetterHelp: 3 in 30 Takeaways for Moms is sponsored by BetterHelp. Go to betterhelp.com/3in30 to get 10% off your first month of online therapy. Quince: Make your summer wardrobe feel easier. Go to Quince.com/3in30 for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns. Now available in Canada, too. Fodzyme (KiwiBiosciences): We're so excited to partner with Fodzyme and offer you 30% off your first order when you go to ICanEatAgain.com/3IN30. Finally, you can enjoy your favorite foods without the pain. K12 Powered Schools: See how K12 Powered Schools can help unlock your child's full potential. Enroll online today at K12.com/3in30. Let's Connect! Join me on Instagram! Get weekly-ish emails with BTS of my life Find Your Magic in Motherhood: Free 3-Day Email Course ***

Grief has been close to my family lately, and in the weeks since losing my brother-in-law Logan, I've found myself returning again and again to the memories that hold the people we love, long after they're no longer here. This July 14th marks twenty-three years since my mother passed away from breast cancer. I was nineteen years old. And this episode (one of the most personal I've ever recorded) is my tribute to her. My mom had a gift for seeing strengths in her children before they could see them in themselves — and for my mom, helping me find my voice, quite literally, was one of the most loving things she ever did for me. This episode is a musical tribute because music is where she first showed me who I was. In it, you'll hear about 🎵 The nights my mom stayed up late making eight gorgeous costumes for me, and how those long hours spent together shaped me 🎵 What she said to me on the morning of July 14th, just a few hours before she passed 🎵 How my mom intentionally helped me see my strengths when I was an insecure seventh grade girl This episode is about grief, yes, but it's also a celebration. It's a celebration of how my mom helped me find myself, and how her love is still shaping me today. For full show notes, including takeaways, click here. *** Announcements: One of the greatest gifts my mom gave me was helping me know my own strengths. If you're wondering how well you're doing at knowing and celebrating yours, we have a free three-minute quiz waiting for you at 3in30podcast.com/quiz — it will give you a visual snapshot of where you're thriving in your self-assured motherhood journey and where there might be a little room to grow. Related Episodes: 390: Living with Grief without Losing Yourself // Shelby Quinlan 472: When the World Feels Heavy, Try This // Shannan Martin 104: How to Move Through Grief towards Joy // Anna Packard Episode Sponsors: AirDoctor: Head to AirDoctorPro.com and use promo code 3IN30 to get $300, plus a three-year warranty. Quince: Make your summer wardrobe feel easier. Go to Quince.com/3in30 for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns. Now available in Canada, too. Fodzyme (KiwiBiosciences): We're so excited to partner with Fodzyme and offer you 30% off your first order when you go to ICanEatAgain.com/3IN30. Finally, you can enjoy your favorite foods without the pain. K12 Powered Schools: See how K12 Powered Schools can help unlock your child's full potential. Enroll online today at K12.com/3in30. Let's Connect! Join me on Instagram! Get weekly-ish emails with BTS of my life Find Your Magic in Motherhood: Free 3-Day Email Course ***

I have been a writer my whole life. Long before this podcast existed, writing was how I made sense of my hardest seasons, how I figured out what I actually thought and felt, and how I slowly found my way through pain I didn't know how to carry any other way. Some of that writing happened in therapy. And some of the most important pages I ever filled were written during my recovery from an eating disorder.In this episode, I share three of those pieces: an essay I posted on my personal blog, a narrative therapy piece my counselor guided me through, and a letter I wrote to my own body. Together, they trace a journey from desperation to hope to something that finally, finally felt like peace. In this episode, you'll hear me share: ✍️ What my counselor asked me to write that cracked something open in me, and why I think anyone doing hard inner work should try it ✍️ The running path conversation that changed everything ✍️ The letter to my body I was sure would come out angry — and what came out instead This is soul care in its most honest, vulnerable form. I hope something in this episode gives you permission to honor your own needs and do deep, healing soul-care. Note: This episode contains references to faith and prayer as part of my personal healing journey. For full show notes, click here. *** Announcements: ⁉️ Curious how well you're honoring your own needs as a mom? Take my free three-minute assessment at 3in30podcast.com/quiz. Related Episodes: 480: How to Stop Letting Your Body Image Steal Your Summer // Dr. Lexie Kite 481: What to Do When Your Child Says "I'm Fat" // Steph Wood 302: How to Heal Your Relationship with Food // Natalie Shay Episode Sponsors: BetterHelp: 3 in 30 Takeaways for Moms is sponsored by BetterHelp. Go to betterhelp.com/3in30 to get 10% off your first month of online therapy. Quince: Make your summer wardrobe feel easier. Go to Quince.com/3in30 for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns. Now available in Canada, too. Fodzyme (KiwiBiosciences): We're so excited to partner with Fodzyme and offer you 30% off your first order when you go to ICanEatAgain.com/3IN30. Finally, you can enjoy your favorite foods without the pain. K12 Powered Schools: See how K12 Powered Schools can help unlock your child's full potential. Enroll online today at K12.com/3in30. Let's Connect! Join me on Instagram! Get weekly-ish emails with BTS of my life Find Your Magic in Motherhood: Free 3-Day Email Course ***

I'm a word person. (Occupational hazard of spending years as an English teacher, I suppose.) I notice when words shift — when something that used to feel simple and clear starts carrying extra weight, or gets claimed by one group of people until the rest of us feel uncertain about whether we're still allowed to use it the way we always meant to. That's what's happened, at least in my experience, to the word "patriotic." And more than my own discomfort, I started to feel genuinely unsure how to teach my kids how to be patriotic in a country that often feels so divided by partisan politics. That question is exactly what brought Sharon McMahon back to 3 in 30. Sharon is known as America's Government Teacher and is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Small and the Mighty and her new children's book, We Are Mighty. This conversation will give you language and a framework for the patriotism conversations you've been wanting to have with your kids, but haven't quite known how to start. 🇺🇸 Why loving your country and criticizing your country are not opposites 🇺🇸 Why narrating your small acts of service out loud shapes how your child understands what it means to love their neighbors — and their country 🇺🇸 Why getting your child to the polls just three times in a row may be one of the most lasting things you ever do for democracy With the 4th of July coming up this week, and especially this year as we celebrate the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, we hope you find this conversation helpful. For full show notes, including takeaways, click here. *** Related Episodes: 429: How Ordinary Moms Can Make a Difference // Sharon McMahon 392: How to Have Grace-Filled Political Conversations with Family & Friends // Sarah Stewart Holland & Beth Silvers of Pantsuit Politics 031: Three Easy Ways to Teach Children the True Meaning of Patriotic Holidays // Brittany Richman and Andrea Reeve, The American Moms Episode Sponsors: Knix Teen: It's not just underwear; it's giving our girls the confidence they deserve. Go to KnixTeen.com and use code 3IN30 for 15 percent off. Let's Connect! Join me on Instagram! Get weekly-ish emails with BTS of my life Find Your Magic in Motherhood: Free 3-Day Email Course ***

For years, I had a vision in my head of the kind of mom I was going to be. I would be present and patient. I would have snacks ready after school and summers full of creative activities. When I finally became a mom, I struggled to match the realities of the daily motherhood grind and the ideal images of motherhood I had in my head. This week's guest is Amy Marie Hann, author of Master the Mundane. I asked Amy Marie to come on the show because of a Substack article of hers I read all about letting go of "shoulds." Amy Marie shares three big things she finally let go of and what opened up for her once she did. ✨ The difference between liking the idea of something and actually wanting to do it, and how to tell which one you're dealing with ✨ What changed when Amy Marie stopped trying to be the house all the kids wanted to be at ✨ How Amy Marie found a way to work that didn't require choosing between two extremes If you've ever felt like you're forcing yourself into "shoulds" that don't quite match your reality, this one's for you. For full show notes, including takeaways, click here. *** Announcements: If this episode has you thinking about your own "shoulds," my course Motherhood Decluttered walks you through how to figure out what to keep and what to let go of — in a way that fits your life. Use code SUMMER through the end of June to get a 10% discount. Related Episodes: 463: How to Let Go of Mom Guilt 473: How to Get Through a Busy Season 354: Letting Go of Heavy Expectations of Yourself // Sneak Peek from the Declutter Your Motherhood Audio Course Episode Sponsors: First Day: For a limited time only, our listeners are getting an insane deal. Use code 3IN30 to get up to 57% Off at FirstDay.com. Knix Teen: It's not just underwear; it's giving our girls the confidence they deserve. Go to KnixTeen.com and use code 3IN30 for 15 percent off. Quince: Head to Quince.com/3in30 for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns Fodzyme (Kiwi Biosciences): We're so excited to partner with FODZYME and offer you 30% off your first order when you go to icaneatagain.com/3in30.com. Let's Connect! Join me on Instagram! Get weekly-ish emails with BTS of my life Find Your Magic in Motherhood: Free 3-Day Email Course ***

I have a friend named Laney who genuinely does not experience mom guilt. Not because she's a perfect mom, but because she's decided her kids are lucky to have her — and she means it! I used to laugh when she said things like that. But, now, after working for years on myself (I've come so far!), I understand that what I was struggling with wasn't only guilt over my shortcomings as a mom, but it was also guilt over the resentment I felt for everything I was carrying that led me to not enjoy my motherhood very much. The guilt was coming at me from every direction! If any of that sounds familiar, this episode is going to feel like a very welcome exhale. This week's guest is JoAnn Crohn, certified life coach and author of The Best Mom is a Happy Mom. She helps moms go from martyr to model, and this conversation is full of honest, practical tools for getting there. ✨ Why JoAnn's husband didn't even realize the imbalance until they did this one exercise together ✨ The "guilt equation" from a psychologist that will completely change how you think about your own expectations ✨ The thing JoAnn's therapist said that cut through all the noise and told her exactly what being a good mom actually requires If you've ever felt like the mental load of your family's life is sitting entirely on your shoulders, and if you've ever felt the guilt coming from every side, this episode is for you. For full show notes, including takeaways, click here. *** Related Episodes: 445: How to Set Boundaries without Damaging Relationships // Rachel on Happy Mom Summit 436: Embrace the Mom You Are—Not the One You Think You Should Be // Julie Bastedo 270: Simplifying Mom-Life // Chanelle Neilson Episode Sponsors: Tushy Bidet: For a limited time, our listeners get 10% off their first bidet order when you go to HelloTUSHY.com and use promo code 3in30. First Day: For a limited time only, our listeners are getting an insane deal. Use code 3IN30 to get up to 57% Off at FirstDay.com. Knix Teen: It's not just underwear; it's giving our girls the confidence they deserve. Go to KnixTeen.com and use code 3IN30 for 15 percent off. Air Doctor: Head to AirDoctorPro.com and use promo code 3IN30 to get $250 off select AirDoctor air purifiers, including the 3500, 4000, and 5500 models. Quince: Head to Quince.com/3in30 for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns Fodzyme: We're so excited to partner with FODZYME and offer you 30% off your first order when you go to icaneatagain.com/3in30.com. Let's Connect! Join me on Instagram! Get weekly-ish emails with BTS of my life Find Your Magic in Motherhood: Free 3-Day Email Course ***

I am recording the intro to this episode during one of the saddest weeks of my life. My beloved brother-in-law, Logan McKenna, died unexpectedly last Sunday morning. He was only 44 years old, and we are simply shattered by this loss. As soon as I got the call, I got into my car and started driving to Utah to be with my sister and her two teenage children. And as I was driving, trying to wrap my mind around the immensity of this loss, I thought, "I am so glad that Logan agreed to be a guest on my podcast a year ago so that we can have his goodness and wisdom recorded forevermore." This episode originally aired in February of 2025, where Logan talked about how to support a loved one who's struggling with mental illness. I decided to re-air it today as a tribute to him, so everyone who listens will get a taste of just how good he was — and will understand just how much he will be missed. The world has lost one of the most special souls who ever lived. I will be clinging to his memory and his legacy this week and always.

I've spent a lot of time thinking about what the word "self-assured" actually means in the context of motherhood. And I think somewhere along the way, a lot of us accidentally absorbed this idea that being self-assured means being self-sufficient — that if we were really emotionally healthy or mature or confident, we would just… handle everything on our own. But what I observed at my SAM Retreat last month completely reframed that for me. The women who seemed most grounded and alive and resilient weren't the ones who never needed support. They were the ones who knew how to seek it, receive it, and offer it to others. In this episode, I'm sharing three takeaways from the retreat, and I hope you walk away feeling more convinced than ever that thriving in motherhood was never meant to be a solo endeavor. 💜 The nature phenomenon I learned about that made me almost tear up (and I'm not a crier!) 💜 Why "just think more positively" wasn't working — and what my nervous system actually needed instead 💜 How I turned a financially impossible dream into the best event I've ever hosted (hint: I didn't do it alone) So here's to letting other people in. Here's to asking for what we need, receiving what's offered, and growing stronger because of the roots we share. For full show notes, including takeaways, click here. *** Mary Oliver Poem Retreat Sponsors & Resources: 🌿 Life Balance Be You with Layne Burkette — somatic therapy and nervous system support Instagram: @lifebalancebeyou Free Nervous System Starter Kit: lifebalancebeyou.systeme.io/3in30 ✈️ Amber on Points — learn how to travel your family for free using credit card points Instagram: @amberonpoints Free Guide to Traveling on Points: amberonpoints.kit.com/b781d78672 🎞️ Isbell Family Films — beautifully edited family films from your everyday iPhone footage Instagram: @isbellfamilyfilms Website: isbellfamilyfilms.com Use code 3IN30 for 30% off — their best deal of the year 🎵 Pep & Perk — uplifting children's music that teaches emotional resilience and confidence Instagram: @pepandperk Stream their new single Rainy Days: platoon.lnk.to/rainy-days-feat-peabodTP Episode Sponsors: BetterHelp: 3 in 30 Takeaways for Moms is sponsored by BetterHelp. Go to betterhelp.com/3in30 to get 10% off your first month of online therapy. Quince: Head to Quince.com/3in30 for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns Fodzyme: We're so excited to partner with FODZYME and offer you 30% off your first order when you go to icaneatagain.com/3in30.com. Related Episodes: 433: Making Friends as a Mom: Why It's Hard—and How to Do It Anyway // Dr. Marisa G. Franco 448: Join Our Team! A Word from our SAM Sisters 453: How to Travel for FREE with Your Family (Really!) // Amber Paul Let's Connect! Join me on Instagram! Get weekly-ish emails with BTS of my life Find Your Magic in Motherhood: Free 3-Day Email Course ***

If you've ever worried that you've messed up your relationship with your kids — whether it happened this morning or years ago — this episode is going to bring you a lot of comfort. This week's guest is Wendy Snyder, founder of Fresh Start Family and author of the brand new book Fresh Start Your Family, and she is living proof that it is never too late to start fresh.Wendy shares some of her own biggest parenting mistakes in this episode with a vulnerability that I find so rare and so refreshing — and the hope she offers on the other side of those mistakes is something every mom needs to hear. 💜 The reason Wendy's 84-year-old father begged her not to write this book — and what he texted her when he finally read it 💜 What Wendy's four-year-old said to her after one of her worst parenting moments 💜 Why the parenting patterns you inherited aren't your fault — and how to update your system It is never too late for a fresh start. I hope this episode feels like hope. For full show notes, including takeaways, click here. *** Announcement: Buy Wendy's Book Fresh Start Family! Related Episodes: 452: You Yelled… Now What? How to Repair and Reconnect // Devon Kuntzman 465: When Your Spicy Child Takes All Your Energy (And What That Means for Their Siblings) // Mary Van Geffen 266: Parenting Strong-Willed Kids // Wendy Snyder Episode Sponsors: First Day: For a limited time only, our listeners are getting an insane deal. Use code 3IN30 to get up to 57% Off at FirstDay.com. Knix Teen: Finally period protection that keeps up with long school days and everything in between. Go to KnixTeen.comand use code 3IN30 for 15 percent off. Quince: Head to Quince.com/3in30 for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns Download Cash App Today: #CashAppPod. Cash App is a financial services platform, not a bank. Banking services provided by Cash App’s bank partner(s). Prepaid debit cards issued by Sutton Bank, Member FDIC. See terms and conditions at CashThis Cash App Prepaid Card Program Agreement outlines the terms and conditions governing the Cash App Prepaid Card Program.Direct deposit and promotions provided by Cash App, a Block, Inc. brand. Visit CashCash App Podcast Disclosuresfor full disclosures. Let's Connect! Join me on Instagram! Get weekly-ish emails with BTS of my life Find Your Magic in Motherhood: Free 3-Day Email Course ***

Last week, Dr. Lexie Kite gave us tools for our own body image resilience. But there's a particular kind of helplessness that comes from watching your child struggle with theirs. It can be heartbreaking to hear them say something and not know what to do with it. This week's guest is my Communications and Podcast Manager, Steph Wood, who has done deep personal and practical work in this area and brings both wisdom and hard-won experience to this conversation.This episode is the perfect companion to last week's — if you haven't listened to that one first, I'd love for you to start there, and then come back and hear about: 💜 The YouTube video about poodles and bulldogs that Steph says changed how she talks about bodies with her kids 💜 How a conversation with her dad helped Rachel find the courage to start her own body image work 💜 What Steph's teenage daughter says to herself when she's spiraling about her body (and how she learned it) These conversations aren't easy to have, and knowing how to show up for your child in them takes practice and grace. I hope this episode gives you a little more of both. For full show notes, including takeaways, click here. *** Announcements: Steph put together a list of her favorite body image resources for parents, you can find that here. Poodle Science: YouTube Video about Body Diversity Related Episodes: 480: How to Stop Letting Your Body Image Steal Your Summer // Lexie Kite 322: How to be a Body-Positive Parent // Zoë Bisbing 302: How to Heal Your Relationship with Food // Natalie Shay Episode Sponsors: BetterHelp: 3 in 30 Takeaways for Moms is sponsored by BetterHelp. Go to betterhelp.com/3in30 to get 10% off your first month of online therapy. Knix Teen: Finally period protection that keeps up with long school days and everything in between. Go to KnixTeen.comand use code 3IN30 for 15 percent off. Quince: Head to Quince.com/3in30 for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns Download Cash App Today: #CashAppPod. Cash App is a financial services platform, not a bank. Banking services provided by Cash App’s bank partner(s). Prepaid debit cards issued by Sutton Bank, Member FDIC. See terms and conditions at CashThis Cash App Prepaid Card Program Agreement outlines the terms and conditions governing the Cash App Prepaid Card Program.Direct deposit and promotions provided by Cash App, a Block, Inc. brand. Visit CashCash App Podcast Disclosuresfor full disclosures. Let's Connect! Join me on Instagram! Get weekly-ish emails with BTS of my life Find Your Magic in Motherhood: Free 3-Day Email Course ***

I have spent so many summers halfway out. Physically present at the lake, the pool, the family barbecue — but mentally somewhere else entirely, cataloguing how I looked instead of actually living. If that sounds familiar, this episode is for you. This week's guest is Lexie Kite, PhD, co-author of More Than a Body and leading expert in body image resilience.Lexie and her twin sister Lindsay have spent decades researching how women can stop letting their bodies hold them back from their own lives — and in this conversation, she gave me some of the most practical, grounding tools I've heard on this topic. In this episode, you'll hear: 💜 Why Lexie — a body image resilience researcher — says she doesn't love how she looks in a swimsuit, and why that's actually the point (this reframe genuinely surprised me) 💜 The three paths we all take when a body image disruption hits — and the one that actually leads somewhere good 💜 What Lexie said to her daughter about dressing for practicality over pretty that you can start using with your own kids today So here's to getting in the water this summer. Here's to being in the pictures. Here's to enjoying the only summer — and the only body — you've got. For full show notes, including takeaways, click here. *** Related Episodes: 322: How to be a Body-Positive Parent // Zoë Bisbing 302: How to Heal Your Relationship with Food // Natalie Shay 434: How to Actually Enjoy Summer as a Mom     Sponsors: Knix Teen: Finally period protection that keeps up with long school days and everything in between. Go to KnixTeen.comand use code 3IN30 for 15 percent off. Quince: Head to Quince.com/3in30 for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns Download Cash App Today: #CashAppPod. Cash App is a financial services platform, not a bank. Banking services provided by Cash App’s bank partner(s). Prepaid debit cards issued by Sutton Bank, Member FDIC. See terms and conditions at CashThis Cash App Prepaid Card Program Agreement outlines the terms and conditions governing the Cash App Prepaid Card Program.. Direct deposit and promotions provided by Cash App, a Block, Inc. brand. Visit CashCash App Podcast Disclosures for full disclosures. Let's Connect! Join me on Instagram! Get weekly-ish emails with BTS of my life Find Your Magic in Motherhood: Free 3-Day Email Course ***

My kids are 11 and 14, and I will be the first to tell you that teaching them practical life skills is not my strongest suit. I am genuinely good at the emotional work, the hard conversations, the staying connected through difficult seasons. But the cooking, the chores, the keeping-a-home-running piece of parenting is an area where I know, with great compassion for myself, that we have room to grow. Summer has a way of opening up just enough space to do something new, and this episode will give you a clear and hopeful place to start if you're like me and it's not your biggest strength. This week's guest is Katie Kimball, founder of Kids Cook Real Food and a life skills educator who has been doing this work with her own four kids long enough to be living the results.She gave me so much hope that it is not too late — even if your kids are older, even if you feel like you've missed the window, even if you've been meaning to do this for years and just haven't gotten there yet, and even if, like me, you sat down with a life skills expert and within the first five minutes had to ask what a chef's knife was. Come join us to hear: 💜 Why Katie's 14-year-old was vacuuming the stairs unprompted on his day off from school, and the surprisingly simple system behind it 💜 The exact language shift Rachel made with her own son that reframed how he thinks about contributing to the family — and why the words matter more than you'd think 💜 Why Katie says letting your kid use a sharp knife might be one of the best things you can do for their mental health If you've been meaning to do more of this and just haven't quite known where to start, this conversation is for you. For full show notes, including takeaways, click here. *** Announcements: Katie's Life Skills Now Summer Camp is happening June 8–12, 2026 — a free, week-long event where over 70 teachers (including me!) teach kids practical and emotional life skills. Register here. Flecks of Gold: This week is also the last week of our Mother's Day Sale — all journals are 10% off through the end of the week! Related Episodes: 373: Teaching Children to Work Without Being a Drill Sergeant // Danielle Porter 369: How to Teach Your Kids about Money // Abby Chipman 350: Rethinking Chores: A Quick Mindset Shift to Help with Overwhelm Episode Sponsors: BetterHelp: 3 in 30 Takeaways for Moms is sponsored by BetterHelp. Go to betterhelp.com/3in30 to get 10% off your first month of online therapy. Knix Teen: Finally period protection that keeps up with long school days and everything in between. Go to KnixTeen.comand use code 3IN30 for 15 percent off. Quince: Head to Quince.com/3in30 for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns Download Cash App Today: #CashAppPod. Cash App is a financial services platform, not a bank. Banking services provided by Cash App’s bank partner(s). Prepaid debit cards issued by Sutton Bank, Member FDIC. See terms and conditions at CashThis Cash App Prepaid Card Program Agreement outlines the terms and conditions governing the Cash App Prepaid Card Program.. Direct deposit and promotions provided by Cash App, a Block, Inc. brand. Visit CashCash App Podcast Disclosures for full disclosures. Let's Connect! Join me on Instagram! Get weekly-ish emails with BTS of my life Find Your Magic in Motherhood: Free 3-Day Email Course ***

There comes a point in parenting where you realize the approach that worked when your kids were little just doesn't work anymore. The rules, the structure, the ability to redirect and reset — it all starts to feel like it's slipping. And if you have a teenager, you might already know that feeling well (iykyk 😅). The older our kids get, the more we bump up against a humbling truth most of us weren't quite prepared for: We never really had control to begin with. And once we accept that, we can finally ask a much better question — not "how do I get my teenager to behave?" but "how do I stay connected to this person I love so much while they figure out who they are?". That's exactly what today's episode is about. This week's guest is Emily Ricks, a certified life coach who especially loves working with moms of teenagers. She shares three mindset shifts that can help any mom of a teen move from white-knuckling the relationship to genuinely enjoying it, including: 💜 Why Emily admitted that having a teenager "woke the Kraken" in her — and how she found her way back to connection 💜 Why the rules you're enforcing are likely costing you the very thing you're trying to protect 💜 What it actually looks like to take back your "emotional remote control" in the middle of a heated moment with your teen If you're in the trenches of raising teenagers, this one's for you. *** Announcements: Flecks of Gold Mother's Day Sale: Shop the Mother's Day Sale! Get 10% off every journal, plus free shipping! Use code MOMS10. Emily's Free Guide Related Episodes: 393: How to Enjoy (Not Just Endure) the Teen Years // Amie Anger 396: How to Help Your Teen Live a Better Story 303: How to Talk to Teenagers // Brooke Romney Episode Sponsors: Air Doctor:  Head to airdoctorpro.com and use promo code 3in30 to get up to $300 off today. Air Doctor comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee, plus a three year warranty (an $84 value) free. Knix Teen: Finally period protection that keeps up with long school days and everything in between. Go to KnixTeen.com and use code 3IN30 for 15 percent off. Shopify: Start your business today with the industry's best business partner, Shopify, and start hearing ✦[CHA CHING]✦ Sign up for your one-dollar-per-month trial today at shopify.com/3in30. Let's Connect! Join me on Instagram! Get weekly-ish emails with BTS of my life Find Your Magic in Motherhood: Free 3-Day Email Course ***

All of us have hard feelings that need somewhere to go — frustration, resentment, grief, the anxiety that just sits there and won't quite leave. And if you're anything like me, finding a reliable way to process any of it doesn't always come naturally. We push through, or we vent to someone who didn't necessarily sign up for it, or we just wait for the feeling to pass on its own. And sometimes it does. But sometimes it doesn't, and it just kind of settles in. This week's guest is Kim Christensen, a published writer and master's graduate in creative writing who has spent her career helping people find their voice — even people who never thought of themselves as someone who does that sort of thing. In this episode, you'll hear: ✏️ The surprising research on what just two minutes of a simple daily practice can do for your physical health — and why the numbers are bigger than you'd expect ✏️ Why the most healing version of this practice has absolutely nothing to do with being good at it ✏️ The one question Kim says you can answer today, even if you have no plan and no idea where to start So if you've been carrying something heavy lately and you're not quite sure where to put it, I hope this episode can offer a tool that can help. For full show notes, including takeaways, click here. *** Related Episodes: 424: When LIFE Doesn't Turn Out as Planned // Jessica N. Turner 407: A Two-Minute Daily Practice to Transform Your Mental Health 319: Three Tools I Use to Manage Anxiety and Depression // Cheryl Cardall, Ember Pilati Episode Sponsors: First Day: For a limited time only, our listeners are getting an insane deal. Use code 3in30 to get up to 57% Off at FirstDay.com. Knix Teen: Finally period protection that keeps up with long school days and everything in between. Go to KnixTeen.com and use code 3IN30 for 15 percent off. Shopify: Start your business today with the industry's best business partner, Shopify, and start hearing ✦[CHA CHING]✦ Sign up for your one-dollar-per-month trial today at shopify.com/3in30. Let's Connect! Join me on Instagram! Get weekly-ish emails with BTS of my life Find Your Magic in Motherhood: Free 3-Day Email Course ***

There is a specific kind of worry that lives in the back of most mothers' minds —the worry that we're not doing it right. That somewhere in the gap between who we are and who we wish we were, our kids are absorbing something we never meant to give them: our unresolved stuff. Our triggers, our patterns, the things from our own childhoods that we're still working through. Is all of that making its way to our children? The uncomfortable truth is that some of it will. That's just the reality of being parented by a human. But what Eli Harwood taught me in this conversation is that parenthood itself is a developmental stage, which means we are not finished, and the work we do on ourselves is one of the most profound gifts we can give our children. This week's guest is Eli Harwood, licensed therapist, author, and creator of Attachment Nerd.In this conversation, Eli shares why doing the deep inner work of understanding your own emotional world isn't just good for you — it's the foundation of everything your kids actually need from you. In this episode, you'll hear Eli share: 💜 Why she built an asterisk right into her book title (you'll love her reasoning!) 💜 What it means when she says our kids can't rely on us for needs we haven't learned to meet in ourselves 💜 What she said to her child after being barky and short at the end of a long day If you have ever looked at your kids and felt that specific worry that you might be getting this wrong, I think you're going to find my conversation with Eli both honest and deeply freeing. For full show notes, including takeaways, click here. *** Related Episodes: 415: How to Get Help for Mental Illness // Sarah McKenna 458: Three Simple Phrases Your Kids Need to Hear from You // Eli Harwood 387: Why Calming Yourself Helps Calm Your Child // Eli Harwood, MA, LPC Episode Sponsors: Knix Teen: Go to knixteen.com and use code 3IN30 for 15 percent off. Shopify: Start your business today with the industry's best business partner, Shopify, and start hearing ✦[CHA CHING]✦ Sign up for your one-dollar-per-month trial today at shopify.com/3in30. AirDoctor: Head to AirDoctorPro.com and use promo code 3IN30 to get up to $300 off today! Let's Connect! Join me on Instagram! Get weekly-ish emails with BTS of my lifeF ind Your Magic in Motherhood: Free 3-Day Email Course ***

I have been a striver my entire life — the kind of person who color-coded her notes, lost sleep to get straight A's, and genuinely believed that doing more and finishing faster was just who she was. Until the season when it didn't work anymore, and I found myself wondering if what I actually needed wasn't a better system, but permission to put some things down. This week's guest is Yvette Henry, author of Release, Rest, Remain: A 30-Day Devotional to Embrace Abiding Over Striving. In this episode, she gives language to something I think so many of us moms carry but rarely take the time to name — and a rhythm for living that actually feels sustainable. A note: this is a faith-rooted conversation, which isn't my typical format — but the three takeaways Yvette shares are for every mother, regardless of where you land spiritually. In this episode, you'll hear: 🤍 Why the tiredness you're feeling might have nothing to do with sleep — and the seven types of rest that actually replenish you 🤍 The glass ball and rubber ball framework — and how to tell the difference between what you need to protect and what you can safely let fall 🤍 What it can look like to remain present in your own life, even on the most ordinary days Presence is not a reward for finished productivity — it's available to you right now, in whatever ordinary moment you're standing in. I hope this episode reminds you of that. For full show notes, including takeaways, click here. *** Related Episodes: 441: Self-Care for Moms That Actually Works // Mia Hemstad466: Permission to Pause129: Rethinking Meditation as Busy Moms // Dr. Leah Weiss     Sponsors: Knix Teen: Go to knixteen.com and use code 3IN30 for 15 percent off. Shopify: Start your business today with the industry's best business partner, Shopify, and start hearing ✦[CHA CHING]✦ Sign up for your one-dollar-per-month trial today at shopify.com/3in30. BetterHelp: 3 in 30 Takeaways for Moms is sponsored by BetterHelp. Go to betterhelp.com/3in30 to get 10% off your first month of online therapy. Let's Connect! Join me on Instagram! Get weekly-ish emails with BTS of my life Find Your Magic in Motherhood: Free 3-Day Email Course ***

Happy 3 in 30 Day, my friends! Today is March 30th — which, numerically, is 3/30 — and years ago I dubbed this our national holiday. When I started 3 in 30, I did not set out to build a community. I was a busy mom who desperately wanted a parenting resource that would just get to the point already — and when I couldn't find one, I sat down at my kitchen table with a cheap microphone and created it. What I did not anticipate is that moms all over the world would listen, and that through it all, something that genuinely feels like a community would grow up around this little show. To celebrate, I asked the 3 in 30 community to send in voice messages and written notes about their favorite episodes and why those episodes mattered. In today's episode, you'll hear eight of those messages — each one followed by a short clip from the episode being mentioned. In this episode, you'll hear: 🎙️ A mom who finally stopped feeling guilty about resting — all because of one permission-giving line from one of our guests 🎙️ A mom who was walking alone during COVID when an episode about mom guilt made her feel, for the first time, like someone understood exactly what she was going through 🎙️ A mom who lost her mother years ago and started a food tradition with her own children after hearing an episode about keeping a loved one's memory alive — and how her kids now ask for it every year Almost nine years of getting to the point and actually helping busy moms in the trenches. That's what this community is, and I'm so grateful it exists — and that there is so much good here waiting for you whenever you need it. For full show notes click here. *** Featured Episodes: 293: Rethinking Housework // KC Davis 469: 3 Ways to Lighten the Load of Motherhood // Greg McKeown 24: Fighting Against Mom Guilt 186: Helping your Children Connect with Someone You've Loved & Lost // Dara Kurtz 461: "I Hate You, Mom" — How to Respond When Holiday Stress Brings Big Emotions 415: How to Get Help for Mental Illness // Sarah McKenna 416: When Someone You Love Struggles with Mental Health // Logan McKenna 433: Making Friends as a Mom: Why It's Hard — and How to Do It Anyway // Dr. Marisa G. Franco 118: How to Raise Confident Children // Marilyn Faulkner Episode Sponsors: Knix Teen: Go to knixteen.com and use code 3IN30 for 15 percent off. Skylight: Right now, get $30 off the 15-inch Calendar at MySkylight.com/TAKEAWAYS. Let's Connect! Join me on Instagram! Get weekly-ish emails with BTS of my life Find Your Magic in Motherhood: Free 3-Day Email Course ***

Spring is a season I genuinely love, but it also has a way of sneaking up on me. One minute I'm enjoying the slower pace of winter, and the next I'm looking at my calendar wondering when it got so full. If you're coming off of Spring Break trying to find your footing again, or you can already see Maycember on the horizon and feel your shoulders creeping up toward your ears, this episode is for you. A few years ago, during one of those stretched-thin, running-on-fumes seasons, I shared three things that were genuinely helping me stay sane. I went back and listened recently and thought, these are still so good, and I wanted to share them again, because I think we could all use some practical tools to reach for when life piles up. In this episode, you'll learn: 🌸 The simple two-column list that cuts through mental overwhelm and tells you exactly what actually has to get done (and what can wait) 🌸 Why choosing just three non-negotiable soul care essentials — even tiny ones — can be the thing that holds you together during your busiest weeks 🌸 The mindset shift that keeps the spiral at bay, and why what you say to yourself during hard seasons matters more than almost anything else And one more thing worth mentioning — this episode is less than 15 minutes long. So if you're already feeling the busyness piling up and the idea of a full episode feels like one more thing on your list, this one was made for exactly that moment. Short, sweet, and full of things you can actually use. For full show notes, including takeaways, click here. *** Related Episodes: 353: How to Declutter Your Busy Schedule // Miranda Anderson 333: How Can a Busy Mother Get Back to the Essentials? 463: What If Your Only New Year Goal Was to Let Go of the Shoulds?   Episode Sponsors: Wildgrain: For a limited time, Wildgrain is offering our listeners $30 off your first box - PLUS free Croissants for life - when you go to Wildgrain.com/3in30 to start your subscriptiontoday. Let's Connect! Join me on Instagram! Get weekly-ish emails with BTS of my life Find Your Magic in Motherhood: Free 3-Day Email Course ***

Last week, I found out that one of my kids' teachers unexpectedly lost her husband in a car accident. She's in her early 30s with a toddler, and when I was telling Ryan, I just started to cry. I don't often cry, so it surprised both of us a little. The truth is, I was crying for her — and for all of the heaviness that has been building in my heart for months. The political division, the international conflicts, the injustice — it has felt like a lot lately. My teenage son sometimes says to me when we talk about hard things, "Mom, why does life have to be so hard?" And I tell him, "I don't know, Buddy. But you're right — and I also know that it is beautiful too."This week's guest is Shannan Martin, bestselling author of the brand new book Counterweights, and she has a practice for holding both of those things at once. In this episode, you'll learn: 💜 Why Shannan writes down both the weights AND the counterweights every night — and what happens when you hold them together on the same page 💜 Why Shannan (a self-described introvert) pushes herself to gather people in her home regularly — and the surprisingly low bar she sets to make it actually happen 💜 The tiny silver fork that has become one of her most treasured daily rituals (you'll understand when you hear it) For full show notes, including takeaways, click here. *** Announcements: March 30th is 3 in 30 Day — and this year I'm celebrating by highlighting YOU! Share your favorite episode and its impact at 3in30podcast.com/tellrachel before March 20th, and your message may be woven into a very special episode. Related Episodes: 424: When LIFE Doesn't Turn Out as Planned // Jessica N. Turner 401: How Radical Gratitude Can Change Your Life // Dr. Tanmeet Sethi 390: Living with Grief without Losing Yourself // Shelby Quinlan Sponsors: Shopify: It's time to turn those "What Ifs" into ✦[CHA CHING]✦ with Shopify today. Sign up for your one-dollar-per-month trial at shopify.com/3in30. BetterHelp: 3 in 30 Takeaways for Moms is sponsored by BetterHelp. Go to betterhelp.com/3in30 to get 10% off your first month of online therapy. AirDoctor: Head to AirDoctorPro.com and use promo code 3in30 to get up TO $300 off today! AirDoctor comes with a 30-day money back guarantee, plus a 3-year warranty—an $84 value, free! Let's Connect! Join me on Instagram! Get weekly-ish emails with BTS of my life Find Your Magic in Motherhood: Free 3-Day Email Course ***

I didn't learn until I was 40 years old that my body moves through four distinct phases every single month — and that each one of those phases affects my mood, my energy, my patience, and my ability to connect with the people I love. Which means that the version of me who felt so present and empathetic last Tuesday wasn't just "having a good day." And the version of me who snapped at everyone before dinner on Friday wasn't failing. Both of those women were showing up exactly on schedule — I just didn't have the language for it yet. This episode is about what becomes possible when we finally have that language, and how empowering it is to understand our bodies well enough to show up the way we actually want to — and to have real grace for ourselves when that's harder. This week's guest is Shara Jackson Harper, a licensed mental health therapist, hormone and cycle guide, and mother of five who helps women understand how their internal rhythms shape the way they show up for the people they love most. In this episode, you'll learn: ✨ The golden conversation Shara had with her 15-year-old son — and the specific reason she believes the timing made all the difference ✨ Why most women are often carrying a "basket of shame" about their hard days, and what Shara says we can do with it instead ✨ The simple three-part formula Shara uses to talk to her own family about where she is in her cycle — and why her kids actually know what "lower bandwidth week" means So here's to understanding ourselves a little better, giving ourselves a little more grace, and showing up for our people in the ways we actually want to.   For full show notes, including takeaways, click here. *** Announcements: Hormone Cycle Guide: Shara has created a free handout with an overview of all four phases of the menstrual cycle plus a printable tracker to help you start noticing your own patterns. Grab it at 3in30podcast.com/cycleconnection.   March 30th is 3 in 30 Day! This year I wanted to celebrate by highlighting YOU. I'm collecting voice messages from listeners sharing your favorite episode and what about it made an impact or stayed with you, and my podcast editor is going to weave them all together into one really special episode. Prefer to write it out instead? You can do that too. Just head to 3in30podcast.com/tellrachel before March 20th. It only takes a minute, and I really cannot wait to hear from you. Related Episodes: 410: Align Your Goal-Setting with Your Menstrual Cycle // April Davis of Haus of Vagina 314: How to Feel Like Yourself in Motherhood // Aleisha McKean 205: How to Coach Yourself Through Big Emotions // Georgia Anderson Episode Sponsors: Skylight: Skylight offers a 120-day guarantee—if you're not thrilled, full refund. Right now, get $30 off the 15-inch Calendar at MySkylight.com/TAKEAWAYS. That's M-Y-S-K-Y-L-I-G-H-T dot com slash TAKEAWAYS Let's Connect! Join me on Instagram! Get weekly-ish emails with BTS of my life Find Your Magic in Motherhood: Free 3-Day Email Course ***

A year ago this month, the travel and motherhood world lost Elise Caffee — blogger, adventurer, mother of three, and the woman behind the hashtag "take the trip." Elise believed, down to her bones, that making memories with your kids was always worth it — the chaos, the cost, the exhaustion, all of it. This episode is for her.   This week's guest is Tiffany Rosenhan, Elise's dear friend, co-author, and co-founder of Jumelle Press. Together, they wrote Pippa and Poppy Adventure — a beautiful children's book about two identical twins exploring Europe — and Tiffany is here today to carry Elise's message forward. With spring break just around the corner, her three takeaways feel especially timely — whether you're heading somewhere far or just loading up the car for a day trip an hour from home. In this episode, you'll hear: 🧳 The story of why Tiffany's family pulled their kids out of school and traveled abroad for five months — and why she says she'd do it again without hesitation 🧳 What Elise's daughters did three weeks after she passed away, and what it reveals about the culture she built in her family 🧳 The surprising science behind why travel builds stronger memories in kids' brains than almost anything else you can do together So here's to loading up the car, booking the day trip, or simply putting the phone down and being present with your people this spring. The memories don't require a passport — they just require you.   For full show notes, including takeaways, click here. *** Announcements: March 30th is 3 in 30 Day — and this year I'm celebrating by highlighting YOU! Share your favorite episode and its impact at 3in30podcast.com/tellrachel before March 20th, and your message may be woven into a very special episode. Related Episodes: 453: How to Travel for FREE with Your Family (Really!) // Amber Paul 418: Staying Home for Spring Break? 3 Ways to Make it Memorable (and Manageable!) // 3 in 30 Team 431: 3 Road Trip Hacks for Traveling with Kids // Brittney Hanks Episode Sponsors: BetterHelp: 3 in 30 Takeaways for Moms is sponsored by BetterHelp. Go to betterhelp.com/3in30 to get 10% off your first month of online therapy. Bubs Naturals: Live Better Longer! For a limited time only, our listeners are getting 20% OFF at bubsnaturals.com by using code 3in30 at checkout. Let's Connect! Join me on Instagram! Get weekly-ish emails with BTS of my life Find Your Magic in Motherhood: Free 3-Day Email Course ***

A few years ago, I read a book that made me think it was reading my mind. In the introduction, the author asks: Do you ever feel like you're running faster but not moving any closer to your goals? Do you want to make a higher contribution but you lack the energy? Are you teetering right on the edge of burnout? I wrote, "Yes, yes, yes!" next to each question in the margin of my copy. The book is Effortless by Greg McKeown, and it's the follow-up to his first book Essentialism, which I talked about in last week's episode. In today's episode, Greg talks about how we can lighten the load of motherhood without burning out. Greg acknowledges that life is genuinely hard—raising children is hard, paying the bills is hard, strained relationships are hard—and he's not promising to eliminate those hardships. But he does offer tools that can help lighten the load, and that's exactly what we talk about in this episode. In this episode, you'll learn: 💜 Why striving for 100% effort actually makes you less effective—and the optimal pace that will help you go further without burning out 💜 The question Greg asks when everything feels overwhelming (hint: it's not "what can I cut?" but something far more freeing) 💜 What radical gratitude actually means—and why it's the only thing powerful enough to counter the suffering we all experience in motherhood If you've been running on empty, if the mental and emotional load feels crushing, or if you're wondering how to keep showing up when everything feels so hard, this conversation will meet you right where you are. For full show notes, including takeaways, click here. *** Announcements: My Declutter Your Motherhood audio course walks you through the exact process I use to release the "shoulds" that don't fit me anymore and make room for what actually brings me joy. Related Episodes: 468: Stop the Runaway Train: How to Get Back to What Actually Matters 412: How to Overcome Overwhelm 401: How Radical Gratitude Can Change Your Life // Dr. Tanmeet Sethi Episode Sponsors: Boll & Branch: Get 15% off your first set of sheets plus free shipping at BollAndBranch.com/3IN30. Laundry Sauce: For a limited time only, our listeners get 20% off your entire order when you use code 3in30 at LaundrySauce.com. Skylight: Right now, Skylight is offering our listeners $30 off their 15 inch Calendars by going to MySkylight.com/TAKEAWAYS. Let's Connect! Join me on Instagram! Get weekly-ish emails with BTS of my life Find Your Magic in Motherhood: Free 3-Day Email Course ***

Right now I am definitely feeling the pull to simplify things in my life. I even said to my husband the other day, "I feel a bit like I'm on a runaway train!" Luckily, it's not the first time I've felt this way. I now know that this happens sometimes and life will suddenly accelerate faster than I intended. But here's what I've learned: I'm not actually on a runaway train. I can choose to get off. The harder question is how—and that's exactly what this episode is about. As I take a break from new episodes this month in an effort to get off the train, it was important to me to re-air this episode that essentially taught me how to figure out what actually needs my energy—and what doesn't. It's based on Greg McKeown's book Essentialism: The Disciplined Pursuit of Less. Greg's work has been part of my mental bookshelf for a decade, and these lessons about becoming an essentialist help me recalibrate whenever I need them. In this episode, you'll learn: 🚂 Why the word "priority" was originally singular (and stayed that way for 500 years)—and what that means for how we should be living our lives 🚂 The question Greg McKeown asks himself when he's overwhelmed in a hotel room at midnight that helps him figure out what actually matters right now 🚂 How to stop diffusing your energy in a million directions and start making real progress in the areas that matter most For full show notes, including takeaways, click here. *** Announcements: I'm taking a break from airing new episodes during February so I can rest and honor the needs of my body, mind, and spirit. I'm practicing what I preach by sanctifying my soul care this month, and I hope these encore episodes inspire you to do the same. This episode beautifully supports the fourth principle of the Self-Assured Motherhood Framework: Sanctify Your Soul Care. Related Episodes: 438: How Soul-Care Can Help You Enjoy Motherhood More: Real Stories from Moms Like You // SAM Sisters 441: The 4 Types of Self-Care Every Mom Needs // Mia Hemstad 412: How to Overcome Overwhelm Episode Sponsors: Boll & Branch: Get 15% off your first set of sheets plus free shipping at BollAndBranch.com/3IN30. Wildgrain: Wildgrain is offering our listeners $30 off your first box—PLUS free Croissants for life—when you go to Wildgrain.com/3IN30 to start your subscription today. AirDoctor: Head to AirDoctorPro.com and use promo code 3IN30 to get up to $300 off today! AirDoctor comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee, plus a 3-year warranty—an $84 value, free! Let's Connect! Join me on Instagram! Get weekly-ish emails with BTS of my life Find Your Magic in Motherhood: Free 3-Day Email Course ***

It's easy to notice when your marriage feels disconnected, but it's much harder to know what to actually do about it. And it's even harder to look at your own part in the dynamic instead of just wishing your partner would change. This Valentine's Week, I'm bringing back one of my favorite conversations with Dr. Jennifer Finlayson-Fife, a relationship and sexuality coach whose work has profoundly impacted my own marriage. In this encore episode, she shares three concrete, actionable things we can do right now to become better partners and strengthen our marriages. In this episode, you'll learn: 💜 The one quality Dr. Jennifer looks for in a great partner (most of us avoid it, but it's what makes marriages actually work) 💜 Why how you handle disappointment matters more than compatibility 💜 What's really behind sexual disconnection—and it's not lack of desire Dr. Jennifer has a gift for helping us see our blind spots without shame, and this conversation gave me concrete things I could actually do instead of just wishing things were different. While this episode won't hand you a perfect marriage, it will show you how to stop waiting for your spouse to change and start working on what you can actually control. For full show notes, including takeaways, click here. *** Announcements: Dr. Jennifer's book That We Might Have Joy: Desire, Divinity and Intimate Love is now available. I listened to it on audio and then immediately ordered the paperback so I could mark it up. Grab it here. I've created an entire playlist of relationship-focused episodes. Access it here. Related Episodes: 342: Communicating to your Partner that Things Need to Change // Eli Harwood 222: How to Repair after a Fight with your Partner // Jocelyn and Aaron Freeman 223: Sex and Motherhood // Dr. Jennifer Finlayson-Fife Episode Sponsors: Boll & Branch: Get 15% off your first set of sheets plus free shipping at BollAndBranch.com/3IN30. First Day: For a limited time only, our listeners are getting an insane deal. Use code 3IN30 to get up to 57% Off at First Day dot com. That's up to 57% Off and a Free Gift with code 3IN30 at FirstDay.com. After you purchase, they will ask you where you heard about them. PLEASE support our show and tell them our show sent you. BetterHelp: 3 in 30 Takeaways for Moms is sponsored by BetterHelp. Go to betterhelp.com/3in30 to get 10% off your first month of online therapy. Let's Connect! Join me on Instagram! Get weekly-ish emails with BTS of my life Find Your Magic in Motherhood: Free 3-Day Email Course ***

Six weeks before I recorded this episode, I woke up early with my heart pounding so hard I couldn't ignore it. The house was dark, everything was quiet, and as I lay there thinking about the medication I was on, the surgeries I'd been through, the pace I'd been keeping, this thought came to me so clearly: This is my life. No one is going to fix this for me. I am the one who has to change this. I was dealing with chronic health issues, and my body was forcing me to confront some hard truths about how I was living. That morning, I realized I couldn't keep pushing through and ignoring what my body was trying to tell me. So I did something that terrified me—I took a full month off from my podcast even though I had 40 people waiting to be guests.That was back in 2019, and I'm re-airing this episode now because I'm taking my own advice again. This time it's different—my health issues from 2019 have resolved, and I'm not in crisis mode. I'm pausing this February simply because I need space to breathe, think, and recalibrate. I'm not waiting for the summer chaos or for things to fall apart. I'm choosing rest before I need it desperately, and I want you to know that you can do the same. In this episode, you'll learn: 🧘🏽‍♀️ Why waiting for the "right time" to rest might be the very thing keeping you stuck 🧘🏽‍♀️ The one realization that shifted everything about how I approach my responsibilities (hint: it starts with "I could...") 🧘🏽‍♀️ The three practical steps to taking a pause that actually restores you instead of just adding to your guilt If you've been running on empty and telling yourself you'll rest later, this episode is your permission slip. You don't have to wait for a breakdown to take a break. For full show notes, including takeaways, click here. *** Announcements: Need help figuring out what actually needs to stay in your life and what you can let go? My Motherhood Decluttered course helps you clear the mental and emotional clutter so you can focus on what truly matters. Learn more by clicking on the link. Related Episodes: 441: The 4 Types of Self-Care Every Mom Needs // Mia Hemstad 437: Boundaries and Emotional Resilience in Motherhood // Dr. Jen Riday 320: Making Space for Self-Care: It Might Not Be As Hard As You Think // Dr. Nicole Sparks Episode Sponsors: Boll & Branch: Get 15% off your first set of sheets plus free shipping at BollAndBranch.com/3IN30. Hand Lettered Design: You can get 10% off your order at Hand Lettered Design with the code Rachel10 at checkout. Let's Connect! Join me on Instagram! Get weekly-ish emails with BTS of my life Find Your Magic in Motherhood: Free 3-Day Email Course ***

If you have a strong-willed child, you know how much energy they require—and if you have other kids too, you've probably wondered what this dynamic is doing to their siblings. Are they getting lost in the shuffle? Will they resent their brother or sister? Will they resent you? Many parents worry that their quieter child is fading into the background while the spicy one commands all the attention. And even though you're doing your best, it's hard to know how to protect all your kids when one requires so much more support. In this week's episode, I talked with Mary Van Geffen, author of the brand new book Parenting A Spicy One: Raising a Strong-Willed Child Without Breaking Their Spirit or Yours. Mary brings both personal experience as a former spicy child herself and professional expertise as a parenting educator, and she teaches us how to navigate sibling relationships in a way that protects everyone—including the child you might not realize needs protecting. In this episode, you'll learn: 🌶️ Why your "easy" child might be protecting you from their own needs (and what that quietly costs them as they grow up) 🌶️ What your spicy child secretly believes about themselves and their "perfect" sibling—and how it's hurting them both 🌶️ The Home Alone truth about strong-willed kids that changes everything (yes, Kevin McCallister is a spicy one, and we can learn from him) Whether you have a spicy child or not, this conversation will shift how you think about sibling conflict and what it actually takes to protect the relationships between your kids. For full show notes, including takeaways, click here. *** Announcements: If you're raising a spicy child and want help finding the joy in those big personalities, the Flecks of Gold Journal helps you notice and celebrate what's going right—even on the hard days. Use code 3in30 for 10% off! Related Episodes: 440: How to Parent Strong-Willed Children Without Breaking Their Spirit // Mary Van Geffen 452: You Yelled... Now What? How to Repair and Reconnect // Devon Kuntzman 332: How to Delight in Your Difficult Child Episode Sponsors: Boll & Branch: Get 15% off your first set of sheets plus free shipping at BollAndBranch.com/3IN30. Laundry Sauce: For a limited time only, my listeners get 20% off your entire order when you use code 3in30 at LaundrySauce.com. Skylight Calendar: Right now, Skylight is offering our listeners $30 off their 15-inch calendars by going to MySkylight.com/TAKEAWAYS. Let's Connect! Join me on Instagram! Get weekly-ish emails with BTS of my life Find Your Magic in Motherhood: Free 3-Day Email Course ***

I stood at the stove the other night, and in the span of ten minutes, I was asked where the charger was, where the batteries are kept, and where the headphones went. And I thought, why am I the only person in this house who knows where anything is? It's not that my kids are incapable. It's that my home isn't set up in a way that lets them help themselves. Everything requires me—finding things, remembering where things are kept, managing everyone's ability to function in our space. And that is exhausting. But what if your home could actually lighten your load instead of adding to it? What if the setup of your space could reduce the friction, the yelling, the constant need for you to be the only one who knows where things are? That's what today's conversation is about—thinking of your home as your parenting partner. In this episode, you'll learn: 🏡 Why your home might be working against you (and the small shifts that help it work with you instead) 🏡 The one question to ask during a meltdown that changes everything 🏡 How to identify the hotspot in your home that's draining your energy most (and what to do about it!)If you're heading into this new year wanting to lighten your mental load just a little bit, this episode is a great place to start. For full show notes, including takeaways, click here. *** Announcements: Motherhood Decluttered: Today is the last day to get my Motherhood Decluttered audio course for $50 off with code MOREJOY. Get it today for $47 and revisit it anytime to help you lighten your mental load any time you shift into a new season. Learn more at 3in30podcast.com/declutter. Jan's Interactive Quiz: Download the free checklist, “101-Point Home Stress Diagnostic.” It’s packed with simple, practical shifts moms can start using right away to make their homes work with them instead of against them. Related Episodes: 411: Decluttering That Sticks: 3 Mindset Changes for Lasting Impact // Erica Layne 268: More Peace, Less Frustration: The Power of Family Systems // Susie Salinas 351: Is Your Messy House Getting You Down? // Carly Thornock Episode Sponsors: Boll & Branch: Get 15% off your first set of sheets plus free shipping at BollAndBranch.com/3IN30. AirDoctorPro: Head to AirDoctorPro.com and use promo code 3IN30 to get up to $300 off. BetterHelp: 3 in 30 Takeaways for Moms is sponsored by BetterHelp. Go to betterhelp.com/3in30 to get 10% off your first month of online therapy. HungryRoot: For a limited time get 40% off your first box PLUS get a free item in every box for life. Go to Hungryroot.com/3IN30 and use code 3IN30. Let's Connect! Join me on Instagram! Get weekly-ish emails with BTS of my life Find Your Magic in Motherhood: Free 3-Day Email Course ***

I recently sat down to reflect on 2025, and I was honestly shocked by how much lighter my life feels now compared to just a few years ago. I'm not talking about having less to do. I'm talking about releasing the weight of expectations that never fit me in the first place. The guilt over my son's screen time, the pressure to have my spiritual life look a certain way, the belief that I had to maximize my income at all costs. When I started letting those shoulds go, something beautiful happened—I made room for so much more joy. In this episode, I'm sharing specific examples of how I decluttered my motherhood in 2025 and what shifted when I gave myself permission to stop performing and start living. You'll also hear the first lesson from my Motherhood Decluttered audio course, which walks you through the process I used to create this kind of lightness and freedom in my own life. In this episode, you'll learn: ✨ The exact shoulds I released in 2025 (and the joy I found when I let them go) ✨ How decluttering your internal "motherhood closet" creates space for what actually matters to you ✨ Why letting go of heavy expectations isn't about doing less but about making room for more of what brings you aliveIf you've been carrying shoulds that don't fit you anymore, this episode will help you see that you don't have to become a "better" mom in 2026. You just need to become a less burdened one. For full show notes, including takeaways, click here. *** Announcements: Motherhood Decluttered: My Motherhood Decluttered audio course is $50 off through January 19th with code MOREJOY. Get it today for $47 and revisit it anytime you shift into a new season. Learn more at 3in30podcast.com/declutter.Flecks of Gold: Today is the last day of the Flecks of Gold New Year's Sale! Get 10% off with code NEWYEAR. Related Episodes: 214: Simple Tips to Create New Habits in the New Year // BJ Fogg 411: Decluttering That Sticks: 3 Mindset Changes for Lasting Impact // Erica Layne 462: 3 Questions for the New Year Episode Sponsors: Boll & Branch: Get 15% off your first set of sheets plus free shipping at BollAndBranch.com/3IN30. Wildgrain: Right now, Wildgrain is offering our listeners $30 off your first box—PLUS free Croissants for life—when you go to Wildgrain.com/3IN30 to start your subscription today. Let's Connect! Join me on Instagram! Get weekly-ish emails with BTS of my life Find Your Magic in Motherhood: Free 3-Day Email Course ***

A few years ago, I was sitting in a coffee shop feeling completely overwhelmed by all the things I thought I should be doing better—as a mom, as a wife, in my work, in every area of my life. My brain was foggy, my to-do list felt impossible, and I couldn't shake the feeling that I was failing at everything. So I grabbed a pen and started writing—and three questions emerged that helped me cut through the noise and get clear on what I truly valued, not what everyone else expected of me. In this episode, I'm re-airing that original conversation from January 2022, and then coming back at the end to share what's happened since—what worked, what didn't, and how I'm answering those same questions for 2026. This isn't about pressure or perfection. It's about growing in ways that align with YOUR values. In this episode, you'll learn: ✨ Why you might be chasing growth without ever feeling successful—and how to fix that ✨ The uncomfortable question that instantly clarifies what truly matters to you ✨ How one small habit shift can create a ripple effect across your entire lifeIf you've been feeling like everyone else got a head start on 2026 except you, I hope this conversation reminds you that the right questions matter more than the perfect goals. For full show notes, including takeaways, click here. *** Announcements: Motherhood Decluttered Sale! My Motherhood Decluttered course is $50 off through January 19th with code MOREJOY. New Years Reflections Worksheet: If you want a worksheet to go through these three questions for yourself, I created one for you. Print it off, grab a cozy drink, and spend 20 minutes getting clear on what you actually want this year, not what you think you're supposed to want. Flecks of Gold: Shop our Flecks of Gold New Year's Sale! Get 10% off with code NEWYEAR through Jan 12! Related Episodes: 410: Align Your Goal-Setting with Your Menstrual Cycle // April Davis of Haus of Vagina 011: Setting Goals without Sacrificing Sanity // Monica Packer of About Progress 214: Simple Tips to Create New Habits in the New Year // BJ FoggEpisode Sponsors: Boll & Branch: Get 15% off your first set of sheets plus free shipping at BollAndBranch.com/3IN30. BetterHelp: 3 in 30 Takeaways for Moms is sponsored by BetterHelp. Go to betterhelp.com/3in30 to get 10% off your first month of online therapy. Hungryroot: For a limited time get 40% off your first box PLUS get a free item in every box for life. Go to Hungryroot.com/3IN30 and use code 3IN30. Let's Connect! Join me on Instagram! Get weekly-ish emails with BTS of my life Find Your Magic in Motherhood: Free 3-Day Email Course *** 00:00:00 Intro 08:17:00 One: What Small Habit? 11:44:00 Two: What Is Success? 17:40:00 Three: What If Only 3 Years? 27:59:26 Summary

It's mid-December, everyone's running on fumes, and your child just screamed "I hate you." And even though you know it's the exhaustion talking, it still stings because you're killing yourself to make the holidays special, and this is what you get in return. The truth is, the holidays amplify everything: the excitement, the overstimulation, the meltdowns, and yes, the hurtful words our kids don't fully understand yet. But here's what I've learned after years of navigating big emotions with my own strong-willed kids: how we respond in these moments matters more than we think, and there are ways to handle it that actually strengthen our relationship with them instead of damaging it. This is an encore episode from March 2023, and I'm bringing it back because this message feels especially timely right now. I'm sharing audio from an Instagram Live I recorded about an experience with my son six years ago, and then I'll walk you through three things I've learned about what to do when your child says they hate you or uses other big, hurtful words that land like a punch. In this episode, you'll discover: 🎄 Why your instinct to "show them who's boss" in the heat of the moment actually backfires 🎄 The one-word response that validates your child's big feelings while protecting your own heart 🎄 How to know if your child needs outside support beyond what you can provide at home If your child has said "I hate you" to you this December, I want you to know you're not failing, and there is a way through this that brings you closer together instead of further apart. For full show notes, including takeaways, click here. *** Announcements: Start 2026 with more connection and less guilt. The Flecks of Gold Journal gives you a simple way to notice the good in your child in just a few minutes a day. Grab yours before the year ends. 💜 Related Episodes: 452: How to Repair with Your Child After Yelling // Devon Kuntzman 232: Minimizing Power Struggles // Denaye Barahona 030: How to Coach Your Children through Big Emotions // Georgia Anderson 004: How to Stop Yelling at your Kids // Ralphie Jacobs of Simply on Purpose Episode Sponsors: AirDoctor: Head to AirDoctorPro.com and use promo code 3IN30 to get up to $300 off. It comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee and a 3-year warranty. Let's Connect! Join me on Instagram! Get weekly-ish emails with BTS of my life Find Your Magic in Motherhood: Free 3-Day Email Course *** 00:00:00 Introduction 03:02:00 The Story 18:46:00 One: Be the Adult 21:39:00 Two: Validate the Emotions 25:37:00 Three: Get Outside Support 29:20:05 Summary

As the days get shorter and the cold settles in, I can feel the pull to just hunker down and survive until spring, and I have to consciously choose not to give in to it. Maybe your winter is the literal season, the dark mornings and the gray stretches that feel endless. Or maybe your winter looks different—a season of grief, a transition you didn't choose, something in your life that just feels stuck and heavy and long. Either way, we've been taught to brace ourselves and push through hard seasons, to just survive until things get better. But what if there's a different way? What if the struggle isn't really about what's happening around us, but about how we've learned to relate to it? This week, I'm talking with Jamie from Rise Meditate, who spent years dreading winter and has now developed a beautiful framework for working with hard seasons instead of just enduring them. In this episode, you'll hear: ❄️ Why your winter struggle might have nothing to do with the actual weather (and everything to do with the stories you're carrying) ❄️ The study that proved fear can be passed down for 14 generations and what that means for your nervous system ❄️ What happened when Jamie finally stepped outside after years of avoiding winter (and why it felt like escaping from prison) I know winters—whether they're the actual weather or the seasons of life that feel impossible to get through—can be so hard. If even one thing from this conversation helps you feel a little less stuck or a little more empowered, that matters. For full show notes, including takeaways, click here. *** Announcements: 📔 Today is the last day to order the Flecks of Gold Journal and receive it before Christmas! This simple gratitude practice helps you notice and name the small, beautiful moments with your kids every day—and it's incredibly supportive of your mental health, especially during the "winters" of our lives. Order before midnight tonight at 3in30podcast.com/gold. Related Episodes: 414: Feeling Low Right Now? 3 Tools to Help You Cope // Sarah McKenna 406: Navigating Holiday Melancholy // Dr. Tanmeet Sethi How to Support a Friend during the Holidays who has Lost a Loved One // Rachel Gainer Episode Sponsors: Skylight: Right now, get $30 off the 15-inch Calendar at MySkylight.com/TAKEAWAYS. Hand-Lettered Design:  If you're looking for the perfect gift for a child or woman in your life who likes art or creativity, this is it. You can get 10% off your order at Hand Lettered Design with the code Rachel10. Let's Connect! Join me on Instagram! Get weekly-ish emails with BTS of my life Find Your Magic in Motherhood: Free 3-Day Email Course ***

It's December, and if you've been feeling like you're running on fumes, snapping at your kids over the smallest things, or desperately craving a dark room where nobody needs anything from you—you're not the only one! The holidays bring so much beauty and connection, but they also bring overstimulation, dysregulation, and that version of ourselves we don't always recognize. The one who gets sarcastic and snippy when our partner walks in and asks what's for dinner. The one who hates everyone around us by 5 PM, even though we love them deeply. This week, I'm joined by Alyssa Blask Campbell, M.Ed., CEO and founder of Seed & Sew, globally recognized expert in emotional development, and author of Tiny Humans, Big Emotions and her newest book, Big Kids, Bigger Feelings, which just came out. Alyssa is here to help us understand what's actually happening in our bodies when we get overwhelmed—and more importantly, what we can do about it. In this episode, you'll learn: 🎄 Why I threw a waffle across the room one morning a couple of years ago, and what I learned about myself and nervous system dysregulation in the aftermath 🎄 Why regulating your nervous system isn't about "thinking your way out of it" 🎄 Five practical, accessible strategies you can use right now to stay regulated This conversation is exactly what I needed heading into December. Because when we understand our nervous systems and give ourselves the tools to regulate, we start showing up as the moms we actually want to be. For full show notes, including takeaways, click here. *** Announcements: ✨ Take Alyssa's free sensory regulation questionnaire at seedquiz.com to discover what drains you, what recharges you, and how to support your nervous system this holiday season. ✨ Today is the last day of our Slow-vember Sale where Flecks of Gold is $5 off! This journal is designed to help you savor the small, sacred moments of motherhood and find beauty in the everyday chaos. Related Episodes: 449: 3 Simple Strategies to Prevent After-School Meltdowns // Alyssa Blask Campbell 405: 3 Tips to Manage Your Mental Load During the Holidays // 3 in 30 Team 325: How to have Less-Stressful, More Meaningful Holidays // Desirae Endres from Minimal-ish Sponsors: Hand-Lettered Design:  If you're looking for the perfect gift for a child or woman in your life who likes art or creativity, this is it. You can get 10% off your order at Hand Lettered Design with the code Rachel10. Let's Connect! Join me on Instagram! Get weekly-ish emails with BTS of my life Find Your Magic in Motherhood: Free 3-Day Email Course ***

You know that sting in your chest when one of your kids says "I hate you" or slams their door in anger? Every instinct in you wants to smooth it over, to fix it, to make them not be mad at you anymore. But what if your discomfort with their anger is actually getting in the way of the connection you're trying to build? In this episode, I'm talking with my longtime friend Eli Harwood, known online as Attachment Nerd. She's a licensed therapist, attachment expert, and bestselling author who earned secure attachment in her own life after a difficult childhood. Eli shares three simple phrases her mom said to her that helped heal their relationship and build trust between them—phrases any of us can start using today. In this episode, you'll learn: 💜 Why Eli's mom had to convince herself it was okay for Eli to be mad at her 💜 The difference between "right side up" and "upside down" parenting 💜 What Eli thinks about adult children cutting off their parents—and why nobody does this lightly Even if you didn't grow up with secure attachment modeled for you, even if you've made mistakes, you can start building that bond with your kids today. For full show notes, including takeaways, click here. *** Announcements: ✨ Want to start noticing the good in your motherhood? The Flecks of Gold Journal is a simple one-line-a-day practice that helps you see your kids and your life differently. Grab yours here—it's the perfect gift for yourself or another mom this holiday season. Related Episodes: 387: Why Calming Yourself Helps Calm Your Child // Eli Harwood, MA, LPC 386: Raising Securely Attached Kids // Eli Harwood, MA, LPC 367: 3 Ways to Create Lasting Bonds with Your Kids // Mike Westover (Rachel's Dad!) Episode Sponsors: Factor: Eat smart at FactorMeals dot com SLASH 3in3050off and use code 3in3050off to get 50% off your first box, plus Free Breakfast for 1 Year. Let's Connect! Join me on Instagram! Get weekly-ish emails with BTS of my life Find Your Magic in Motherhood: Free 3-Day Email Course ***

You know that feeling when you're completely tapped out—when you can't give one more ounce of yourself to anyone, including you? That's not just exhaustion. That's burnout. And it doesn't mean you're failing at motherhood. This week is Thanksgiving 🦃, and for many of us, that means facing all the "lions"—family dynamics, cooking timelines, travel stress, and that never-ending holiday mental load. But here's the thing: your body doesn't know the difference between being chased by a lion and planning Thanksgiving dinner. And that matters more than you think. When I was a mom of young kids, I was deep in burnout—new baby who wouldn't stop crying, a husband working endless resident hours, and grief I hadn't processed from losing my own mom. I felt like the fire inside me had completely gone out. But I learned something powerful: recovering from burnout isn't about powering through or getting more sleep. It's about rekindling your fire in your body, your mind, and your spirit. In this encore episode (one of my all-time favorites), I'm sharing three science-backed strategies that helped me climb out of depletion mode—and that I still use today when I feel myself slipping. Even if you're not fully burned out right now, these tools will help you notice when you're heading in that direction and course-correct before you're running on empty. In this episode you'll learn: 🏃‍♀️ Why you hold onto every hard moment but forget the good ones by bedtime—and how to fix it 🧠 What Thanksgiving dinner planning and being chased by a lion have in common (spoiler: your nervous system can't tell the difference) 💓 The physical things your body needs to believe it's safe (because telling yourself to relax doesn't work!) Free worksheet! Download the Recovering from Mom Burnout worksheet with reflection prompts at 3in30podcast.com/recover For full show notes, including takeaways, click here. *** Announcements: ✨ Slow-vember Reminder! Find calm in the chaos with our Flecks of Gold Journal—on sale now for $5 off through December 8 at 3in30podcast.com/flecks. A quick daily note of gratitude might just be the simplest soul-care practice you add this season. 💜 Related Episodes: 441: The 4 Types of Self-Care Every Mom Needs // Mia Hemstad 413: What to Do When You’re Juggling Too Much // Amy Wilson 398: How to Plan for an Energizing (not Exhausting) Holiday Season // Dr. Amber Price Episode Sponsors: AirDoctor: Head to AirDoctorPro.com and use promo code 3in30 to get up to $300 off today! It comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee and a free 3-year warranty—an $84 value Let's Connect! Join me on Instagram! Get weekly-ish emails with BTS of my life Find Your Magic in Motherhood: Free 3-Day Email Course ***