Explore every episode of the podcast No Guilt Mom | Overcoming Mom Guilt, Mental Load & Parenting Tips for Moms

If you've ever dealt with mom guilt after losing your cool and wondered why you can't stay calm with your ADHD kid, this episode is for you. You get interrupted, your emotions go from zero to 100, and then the guilt shows up. In this solo episode, JoAnn shares how ADHD shaped her own childhood and parenting, why big emotional reactions are not a verdict on you as a mom, and how to start noticing your triggers so you can pause and repair. In this episode, you'll learn: Why ADHD comes with an emotional component, and why a big reaction to criticism is not proof that you are a bad mom Why being pulled away from a project can drain your motivation, and how interest works as fuel for an ADHD brain Why you can't promise to always stay calm, but you can promise to notice your triggers and repair How to tell your family your triggers, and how to plan a pause for the situations that set you off A simple trick to stay present in a conversation when your attention wants to wander Resources mentioned in this episode: The Happy Home Ladder, a cooperative family game where you work on one skill at a time The Best Mom is a Happy Mom by JoAnn Crohn The No Guilt Mom Inner Circle Vibe by Adam Grant The Let Them Theory by Mel Robbins The No Guilt Mom podcast page Follow and review on Apple Podcasts Follow on Spotify Some links above are affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thank you to T Town Homeschooler for the kind review! If this episode helped you, leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. It only takes a minute and it helps other moms find the show. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

If you've ever felt the weight of the mental load and wondered why you always seem to do everything at home, this episode is for you. You say yes to the plan, your partner says yes to the plan, and then somehow you are the one who is disappointed. Julia Dhar, a world champion debater and author of How Change Really Works, joins me to show you how to have the hard conversation without it turning into a fight. We talk about making a clear and specific request, why false agreement quietly builds resentment, and what to do when you catch yourself thinking "I thought you were going to." In this episode, you'll learn: Why anticipating a conflict feels so physical, and why most people say they feel relieved after the hard conversation How to make a clear and specific request instead of asking "can you help me?" The difference between false alignment and true agreement, and how true agreement lowers your mental load Why "I thought you were going to" is an early warning sign that your expectations and theirs are out of step The "I don't care / I care a lot" technique for letting small things go without losing yourself Resources mentioned in this episode: How Change Really Works by Julia Dhar Happy Home Ladder No Guilt Mom Inner Circle The Best Mom is a Happy Mom by JoAnn Crohn noguiltmom.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

If you've ever felt the weight of the mental load and wondered why you keep doing everything yourself, even when you're exhausted, this episode is for you. You're not tired from the tasks on your plate. You're tired from the parts of the job nobody can see: the noticing before and the checking after. In this episode, I share the research behind that invisible work, a few of my own stories (including moments where I got it wrong), and a simple way to hand over the whole job, not just one more task. In this episode, you'll learn: Why the heaviest part of your load is the part nobody can see The four stages of every household job and which ones moms tend to hold What I call the default loop, and why it keeps you doing it all Why taking a job back costs you more than it saves (my holiday gift-wrapping story) How to hand over the whole job this week, and why their frustration is part of the learning Resources mentioned in this episode: The Happy Home Ladder: a cooperative family game that does the asking for you No Guilt Mom Inner Circle The Best Mom is a Happy Mom Tell me which job you're handing off: @noguiltmom on Instagram Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

If you've ever felt the weight of the mental load and wondered why you're the only one who notices what needs to be done around the house, this episode is for you. Sam Kelly, author of Notice and Do, joins me to talk about the moment she realized she was teaching her kids to rely on her for all the noticing, just like her husband had. We talk about the rage that comes with carrying the mental load, why a chore system only gets you half of the way there, and how to hand over ownership without hovering. In this episode, you'll learn: Why noticing is a teachable skill, just like brushing your teeth or tying your shoes How to turn grief and rage about the mental load into fuel for change What the Big Three and learning ladders are, and how they give kids real ownership Why a chore chart relies on you to do all the noticing and delegating, and what to do instead How pre-existing motivators work for strong-willed and ADHD kids, and why the pushback is temporary Resources mentioned in this episode: Notice and Do: Raise Capable Kids, End Motherhood Burnout, and Lighten Your Mental Load by Sam Kelly Sam Kelly's website Sam Kelly on Instagram (@samkelly_world) Happy Home Ladder No Guilt Mom Inner Circle The Best Mom is a Happy Mom by JoAnn Crohn No Guilt Mom podcast page Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

If you've ever felt mom guilt after yelling and wondered why you yell at the same time every day, this episode is for you. New here? Start with our ⁠Start Here playlist⁠ — five episodes that will change how you think about motherhood. Your yelling probably has a timestamp, and that does not mean something is wrong with you. I share three stories, from a childhood kitchen sink to a 5 p.m. toddler "no" to a 10 p.m. bedtime request, and walk you through why your yelling window happens and the smallest possible plan for changing it. In this episode, you'll learn: Why you tend to yell at the same moment almost every day, and why that makes it a pattern instead of a character flaw The sequence behind a yelling moment: the trigger, the feeling, and the sentence your brain adds a half second later Why the belief that your kid did it on purpose fuels anger, and how to start rewriting that sentence when you are calm How to make an if-then plan that says what you will do instead of what you are trying to stop Why you don't need more patience in your yelling window, you need a plan Resources mentioned in this episode: The Happy Home Ladder: a simple cooperative family game so you don't have to ask daily The Best Mom is a Happy Mom by JoAnn Crohn The No Guilt Mom Inner Circle Follow the show on Spotify Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

New here? Start with our Start Here playlist, five episodes that will change how you think about motherhood. If you've ever felt the weight of the mental load and wondered why you pass your own stress onto your kids without meaning to, this episode is for you. Ever wonder why your reaction to something small, like your kid not eating dinner, feels way bigger than the moment itself? In this episode, clinical psychologist Dr. Edith Shiro, author of The Unexpected Gift of Trauma, breaks down how stress and trauma pass from parent to child without either of you realizing it, and what you can actually do to interrupt the cycle. In this episode, you'll learn: How to tell when your reaction to your kid is really about something from your own past A 5-minute script to repair with your child after you react in a way you're not proud of Why validating your child's feelings, even before you set a limit, makes discipline actually work How to handle a teenager's rejection without taking it personally What to say when your child is being bullied, or is the one doing the bullying Resources mentioned in this episode: Dr. Edith Shiro's website The Unexpected Gift of Trauma by Dr. Edith Shiro Dr. Edith Shiro on Instagram The Body Keeps the Score by Bessel van der Kolk Man's Search for Meaning by Viktor Frankl The Happy Mom Reset, a free class Ready to stop the yelling and guilt cycle in your own home? Grab your spot in The Happy Mom Reset. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

If you've ever struggled with mom guilt and wondered why you're so hard on yourself as a mom, this episode is for you. New here? Start with our Start Here playlist — five episodes that will change how you think about motherhood. That harsh voice in your head may not be yours. Bestselling author and relationship coach Sabrina Bendory joins JoAnn to explain the mother wound, the role you learned to play as a child, and how both show up in your relationships and your parenting. You'll also hear what to say to your child after you've yelled, and why your child's neediness can stir up feelings that have nothing to do with them. In this episode, you'll learn: What the mother wound is, in plain terms, and why it shapes how you treat yourself Why two things can be true: your mother did her best and your needs still weren't met How the "role self" you built as a child to feel safe still runs your adult relationships Why your child's needs can trigger anger, and the grief that may be underneath it A simple repair after you yell: "That was not your fault" Resources mentioned in this episode: Happy Home Ladder The Feminine Code by Sabrina Bendory Detached by Sabrina Bendory You Will Be OK podcast on Instagram Sabrina Bendory on Instagram No Guilt Mom Inner Circle The Best Mom is a Happy Mom by JoAnn Crohn Adult Children of Emotionally Immature Parents (book mentioned in the episode) Thank you to our sponsors! Download Cash App Today: https://click.cash.app/ui6m/omnin6le #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. Cash App Visa® Debit Flex Cards issued by Sutton Bank, Member FDIC, and The Bancorp Bank, N.A., pursuant to a license from Visa U.S.A. Inc. See terms and conditions for the Sutton prepaid card at cash.app/legal/us/en-us/card-agreement, for the Sutton debit flex card at cash.app/legal/us/en-us/debit-flex-card-agreement-sutton and for the Bancorp debit flex card at cash.app/legal/us/en-us/debit-flex-card-agreement-bancorp. Savings and Offers provided by Cash App, a Block Inc. brand. Offers may not be affiliated with third party merchants. Parents and legal guardians can open a managed account for kids 6-12. Cash App will pass through a portion of the interest paid on your savings balance held in an account for the benefit of Cash App customers at Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., Member FDIC. To earn interest on your Cash App savings balance, you need to have sponsor approval. Exceptions may apply. Savings yield rate is subject to change. Visit cash.app/legal/podcast for full disclosures. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

If you've ever dealt with mom guilt after losing your cool with your husband and wondered why you get so mad at him over little things, this episode is for you. New here? Start with our ⁠Start Here playlist⁠ — five episodes that will change how you think about motherhood. Author Jackie Kelley and her husband run their marriage on a set of rules they made up themselves, and her new book, So You Married a Human, comes out today. In this honest and funny conversation, Jackie and JoAnn trade stories about passive aggression, shared-space chaos, and the unrealistic expectations so many of us carry into marriage. In this episode, you'll learn: Why "use your words" became Jackie's first marriage rule, and how to say what hurt you without slamming cabinets and hoping he notices The "you also suck a bunch" rule, and how to tell which little annoyances are worth letting go How the "wait for it" rule helps a fast emotional processor and a slow one talk without a fight Why so many fights come from mismatched expectations, and the questions to ask before the dinner, the party, or the holiday gift budget Why rules written for marriage also work with kids, coworkers, and in-laws Resources mentioned in this episode Jackie Kelley on Instagram: @stayathomejackie Jackie's book, So You Married a Human (out October 6, 2026) The Happy Mom Reset (free class) No Guilt Mom Inner Circle JoAnn's book: The Best Mom is a Happy Mom No Guilt Mom Podcast page Thank you to our Sponsors! Download Cash App Today: https://click.cash.app/ui6m/omnin6le #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. Cash App Visa® Debit Flex Cards issued by Sutton Bank, Member FDIC, and The Bancorp Bank, N.A., pursuant to a license from Visa U.S.A. Inc. See terms and conditions for the Sutton prepaid card at cash.app/legal/us/en-us/card-agreement, for the Sutton debit flex card at cash.app/legal/us/en-us/debit-flex-card-agreement-sutton and for the Bancorp debit flex card at cash.app/legal/us/en-us/debit-flex-card-agreement-bancorp. Savings and Offers provided by Cash App, a Block Inc. brand. Offers may not be affiliated with third party merchants. Parents and legal guardians can open a managed account for kids 6-12. Cash App will pass through a portion of the interest paid on your savings balance held in an account for the benefit of Cash App customers at Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., Member FDIC. To earn interest on your Cash App savings balance, you need to have sponsor approval. Exceptions may apply. Savings yield rate is subject to change. Visit cash.app/legal/podcast for full disclosures. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

New here? Start with our Start Here playlist — five episodes that will change how you think about motherhood. If you've ever tried gentle parenting and still wondered what to do when your kid says shut up to you, this episode is for you. When your kid tells you to shut up, your face gets hot and your brain can go blank. In this solo episode, I explain what is usually going on underneath those words and walk you through five calm steps for kids third grade and up, plus an easy adjustment for younger kids. You'll also hear why your own triggers matter and why you deserve the same pause you give your kids. In this episode, you'll learn: Why "shut up" usually means overwhelm or a need for more say, not disrespect The question that gets you further than "what do I do?": what happened right before Five calm steps for kids third grade and up: let the shock land, get quiet and don't tower, name it and leave, take the time you need, and come back to repair How to adjust for younger kids with a simple "I need to go to the bathroom, I'll be right back" How to work with your own triggers and why you deserve a tap out Resources mentioned in this episode The Happy Home Ladder No Guilt Mom Inner Circle The Best Mom is a Happy Mom Penn State study on harsh parenting and children's stress regulation Laura Markham on parenting triggers (Today's Parent) No Guilt Mom on Instagram (share your strategy on the five steps post) NoGuiltMom.com Follow the podcast on Spotify Subscribe on Apple Podcasts Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

New here? Start with our Start Here playlist, five episodes that will change how you think about motherhood. You validate your kid's feelings. You explain the reasoning behind every rule. And your kid still melts down anyway. Child development specialist and author Dr. Siggie Cohen joins JoAnn to explain the missing piece: why kids speak the language of emotion while parents default to logic, and exactly what to say when bedtime, screens, or "get ready" turns into a nightly fight. In this episode, you'll learn: Why explaining the "why" behind a boundary doesn't get your kid to comply The real reason "how many times do I have to tell you" backfires every time How to validate your kid's feelings without caving to what they want The exact language to use during transitions like bedtime and screen time Why staying calm and confident, not permissive, is what actually helps your kid through a meltdown Resources mentioned in this episode: You Are the Parent by Dr. Siggie Cohen The Happy Mom Reset (free class) Ready to feel calmer and more confident in your parenting? Join us for the free Happy Mom Reset class. Protect your loved ones without spying on them. Go to https://heypolo.com/ngm or use code NGM and get 70% off your first year! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

If you're carrying the mental load and wondering how to stop being the default parent, this episode is for you. New here? Start with our ⁠Start Here playlist⁠ — five episodes that will change how you think about motherhood. Nobody sits down and decides to become the default parent. It happens one "I'll just grab it" at a time. In this solo episode, I share the seven rules I follow so I'm not the default parent in my house, from the "go ask Dad" rule I started when my kids were little to the overflowing trash I refuse to take out. In this episode, you'll learn: Why being the default parent is a set of habits, not a personality trait How to end the "I do everything" fight by seeing the real split in your house Why doing your partner's jobs to be nice backfires, and what to say instead The simple "go ask Dad" rule that retrains your kids Why "it's just easier if I do it" is a trap, and how to let your partner do it his way Resources mentioned in this episode: Home Responsibility Calculator (free): see the real split in your house Skylight Calendar: $30 off the 15-inch calendar #ad #sponsored The Fair Play Deck by Eve Rodsky The Best Mom is a Happy Mom by JoAnn Crohn No Guilt Mom on Instagram: come tell me your calculator results Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

New here? Start with our Start Here playlist — five episodes that will change how you think about motherhood. If you've ever struggled with people pleasing and wondered why you put everyone else's needs before your own even when it's costing you, this episode is for you. Psychotherapist Jessica Anne Pressler joins JoAnn to talk about self-abandonment, the pattern of putting everyone else first until you disappear from your own life. They dig into where it starts in childhood, how it shows up as people pleasing and trauma bonding in adult relationships, and how to finally start trusting yourself again. In this episode, you'll learn: What self-abandonment actually means, and why most moms do it without realizing it Why your kids learn more from watching you take care of yourself than from anything you tell them What a trauma bond is and why it can feel like an addiction The gray rock method for dealing with someone who wants a reaction from you A simple script for talking back to the inner voice that keeps you stuck (Jessica calls it "the traitor within") Resources mentioned in this episode: Jessica Anne Pressler on Instagram Jessica's novel, Traitor Within, out now The Happy Home Ladder No Guilt Mom Inner Circle The Happy Mom Reset (free class) The Best Mom is a Happy Mom (JoAnn's book) No Guilt Mom podcast page Listen on Apple Podcasts Listen on Spotify No Guilt Mom on Instagram No Guilt Mom on YouTube Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

If gentle parenting has you wanting to back your daughter up without shaking things up at school, but you're stuck on why she keeps getting dress coded in the first place, this episode is for you. New here? Start with our ⁠Start Here playlist⁠ — five episodes that will change how you think about motherhood. JoAnn goes solo this week on a topic she's been sitting with since her own middle school uniform battles: dress codes, and why they land so much harder on girls than boys. She pulls the research on where dress codes actually came from, what "self-objectification" does to a girl's brain and test scores, and ties it directly into this week's Sydney Sweeney ad backlash. Then she gives you the exact conversation to have with your daughter the next time she comes home dress coded. In this episode, you'll learn: Why dress codes were never really about safety, and where they actually came from The research showing it's girls' bodies, not their behavior, that dress codes target What "self-objectification" is, and how it can measurably lower a girl's test performance Exactly what to say (and not say) when your daughter comes home dress coded How to help her decide whether to comply or push back, in her own words Resources mentioned in this episode: The Happy Home Ladder — our family cooperation system The Best Mom is a Happy Mom by JoAnn Crohn No Guilt Mom website No Guilt Mom on Instagram Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

If you've ever dealt with mom burnout and wondered why you can't stop giving until there's nothing left, this episode is for you. New here? Start with our ⁠Start Here playlist⁠ — five episodes that will change how you think about motherhood. Therapist Dr. Julie Merriman joins the podcast to talk about why so many moms quietly minimize themselves until they're running on empty, and why the idea that "you can't give from an empty cup" is actually a myth, because we do it all the time. We get into little T trauma, why your worth might be tied to productivity, and Julie's five-step framework for coming back to yourself after burnout. In this episode, you'll learn: Why moms give until they hit "empty cup" burnout, and why the belief that you can't give from empty isn't true What "little T trauma" is and why almost everyone has some, even without a dramatic backstory Julie's five-step framework for recovering from burnout: reflection, a nervous system inventory, a reappearance checklist, a self-return ritual, and daily affirmations A simple full-body-scan technique to check in with your nervous system in under a minute Why tying your worth to productivity makes it impossible to just sit and relax Resources mentioned in this episode: The Happy Home Ladder — No Guilt Mom's family cooperation system Dr. Julie Merriman's website Julie's free Desire Reset Guide The Best Mom is a Happy Mom by JoAnn Crohn No Guilt Mom Podcast page No Guilt Mom on Instagram Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

If you've ever felt the mental load of work follow you home and wondered why you can't turn your brain off the second you walk in the door, this episode is for you. New here? Start with our Start Here playlist — five episodes that will change how you think about motherhood. You close the laptop, but your brain doesn't get the memo. In this episode, JoAnn breaks down the real research on why work stress follows you home (and why home stress follows you to work), and gives you three small, doable rituals you can try tonight to actually make the switch. In this episode, you'll learn: Why "boundary theory" research says your brain needs an actual ritual to switch roles, not just willpower Why remote and hybrid workers report 20% higher burnout, and what's missing from the workday that used to fix this for free What a real diary study of 166 employees found is the single strongest predictor of recovering from a stressful workday Three simple scripts you can use tonight: naming your feeling, noticing and asking what's up, and picking your family's one thing How the Happy Home Ladder turns these skills into something your whole family builds together, not just you Resources mentioned in this episode: Get the Happy Home Ladder When Work Stress Hijacks Your Home: Stop Ruminating and Get Your Patience Back with Guy Winch Why You Negotiate Better at Work Than at Home (And How to Change That) with Attia Qureshi The Charisma Myth by Olivia Fox Cabane No Guilt Mom Inner Circle The Best Mom is a Happy Mom (book) Follow No Guilt Mom on Instagram Listen on Apple Podcasts Listen on Spotify Protect your loved ones without spying on them. Go to https://heypolo.com/ngm or use code NGM and get 70% off your first year! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

If you've ever dealt with mom guilt and wondered why you can't stop replaying the same mistake in your head long after it happened, this episode is for you. Explore practical tools for managing mom guilt and the mental load using gentle parenting principles and a proven self-forgiveness method with Dr. Dravon James. New here? Start with our ⁠Start Here playlist⁠ — five episodes that will change how you think about motherhood. Dr. Dravon James, founder of Everyday Peace and author of Forgiveness: A Pathway to Happiness, joins JoAnn to talk about why self-forgiveness is so much harder for moms than forgiving anyone else. They walk through Dravon's three-step practice for actually letting go of the mistakes you keep carrying, plus the exact language to use with yourself when you mess up. In this episode, you'll learn: Why holding onto guilt doesn't actually protect you from making the same mistake again The three-step self-forgiveness practice: reflect on self-criticism, forgive yourself for past mistakes, and release the memory's hold The difference between accepting what happened and excusing it The "sandwich technique" for saying "I forgive you" to yourself without it feeling forced Why treating yourself the way you'd treat your own middle schooler changes everything Ready to stop doing everything and start doing what actually matters? Grab JoAnn's free Stop Doing Checklist. Resources mentioned in this episode: Dr. Dravon James's website Dr. Dravon James on Instagram Dr. Dravon James on Facebook Grab the free Stop Doing Checklist Join the No Guilt Mom Inner Circle The Best Mom is a Happy Mom (JoAnn's book) Thank you to our sponsors! Download Cash App Today: https://click.cash.app/ui6m/omnin6le #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. Cash App Visa® Debit Flex Cards issued by Sutton Bank, Member FDIC, and The Bancorp Bank, N.A., pursuant to a license from Visa U.S.A.Inc. See terms and conditions for the Sutton prepaid card at cash.app/legal/us/en-us/card-agreement, for the Sutton debit flex card at cash.app/legal/us/en-us/debit-flex-card-agreement-sutton and for the Bancorp debit flex card at cash.app/legal/us/en-us/debit-flex-card-agreement-bancorp. Savings and Offers provided by Cash App, a Block Inc. brand. Offers may not be affiliated with third party merchants. Parents and legal guardians can open a managed account for kids 6-12. Cash App will pass through a portion of the interest paid on your savings balance held in an account for the benefit of Cash App customers at Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., Member FDIC. To earn interest on your Cash App savings balance, you need to have sponsor approval. Exceptions may apply. Savings yield rate is subject to change. Visit cash.app/legal/podcast for full disclosures. Protect your loved ones without spying on them. Go to https://heypolo.com/ngm or use code NGM and get 70% off your first year! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Mom guilt has a source—and it's not your parenting. JoAnn busts the five biggest "good mom" myths that convince you you're failing, even when you're doing your best. New here? Start with our ⁠Start Here playlist⁠ — five episodes that will change how you think about motherhood. JoAnn shares the day she screamed at a wall (and cowered her own kids) to name the perfectionism baked into modern motherhood. Then she busts the five biggest "good mom" myths, the ones telling you that missing the game, serving chicken nuggets again, losing your temper, taking time for yourself, or your kid's report card all mean you're failing. Spoiler: none of them do. In this episode, you'll learn: Why missing your kid's activity can actually be good for them (and what the research on over-involved parents really shows) Why your picky eater isn't a reflection of your cooking, and the biology behind food neophobia The exact repair script to use after you lose your temper, and why the repair matters more than the rupture Why taking time for yourself is an investment in your kid, not a theft from them Why your kid's school performance predicts nothing about who they'll become Resources mentioned in this episode: The Best Mom is a Happy Mom (book) Calm & Happy Parenting Cohort Thank you to our sponsors! Protect your loved ones without spying on them. Go to ⁠https://heypolo.com/ngm ⁠or use code NGM and get 70% off your first year! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

If you have tried gentle parenting and still feel like nothing works with your strong-willed child, this episode is for you. New to the show? Start with our ⁠Start Here playlist⁠. Wendy Snyder was three years into motherhood, home with a colicky newborn and a three-year-old who got sent home from preschool on repeat, when she walked past a flyer for a free positive parenting class and took it as a sign. Fifteen years later, that same strong-willed daughter is a Division I beach volleyball player at a top ten school. In this conversation, Wendy and JoAnn get into why the strong will you are fighting is the exact trait that will carry your kid, and what has to shift in you first before any strategy will work. In this episode, you'll learn Why punishment, timeouts and "break their will early" advice backfire hardest on the kids they are aimed at The difference between a kid who is born strong-willed and a mild kid moving through a power surge season What autocratic parenting actually is, and why almost all of us absorbed some of it How releasing control over homework and grades produced a self-motivated straight A kid One tactical swap you can make today: replacing compliance statements with choices Resources mentioned in this episode Fresh Start Your Family: Powerful Parenting to Restore Peace in Your Home by Wendy Snyder Fresh Start Family Race to Nowhere, the documentary Wendy recommends for every public school parent The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen Covey, source of the subway story The 3 in 30 Podcast with Rachel Nielson, who introduced JoAnn and Wendy The Happy Mom Reset, our free class No Guilt Mom Inner Circle The Best Mom is a Happy Mom by JoAnn Crohn Protect your loved ones without spying on them. Go to https://heypolo.com/ngm or use code NGM and get 70% off your first year! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

If you've ever struggled with letting go of control and wondered why sending your kid off to college (or even just watching them grow up) feels so scary, this episode is for you. New here? Start with our ⁠Start Here playlist⁠ — five episodes that will change how you think about motherhood. This episode released on the actual day JoAnn flew to New York to drop her firstborn off at college. Instead of a highlight reel of the trip, she's sharing the real research and the real mindset shifts that got her here, including one she wishes every parent heard well before senior year. In this episode, you'll learn: Why the "secure base" concept from attachment theory means being your kid's biggest fan instead of their director, and why that actually makes your relationship stronger, not weaker What overcontrol dressed up as care looks like right now (grade portals, dorm housekeepers, and more) and why it does more harm than good The real research on empty nest syndrome, and why it's not what most parents assume A personal story about backing off when her daughter said she hugged her too much, and what happened to their relationship afterward Why letting your kid struggle a little now builds the strength they'll need later (yes, there's a science experiment involved) Resources mentioned in this episode: Why Your Teenager Suddenly Can't Stand You (and Why That's a Good Sign) - episode on Emotional Distancing The Happy Mom Reset (Live Class, September 17) "Notice and Do" by Sam Kelly (pre-order) No Guilt Mom Inner Circle The Best Mom is a Happy Mom by JoAnn Crohn Follow No Guilt Mom on Instagram Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

If you've ever dealt with mom guilt and found yourself checking your phone to see if you're doing enough, wondering why you care so much what other people think, this episode is for you. New to No Guilt Mom? Start here: https://www.noguiltmom.com/podcast-2 JoAnn sits down with speaker, entrepreneur, and author Jess Ekstrom (founder of Mic Drop Workshop and author of Making It Without Losing It) for an honest conversation about external validation — including JoAnn's own confession about compulsively checking podcast analytics, and Jess's story of interviewing her great uncle Bernie Madoff about the roots of chasing approval. Together they unpack why other people's opinions matter less than we think, how to tell the difference between feedback worth keeping and feedback worth ignoring, and how moms can stop performing for an audience that isn't even watching. In this episode, you'll learn: Why chasing external validation kills creativity and motivation (and the "analytics detox" JoAnn is doing with her therapist) The story behind Jess's uncle Bernie Madoff and the childhood moment that taught him "admiration can be bought" Jess's "spotlight vs. lighthouse" framework for shifting from seeking approval to serving the people in front of you The three questions to ask before you let feedback affect you: is it a chorus, is it constructive, and does it have credibility Why the "bottom of the pile" doesn't exist, and how to stop waiting for permission to enjoy your life Resources mentioned in this episode: Making It Without Losing It by Jess Ekstrom Jess on Instagram Jess on LinkedIn Text HYPE to 704-228-9495 for Jess's weekly Monday motivational text The Happy Mom Reset (free class) No Guilt Mom Inner Circle More episodes of the No Guilt Mom Podcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

New here? Start with our Start Here playlist — five episodes that will change how you think about motherhood. If you're a people pleaser who can't figure out why you struggle to tell people how you really feel, especially when you're angry or hurt, this episode is for you. What do you do when someone you love blames you for something that isn't your fault? JoAnn gets vulnerable about a recent conflict where, for the first time in her life, she didn't shrink. She's breaking down the fawn response, what the research actually says about staying quiet, and the exact words to use the next time silence feels safer than the truth. In this episode, you'll learn: Why the fawn response makes staying silent feel safer, even when it isn't What research on suppressed feelings actually predicts for your relationships (it's not what you'd guess) The difference between suppressing a feeling and simply choosing when to say it A 3-step script for naming what's bothering you without picking a fight Why setting a boundary and staying in a relationship are not opposites Resources mentioned in this episode: JoAnn's previous episode on what her former friendships taught her: Why Mom Friendships Feel So One-Sided The Body Keeps the Score The Happy Mom Reset, JoAnn's free class Ready to figure out where your guilt and people pleasing are running the show in your home? Join the free Happy Mom Reset class. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Ever snap at your kid and then wonder where that even came from? Dr. Cassidy Freitas, licensed marriage and family therapist and author of Mom Needs a Moment, joins JoAnn to break down what's actually happening in your nervous system in the seconds before you react. In this episode, you'll learn: How to catch a "ping," the body, thought, feeling, and behavior signals that show up right before you react Why calm can actually feel unsafe to your nervous system, and what to do about it How the "little t" traumas from your own childhood are still shaping your triggers today A simple phrase to use with your kids that creates space without shutting them out Why protecting your margin, not optimizing every moment, is what actually calms your nervous system Resources mentioned in this episode: Dr. Cassidy Freitas's website Mom Needs a Moment by Dr. Cassidy Freitas Dr. Cassidy on Instagram The Happy Mom Reset, a free class Ready to stop reacting and start responding? Sign up for The Happy Mom Reset, a free class, and get started today. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

New here? Start with our Start Here playlist — five episodes that will change how you think about motherhood. Do you feel a flash of guilt when you're running late, or a flash of irritation when someone else is? Alex Snider, author of Sometimes You Should Be Late: The Quiet Rebellion of Slowing Down, joins the show to unpack why that reaction has almost nothing to do with the minutes on the clock. This conversation cracked something open for JoAnn mid interview, and it might do the same for you. In this episode, you'll learn: Why your reaction to lateness, yours or someone else's, is rarely about the actual minutes What "emotional punctuality" means and how it can change the way you measure a good day The kindness buffer, a simple way to build space into your day so you show up present instead of rushed Why the thing you didn't cross off your list might have been the most values aligned choice you made all day Resources mentioned in this episode: Sometimes You Should Be Late by Alex Snider, available now Take Alex's Late Style Quiz Book club guide and bonus content for Sometimes You Should Be Late Alex's Substack, Slow Mindfulness The No Guilt Mom Inner Circle Loved this one? Our Inner Circle book club is picking up Sometimes You Should Be Late next. Come join us. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

New here? Start with our Start Here playlist — five episodes that will change how you think about motherhood. You set a boundary at work, and by dinner time you're doing your coworker's project anyway. In this episode, Courtney Cecil, founder of Working Moms Movement and former Fortune 50 culture leader, breaks down why rigid nine to five boundaries backfire and what to do instead when your job keeps rolling downhill into your home life. In this episode, you'll learn: Why "enough" is never defined for moms, and how that keeps you stuck in overwhelm Why squishy, flexible boundaries protect you better than rigid ones, and what that actually looks like The exact question to ask your boss before you say yes to a new project How to tell when you're absorbing your team's work instead of managing it Why naming your boundary out loud is the only way anyone will ever respect it Resources mentioned in this episode: Courtney Cecil, Working Moms Movement Follow Courtney on Instagram Register for the Mom's Setting Boundaries Summit Courtney is speaking at the Mom's Setting Boundaries Summit. Register free to save your seat. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

New here? Start with our Start Here playlist — five episodes that will change how you think about motherhood. If your teenager has looked at you lately like you're the most annoying person alive, this episode is for you. JoAnn breaks down why teens suddenly pull away, why it's not a reflection of your parenting, and what to actually say the next time your teen lands a low blow about your time management, your questions, or just your existence. In this episode, you'll learn: Why your teen's frustration with you is a normal, healthy part of development called emotional distancing, not a sign you've wrecked the relationship How to stop yourself from tightening the reins when your teen pushes back, and why loosening your grip is actually the right move A simple, confident comeback script for when your teen throws a barbed insult your way Why your own sense of well-being can take a hit during this stage, and why that's backed by research, not a personal failing A quick therapy-based question to ask yourself that builds self-compassion when your teen's words sting Resources mentioned in this episode: The Explosive Child by Dr. Ross Greene Crucial Conversations (concept: contributing to the pool of meaning) No Guilt Mom Inner Circle: learn.noguiltmom.com/go Mom's Setting Boundaries Summit, free, August 10-13 Grab your free ticket to the Mom's Setting Boundaries Summit, August 10-13, and finally get the tools to stop over-explaining and start holding the boundary. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

New here? Start with our Start Here playlist — five episodes that will change how you think about motherhood. Do you ever feel like you're failing at work and at home at the same time? Dr. Anne Welsh, psychologist, executive coach, and author of Ambitious Mother, joins JoAnn to explain why that feeling isn't a personal failure, it's a sign you're carrying too much without enough support. In this episode, you'll learn: The difference between doing something because you want to and doing it out of guilt, and why that distinction changes everything Why the mental load keeps growing even as women achieve more at work The early signs of "functional burnout," where you're still showing up but feel numb, irritable, or completely disconnected from your own life How to redefine ambition using Anne's ladder versus web metaphor, so wanting more doesn't mean losing your edge The one degree compass shift that can start changing things without blowing up your whole life Resources mentioned in this episode: Dr. Anne Welsh on Instagram Ambitious Mother: From Surviving to Thriving in Your Career and at Home by Dr. Anne Welsh (Bloomsbury, out August 6) —https://amzn.to/4fxiyoo Pre-order bonuses on Dr. Anne Welsh's website — https://www.drannewelsh.com/ambitious-mother-book The Guilt Equation with Dr. Jen Reed Register for the Mom's Setting Boundaries Summit Ready to work on your own boundaries? Register for the Moms Setting Boundaries Summit, it's free. Download Cash App Today: https://click.cash.app/ui6m/omnin6le #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. Cash App Visa® Debit Flex Cards issued by Sutton Bank, Member FDIC, and The Bancorp Bank, N.A., pursuant to a license from Visa U.S.A. Inc. See terms and conditions for the Sutton prepaid card at cash.app/legal/us/en-us/card-agreement, for the Sutton debit flex card at cash.app/legal/us/en-us/debit-flex-card-agreement-sutton and for the Bancorp debit flex card at cash.app/legal/us/en-us/debit-flex-card-agreement-bancorp. Savings and Offers provided by Cash App, a Block Inc. brand. Offers may not be affiliated with third party merchants. Parents and legal guardians can open a managed account for kids 6-12. Cash App will pass through a portion of the interest paid on your savings balance held in an account for the benefit of Cash App customers at Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., Member FDIC. To earn interest on your Cash App savings balance, you need to have sponsor approval. Exceptions may apply. Savings yield rate is subject to change. Visit cash.app/legal/podcast for full disclosures. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

New here? Start with our Start Here playlist — five episodes that will change how you think about motherhood. Has someone ever told you that you made them feel disrespected or small, and your stomach just dropped? Maybe you replayed every conversation trying to find the moment you did it. Today JoAnn walks you through three actionable steps to work through that moment, rooted in the psychology of why accusations like this happen, especially between the people closest to you. In this episode, you'll learn: How to check your own intentions after being accused of something, without spiraling into shame Why an accusation from someone close to you is often a report on their own identity, not a fact about your behavior The research on why confidence and success from women gets read differently than the same behavior from men Three steps to decide how you want to respond, including when it's okay to take space Resources mentioned in this episode: The Tallest Poppy Survey (2023) The "Acting Wife" study on women and self-silencing in MBA programs Amanda's story about setting boundaries with in-laws The Best Mom is a Happy Mom by JoAnn Crohn The Happy Mom Reset, free class Ready to stop carrying guilt that was never yours to hold? Join The Happy Mom Reset free class and get your plan to feel lighter this week. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

New here? Start with our Start Here playlist — five episodes that will change how you think about motherhood. You've tried the habit trackers, the 21 day challenges, and every "just be consistent" article out there, and none of it sticks for more than a week. Certified habit coach Monica Packer joins JoAnn to explain why most habit advice was never built for moms in the first place, and what actually works when your day never goes as planned. In this episode, you'll learn: Why the habit advice you've been given fails women's actual lives, and it's not a discipline problem How to build a baseline version of any habit so one hard day doesn't wreck your progress Why consistency and flexibility work together instead of competing against each other The three step sticky habit formula for making any new habit actually stick How invisible labor and mental load make typical productivity advice unworkable for moms Resources mentioned in this episode: Follow Monica Packer on Instagram Sticky Habits by Monica Packer, out in September with pre-order bonuses available now Happy Mom Reset Free Class Ready to stop over apologizing and start setting boundaries that actually stick? Join the free Happy Mom Reset class. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

You did something good for yourself, a massage, an hour off, a class you have always wanted to take, and then the guilt showed up like you had done something wrong. In this solo episode, JoAnn names exactly what is happening (she calls it the guilt slide) and walks you through how to catch it and step off before it takes down your day or your relationships. In this episode, you'll learn: How to spot the "guilt slide," the moment a good thing you did for yourself turns into proof you did something wrong Why that guilt is a sign something is new for you, not a sign you are selfish or broken The one move that protects your closest relationships when the guilt hits, and why it is not asking "are you mad at me?" Three self-compassion steps to wait out the discomfort instead of projecting it onto everyone around you A simple way to redirect your brain so the feeling passes faster Resources mentioned in this episode: "This Isn't a Sketchbook, its an Art Class" drawing workbook Podcast Episode: Why the ADHD Parenting Advice Doesn't Work (the RSD episode) The Happy Mom Reset, JoAnn's free class New here? Start with The Happy Mom Reset, JoAnn's free class, at https://learn.noguiltmom.com/happy-mom-reset. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Rewards feel like good parenting. A sticker chart here, screen time for finished homework there, and suddenly your kid won't do anything without asking what they get. In this episode, JoAnn sits down with Dr. Özgür Bolat, author of The Reward Trap, to unpack why rewards quietly backfire and what actually builds the motivation you want. In this episode, you'll learn: Why your reward systems stop working, even when you set them up perfectly The hidden message every reward sends your child, and why it lands like a threat The one situation where a reward genuinely helps, and how to use it without getting stuck A small shift you can try tonight that beats any sticker chart How rewards and praise quietly feed your own mom guilt, and what to do instead Resources mentioned in this episode: The Reward Trap by Dr. Özgür Bolat Dr. Özgür Bolat on Instagram The Happy Mom Reset free class Ready to feel less behind and more like yourself? Save your seat for The Happy Mom Reset free class. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

You're at the party, the pool, the vacation you planned, and the second one of your kids gets miserable, your fun switches off like someone hit a light. In this episode, JoAnn breaks down the moment she caught herself doing exactly this at her nephew's birthday party, and the one question that snapped her out of it. If your kids' emotions are costing you your own, this one is going to hit home. In this episode, you'll learn: The rushing cue: how to catch yourself before mild stress turns into full dysregulation The difference between consideration and responsibility for your kids' feelings, and why one is loving while the other is exhausting you both Exactly what to say when your kid says "I'm bored" (and how to spot the one situation where that script won't work) Why letting your kid sit in mild discomfort is some of the best parenting you can do The honest question to ask yourself when you rush to fix your kid's mood Resources mentioned in this episode: JoAnn's interview with Jenna Free on recognizing dysregulation The Happy Mom Reset (free class) Ready to stop running on guilt? Join JoAnn's free class, The Happy Mom Reset. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

New here? Start with our Start Here playlist — five episodes that will change how you think about motherhood. Have you ever caught yourself thinking, in the middle of an especially relentless week, that a minor car accident might actually be a relief — if it meant a doctor's note to lie in bed for two days? No serious injuries, just... permission to stop? Yeah. Emily and Julie get it. JoAnn sits down with Emily Jones and Julie Dobbs, hosts of the Mom Game podcast, for an honest, unfiltered conversation about what it's actually like to be a high-achieving mom who cannot turn her brain off. They talk about the badge of honor we've attached to being busy, the two kinds of mental load (logistical and emotional — and why the emotional one never stops), hormones, perimenopause, the mom volunteer spiral, and what has genuinely helped each of them find moments of real relaxation in the middle of all of it. In this episode: The "minor car accident" fantasy — and why even joking about it should be a warning sign Why high-achieving moms struggle to turn their brains off even when they technically have downtime The difference between the logistical mental load and the emotional mental load (and why the emotional one follows you everywhere) Why you're only as happy as your saddest kid — and what to do with that How hormones and perimenopause are contributing to the overwhelm nobody talked about until now The mom volunteer spiral: who's creating it, who's perpetuating it, and why moms are sometimes part of the problem Why normalizing imperfection — including being open about your kid's ADHD diagnosis — actually helps everyone What's genuinely helped each of them relax: girlfriends, court sports, a good group chat, and improv comedy How to know when you need an outlet before you explode (and why you never want to wait until you do) This one feels like sitting around with friends who get it. No solutions required — just a conversation that makes you feel a little less alone in all of it. Find Emily and Julie on the Mom Game podcast wherever you listen to podcasts. If you're listening on Spotify, hit the Follow button right now — it's the best way to make sure you never miss an episode and it helps me reach more moms like you. Remember: the best mom is a happy mom. Take care of you. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

New here? Start with our Start Here playlist — five episodes that will change how you think about motherhood. Have you ever gotten a rejection — or even just an eye roll from someone — and felt it for days? Like actually felt it, physically, in a way that seemed way out of proportion to what happened? There's a reason for that. And it's not that you're too sensitive or too fragile. It might be exactly how your nervous system is wired. In this episode, JoAnn gets personal about Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria (RSD), why it's strongly associated with ADHD brains, and why understanding it changed everything about how she deals with rejection. She shares the story of her first job out of college — working in the mailroom at Endeavor talent agency in Beverly Hills — and what happened when she dropped calls on an agent's desk for the first time. And then she walks through three tools that have genuinely helped her stop letting rejection run her life. In this episode: What Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria actually is — and why rejection can feel like physical pain for some nervous systems Why rumination doesn't process rejection — it rehearses it (and what to do instead) The NLP tool of association vs. disassociation — how watching yourself like a movie gives you access to compassion you can't find from inside the spiral How disassociation helps you find the "why" of the other person — which makes the rejection feel a whole lot less personal Why JoAnn's new goal is to collect as many no's as possible (and why that's not self-punishment — it's strategy) The national board certification story: why the second rejection always hurts less than the first Why failure is literally the fastest path to learning — and why being mistake-free makes you deeply unrelatable The improv comedy lesson that reframes every stage fright into evidence you're growing Whether or not you have ADHD, if rejection hits you harder than it seems to hit other people — if one critical comment can undo a week of confidence — this episode is for you. Episodes mentioned: Guy Winch on rumination — When Work Stress Hijacks Your Home: Stop Ruminating Dr. Josh Davis on updating your beliefs — The Beliefs Fueling Your Mom Guilt (And How to Update Them) If you're listening on Spotify, hit the Follow button right now — it's the best way to make sure you never miss an episode and it helps me reach more moms like you. Remember: the best mom is a happy mom. Take care of you. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

New here? Start with our Start Here playlist — five episodes that will change how you think about motherhood. If you've ever said yes when you meant no, stayed silent when something bothered you, or felt guilty the moment you tried to set a limit — this episode is going to name exactly what's been going on. And more importantly, it's going to give you a way out. JoAnn sits down with Hailey Magee, people-pleasing coach and author of Stop People Pleasing and Find Your Power, to dig into why so many women become people pleasers in the first place, what's actually happening when boundaries feel impossible, and the small, practical shifts that make it easier to start standing up for your own needs — without feeling like the villain. In this episode: Why people-pleasing is a safety mechanism, not a personality flaw — and the three kinds of safety it's trying to protect Why neurodivergent women and women from marginalized groups are especially likely to develop people-pleasing as a survival skill The crucial difference between a boundary and a request — and why your "boundaries" might not be working because they're actually requests Why boundary guilt is almost universal — and the reframe that makes it survivable The "meaning vacuum": what happens to your identity when a major life chapter ends and the new one hasn't started yet How to tell when you have an unmet need before you even know what it is (Hailey's need signpost tool) Why feeling "too sensitive" or "too demanding" when you set a boundary is actually a sign you're doing it right The post-boundary self-care plan — why you need one and what it looks like in practice One small shift to start rebuilding self-trust: track what drains you vs. what energizes you JoAnn also shares the real dinner table moment that prompted a boundary conversation with her family, and the first time she ever redirected a draining professional relationship by email — and how it felt on the other side. Find Hailey and her book Stop People Pleasing and Find Your Power at haileymagee.com. If you're listening on Spotify, hit the Follow button right now — it's the best way to make sure you never miss an episode and it helps me reach more moms like you. Remember: the best mom is a happy mom. Take care of you. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

New here? Start with our Start Here playlist — five episodes that will change how you think about motherhood. You know you shouldn't care what other people think. You've probably told yourself that a hundred times. And yet — you still rearrange your behavior for people whose opinions you don't even fully respect. You do the laundry because of some imaginary judge. You say yes when you mean no. You replay comments for days. You hold back your real opinion in a room full of people. Today, JoAnn gets into why this happens, what you can actually do about it, and shares a very personal story about a professional decision she was terrified to make — and what the response taught her about who she does and doesn't want in her life. In this episode: The thought distortion that's behind almost every fear of judgment — and how to catch yourself doing it Why "people will judge me" is a generalization, and the one question that breaks it open How to name the actual person you're afraid of — and then ask whether you even respect their opinion What happened when JoAnn canceled an interview she knew wasn't right for her listeners (and the response that confirmed she made the right call) Why walking on eggshells in relationships quietly erodes your confidence — and what happens when you stop First, second, and third person perspective: a simple framework for separating what actually happened from the story you're telling yourself about it Why not being liked is not your failure — it's a mismatch, and the difference matters How to find your actual people by being yourself clearly enough that the wrong ones self-select out You're going to finish this episode knowing exactly who you've been trying to impress — and whether they've actually earned that kind of real estate in your head. If you're listening on Spotify, hit the Follow button right now — it's the best way to make sure you never miss an episode and it helps me reach more moms like you. Remember: the best mom is a happy mom. Take care of you. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

New here? Start with our Start Here playlist — five episodes that will change how you think about motherhood. If your home feels like constant chaos — the yelling, the rushing, the dinners that nobody sits through, the mornings that derail everything — this episode is going to feel like someone finally gets it. JoAnn sits down with Greer Jones, host of the Neurodivergent Conversations podcast and a mom who has navigated her own ADHD diagnosis, her husband's autism, and her son's ADHD and autism diagnosis — all at the same time. What she found is that the chaos wasn't a parenting failure. It was what happens when a neurodivergent family tries to force themselves into systems built for a completely different kind of brain. Greer shares the specific, practical shifts that took her family from loud, exhausting chaos to a home where everyone's nervous system can actually exhale. In this episode: What it looks like when multiple family members are diagnosed with neurodivergence at the same time — and how Greer figured out it wasn't just her kid Why burnout in a neurodivergent mom costs her family an estimated $1,200 more per month (yes, really) The counterintuitive first step Greer took to fix the chaos: she started with what SHE wanted How to work backwards from the morning you want — and find the actual pain points causing the rush Why getting up 45 minutes earlier is not the answer (and what to do instead) The 300-seconds trick that works on ADHD brains even when you know it's coming Brain breaks at dinner: how Greer's son went from not eating to sitting for seven minutes — by being allowed to run around first The "freeze" method for resetting a chaotic moment in real time Why modeling calm is the single most powerful thing you can do for a neurodivergent child How to start teaching your kids to advocate for their own needs — even at age seven If you've been trying to force your family into routines that weren't built for your brains, this conversation is your permission to stop — and build something that actually works. Find Greer and the Neurodivergent Conversations podcast wherever you listen to podcasts. If you're listening on Spotify, hit the Follow button right now — it's the best way to make sure you never miss an episode and it helps me reach more moms like you. Remember: the best mom is a happy mom. Take care of you. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

New here? Start with our Start Here playlist — five episodes that will change how you think about motherhood. You know you need rest. You know you need to slow down. And yet the moment you try — the moment you actually sit still — something in you won't let you stay there. You start scanning for what's wrong. You think of everything you should be doing. Someone looks unhappy and suddenly that's your emergency to fix. This isn't a self-care problem. It's a nervous system problem. And in this solo episode, JoAnn breaks down exactly what's happening — using the three-state nervous system framework from Dr. Cassidy Freitas's book Mom Needs a Moment — and why more bubble baths aren't going to fix it. In this episode: Why someone being upset with you can make rest feel physically impossible The voices in your head about productivity, selfishness, and doing it all yourself — where they came from How the millennial achievement-equals-safety wiring is keeping you stuck in overdrive The three states of the nervous system: connected, mobilized (fight/flight/fawn), and shutdown Why you can't scroll your way out of burnout (and why it makes it worse) What margin actually looks like — and why it's not a spa day What thriving looks like inside the life you've already built Plus: JoAnn shares details about the Happy Mom Reset — a free live event on June 30th (no replay) where we'll dig into your specific triggers, name the voice keeping you from rest, and figure out one thing to put on your calendar just for you. Save your seat (free): learn.noguiltmom.com/happy-mom-reset Grab Dr. Cassidy Freitas's book Mom Needs a Moment (Workman, June 16, 2026) — her episode is coming to No Guilt Mom in August. If you're listening on Spotify, hit the Follow button right now — it's the best way to make sure you never miss an episode and it helps me reach more moms like you. Remember: the best mom is a happy mom. Take care of you. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

New here? Start with our Start Here playlist — five episodes that will change how you think about motherhood. You know you should declutter. You feel better when you do it. And yet the stuff just keeps piling up — on the counters, in the closets, in that one chair. If you've been carrying guilt about the state of your home, this episode is your permission slip. JoAnn sits down with Emily McDermott, decluttering coach and host of the Moms Overcoming Overwhelm podcast, to dig into why letting go feels so hard — and why it has almost nothing to do with laziness. From the guilt of getting rid of gifts to the psychology of why Target and Costco are basically designed to fill your home with things you'll never use, this conversation is equal parts validating and genuinely useful. In this episode: Why we have so much more stuff than previous generations — and why it just keeps coming The real reason decluttering gets put off again and again (hint: it's not that you don't care) How to handle the guilt of getting rid of a gift — especially when the gift-giver asks where it went Why keeping a gift out of guilt doesn't actually honor the relationship The photo trick that lets you release a gift without the weight of it What Costco and Target are actually selling you (it's not the stuff) The "aspirational self" trap — and why buying for who you wish you were is filling up your home What to do if you're catching the pattern after the fact, not in the moment Why holding onto something you feel guilty about buying is costing you more than you think The one thing to remember when you need permission to let something go Whether it's the Costco tent you bought because you thought maybe you'd camp, or the gift from your mom that's been sitting in a closet for three years — this episode will help you release the weight of it. You don't have to keep things out of guilt. And you don't have to earn the right to a home that actually feels good to be in. Find Emily and the Moms Overcoming Overwhelm podcast wherever you listen to podcasts. If you're listening on Spotify, hit the Follow button right now — it's the best way to make sure you never miss an episode and it helps me reach more moms like you. Remember: the best mom is a happy mom. Take care of you. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

New here? Start with our Start Here playlist — five episodes that will change how you think about motherhood. If you feel like your teen has stopped listening to you — like everything you say gets met with eye rolls, pushback, or total silence — this episode is going to change how you see that. JoAnn sits down with Dr. Cam Caswell, developmental psychologist and teen relationship expert, to dig into what's actually happening in the teen brain when parents nag, demand, and try to take control. Spoiler: your teen's "defiance" isn't personal, it isn't intentional, and it isn't a sign you've failed. It's biology — and once you understand it, everything shifts. In this episode: Why teens are wired to resist control — and why that's actually healthy development, not defiance What nagging is really teaching your teen (hint: it's not what you think) The difference between demanding respect and earning it — and why one of them backfires every time Why the messy room battle isn't worth fighting — and what it's actually doing to your relationship The behaviors parents punish that are actually signs of healthy development How to regulate your own emotions first — so you don't make things worse before they get better Why chores should be about teaching skills, not paying rent — and how that one reframe changes everything The counterintuitive trick that gets teens to step up: remove yourself Dr. Cam's take on teens is genuinely refreshing — she doesn't talk about how to control your teen or get them to comply. She talks about how to actually understand them. If you're listening on Spotify, hit the Follow button right now — it's the best way to make sure you never miss an episode and it helps me reach more moms like you. Find Dr. Cam at drcamcaswell.com and on Instagram @dr.camcaswell. Resources Mentioned: Join the No Guilt Mom Inner Circle Download the Free Guide, How to Get Kids To Listen Without Unnecessary Structure and Routine Remember: the best mom is a happy mom. Take care of you. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

New here? Start with our Start Here playlist — five episodes that will change how you think about motherhood. You've probably heard the advice: create a consistent routine for your ADHD kid, avoid artificial dyes and flavors, protect their sleep schedule. And on paper? It's not bad advice. But nobody talks about what happens when the parent trying to implement all of it has ADHD too. In this solo episode, JoAnn breaks down why so much ADHD parenting advice quietly assumes a neurotypical parent is the one executing it — and what that means for the rest of us. You'll learn about three things that explain why this advice feels so much harder than it should: Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria (RSD), demand avoidance, and the interest-based nervous system. Then JoAnn shares three practical strategies that actually work with an ADHD brain — including the timer trick she uses to write her own books, why permissive language isn't the same as permissive parenting, and how body doubling helped her finish a rough draft in a month. In this episode: Why "just create a routine" doesn't work when you're the ADHD parent too The truth about artificial dyes, fear-based advice, and what's actually driving the panic Why enforcing a sleep schedule is especially hard for neurodiverse parents Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria (RSD): what it is, what it feels like in your body, and how to work with it Demand avoidance: why even your own to-do list can trigger an automatic "nope" Permissive language: how softening a request can actually get more done The PINCH framework: the five things that actually motivate an ADHD brain Timers and gamification: how to turn any task into a game you actually want to play Why rewards need to stay novel — and what actually works long-term Body doubling: how JoAnn used it to finish her book, and how to set it up for your kids too If you've been feeling like a hypocrite for not being able to do the things you're asking of your ADHD kid, this episode is your permission slip. You're not failing. You're an ADHD parent trying to follow advice written for someone else's brain. Now you've got tools that work for yours. Resources Mentioned Want to try body doubling and learn more about how your brain works? Join the No Guilt Mom Inner Circle — three body doubling sessions a day, a book club, and a community that gets it. First month is $19. learn.noguiltmom.com/go And grab JoAnn's free guide on getting your kids to listen and cooperate — without the structure and routines: learn.noguiltmom.com/get-kids-to-listen If you're listening on Spotify, hit the Follow button right now — it's the best way to make sure you never miss an episode and it helps me reach more moms like you. Remember: the best mom is a happy mom. Take care of you. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

New here? Start with our Start Here playlist — five episodes that will change how you think about motherhood. Have you ever found yourself praying for rain — just so every activity gets cancelled and your family has an excuse to stay home in pajamas? You're not alone. And according to today's guest, that fantasy might actually be the start of something important. Christine Gunderson is a former TV news anchor, Capitol Hill press secretary, and now a novelist. Her latest book, Behind White Picket Fences, follows three moms who decide to drop out of the exhausting cycle of activities, expectations, and busyness for an entire year — and discover that the picture-perfect life they were chasing might not be what it seems. In this episode, JoAnn and Christine talk about where the relentless pressure on moms actually comes from, how it's shifted over generations, and why the friendships you build in the carpool line might be the thing that gets you through it all. What you'll learn: Why more is expected of mothers than any other group of people — and why no human being can actually do it all The "what if we just stopped?" question that inspired Christine's latest novel How the expectations placed on moms have shifted from a perfect house in the 1960s to a perfect, overscheduled childhood today Why travel sports have created a level of pressure and cost that didn't exist a generation ago — and why opting out can feel like failing your kid The real reason behind the relentless busyness: fear of an unknowable future for our kids What Christine learned from interviewing women in their 80s about what motherhood was actually like in 1965 (and why it wasn't the easier, simpler time we imagine) Why honoring both the choice to stay home and the choice to work matters — because every mom does what makes sense for her family The one thing that gets moms through the hardest seasons: female friendship and community Christine's most important message for every overwhelmed mom listening "I think more is expected of mothers than any other group of people on the planet — because we are expected to civilize, teach, and nurture an entire generation while simultaneously cooking healthy meals, keeping a clean house, and having a full-time job. There is no way any human being can do all the things women are expected to do." "You are a great mom. And we cannot do this alone. You've got to have people walking beside you in the trenches." Behind White Picket Fences Three moms who barely know each other decide to drop out of the exhausting cycle of activities and expectations for one year — and discover their picture-perfect cul-de-sac is hiding secrets dating back to 1965. A thriller about motherhood, friendship, and what we've really gained (and lost) since our mothers' generation. Available now wherever books are sold. Resources mentioned: Behind White Picket Fences by Christine Gunderson — available now Join the No Guilt Mom Inner Circle to join book club with Christine Listen next: Why You're Killing It on Paper But Empty on the Inside with Brooke Taylor Remember: the best mom is a happy mom. Take care of you. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

New here? Start with our Start Here playlist — five episodes that will change how you think about motherhood. You've tried the bins. You've tried the labels. You've watched the organization reels and bought the matching containers. And somehow, within a week, everything is a mess again. Here's what nobody told you: you're not messy. You've just been trying to use an organizing system built for someone else's brain. Cas Aarssen is a professional organizer, YouTube creator, and self-described recovering super slob. After years of failing at traditional organizing methods, she discovered that there are four distinct organizing styles — and once you know yours, staying organized becomes almost effortless. She's helped millions of people transform their homes by working with their brain, not against it. What you'll learn: Why traditional organizing systems fail ADHD and visual brains — and what to do instead The one question every organizing system should answer: does it work on your absolute worst day? The four Clutterbug organizing styles and how to figure out which one you are Why out of sight truly is out of mind for visual organizers — and why that's not a flaw The golden Clutterbug rule for shared spaces that stops the nagging and resentment cold How to start with your messiest spot and let your clutter tell you what system you actually need Why hooks, big labels, and no-lid bins work better than any fancy organizing system you can buy How to have the organizing conversation with your partner without it turning into a fight Why clutter attracts clutter — and the simple fix that breaks the cycle The Lego mat that will change your life (and your kids' cleanup habits) The 4 Clutterbug organizing styles: The Butterfly — visual and macro. Needs things out in the open to remember they exist. Out of sight truly is out of mind. Loves beautiful displays, hates hidden storage. The Bee — visual and micro. Needs to see things but also loves detailed organization. Color-coded files, labeled everything, things arranged just so. The Ladybug — hidden and macro. Likes things put away out of sight but in big broad categories, not detailed systems. The hider who shoves things in a drawer to clear a surface. The Cricket — hidden and micro. Loves detailed, out-of-sight storage. The person with the color-coordinated filing cabinet who knows exactly where everything is. "True organization is meant for your absolute worst day — so that you never have to catch up." Products mentioned in this episode: Lego play mat with drawstring — spreads out as a huge play surface, pull the string and everything collects into a bag. Find on Amazon. Life changing for kids' cleanup. Wall-mounted magazine rack or gold basket organizer — gets papers and bills off flat surfaces and onto walls where visual organizers will actually see them Ikea bathroom rod system with hanging buckets — keeps bathroom products off the counter and at eye level without taking up surface space Take the free Clutterbug quiz: Find out your organizing style and get personalized tips at clutterbug.me Resources mentioned: The Clutterbug Method — Cas's new course for organizing your own home with her coaching. Find it at clutterbug.me Peter Walsh's Clean Sweep on TLC — the show that started Cas's organizing journey Connect with Cas: Website: clutterbug.me YouTube: Clutterbug Instagram: @clutterbug_me Listen next: Why You're Always the One Remembering Everything (And How AI Can Help) with Sarah Dooley Why You're Always Rushing — And What Your Body Is Actually Trying to Tell You with Jenna Free Working Parent Boundaries with Sarah Armstrong Remember: the best mom is a happy mom. Take care of you. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

New here? Start with our Start Here playlist — five episodes that will change how you think about motherhood. The Yelling Series: Part 1: Why You Keep Yelling Even When You Promised Yourself You'd Stop Part 2: Why Your Body Starts the Yelling Before Your Brain Does (And How to Stop It) Part 3: Why What You Do After You Yell Matters More Than the Yelling Itself — you're here You already know the guilt that comes after you yell. This episode is about what to do instead of drowning in it. In the finale of the Yelling Series, JoAnn shares the complete three-step repair framework — the exact words to say to your child after you lose it, why repair actually builds a stronger relationship than perfection ever could, and how to close the loop in under a minute so everyone can move forward. Because here's what the research on attachment tells us: it's not the yelling that causes long-term harm. It's the absence of repair. And once you know how to repair well, everything changes. What you'll learn: Why rupture and repair from attachment theory means the yelling itself is not what damages your relationship — and what actually does Why a mom who repairs consistently is doing something a mom who never yells but never addresses conflict cannot do Step 1: How to apologize simply and specifically — and the one word that destroys every apology (hint: it's "but") Step 2: How to take complete ownership of your behavior without letting your child off the hook or making them defensive Step 3: How to say what you'll work on in the future — and why promising effort instead of perfection is the only promise you can actually keep What all three steps sound like together in one real conversation — under a minute, no drama required How to teach your kids to apologize without ever telling them to — just by modeling it yourself What to do if your child isn't ready to respond right away after your repair Why if you've been yelling for a while, it'll take time for your kids to trust the change — and why that's completely okay "It's not yelling that causes most of the issues in relationships. It's the absence of repair. When repair exists, everything gets better. That's what creates the long-term relationship." 🎁 Free resource: DM JoAnn the word REPAIR on Instagram @noguiltmom to get the full 3-step framework and all the example phrases in one free guide — no notes required. Want to go deeper? The No Guilt Mom Inner Circle is where these real changes happen. Moms come in feeling horrible about themselves as parents and leave with the tools, confidence, and community to actually do things differently. The Lotus curriculum walks you through your own reactions, communication, and commitment to change — all guided and supported. Learn more here. Remember: the best mom is a happy mom. Take care of you. Thank you to our sponsors! Rula patients typically pay $15 per session when using insurance. Connect with quality therapists and mental health experts who specialize in you at https://www.rula.com/NGM #rulapod Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

New here? Start with our Start Here playlist — five episodes that will change how you think about motherhood. You've hit the milestones. You've built the career, shown up for your kids, and done everything right. So why does it still feel like you're not enough? If you're a high-achieving mom who looks successful on paper but feels empty, restless, or like you're always chasing the next thing — this episode is for you. And the answer isn't doing more. It's understanding what's actually driving your ambition in the first place. Brooke Taylor is a career coach, speaker, and former marketing lead at Google, where she worked with some of the highest-performing teams in the world. After running a study of over 5,000 women, she discovered that burnout, perfectionism, and imposter syndrome weren't the real problem — they were all symptoms of something deeper she calls the success wound. What you'll learn: What the success wound is — and why it's the real reason no matter how much you achieve, it never feels like enough The early childhood experience that teaches high-achieving girls to tie love and belonging to performance The five archetypes of the success wound — and how to spot which one is driving your behavior The difference between ambition plugged into your success wound versus ambition plugged into your true self Why confidence is contextual and will always let you down — and what to build instead What high-achieving moms are unintentionally modeling to their kids about self-worth and achievement Why rewarding effort is good but rewarding resilience is the next level — and what that looks like in practice The three daily practices that build self-worth like deposits in a bank account Why making decisions when you're only 51% sure is actually the key to trusting yourself Why certainty is a career killer — and what to do instead "You don't rise to the level of your confidence. You fall to the level of your self-worth. Which is why you can be confident at work, have a big failure, and have your confidence crumble completely." Resources mentioned: Healing the Success Wound by Brooke Taylor — brooketaylorcoaching.com/book Internal Family Systems (IFS) therapy — the framework behind the "true self" concept discussed in this episode The Four Cs framework from Dr. Benjamin Hardy — commitment, courage, competence, and confidence (you only need the first two to start) Connect with Brooke: Website: brooketaylorcoaching.com Instagram: @brookevtaylor Remember: the best mom is a happy mom. Take care of you. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

New here? Start with our Start Here playlist — five episodes that will change how you think about motherhood. The Yelling Series: Part 1: Why You Keep Yelling Even When You Promised Yourself You'd Stop Part 2: Why Your Body Starts the Yelling Before Your Brain Does (And How to Stop It) — you're here Part 3: Why What You Do After You Yell Matters More Than the Yelling Itself You've tried counting to ten. You've tried breathing. You've read the books, you've watched the reels, and you still yell. What if it's not about trying harder — what if something else entirely is going on in your body? In Part 2 of the Yelling Series, JoAnn goes deeper than the standard coping advice. Your body starts the yelling before your brain even knows what's happening — and for some moms, the tools just don't work because the root cause isn't a mindset problem at all. This episode covers the physical mechanics of yelling, a breathing practice to try right now, and a deeply personal conversation about hormones, neurodiversity, and why so many women have been left without answers for far too long. What you'll learn: Why the rushing feeling Jenna Free talked about on Tuesday is your body's earliest warning signal — and what to do the moment you notice it The relationship between time and stress — and the reframe from The Big Leap by Gay Hendricks that will change how you talk about not having enough time Box breathing: what it actually is, how to practice it, and why it only works if you catch yourself early enough JoAnn's personal story of going on hormone replacement therapy — and how it eliminated her migraines, fixed her sleep, and gave her energy back Why so many women's symptoms (stiff shoulders, anxiety, waking at 3am, mood swings) are being treated individually when the underlying cause is estrogen The progesterone and sleep connection that nobody talks about enough Why women with ADHD experience perimenopausal symptoms up to 10 years earlier than the general population Rejection Sensitivity Dysphoria (RSD) — what it is, how it shows up in parenting, and why knowing about it keeps JoAnn calm when her kids reject her boundaries Why if somatic tools aren't working for you, it is not you — and what might actually be going on "If the tools aren't working, it might not be you. It might be hormones, neurodiversity, or biology that's worth investigating. You deserve to have the best relationships and best life possible — free of the guilt." Note: JoAnn's hormone story is shared from personal experience only and is not intended as medical advice. Please consult your own healthcare provider about any health concerns. Resources mentioned: The Big Leap by Gay Hendricks — the time reframe JoAnn references in this episode Dr. Mary Claire Haver on the Armchair Expert podcast — perimenopause and menopause episode ADDitude Magazine article: Study: Perimenopausal Symptoms Are More Severe, Begin Earlier in Women with ADHD Tuesday's episode with Jenna Free: Why You're Always Rushing — And What Your Body Is Actually Trying to Tell You Remember: the best mom is a happy mom. Take care of you. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

New here? Start with our Start Here playlist — five episodes that will change how you think about motherhood. You know that feeling of fast-walking across the house, going from room to room, shoulders up to your ears — and not even realizing you're doing it until someone asks if you're okay? That rushing feeling isn't just a bad habit. It's your nervous system in fight or flight mode. And if you have ADHD, you might be living there almost all the time. Jenna Free is a therapist, ADHD specialist, and author of The Simple Guide to ADHD Regulation. She was diagnosed at 32 — after having two kids in a year and a half — and has since spent hundreds of hours working with ADHD adults to understand the one pattern that shows up in every single one of them: the fight or flight cycle. In this episode, JoAnn and Jenna get into the real reason so many moms feel like they're always drowning — and why more tips and tools are never going to fix it. What you'll learn: What the ADHD fight or flight cycle actually looks like — and why it's not just about the big explosive moments Why rushing and impatience are early warning signals that you're already dysregulated — before you ever snap at your kids The fight, flight, freeze, and fawn responses that every ADHD mom will recognize in herself Why people pleasing is actually a survival response — and has nothing to do with being a pushover The one word that tells you immediately you're in dysregulation ("should") Why awareness is always the first step — and what to actually do once you have it The Gap vs. Gain theory and why looking at what you've accomplished (not what's left) literally regulates your nervous system Why your symptoms aren't the ADHD itself — and what's actually making everything so much harder Jenna's biggest insight: "If you put an ADHD brain that's already different in fight or flight, you are quadrupling your symptoms. It's hard on top of hard. But it does not have to be this hard." Resources mentioned: The Simple Guide to ADHD Regulation by Jenna Free — available wherever books are sold, including your local library The Gap vs. Gain concept from Dan Sullivan with Dr. Benjamin Hardy Connect with Jenna: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/adhdwithjennafree Listen next: Why You're Always the One Remembering Everything (And How AI Can Help) with Sarah Dooley Part 2 of the Yelling Series: Why Your Body Starts the Yelling Before Your Brain Does (Coming Thursday, May 29) Remember: the best mom is a happy mom. Take care of you. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

New here? Start with our Start Here playlist — five episodes that will change how you think about motherhood: https://www.noguiltmom.com/podcast-2 This is Part 1 of the Yelling Series — three episodes all about why you yell, how to stop it in the moment, and what to do after it happens. Part 1: Why You Keep Yelling Even When You Promised Yourself You’d Stop Part 2: Why Your Body Starts the Yelling Before Your Brain Does (And How to Stop It) Part 3: Why What You Do After You Yell Matters More Than the Yelling Itself You promised yourself today would be different. And then it happened again. If you’re stuck in the yelling cycle — the yell, the guilt, the promise to do better, repeat — this episode is for you. JoAnn breaks down what’s actually driving the yelling (hint: it’s not anger, and it’s not a character flaw) and gives you the first tool in breaking the pattern for good. What you’ll learn: Why knowing better is never enough to stop yelling The meaning problem: what your brain is actually reacting to in the moment Why the guilt spiral after yelling makes the pattern worse, not better How to identify your personal yelling triggers — and what they’re really telling you The 3-question Yelling Audit to do after this episode Up next: Part 2 — the body reset tools you can use in under 60 seconds, even when you can’t leave the room. Remember: the best mom is a happy mom. Take care of you. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

New here? Start with our Start Here playlist — five episodes that will change how you think about motherhood: https://www.noguiltmom.com/podcast-2 If your daughter is heading to college and talking about rushing a sorority, this episode is required listening — for you, not her. Between the mom guilt, the mental load of managing her college transition, and the overwhelm of a process you don't fully understand, rush season can send even the most grounded mom into a tailspin. Trisha Addicks is a 30-year Rush consultant, author of The Rush Bible: Secrets to Crush Sorority Recruitment and Find Your Forever Greek Home, and was featured in the viral Bama Rush documentary. She has helped hundreds of families navigate one of the most emotionally charged processes in a young woman's college experience. And her number one piece of advice for moms? Back off — but in the most loving, supportive way possible. In this episode, JoAnn and Trisha break down everything you actually need to know about sorority rush, from how the matching process works (it's more like a two-way algorithm than you think) to how to support your daughter without accidentally making it worse. What you'll learn: How the rush process actually works, step by step — from the virtual first round all the way to bid day Why your daughter can be cut before she even sets foot in a house (and what that means) The single most important thing moms can do during rush week — and it's not what you think The biggest mistake moms make when their daughter calls crying (and what to say instead) Why sorority rush at NYU or an Ivy League is just as high stakes as Bama Rush — even if it looks different The #1 misconception about sororities that the TikTok OOTDs are getting completely wrong How to build your own support squad so you don't put your anxiety on your daughter What sorority life actually looks like day-to-day (hint: it's a lot more than parties) Why listening — not prepared questions — is the skill your daughter needs to practice before rush Trisha's biggest reminder for moms: "This is not your journey. It's hers. All you want is for her to find her people — and it doesn't matter what letters are on the door." Resources mentioned: The Rush Bible by Trisha Addicks Remember: the best mom is a happy mom. Take care of you. Thank you to our sponsors! Rula Rula patients typically pay $15 per session when using insurance. Connect with quality therapists and mental health experts who specialize in you at https://www.rula.com/NGM #rulapod Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

New here? Start with our ⁠Start Here playlist — five episodes that will change how you think about motherhood In this episode, JoAnn dives into the friendship patterns that leave so many women feeling drained, lonely, and afraid to speak honestly. This conversation offers real mom support for women who constantly over-explain, avoid conflict, and silence themselves just to keep relationships intact. JoAnn shares personal stories about friendships that ended painfully and the powerful realization that changed everything: healthy relationships are not relationships without conflict. They’re relationships where both people can handle honesty, accountability, and emotional safety without turning each other into the villain. If you’ve ever felt like you were “too much,” too sensitive, or emotionally exhausted from carrying the weight of a friendship, this episode will help you recognize the red flags of emotionally unsafe relationships—and what healthy connection actually looks like. In This Episode, We Talk About: 00:00 — Why So Many Women Feel “Too Much” in Friendships 05:10 — The Friendship Moment That Made Me Stop Trusting My Feelings 09:02 — Why Women Silence Themselves to Keep Relationships 15:00 — Why Honesty Feels Dangerous in Emotionally Unsafe Friendships 25:07 — What Emotionally Safe Friendships Actually Feel Like This episode is a reminder that your feelings, needs, and honesty do not make you difficult to love. Healthy friendships don’t require you to abandon yourself just to stay connected. If this episode resonated with you, share it with another mom who may need this kind of support right now. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

New here? Start with our ⁠Start Here playlist — five episodes that will change how you think about motherhood As parents, it’s natural to want to protect our kids from disappointment, struggle, and discomfort. We step in because we care deeply. We want to make life easier for them. But sometimes, in trying to protect our kids from hard feelings, we accidentally keep them from building the confidence and resilience they’ll need later in life. In this episode, JoAnn sits down with former Navy SEAL sniper instructor and author Brandon Webb to talk about what really helps kids grow into capable, confident adults. Brandon shares how lessons from elite military training surprisingly connect to everyday parenting challenges—and why letting kids experience failure, discomfort, and responsibility may actually be one of the most loving things we can do. Together, they explore how parenting support isn’t about making life perfect for our kids. It’s about helping them trust themselves enough to handle life when things don’t go perfectly. In This Episode, We Talk About: Why overprotective parenting can unintentionally weaken confidence and resilience How small everyday struggles help kids build emotional strength Why failure is an important part of raising strong children The difference between supportive parenting and rescuing kids from discomfort How negative self-talk develops in kids—and what parents can do instead Why the way we talk to our kids eventually becomes their inner voice Practical parenting tips for helping kids push through challenges without shame How visualization and positive coaching techniques can help kids handle stress and pressure The importance of mentors, coaches, and supportive adults outside the parent-child relationship How to pause and regulate your own emotions before responding during difficult parenting moments Why This Conversation Matters Many overwhelmed moms feel pressure to prevent their kids from struggling. We want to shield them from disappointment because seeing our children hurt is incredibly hard. But Brandon explains that confidence doesn’t come from constant praise or protection—it comes from overcoming challenges and realizing, “I can do hard things.” This conversation is a powerful reminder that parenting challenges are not signs we’re failing. They’re opportunities for our kids to grow. And often, the most supportive thing we can do is step back just enough to let them experience the natural lessons that build resilience, independence, and self-trust. If you’ve ever questioned whether you’re being too hard or too soft—or wondered how to support your child without taking over—this episode offers thoughtful parenting education and practical tools you can start using right away. Resources Mentioned: Puddle Jumpers by Brandon Webb The Checklist Manifesto by Atul Gawande Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices