In this episode of the Mom Camp: Around the Campfire podcast, I am chatting with Simone Grewal about the challenges and triumphs of balancing motherhood and career. Simone talks about the evolution of her roles as a mother, and how COVID really allowed her to slow down and make space for what truly mattered.

We talk about the importance of self-care, and Simone shares practical strategies for managing all the things that come with being a working mom. She is passionate about planning, and bringing her family into the process so they can ensure everyone has input and priority in the schedule.

We talk about the need for flexibility, the power and freedom that comes from saying no, and the significance of asking for help. We are not alone in this journey, and Simone has some awesome truth bombs to share.

You can find the full show notes including timestamps, Simone's bio and her contact details at www.momcamplife.com/podcast.

In this episode of the Mom Camp: Around the Campfire podcast, I am speaking with Olga Roberts from Collage Beauty about the importance of self-care and the even deeper concept of self-nurturing. Olga shares her entrepreneurial journey from being a flight attendant through to co-founding a skincare line that emphasizes holistic health and wellness. Every step of the way, wellness and sustainability became more of a focus for Olga, and her brand now fully embodies these values. 

During our conversation Olga shares the significance of self-check-ins and rituals as part of her daily routine. We explore what "pro-aging" looks like, as the Collage brand actively celebrates this concept, empowering people to feel their best, inside and out, at every age. 

You can find the full show notes including timestamps, key takeaways, and Olga's bio and contact info at www.momcamplife.com/podcast.

This episode isn't like anything I have shared before.

Just over two weeks ago I had the honour of speaking at a new event, called the IGNITE Motherhood Wellness Summit. There was a lineup of incredible moms speaking, and I honestly couldn't believe I was included. I love speaking, but I always have major imposter syndrome!

The topic I was asked to speak on was connection and community, and the importance of finding your village.

I thought it might be cool to share the talk with you here, in case you weren't in the room. I recorded it separately so it doesn't have all the audience reactions, but I hope this version resonates with you.

In this week's episode I am chatting with Christine Pittman of COOKtheSTORY. We are chatting about meal planning and meal prep, and as the author of over 40 cookbooks, she is definitely an expert in these areas. Christine started blogging recipes and cooking tips over 10 years ago, and she has a gift for simplifying instructions and making awesome dishes totally manageable. As a less-than-confident cook, I am ALL about simple and manageable. We chat about how to make meal planning work for your family, and I get her insights into which counter-top cooking appliance is her favourite - Instapot, Air Fryer, or slow cooker. I can honestly say, she inspired me to cook more often. And that is saying a LOT, lol. Enjoy!

You can find the full show notes, Christine's bio, and her contact info at www.momcaplife.com/podcast. 

In this week's episode I am chatting with money and life coach Kayla Lyon. Kayla works with women and their families to help them set and accomplish their financial goals. We talk about the common limiting beliefs that we can carry, where they come from, and how she helps people overcome them. Money is something that can cause so much stress in a family, but it's also one of those things that people rarely talk about openly. Kayla firmly believes that we should talk about money as openly as possible, and she is working to remove the taboos and stigmas that typically get attached to the topic.

We chat about the common belief that we need to work hard, and to work long hours to be "successful," having the length of time we work become a measure of our worth. We chat about the ideas of scarcity and abundance, how we define "rich" versus "poor," and how those definitions can be shifted. Kayla poses some really great questions about how you feel about regular tasks, like logging into your bank account, paying your bills, etc, and how those gut reactions can give you some great insight into your mindset as a place to start.

This is an awesome conversation about a topic that can often be difficult to talk about. Kayla makes it simple and accessible, and I definitely came away from our chat inspired to make a few shifts myself.

You can read the full show notes, see Kayla's bio, and get details on her free resources, at https://www.momcamplife.com/podcast.

In this week's episode I am chatting with Tasha Skillin. Tasha shares her journey of her life as a perfectionist, people pleaser, and productivity junkie. We talk about the trap of "busy" becoming a measure of our self-worth. She shares how she pushed herself to the point of total burnout and chronic illness, leaving her bed-bound for two years. She went from being a six-figure earner in a direct sales business to zero income, and had to figure out how build her life back. She was told she wouldn't get better but refused to accept her prognosis, and dove into personal development and exploring all the possible ways she could pursue and achieve recovery. Meditation, self-care, reflection, and eventually writing a book on gratitude led her to her new path. Tasha now coaches women to help them realize meaningful impact, without the burnout and negative impacts to family and relationships.

Tasha shares awesome tips on how to start changing our habits, and that story we tell ourselves of why we need to be doing "all of the things all of the time." This is an important conversation for any mom who edges towards perfectionism, people pleasing, and addiction to the "busy."

In this week's episode I am chatting with Nicole Seawell, a life strategist. It was such a fascinating conversation, and she explains how she helps her clients actually develop a strategic plan for their life. She uses the Enneagram and a method called the Science of Timing, which is a very cool concept that identifies your personal timing for when each of your strengths are at their best. She then customizes and curates a plan for each individual, using all the data she gathers using these tools. It's all about setting yourself on a path towards your own best life. It's a totally inspiring conversation and I left our chat totally fired up. Enjoy!

For the full show notes, Nicole's bio, and her contact info, got to www.momcamplife.com/podcast.

In this week's episode I am chatting with Naomi Tucker from Planners on Purpose. Naomi is a professional meeting and event planner and a mom, and is very familiar with high stress and long days. Even working in an industry that demands adaptability, quick response, and frequent pivoting, nothing can prepare someone for the impact of a global pandemic. Unsure of what would unfold, Naomi has navigated through the unknowns and helped companies to stay connected in a virtual setting. Added pressure that comes with being a leader in that space is the feeling like you can't stop, you can't take a break, or you will lose relevance and opportunity.

With juggling the pressures of work, momming, and virtual school, we chat about when it's okay to drop some of the balls. It's about know which balls to drop, which battles to fight. She has some fantastic advice about little adjustments we can make, shuffling things around, to ensure our families can thrive in these challenging days. It's all about doing what works for you and your family in this season, and releasing the expectations of what we think we "should" be doing and how we should be doing it.

Novelist Nora Roberts once gave some awesome advice that completely connects with today's episode: "The key to juggling is to know that some of the balls you have in the air are made of plastic & some are made of glass. And if you drop a plastic ball, it bounces, no harm done. If you drop a glass ball, it shatters, so you have to know which balls are glass and which are plastic and prioritize catching the glass ones."

To read the full show notes, Naomi's bio and contact info, go to www.momcamplife.com/podcast. 

In this week's episode I am chatting with Krista Lockwood of Motherhood Simplified. We chat all things simplification and decluttering, and how it can in fact be possible for busy moms. Krista shares her story of how she, her husband, and their three kids moved from Alaska to Florida with only one suitcase each. They basically started from scratch, and she realized how much better she felt without all the "stuff." As she intentionally chose what items she allowed back into their home, she has been able to master the balance of having enough, without having too much. 

While Krista doesn't recommend the extreme route she and her family took, she has become passionate about helping moms declutter and simplify their lives. She shares how the changes she has made has truly simplified her life. The three biggest things that stood out for me were that she has less laundry, she has more time, and she is more calm about all things mom life. How awesome is that?!

Krista is also the expert guest speaker for the January member call in Mom Camp: IGNITE, so if you want to dig in further for a private workshop with Krista, go to www.momcamplife.com/ignite for all the details! 

For the full show notes, Krista's bio and contact details, go to www.momcamplife.com/podcast. 

In this week's episode I am chatting with certified numerologist Jessica Cerato. We start off with the basics of numerology, how you can find out your own ruling number, and how numbers can work for you. Then we dive right in to her forecast for the year ahead, as she explains the numbers for each month and what they mean. It is a very cool conversation. What she shares about the numbers and energy for the first six months of 2021 is fascinating. Jessica's passion for this work and what it can do is contagious, and she offers an awesome perspective for the months ahead. Enjoy!

To read the full show notes, see Jessica's bio, and contact info, go to www.momcamplife.com/podcast. 

In this week's episode I am chatting with Dr. Lynyetta Willis. Straight up - this is a powerful episode. It is all about breaking the patterns we have learned since childhood, and identifying the triggers that can set us off. 

Lynyetta has developed the term "stable misery," that place where we can stay in less-than-awesome (or even unhappy) circumstances because they are familiar and feel "stable." These patterns are hard-wired in our brains (yay, it's not our fault!), and Lynyetta shares how we can in fact transform your triggers. 

She also shares a powerful and painful experience from her 20s that led her to dive into this work, and how she took action to change the patterns she was caught in. She became passionate about changing the legacy she wanted to leave. 

Lynyetta shares tangible, actionable steps and tools we can use immediately in our parenting. She is awesome. Her way of explaining what we're feeling, and how to get unstuck, is inspiring and motivating, without getting trapped in the struggles. It sounds like a heavy topic, but this episode is totally uplifting and joyful. 

There is so much goodness in this episode. So many lessons. So many ah-ha moments. 

For the full show notes, Lynyetta's bio and her contact info, go to www.momcamplife.com/podcasts. 

In this week's episode I am chatting with Roxanne Merket, a life and business coach for moms. Her specialty is working with moms who have lost themselves a bit, they've forgotten who they are other than "mom." Our chat is all about how mom life and entrepreneur life can intersect and work together in a balanced, positive and productive way. This is an awesome episode if you are running a business, a side hustle, or if you're thinking about starting something new. Roxanne's energy is contagious, she is hilarious and this conversation was just a blast. Enjoy!

For the full show notes, Roxanne's bio, and her contact info, visit www.momcamplife.com/podcast. 

In this week's episode I am chatting with Angel Lawery. She shares about an experience that rocked her to her core, and how it changed everything for her and how she thought about her priorities.

Angel also shares about her time as a collections officer for a financial institution, and how she witnessed so many women in crisis. This experience has become a driving force in why she is now so passionate about helping other women create their own businesses and financial security for their own families.

Angel is a ton of fun and it really does feel like a chat around the campfire. We talk about so many things - how important it is to prioritize yourself, to take time away, how to set boundaries, how no is a complete sentence - all the things.

For the full show notes, Angel's bio, and her contact info, go to www.momcamplife.com/podcast. 

In today's episode you get...me. It's a solo episode, because I wanted to share a lesson that I keep re-learning, and that has become a helpful mantra for me over the years. I learned it from Roni Noone many years ago - what you can, when you can (#WYCWYC).

In this solo "chat" I am sharing how and when I use this phrase in my life, and how it can be so helpful to reframe a situation or how you might be feeling.

I am also giving you an update on how I am managing my own time and energy these days, which includes an update on this podcast.

I hope this WYCWYC phrase supports you and can become something that you can keep in your back pocket for those times when you're feeling overwhelmed. You've got this.

Episode webpage: www.momcamplife.com/WYCWYC

In this week's episode I am chatting with my friend Cindy Ryan, the incredible woman behind Blissful Intuitive. Cindy is an intuitive coach, Reiki practitioner and a medium. She shares her story of the transformation her life has taken, from the decision to leave her marriage to embracing her true self. As a child Cindy would sense things, but as she grew older she ignored and repressed what was happening. It was only in the last few years that she truly started listening and embracing what she was experiencing. The story of how she started to hear and understand the messages she was receiving is fascinating and totally captivating.

This might be the coolest episode to date. As someone who has experienced a session with her, I can honestly says Cindy is absolutely the real deal. It was one of the most life-changing experiences of my life, and I am so excited to introduce her to you.  

For the full show notes, Cindy's bio, and contact info, go to www.momcamplife.com/podcast. 

In this week’s episode I am chatting with Adrienne Barton from The Art of Blended Chaos. We are talking about all things step families, or blended families. Adrienne shares her story of becoming a blended family and the challenges she encountered, as well as the things she has learned along the way. She has incredible perspective about navigating transitions and establishing new traditions, as well as great advice about making them as seamless as possible. It’s a great conversation about circumstances that can come with a lot of potential challenges, and how to navigate them and build positive, productive relationships along the way. To see the full show notes, Adrienne's bio, and her contact info, go to www.momcamplife.com/podcast. 

In this week's episode I am chatting with Laura Parkinson about all things EFT Tapping. Have you heard of it? EFT Tapping, or Emotional Freedom Techniques, is a simple and effective technique using a combination of modern day talk therapy and ancient acupressure (tapping on meridian points). Clinical studies show EFT Tapping is a powerful treatment for depression, anxiety, PTSD, and other conditions.

I love it because it's a form of meditation that feels accessible to me. The process of tapping directly influences the area of the brain that controls the fight, flight, freeze response and, as such, it is an exceptional tool for addressing trauma, and releasing limiting beliefs.

We chat about Laura's journey with EFT, how it has helped her, and how she now helps other women using the same techniques. The best part? She leads us through a session right in the episode!

If you want to check out the video of the episode and the tapping session, plus the full show notes and Laura's contact info, go to www.momcamplife.com/podcast. 

In this week's episode I am chatting with Dr. LaTarsha Holden, and her story is a serious inspiration. Twelve years ago, LaTarsha and her six children found themselves homeless. Fast forward to today and their life couldn't look any more removed from that place. They are all thriving - not to mention LaTarsha has a Doctorate in Leadership Studies, is the author of thirteen books, and an inspirational speaker.

She shares her story and how she taught her kids the importance of service, and how they had the power to re-write their own story. They had nothing, were living in squatters' housing, and they found ways to practice acts of service each and every day. These lessons, and how LaTarsha found the strength to move beyond her situation and decide that she wanted more, make for one of the most incredible and admirable stories I have heard. This episode is packed with inspiration and wisdom that will show you that anything is possible.

For the full show notes, LaTarsha's bio and contact info, go to www.momcamplife.com/podcast. 

In today’s episode I am chatting with author and lecturer Amanda Watson. I seriously loved this conversation. Her book The Juggling Mother: Coming Undone in the Age of Anxiety was recently released, and it is all about the social expectation that women, particularly as they have children, must juggle an unfair share of paid and unpaid work. In Amanda’s words, “I had been researching how working moms are represented in media when I became pregnant and hit the job market. That's when the subject matter hit me on another level. I had to admit that as I wrote critically about how motherhood and work are represented across media, I felt myself secretly want to be her: the beautiful, fit, wealthy, working mom who juggles to perfection. That tension is where this book begins.”

Amanda shares her research on the representation of motherhood, specifically in the context that it relates to her personal experience. We chat about the importance of our kids seeing us take space for ourselves, to pursue our passions and do things that are about us, not just them. We talk about the "shoulds" and where the pressure comes from that mothers feel on a daily basis. Amanda's research and ongoing curiosity made for an awesome conversation with so many ah-ha moments.

This is an important conversation for ALL mothers. 

For the full show notes, Amanda's bio and contact info, got www.momcamplife.com/podcast. 

In today’s episode I am chatting with Naty Howard. We're talking about rituals, and how they can help you belong to yourself and feel good in your own body again. Naty shares her story of how after a LOT of research and testing, she discovered that she had heavy metal toxicity in her body. She tells how she took control of her own personal healing journey and made important changes in her life to realize wellness. This started with rituals. Rituals can be the support system that lifts you up and gives you a solid foundation of wellness. She shares the key rituals she recommends for her clients as they begin their own healing journeys. They include meditation or breath practice, the healing power of nutrition, and a practice of connecting inward and introspection.

Naty is passionate about helping people ultimately become their own healers and reconnect with their purpose, and she recently published her book Your Mighty Inner Healer to help people do just that. Her energy is incredibly calming and energizing at the same time - have a listen, you'll understand what I mean.

To see the full show notes, Naty's bio and her contact info, go to www.momcamplife.com/podcast. 

In today’s episode I am chatting with Traci Costa, founder of PK Beans. We are chatting about playful living – and not just for kids. It’s an awesome chat about how important it is for us to keep play alive in our own lives as adults. We get so wound up in the work, the stress, the to do list, we can lose the freedom to just play. Not to mention technology, which can take over, numb us and erase our desire to let go and be playful.

True free play has no outcome, no rules, no instruction, no structure. When was the last time YOU truly played with no boundaries?

To see the full show notes, Traci's bio and contact info, go to www.momcamplife.com/podcast.

In today's episode I am chatting with Bethany Adkins from The Millennial Mission. We are chatting about what it means to live a life of purpose. Bethany and her husband Corey found themselves heavily in debt (over $250,000), working jobs that made them feel like zombies, and doing everything but stepping into their purpose. Bethany shares their journey of both their failures and victories along the way to eliminating their debt and getting clarity on what they were meant to do.

Bethany is passionate about helping others find a path to follow, and feel the peace that comes on the other side when you DO truly step into who it is you were created to be. She believes that nobody should have to live a life without purpose and nobody should have to figure out how to do this alone. Bethany's message is simple: you have a purpose. You just have to step into it!

You can read the full show notes at www.momcamplife.com/podcast.

In today’s episode I am chatting with licensed counsellor and grief healer Katie Rössler. We typically think of grief as connected to loss and death, but our chat is about the collective grief we are all feeling when it comes to the pandemic. We chat about the grieving process and how it connects to the loss we are all experiencing - the loss of our “normal.” 

This is a weird time, and it's important that we acknowledge that some of what we are feeling is actually a form of grief. Katie shares the important things you can do to take care of yourself in the process. 

To see the full show notes, Katie's bio and contact info, go to www.momcamplife.com/podcast. 

In today's episode I am chatting with coach, podcaster and success strategist LaWann Moses about the big topic of mom guilt (insert ominous bom-bom-bommmmmm music). We talk about how LaWann defines mom guilt, and her answer is surprising! We get into the topic of the unrealistic expectations we place on ourselves as moms, and where that feeling of "should" comes from. (Sidebar: Why did June Cleaver and Mrs. Brady ever become the epitome of the "perfect mom?")

LaWann is the host of the More than a Mother Podcast, and she helps moms to remember what they truly love and enjoy, the things that bring them happiness outside of their families. She believes it is possible to have a great career pursuing your dreams AND be a great mom at the same time. We talk about how it is okay to be a little selfish, to pursue our dreams and to put ourselves back on our own priority lists.

As moms we can be so hard on ourselves, choosing to set aside our dreams and put ourselves on hold in favour of taking care of everyone else around us. LaWann has a ton of fantastic advice for how to shift your mindset about this, and going after your own dreams and being fulfilling outside motherhood can ultimately make you an even better mom.

For the full show notes, and LaWann's bio and contact details, go to www.momcamplife.com/podcast. 

In this episode I am chatting with Jennifer Kolbuc and Kate Le Souef, co-hosts of the podcast Get Outside with Kids. As their show name implies, they are very passionate about sharing tips and tricks on how to get outside with your kids - in any mood, in any weather, whenever you can. They chat about the science behind outside time, the benefits of making it a priority, and how it has impacted their own lives. My favourite part is that they also share the funny fails they've experienced while trying to spend time with their kids outside. It's all about real life and how you can make it part of your routine, even on those days where it feels impossible. (Spoiler alert: sometimes those are they days where outside time can make the biggest difference.)

You can find the full show notes, their bio, and contact details at www.momcamplife.com/podcast. Enjoy!

In today's episode I am chatting with Registered Dietitian Jenn Messina about body positive parenting. We chat about what the term "body positive parenting" actually means, and how you can bring it into your home even if you're still working on your own body positivity. Jenn shares that it starts with how we speak to ourselves and the type of language we use. We also talk about intuitive eating actually means and how to support a diet-free home.

There have been a lots of great moves toward body positivity in the media and especially on social media, but still, the media is full of messages and images of a body image that is not necessarily attainable or even reasonable…Jenn shares how we can help our kids build resilience against these messages, and to create their own filters when they see them.

Jenn is awesome and really highlights the importance of body positive parenting and a diet-free home. It was a fascinating chat, and it definitely made me even more conscious of the words we use at home!

To see the full show notes, Jenn's bio and how to connect with her, go to www.momcamplife.com/podcast.

Today I am chatting with Alyssa Hall, an anti-racism coach. This is such an important conversation. It’s a huge conversation. We talk about the difference between non-racism and anti-racism, and how you can practice anti-racism in your own life. We talk about Black Lives Matter and a lot of different things affecting BIPOC, but the main point of our chat was to understand how an average person can implement change. How we can talk to our kids, how we can acknowledge our feelings in this situation, how we can explore and address our own underlying biases. How we can have the tough conversations in a positive way. How to create a safe space for BIPOC.

The theme it comes down to is the Maya Angelou quote – know better, do better. I am not perfect at this, I am 100% still learning. We are all still learning. And that’s the point. Knowing better, then doing better.

For the full show notes, Alyssa's bio and contact details, go to www.momcamplife.com/podcast. 

Today I am chatting with Dara Kurtz – mother, podcaster, speaker, author, and breast cancer survivor. Dara’s newest book, I am My Mother’s Daughter: Wisdom on Life, Loss, and Love, has just been released, and in the book and in this episode, Dara shares her story of losing her mother just two weeks after the birth of her first child. She grieved for many years and we talked about how that has impacted her in her work and as a mother. Years later Dara discovered letters her mother had written to her, and we talk about how this discovery gave her incredible insight into her grief, her relationships and her life.

This chat goes deep. Accepting loss is not an easy topic and Dara is passionate about sharing what she has learned, so that others might be able to process and heal through their own journey. Her perspective is joyful, uplifting and incredibly insightful.

For the full show notes, book info and more about Dara, go to www.momcamplife.com/podcast. 

Today I am chatting with DeLise Bernard of Surviving Homeschool, about all things homeschooling. We are in the midst of the back to school season and this episode is incredibly timely. So many parents are either making the leap to homeschool or considering dipping their toe in the water, and DeLise is a wealth of information about how to be successful on the journey. She shares about her own experience homeschooling her kids, how she has supported new homeschooling parents in this recent explosion of learning from home, and her best "survival tips" on how to get started the best way.

Whether you're considering homeschool or facing some sort of distance learning in the next term, this is absolutely an episode to check out for awesome ideas to incorporate with your kids.

For the full show notes, DeLise's bio and contact details, go to www.momcamplife.com/podcast.

In this episode I am chatting with Lisa Westhorpe, owner of Nurture Occupational Therapy. We talk about what occupational therapy is, and how it can help a wide variety of challenges. She shares how she helps moms to "parent pain-free" - managing and overcoming the aches and pains that new moms experience when moving their bodies in ways they haven't before, and how she provides support for new moms as they adjust to the new physical demands that come along with first-time motherhood. We also talk about how our bodies change in ways we might be fully aware of. So often moms try to jump back into exercise at the six week mark post-childbirth, but Lisa talks about how it's important to consider how your body has shifted and what might have been easy pre-pregnancy is not always the best thing for you. Just think about jumping rope pre and post-childbirth as an example!

Lisa shares the idea of "matrescence," the transition from pre-parent to parenthood. We talk a lot in society about adolescence - a time of huge change, growth, fluctuating hormones, etc - for kids as they grow up. Matrescence is the same thing, but it's rarely acknowledged or understood. It's like we're expected to just jump into motherhood and just "get used to it," but when you liken it to the drastic shifts of adolescence it really paints the picture of the challenges we face in that first year of motherhood. So much focus is put into the birth plan, but rarely do we look forward to a postpartum plan for what support we might need in place in those sleep-deprived months. This is one of the things that Lisa works on with her clients, ensuring that new moms have the support they need in those first few months of adjustment and recovery.

I always say that while it takes a village to raise a child, it also takes a village to raise a mom. This was a fascinating chat about motherhood and how we often negate or downplay the major changes that occur when we become moms - physical, emotional and mental. It needs to be acknowledged just how massive this transition is, and just how much we all need our village.

For the full show notes and Lisa's bio and contact details, go to www.momcamplife.com/podcast.

In today's episode I am chatting with Jessica Robles, of Stories and Films. I love when I "meet" people for the first time and immediately feel a connection. We chat about a ton of different topics - including how she became a first-time mom and caregiver to a special needs baby in the same moment, how she and her husband made a conscious effort to celebrate him every day of his five years on earth, and how she started her media company to tell stories and connect people. We chat about simple ways you can care for yourself, and what "balance" looks like in the midst of a pandemic when work and home life blend.

Jessica is a story teller by trade and by nature. She drops some serious wisdom that rocked me, right near the end of the episode, when she said "This is our one shot at this. This life, right here, right now, this is our one shot. Let's make the best of it. Let's be examples for others. Let's have stories worth telling. Let's have stories worth learning from."

Mic drop.

For the full show notes and how to connect with Jessica, go to www.momcamplife.com/podcast.

In today’s episode I chat with Bre Reid, a mom life coach and founder of Yes You Can, Mama. Bre shares her story of her daughter’s birth at 28 weeks, the 12 weeks of NICU care, and her resulting PPD and PTSD. We talk about the lack of mental health support that is offered and available to new moms, and especially new moms of preemies. You get launched into the world of motherhood with no real training, no experience, ALL the hormones and NONE of the sleep. It’s as though the system is set up to create postpartum challenges, especially in countries with limited maternity leave. Bre’s daughter wasn’t even home from the NICU when she had to return to work. Bre has become passionate about spreading awareness about maternal mental health and the importance of finding the joy in motherhood. We talk about how moms get caught up in the “shoulds,” which can lead to the cycle of overwhelm and exhaustion. She now works with moms to help them push through those shoulds and create a life they love.

For the full show notes, and Bre's bio and contacts, go to www.momcamplife.com/podcast. 

In today's episode I chat with Natalie Hixson, and it is an incredibly importance conversation. Natalie experienced an incredible turning point in living an abundant and joyful mom life: it occurred during a therapy session she scheduled for her daughter when she was told that SHE was the one who needed therapy. With therapy, she learned how to process anger in a healthy way and was inspired to then help other moms who may also be struggling. 

Mom anger is kind of a 'taboo' subject, but an important one to tackle which is why she's so open to speaking about her journey.

As busy moms, we've all been at the end of our rope and have 'lost it' or had a meltdown in front of our kids. None of us is immune to these moments along our motherhood journey, and being overwhelmed can often lead to it happening more frequently. Natalie shares her method for recognizing patterns of overwhelm and how to respond to and process negative emotions. She truly believes that moms can find abundance and joy in motherhood without inviting overwhelm. 

For the full show notes, Natalie's bio and contact details, go to www.momcamplife.com/podcast. 

In today's episode I am chatting with Lisa Michaud, a coach, speaker and powerhouse of inspiration. Lisa shares her story of a serious health scare that gave her life-changing clarity. She found her truth, got super clear on what matters most, and made huge changes to her life. She changed her city, lifestyle, and began building her business. We talk about expectations we place on ourselves and the expectations of others, how to let go of them, and how to stay true to yourself and what you know to be true.

We talk about the importance of taking time for yourself to get connected to your own truth. Doing "the work" to get clarity can feel overwhelming, but it doesn't have to be heavy or another item on your to-do list. Just a few minutes a day with your own thoughts to process things, little by little. We also get pretty passionate about the idea of taking care of yourself, and how it's the foundational step before anything else.

Lisa shares her advice for mamas that have a dream sitting on the back burner, who are waiting for "one day"... either because they are scared, or feel like they don't have capacity, or aren't super clear on what or how important that dream actually is. We talk about finding your why and getting clear on the feeling you want to experience by going after your dream. When that why and feeling are crystal clear, you can find time, even five minutes a day, to bring that into your life today. It doesn't have to be "one day" after all.

Don't wait to chase your dreams. Lisa gives us all permission to go after our dreams right now, to start small, but the important thing is to start. This episode is packed with energy and inspiration!

For the full show notes, Lisa's bio and contact info, go to www.momcamplife.com/podcast.

Ann is a parenting coach with four kids aged 5-15 herself, so she's in the thick of every stage of parenting. Ann coaches women through various stages of motherhood—from conception to the transition into their new motherhood role, to behavioural challenges, to starting a business with kids in tow. She’s a no-nonsense, straight-shooting, coach. We talk a lot about why parents can lose their temper with their kids, and how to stop. I won't lie - I felt pretty vulnerable about sharing examples from my own life about challenges we have at home, and she gently called me out on some stuff.

We talk about the difference between anger and discipline. We talk about allowing our kids to make choices and handle the consequences. We talk about how to handle situations where your co-parent doesn't always parent or communicate the way you do. We talk about a LOT.

Ann has some incredible advice for parents of all stages and can put almost any situation into perspective, with great examples of how to communicate in a loving and logical way with kids at all stages.

For the full show notes and Ann's bio and links, go to www.momcamplife.com/podcast.

In today's episode I am chatting with Dr. Ally Power, Naturopathic doctor and motherhood coach. We are talking about how motherhood doesn't have to equal fatigue and low energy, or forgetting about you as a human. It's about finding ways to to make time for yourself, set boundaries, and prioritize your health. It's not just about health care or medicine, it's also about behavioural changes you can make to go with the health care changes. Ally is an expert in this area and has a lot of great info to share. This is a very informative and helpful conversation for moms at any stage.

You can find the full show notes, Ally's bio and contact info at www.momcamplife.com/podcast.

Erin Kraebber is convinced balance does not exist – perfect balance, that is. She works full-time in college athletics, with long days and nights and a hectic schedule. A mom of two, Erin has found the balance that works for her family and she is passionate about helping other moms get clarity on their own personal and career goals. It is possible to succeed as a mom AND on the corporate ladder, and we have a great conversation about all the things working moms have to process and manage when it comes to working and raising a family.

For the full show notes and Erin's bio, go to www.momcamplife.com/podcast. 

In today's episode I am chatting with Lisa Zawrotny from Positively Productive Systems. Lisa was a caregiver for a mom with Alzheimer’s, and had two babies during that time. She shares how sheer overwhelm...chaos and clutter...nearly took her down. But she not only found my way through, she took what she learned and began to help others. Lisa's family also went through a challenging time financially, where they had to try to sell their home, pick up and leave to live with her in-laws. They moved hours away from what they knew, with no prospects, and basically started life over. She used every skill she had (simplicity, organizing, project management, productivity, gratitude practice, positivity, etc.) to survive this massive life shift and help her children and husband do the same. Lisa shares that they didn’t just survive, but are now thriving.

Lisa now works with moms using her proprietary system, to declutter in whatever way they need - physically, emotionally, mentally, and for their schedule. She has a wonderful perspective on how you can investigate what's causing you struggles, and how you can make simple changes that work for you and your family. She has a ton of helpful tips for how to establish boundaries, how to gently say no to requests for your time and energy, how to negotiate with your kids...there are so many nuggets, this episode is a goldmine for busy mamas.

She teaches us how to Do Less, Live More and Breathe Easier.

In today's episode we talk about how you can become best friends with your vagina. Sofia spent a year "at war with her vagina" and most of her 20s in search of the grand orgasm. When she finally started to put together the pieces she realized that her dissatisfaction in the bedroom was linked to the dissatisfaction at work and in her life in general. Ever since then Sofia has been on a mission to deeply to connect to her pleasure and her sexuality for better orgasms and to better connect with her sense of self. She now helps clients do the same with her appropriately named business, The Happy Vagina Project.

Sofia had a baby almost two years ago and that came with a whole new set of changes to her identity and sexuality. We talk about the challenges moms can have making time for sex, and she shares her perspective on how it can work. We talk about the small moments, and how micro intimacy - flirting, emotional connection and mindfulness - all can contribute to a better life and sex life.

This is a good one, and such an important topic that we often don't talk about. Enjoy!

For the full show notes and Sofia's bio, go to www.momcamplife.com/podcast 

I first met Jessie when she was leading a session for my own employer, about managing remote teams effectively. She said a few things in that really connected for me, about how employees can advocate for themselves and ask for what they need to be successful in this work from home pandemic landscape. Jessie shares how she makes it work for her and her own family, both how she manages her work and how she handles those unexpected moments when her kids show up on a video conference. She also talks about how employees can speak to their manager about the adaptations they may require, the flexibility they might need in their schedule, and the understanding that "work you" and "work you with your kids at home" might be two very different people.

Whether you're an employee who needs to ask for something from your employer during this unusual time, you're a manager overseeing teams with families, this is a super helpful episode. Or maybe you have a manager that might benefit from hearing it as well, to understand what you are going through!

For the full show notes and Jessie's bio, go to www.momcamplife.com/podcast. 

In today's episode I am chatting with Kristen Boss of Becoming Boss. We chat about how to connect your work to your purpose, and what she did when she realized she was living out of alignment. We talk about how businesses are pivoting in this global pandemic landscape, and how coming from a place of service and abundance will ultimately lead you to more success. As a former "burnout queen," Kristen shares how she took on the strategy of "doing less, but better," and protecting the yesses she gave out - no longer agreeing to obligations that didn't align with her values or purpose. She talks about how this shift now ensures that she is giving the best of her to her loved ones, the loving mom who is no longer impatient, resentful and guilty.

If you're a working mama, an entrepreneur (or both), this one is packed with wisdom and awesome advice.

Enjoy!

For the full show notes and all the ways to connect with Kristen, go to www.momcamplife.com/podcast.

In today's episode I am chatting with Erin Treloar, founder of Raw Beauty Co, a platform that celebrates real women and their real stories that is dedicated to helping women live from a place of self love. We talk about a LOT. From body acceptance to nutrition and relationship with food, to loss of identity as a mom to filling your bucket...it's all in there and it's awesome.

Erin shares how magazine culture affected her perception her body, how it ultimately led her to hospitalization for her eating disorder, and eventually her road to recovery. We chat about how body shape and appearance do not equate to value, but how women so often still look for ways to control their bodies through food. She shares how she coaches women to identify their relationship with food, to look at food as an experience and not as a way to satisfy deeper emotional cravings.

We chat about the many and varied coping mechanisms we are all using during COVID-19, and how there is no "right" way to do it. From beauty regimes and workouts to colour-coded school charts and all the screen time, everyone is handling things different, and that's okay. As long as we are taking time to fill our buckets and do what we need to do to make sure we are okay.

That same lesson goes for ANY day in life, global pandemic or not. Whether you stay at home with your kids, work from home, or go to work every single day, everyone's journey and choices are different. We talk about the loss of identity that moms can experience, and how we can work to reconnect with ourselves and as for what we need. To stop waiting for permission to do the things that light us up. To ask for the space and support you need.

I loved this chat so much, and there are SO many incredible nuggets of wisdom. Enjoy.

For the full show notes, Erin's bio and ways to connect, go to www.momcamplife.com/podcast. 

Having a family doesn't mean you need to sacrifice career advancement, and having a career doesn't mean you aren't devoted to your family. In today's episode I chat with Latika Vines from Visionary Initiatives, and we talk about how moms can have BOTH without the guilt. After experiencing postpartum depression with her fourth baby, Latika had to dig deep and analyze how she was living her life. She realized how important it is to find balance and practice self-care, and she shares how she makes time for self-care in little activities each day. Latika has developed a system for managing work AND home life without the guilt, and she is passionate about sharing it with the world. 

For the full show notes and how to connect with Latika, go to www.momcamplife.com/podcast.

What do you do when you realize you are living your life out of alignment? Today I am chatting with Christina Mattison, a military veteran and mom who left her corporate job and dreams of climbing the career ladder for the entrepreneur life as a yoga instructor. She realized that what she had thought for years was her "dream" was actually causing her depression and severe anxiety. Christina is now committed to spending more time with her family, and to helping and healing people through yoga. She now runs her own yoga studio and is passionate about bringing yoga and self-care to professional moms, so that they don't reach the same depths that she did. 

For the full show notes and access to Christina's free Facebook community, go to www.momcamplife.com/podcast.

Today I chat with Nicole Greenplate, and this episode is like a two-for-one! First we talk about her work as a virtual assistant - what the work entails, what services she offers and how she got started. She shares why she made the decision to leave a secure teaching job to pursue this line of work as her kids are entering middle and high school. With the current economic landscape, layoffs, and work from home situations, I see a lot of moms reconsidering what they want their days to look like. Whether you are considering a shift to building your own business and might need a virtual assistant, or you might consider this type of work for yourself to give you more flexibility and time at home, Nicole's provides some great info and insight. 

Then we pivot over to a topic that is near and dear to my heart right now and key to Nicole's career decisions, the transition to the high school experience. There is a lot of attention put on entering kindergarten and graduation from high school, but we rarely hear about the challenges that might come from moving up to high school. Kids are in a different development phase with different ways of communicating, and it's important to be ready for the hormone-fuelled realities that might come along! 

For the full show notes and how to connect with Nicole, go to www.momcamplife.com/podcast.

This one's for the business mamas! Whether you're running a company or you are a solopreneur, having a strong brand is an important part of running a successful business. In today's episode I chat with Britney Gardner, brand strategist and mama of two. Britney works with businesses to build consistent brands - from visual identity to values and messaging. We dive into what makes up a brand, and what to consider as you develop one. A brand is so much more than a logo and font!

Britney also talks about how she runs her business (including hosting a podcast) in just 15 hours a week. She shares how she makes this lighter schedule work for both her business and her family, so if you are building a business this is definitely an episode to check out!

For the full show notes and how to connect with Britney, go to www.momcamplife.com/podcast.

In today's episode I am chatting with Stephanie Rosenfield. A former speech pathologist, Stephanie is now a life coach who works with overwhelmed moms to help them navigate the internal and external chaos that can creep up during motherhood. Stephanie shares how you can reframe the moments when you feel like you're going to lose your cool - it's about releasing "a little bit of air out of the balloon," taking some of the pressure off in those moments.

This chat is full of moments of wisdom that you will be able to take away and put into action in your own life. Enjoy!

You can find the full show notes, Stephanie's bio and contact info at www.momcamplife.com/podcast.

How are mealtimes in your house? For so many families mealtime can be a major source of stress, whether it's the act of cooking (this one's mine) or the struggle to get kids to eat what's being served. So many parents feel that this is just a "normal" part of motherhood. In today's episode I chat with Ahuva Magder, a registered dietitian who works with parents to change their mindset around what's possible for their mealtime. She works with them to create successful mealtimes, so that they can go back to enjoying their day with their family. The feeling of not being a "good mom" is universal and mealtime is just one place that pressure on mothers plays out. I'm sure this episode will resonate with you, whether you are dealing with cooking anxiety, picky eaters, or other stresses that manifest during mealtime.

See the full show notes, Ahuva's bio and a link to her free Facebook community at www.momcamplife.com/podcast. 

Devon Brooks in a incredible entrepreneur, a serious powerhouse, and an awesome mom of two. Not only was she the founder of Blo, the first and largest franchise chain of blow dry bars, but she has now created an entirely new venture in Sphere. We talk a lot in the interview about this new app, which is kind of like the Class Pass of personal and business coaching. In our chat we talk about how coaching can help moms in both career and life, and how connecting with different "guides," as they're called at Sphere, can be like different tools in your personal tool box. So many people enter the coaching experience for business reasons, and it becomes a journey of self development as well.

Devon and I chat about all things mom life, how we can often lose our sense of self when we become a mom, and how it's possible to change perspective on mom guilt and mom doubt. We go pretty deep and it was an open, awesome conversation.

For the full show notes and the link to a free 14-day trial of Sphere, go to www.momcamplife.com/podcast.

Having a mom friend you can really talk honestly with about when things are tough is so important. In today's episode I chat with life and business coach Lindsey Lewis, and I can absolutely say I have found that type of friend in Lindsey. We dug into the trials of early motherhood, the uncertainty and the overwhelm. Lindsey shares how she hit rock bottom and slowly set a path in motion for making her own self-care a priority through thoughtful, intentional steps and a willingness to ask for help. There are lots of laughs and a boatload of honesty. I hope you enjoy this chat as much as I did. 

For the full show notes and Lindsey's bio, go to www.momcamplife.com/podcast.