Shameless Leadership

Denisha Seals was raised by her mother, a single parent, who had not had a childhood. She was a teenage mom in an abusive relationship. Unfortunately, the unresolved trauma from her mother’s past was projected onto Denisha from the time she was very young, leaving Denisha with low self-esteem and vulnerability to people who exploited her innocence. A high school teacher helped Denisha realize she had a choice: to continue to hurt and to follow in her mother’s footsteps, or to start her own healing journey. She began counseling and realized that her traumatic childhood was not her fault. Denisha is now engaged in converting the pain of the past into lessons that can be shared with people in a myriad of creative ways for the greater good. She is a writer and a speaker, impacting the world through her storytelling and powerful messages of hope. Listen in to hear Denisha share: Her documentary, HINT: Historical Intergenerational Nutritional Trauma, about the nutritional genocide of people of color How her childhood trauma of incestual sexual assualt inspired her work and her support of her Indigenous culture The significance of her Indigenous culture and African culture in her birth experience and how that informs how she shows up in the world today How growing up as a Afro Indigenous child who had been neglected and violated in foster care and phases of homelessness impacted her youth How she has intentionally shaped relationships and specific boundaries with her parents in order to heal Her book, Butterflies In Me, written and designed to support children’s mental health How she intentionally made her book inclusive of many children’s marginalized backgrounds and struggles from race to mental health Links mentioned: www.water2spirit.com Water2spirit on Instagram Water2spirit on LinkedIn LinkedIn Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/water2spirit1 Sponsor info and promo codes: Please find our sponsor information here: shamelessmom.com/sponsor/ Interested in becoming a sponsor of the Shameless Mom Academy? Email our sales team at [email protected] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Over the last few weeks, I have had the opportunity to speak to multiple groups on mindset. In researching and prepping for these conversations, I dug into some hard truths around our current culture. Namely, the fact that we are all enduring Collective Trauma - and no one is talking about it. An article in Psychology Today (linked in this episode’s show notes) teaches that “Collective trauma is a response that can follow a variety of traumatic experiences. Situations that may elicit a collective trauma response may include but are not limited to: wars, natural disasters, mass shootings, terrorism, pandemics, systematic and historical oppression, recessions, and famine or severe poverty.” It goes on to say collective trauma “can change the entire fabric of a community… In fact, collective trauma can impact relationships, alter policies and governmental processes, alter the way the society functions, and even change its social norms.” Once we acknowledge that we are experiencing this, we can see how our mindsets have shifted to match this arduous cultural moment in history. In fact, it stands to reason that we have quite possibly (and very understandably) shifted our default mindset to a fixed mindset framework, instead of a growth mindset framework. As a refresh, fixed mindset vs growth mindset is the work of the great Carol Dweck. Author of the book Mindset - which every human should read! In this episode, I explore why you might be defaulting to fixed mindset, how it’s limiting you, and how to shift out of it in order to see more opportunities, potential & possibility in your life - instead of defaulting to seeing obstacles & roadblocks. This isn’t to say the obstacles aren’t real. Things are hard. But let’s uncover how to hold space for two truths: Things are hard. You are resourceful and resilient and can make great things happen in your life. Links mentioned: Psychology Today article: What is Collective Trauma? Book: Mindset by Carol Dweck Sponsor info and promo codes: Please find our sponsor information here: shamelessmom.com/sponsor/ Interested in becoming a sponsor of the Shameless Mom Academy? Email our sales team at [email protected] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Amy Lang, MA has been a sexual health educator for over 25 years. With her lively, engaging and down-to-earth style she helps parents become comfortable and confident talking to their kids. Amy’s books, online solutions center and podcast, show parents they really can become their kids' go-to birds and bees source. Amy is still married to her first husband and they are getting the hang of parenting their recently launched man-child. She lives in Seattle WA. Amy was on the show to talk about how to talk to younger kids about bodies a few years ago. This time she is back to talk about how to talk to your tweens about sex. Given that Vinnie turned 10 just a few days ago, I was in desperate need of this convo. Amy is an incredible educator who makes talking about sex one million times easier and more fun than anyone else I know. Listen in to hear Amy share: Why sex talk nearly always falls to the mom as a result of our own conditioning and experiences around sexuality How to get tweens to listen to you when you talk about sex and sexuality The importance of knowing how to talk about sex with your kids BEFORE you actually engage in conversation The importance of knowing your values around sex/sexuality before you talk to your kids about it How to make up or redo a conversation if you feel like you made a misstep Why we don’t need to worry about giving our kids too much information on sex and sexuality How to talk to our kids about sex in an inclusive way that honors a variety of sexual orientations Why must talk to your kids about porn - no matter what you think your kid is or is not seeing on the internet How to talk to your kids about porn in a really clear way Specific steps to take to monitor, filter and bock web exposure Links mentioned: Amy’s Book: Sex Talks with Tweens Amy’s Podcast: Just Say This Connect with Amy: birdsandbeesandkids.com Amy’s first interview on the SMA: Birds and Bees and Kids Amy on IG Amy on FB Bark Parental Control app: Bark.us Sponsor info and promo codes: Please find our sponsor information here: shamelessmom.com/sponsor/ Interested in becoming a sponsor of the Shameless Mom Academy? Email our sales team at [email protected] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This one is for all my friends who have spent their lives collecting A+’s and doing all the extra credit. I know perfectionism kept me in my own way for a lot of my first 20 years of life. If I couldn't do something to an A+ level, I didn't want to do it at all. In the last 15 or so years, I've learned that the fun, power, and momentum that allow me to have the most impact in the world comes when I am intentionally imperfect. Doing things well, but "good enough" instead of sitting on them until they are absolutely 100% A++ perfect. In my mid-twenties, I started giving myself permission to try things I hadn’t done before. This was a huge departure from never trying anything new out of fear of failure and even more fear of looking foolish. By my mid-thirties, as I was growing businesses, I learned that trying new things, giving myself the space to be a newbie, and sitting in the discomfort of learning were actually really rewarding. Now, in my mid-forties, I am able to have so much FUN doing things I’m not great at. This is how I was able to learn to ski at age 42, get back into triathlons at age 46, try new things in my business, allow myself to be more creative, and laugh at my imperfections #everydamnday, while riding out the massive momentum that comes with staying in imperfect action and never taking myself too seriously. In this episode, I talk you through what I’ve learned from getting great at doing things I’m not great at, why we stop ourselves from doing things we’re not great at, and what we gain when we get great at doing things we’re not great at. This one is for my fellow perfectionists and recovering perfectionists. I GOT YOU. Sponsor info and promo codes: Please find our sponsor information here: shamelessmom.com/sponsor/ Interested in becoming a sponsor of the Shameless Mom Academy? Email our sales team at [email protected] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Peter Mutabazi is an entrepreneur, an international advocate for children, and the founder of Now I Am Known, a corporation that supplies resources that encourage and affirm children. A single father of one white son and foster dad to many, Peter is a former street kid who has worked for World Vision and the International Committee of the Red Cross and has appeared on media outlets such as the BBC and the TODAY show. A passionate and popular speaker, he currently lives in Charlotte, North Carolina. I am so delighted to welcome Peter back to the show. He recently released his first book, Now I Am Known. When I heard he wrote a book about his experience of not being known and literally not having a name as a child living on the streets of Uganda through his present-day reality of having fostered 27 children, I knew I wanted him to come back for another conversation. Listen in to hear Peter share: The current makeup of his family includes an adopted son, 3 foster children, and 2 dogs How his experience growing up as a street kid in Uganda informed his life and his commitment to helping other children who have traumatic pasts How one stranger seeing him through a different lens changed his life entirely and how he has used that experience to see others through a different lens How to meet your kids where they are at vs where you want them to be His advice to those living in survival mode His really important mission with his book, Now I Am Known All the ways we belong to each other - as he supports foster kids, bio parents, and asks his community to step up and support him and other foster kids Links mentioned: [Time Sensitive] Become a member of The Shameless Mom Academy: shamelessmom.com/academy www.NowIAmKnown.com Peter on YouTube Peter on Instagram Peter on Facebook Peter on TikTok Sponsor info and promo codes: Please find our sponsor information here: shamelessmom.com/sponsor/ Interested in becoming a sponsor of the Shameless Mom Academy? Email our sales team at [email protected] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We are really good at finding reasons to wait. And sometimes waiting is warranted. But often, we wait because we have made up a story that we are not yet ready, worthy, capable, or qualified. Often that story is a bold-faced lie. When we wait to go after what we want, take action, or accomplish something that makes us proud, we waste our precious mental and emotional resources, our energy, and our TIME. While we are waiting, we often compromise our values, stall our growth, and stay STUCK in a headspace that lends itself to self-doubt and negative self-talk. I’m not a leap person. I don’t make big bold moves. But I am an action taker. I take small action steps to test the waters and collect data. Those small steps and pieces of data determine my next steps and move me toward what I want so I’m not stuck in the emotional and mental purgatory of waiting to accomplish something. In this episode, I’m going to dig into what is wasted while you’re waiting. You’re costing yourself more than you know. You are ready. You are capable. You are qualified. Now. Link mentioned: For a limited time, become a member of The Shameless Mom Academy: shamelessmom.com/academy Sponsor info and promo codes: Please find our sponsor information here: shamelessmom.com/sponsor/ Interested in becoming a sponsor of the Shameless Mom Academy? Email our sales team at [email protected] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Fareedah Shaheed is the CEO and Founder of Sekuva SehKOOvuh, where she helps parents and caretakers protect their kids online. She has taught thousands of people online security & safety, has hosted lunch and learns, and has delivered keynotes on the subject. She is a Forbes 30 Under 30 honoree and is currently serving on the Forbes board for the Under 30 community. Fareedah was named Cybersecurity Personality of the Year 2020. And her work has been featured in Cisco, NASA, FOX 25, FOX 46, FOX Carolina, NBC Washington, The Grio, Yahoo!, AfroTech, The Every Mom, StartPage, TripWire, Infosecurity Magazine, and most recently on the NASDAQ. Fareedah is on fire when it comes to spreading her message. I connected with Fareedah via LinkedIn and as I got to know more about her work and her personal story, I knew she would be a fantastic guest. She did not disappoint! Listen in to hear Fareedah share: Her experience growing up as a third culture kid How her identity as a Black Muslim gamer raised in Saudi Arabi inspired her work in cybersecurity How her relationship with her mom especially informed her experience around her own cybersecurity The significance of her mom embracing imperfection in order to create a more safe, secure and soulful mother/daughter relationship What holistic online safety is and why it’s so much more important than blanket rules that might serve only as bandaids The importance of connection over control and a strong parent/child bond in online safety Why she champions parental therapy and therapeutic practices in order for parents to have a connection to self as a foundation to protect your child from the online world First 3 steps to take toward cybersecurity for your child Links mentioned: From September 14th-20th only, become a member of The Shameless Mom Academy: shamelessmom.com/academy Connect with Fareedah: Cyberfareedah.com Join Fareedah’s Safe Kid Movement: safekidsmovement.com Fareedah on all social media: @CyberFareedah Fareedah’s podcast: The Accidental Arab Sponsor info and promo codes: Please find our sponsor information here: shamelessmom.com/sponsor/ Interested in becoming a sponsor of the Shameless Mom Academy? Email our sales team at [email protected] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Last weekend I did my first triathlon in 18 years. It was an incredible experience - which I almost put it off until next summer. I’m so glad I didn’t wait. I shifted a 12-month goal to a 2-month goal and it paid off - big time. Whether you’re working toward a new goal or returning to a goal from the past, I want to invite you to take a look at how you’re approaching your goal. Your perspective and approach will deeply impact your experience and your outcomes. When I did triathlons 18-22 years ago, it was so much work and so much stress. A lot of the training felt like a grind. It was all very intense. You would think, at age 46 and being out of the game for so long, I would have felt that intensity and stress return as I took up training again. I did not. I was really intentional about how I approached this goal. My approach allowed me to enjoy every moment of training and every second of race day. In this episode, I talk you through 5 Important Lessons On Trying Something New in hopes that you can cut your deadlines on your goals in half in order to get to the finish lines faster - and with a ton more ease and joy! Link mentioned: Join my free workshop: How to Calm Your Chaos & Let Go of Your Crap: shamelessmom.com/calm Sponsor info and promo codes: Please find our sponsor information here: shamelessmom.com/sponsor/ Interested in becoming a sponsor of the Shameless Mom Academy? Email our sales team at [email protected] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Beth Syverson is a mom of an 18-year-old son, Joey, who has been struggling with addiction and mental health issues for several years. She struggles with addiction as well, though not with the same substances as her son. This experience has given her empathy for her son's struggles. She has learned to maintain firm boundaries while still nurturing a positive relationship with Joey. She is walking beside Joey as he struggles with his recovery, while she works on her own personal growth and healing. Joey and Beth started Safe Home Podcast in August 2021 in order to help other families avoid the pain they've endured. They are committed to destigmatizing addiction and mental health, and they want to help as many families as possible by sharing their stories. This is such an incredibly important topic and conversation. I’m so grateful to Beth for sharing courageously and vulnerably. It’s also important that you know, Joey gave consent, even encouragement, for his mom to have this conversation and share parts of his journey with this audience of Shameless Moms. Listen in to hear Beth share: The impact of her son’s in utero trauma and the first 7 months of his life in Japan How Joey’s experimentation with vaping and nicotine led to life-threatening, full-fledged addiction What to look for if suspect your child might be using - and the signs Beth missed when Joey was first using How Joey’s first suicide attempt opened her eyes to his struggle with addiction How to use curiosity as a tool in talking about substance use/abuse with your child in order to open up conversations instead of shutting down conversations How she uses the CRAFT method: a special communication method to prioritize a relationship with someone who is on an addiction journey The importance of removing shame from addiction The boundaries she keeps in place while prioritizing their relationship How she and Joey co-created a podcast, Safe Home Podcast, and why the show is so important to all parents of tweens and teens Her #1 piece of advice for parents of struggling teens Links mentioned: Join my free workshop: How to Calm Your Chaos & Let Go of Your Crap: shamelessmom.com/calm Connect with Beth and find her events: safehomefamilies.com Listen to the Safe Home Podcast: anchor.fm/safe-home-podcast Safe Home Podcast on FB Safe Home Podcast on IG Safe Home Podcast on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCYoW-LxFFes2EX71ENcFVCQ Sponsor info and promo codes: Please find our sponsor information here: shamelessmom.com/sponsor/ Interested in becoming a sponsor of the Shameless Mom Academy? Email our sales team at [email protected] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

When we get overwhelmed or frustrated or feel the universe is working against us, we tend to drop our heads, metaphorically and literally. We stop seeing the good around us. We stop seeing potential. We stop seeing opportunity. We look down and miss the magic that is right in front of us, if not passing us by. I’m only able to describe this because I’ve been there. When I feel overwhelmed or rejected or frustrated, it’s easy for me to start to shrink. And in that shrinking, I become fixed on the fact that I cannot fix what is broken and no one else can fix it, either. Sometimes my husband will offer solutions and I will excitedly point out how they are all awful - because EVERYTHING IS WRONG AND BROKEN right now. But when I step back for a moment - typically a few hours and a good workout - I can start to see how he may be right. There might just be a few options that could work just fine, even if they are not the exact options I initially had in mind. This happened recently when we learned we would need to get a new car - that we were not planning for in 2022. I had a meltdown because there were just NO GOOD OPTIONS. To be fair, this is a really sucky time to buy a car, but… BUT… there are still options. As he laid out some options for us, I shut down. None of his options were my top picks for options. I went to bed quiet and grumpy. The next morning, I was able to see where he had some good points. There are options and a decent number of them are, well, decent. If you’re a Type A person like me, you might be quick to look down, lock up, and to lock out possibilities when you feel like things are not working out for you. In this episode, I’m going to invite you to LOOK UP. When we look up, everything shifts. There are options and alternatives galore - and often they are even better than what we originally thought we wanted. Link mentioned: Join my free workshop: How to Calm Your Chaos & Let Go of Your Crap: shamelessmom.com/calm Sponsor info and promo codes: Please find our sponsor information here: shamelessmom.com/sponsor/ Interested in becoming a sponsor of the Shameless Mom Academy? Email our sales team at [email protected] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Sue Holt is the founder of Mommy's Life Coach. Sue coaches moms who yell at their kids. She helps them to stop feeling guilty and enjoy being a mom. As a stay-at-home mom for the past 16 years to four children, Sue remembers sitting at the bottom of her steps with her head in her hands crying, not because she yelled so loud that her throat hurt from screaming at her daughter for spilling salad dressing on her new boots that Mom bought her, but because she felt guilty and ashamed. Sue created Mommy's Life Coach as a space to integrate, validate, acknowledge, encourage, and celebrate moms. Sue lives in Philadelphia with her hubby, four kids, and Irish Setter, Oscar. When Sue is not watching her 3 boys play ice hockey, lacrosse, baseball, track, football, or her daughter dance, sing, act, or play field hockey, she enjoys taking dance classes, working out, and relaxing on the beach. Listen in to hear Sue share: Why moms yell at their kids How moms high expectations of themselves get in their own ways and contribute to mom rage and emotional dysregulation How anger is often a mask for sadness, grief, and fear The definition of mom rage and what it looks & feels like How mom rage comes from an inner influencer and outer influencer Why mom rage is shrouded in secrecy 5 Steps you can take to manage your mom rage The correlation between identity loss in motherhood and mom rage Links mentioned: Join my upcoming free workshop, How to Calm Your Chaos and Let Go of Your Crap: shamelessmom.com/calm Connect with Sue: mommyslifecoach.com/ Sue’s Podcast: The OutRAGEous Mommy Podcast Sue on Instagram @mommyslifecoach Sue on FB: The OutRAGEous Moms Facebook Group Sponsor info and promo codes: Please find our sponsor information here: shamelessmom.com/sponsor/ Interested in becoming a sponsor of the Shameless Mom Academy? Email our sales team at [email protected] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

A couple of months ago, we did our annual Shameless Summer Survey to find out what you all needed - where you were struggling most and what you were craving. Over and over again you said you were overwhelmed, exhausted, and stuck. You said you were tired of the constant chaos. You said you were craving calm. I hear you. It is common to feel all of this at any stage of motherhood, but when you layer in what mothers have endured over the past 2.5 years, it’s especially understandable that you would be feeling these feelings in the most overwhelming way. We have been through a lot - A LOT - in the last few years and we are now expected to move on as if it’s all over and it’s all fine. We are not fine. And that is ok. In this episode, I dig into why you're feeling the way you’re feeling and how to start to gently climbing your way out of the chaos and back to some at least intermittent calm in your daily life. I mean, I can’t make your kids leave you alone permanently, but I can give you some great tips on how to process and release some of your chaos & crap in order to create a sense of calm on a regular basis. Link mentioned: Join my upcoming free workshop, How to Calm Your Chaos and Let Go of Your Crap: shamelessmom.com/calm Sponsor info and promo codes: Please find our sponsor information here: shamelessmom.com/sponsor/ Interested in becoming a sponsor of the Shameless Mom Academy? Email our sales team at [email protected] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Trudi Lebrón is the author of The Antiracist Business Book: An Equity-Centered Approach to Work, Wealth, & Leadership. Trudi is also the CEO of ScriptFlip! LLC and creator of the Institute for Equity Centered Coaching, a coaching and consulting firm, that helps entrepreneurs build antiracist businesses and become equity-centered coaches and leaders through their certification programs, consulting packages, and executive coaching. By the time Trudi was 16, she had two children and had dropped out of high school—all the odds were against her. Trudi holds a BA in Theater, a Master of Science in Psychology, and is currently ABD in her Ph.D. program in Social Psychology. After recently reading Trudi’s book, I immediately asked her to come back on the show to talk about the role we all play in building and supporting communities, businesses, and organizations. Trudi always helps me see things in significant new ways while guiding me to become a better, more thoughtful, and inclusive citizen. Listen in to hear Trudi share: Why it’s important to be informed on anti-racist business practices whether you own a business, work for a business or purchase things from businesses What is “White People Shit” and what white people need to know about White People Shit How white culture is about being right and how that is problematic for all people How hustle culture and creating a sense of urgency is a product of White Supremacy Where practices around overworking come from The responsibility each one of us holds in building anti-racist organizations - from our workplaces to our churches to our community centers and kids' sports leagues What Community Agreements are and why they are so important anytime we gather people The problem with white women’s rage - and how this is traumatizing for Black women Links mentioned: Join my free workshop, How To Calm Your Chaos & Let Go of Your Crap: shamelessmom.com/calm Connect with Trudi: trudilebron.com Book: The Antiracist Business Book: An Equity-Centered Approach to Work, Wealth, & Leadership Podcast: Business Remixed Trudi on Instagram Sponsor info and promo codes: Please find our sponsor information here: shamelessmom.com/sponsor/ Interested in becoming a sponsor of the Shameless Mom Academy? Email our sales team at [email protected] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Brutal truth: I’ve experienced more professional rejection in 2022 than any other year in my 19 years of business. I’m talking about this because no one talks about this side of growth, professional or otherwise. But, it is a very real and common experience when you decide to stretch yourself in new ways. Rejection is often the result of an audacious act, a brave reach, or a leap into uncharted territory. Rejection comes on the backside of courage, determination, and vulnerability. It’s easy to feel beaten down, if not completely swallowed, by rejection. It’s easy to overlook the fact that you stepped up to the plate in a bold way to say, “I’m here. I’m ready. I can do this.” In the face of rejection, we typically say, “I’m not worthy”, instead of, “I was qualified for that and not getting it is not a reflection of my talent or worth.” Or, “I’m really proud of myself for trying. Now I feel ready and even more prepared to go for something else big like this.” I pitched myself for something I really wanted this fall. I was rejected. At first I was mad, even hurt. A few days after getting that NO, another opportunity - a better one - came up for the same time. I realized that NO was a gift and made space for me to pitch the same thing to an even better organization. It’s time we talk about rejection as a necessary part of growth instead of a quiet pool (ocean?) of shame. In this episode, I’ll walk you through how I’ve been managing rejection as I uplevel and how you can do the same. Link mentioned: Join my free workshop: How To Calm Your Chaos & Let Go of Your Crap: shamelessmom.com/calm Sponsor info and promo codes: Please find our sponsor information here: shamelessmom.com/sponsor/ Interested in becoming a sponsor of the Shameless Mom Academy? Email our sales team at [email protected] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Sarah Stewart Holland and Beth Silvers host the popular podcast Pantsuit Politics, which was named one of 2021’s best shows by Apple Podcasts and has been featured in The New York Times, The Atlantic, Good Morning America 3, The Guardian, Elle Magazine, and Parents Magazine. They are also the authors of “I Think You're Wrong (But I'm Listening): A Guide to Grace-Filled Political Conversation” and “Now What?: How to Move Forward When We're Divided About Basically Everything”. Sarah and Beth met in college before going their separate ways for law school. Sarah pursued a career in politics as a congressional staffer and campaign aide and Beth practiced law before serving as a human resources executive. Sarah lives in Paducah, KY, with her spouse, Nicholas, and children Griffin, Amos, and Felix. Beth lives in Union, KY, with her spouse, Chad, and children Jane and Ellen. Sarah’s dog, Cookie, and Beth’s dog, Lucy, are beloved (and involuntary) contributors to their work. When I heard Sarah and Beth had a new book out, I immediately asked them to come on the show. The way they navigate and guide hard conversations in incredibly divisive times is so important and powerful. I always learn so much from them. Listen in to hear Sarah and Beth share: The difference between being a citizen vs being a consumer How to talk to your kids about hard things How to talk differently to boys vs girls about power & authority The significance of moms owning their power, especially economic power, as a voting block How society has carved moms into smaller blocks - on purpose - and how we need to sew ourselves together to hold more power How moms can more effectively use your voice and your vote Links mentioned: Connect with Sarah and Beth and listen to Pantsuit Politics: https://www.pantsuitpoliticsshow.com/ Book: I Think You're Wrong (But I'm Listening): A Guide to Grace-Filled Political Conversation Book: Now What?: How to Move Forward When We're Divided About Basically Everything Pantsuit Politics on Instagram Pantsuit Politics on Twitter Pantsuit Politics on Facebook Sponsor info and promo codes: Please find our sponsor information here: shamelessmom.com/sponsor/ Interested in becoming a sponsor of the Shameless Mom Academy? Email our sales team at [email protected] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

I know it’s not officially fall yet, but hear me out.... Fall is coming - fast. And I want you to be prepared. As you straddle this end of summer/back to school/almost fall season, I want you to consider what you want for yourself, for your kids and out of motherhood. I always joke that September is January for moms. It’s when we start fresh, try new routines, recommit to things that serve us, dump the junk that doesn’t. It’s basically our New Year. Cheers to a New Year, friend. As I was thinking through what I want for myself this fall, I was trying to get clear on what I want to say YES to and what I want to say NO to. I love defining these things for myself with each new season - recognizing that in each new season I have grown a bit, as has my child. We each need different things than the season before. I always want to honor that in how I show up for myself and how I show up in motherhood. In this episode, I walk you through 3 things to say YES to as you walk into fall. My hope is that these 3 things will bring you clarity, ease and JOY! I’m inviting you to say YES to a reorg of your needs, habits and routines, as well as those of your kids. I’m inviting you to challenge yourself, your voice and your skills. I’m inviting you to say YES to joy, celebration and fun. I am inviting you to seriously consider your YESes and NOs as we broach this new season. Don’t let the wrong YESes fall out of your mouth so you don’t have space for the actual YESes you desire, my friend. Link mentioned: Get on the waitlist to join The Academy: shamelessmom.com/waitlist Sponsor info and promo codes: Please find our sponsor information here: shamelessmom.com/sponsor/ Interested in becoming a sponsor of the Shameless Mom Academy? Email our sales team at [email protected] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Dr. Lynyetta Willis is a psychologist, family empowerment coach, speaker, and award-winning author who helps frustrated families break free from Stable Misery™ and unhelpful parenting and partnership patterns, so they can create more harmony at home. Over 20 years of journeying with countless clients led her to design the research-supported Elemental Living® Model and her P.A.T.H.S. Relationship Framework. These powerful tools help parents and partners improve communication, minimize overreactions, and transform intergenerational trauma. Her programs have supported parents across the globe - in South Africa, Israel, New Zealand, and Australia. Dr. Willis’s multi-award-winning book, My Forgotten Self: A Story about a Girl, a Powerful Encounter, and a Universal Message, received high acclaim from individuals such as Dr. Shefali Tsabary, author of The Conscious Parent and “Oprah’s Parenting Expert”. Dr. Willis lives in Georgia with her husband and their two children. Listen in to hear Lynyetta share: How she was raised within the framework of the 4 horsemen: Pain, Blame, Shame and Avoidance How she learned to navigate and negotiate the symptoms of her intergenerational dramas and traumas in order to heal The difference between healing your mind through learning vs healing your body by working through trauma What intergenerational dramas are and how they impact our lives across generations The difference between stressors and triggers in parenting and how to handle them differently Her 5 part PATHS framework to parenting in a more productive way What Stable Misery is, how we unintentionally spend so much time here, and how to get out of Stable Misery Links mentioned: Free Workshop: Calm My Parenting Triggers Quiz: What’s Your Parenting Trigger Score? Connect with Dr. Lynetta: drlwillis.com Dr. Lynyetta on IG Dr. Lynyetta on FB Dr. Lynyetta on LI Sponsor info and promo codes: Please find our sponsor information here: shamelessmom.com/sponsor/ Interested in becoming a sponsor of the Shameless Mom Academy? Email our sales team at [email protected] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

I sat down to write notes before recording this episode at least 14 times. Each time I could not find a starting point. Or an ending point. So, I decided to just hit record. With no notes. In this episode I share my relationship with my dad with you. For the last 10 years, it was complicated and confusing. It was a relationship that never had closure, but ultimately has peace. Since his passing, so many of you have reached out to share your love. Thank you. I appreciate you - so much. I have also heard from many of you who have complicated and confusing parent relationships. I recorded this for you. When we have pieces of our lives that are complicated and confusing it helps so much to hear from others who have a similar lived experience. It makes you feel seen and held. It helps you feel less alone and more normal. I SEE YOU. You are not alone. Sponsor info and promo codes: Please find our sponsor information here: shamelessmom.com/sponsor/ Interested in becoming a sponsor of the Shameless Mom Academy? Email our sales team at [email protected] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Tanya Sheckley is Founder and President of UP Academy, an elementary lab school that values innovation, empathy, and strength and incorporates a unique neuro-development program for children with physical disabilities. Tanya’s vision and mission show it’s possible to celebrate differences, change what’s broken in the American education system and that all children can receive a rigorous, well-rounded education. She is the host of the Rebel Educator podcast, an Edpreneur, an International Speaker, and the author of her new book, Rebel Educator: Create Classrooms of Imagination and Impact. As soon as I learned about what inspired Tanya to build her own school, I knew I wanted to have her as a guest on the show. She has a powerful and important story about education and how she will forever honor her daughter, Eliza. Listen in to hear Tanya share: How and why she intentionally build a school around her daughter Eliza’s legacy Eliza’s story of living with Cerebral Palsy Her journey of building international medical support around Eliza How she navigated advocating for Eliza’s needs when Eliza was able to meet grade level expectations but was not expected to What it looks like and feels like and smells like inside UP Academy The benefits of mixed age and mixed ability classrooms Examples of what accessible learning looks like The importance of having children with disabilities and children without disabilities learning alongside one another What she wants parents to know about parenting a child with disabilities Links mentioned: Learn more about UP Academy: upacademysf.com Resources for Rebel Educators: rebeleducator.com Connect with Tanya: Tanyasheckley.com Book: Rebel Educator Tanya on LinkedIn UP Academy on FB UP Academy on IG Eliza’s story: https://www.upacademysf.com/elizas-story Sponsor info and promo codes: Please find our sponsor information here: shamelessmom.com/sponsor/ Interested in becoming a sponsor of the Shameless Mom Academy? Email our sales team at [email protected] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

I spent three days last week in a Trauma-Informed Practice Intensive for Coaches and Leaders. One of the things we kept coming back to over the course of these three days was making sure we, as coaches, are creating spaces that allow our clients a strong sense of agency. As we dug into this from various angles and examined it through the lens of trauma, I got more and more curious and started doing my own research on the side. I know, super nerd alert. I love geeking out on this stuff. While I won’t bore you with the super coachy stuff, I do want to share with you the juicy parts - the pieces I know will benefit you right away. One of the best parts of my job is providing you with tools to see your own power and your own ability to make choices that serve you. I want you to feel confident in your own sense of self and sense of agency that guides your decision-making and action-taking. In this episode I dig into: What is personal agency Why is a sense of agency important What are 6 ways to develop your sense of agency It is my hope that developing your sense of agency will give you clarity and discernment around who you are and who you are becoming. Links mentioned: Article: https://www.mindful.org/seven-ways-to-develop-personal-agency/ Trudi Lebron: trudilebron.com Sponsor info and promo codes: Please find our sponsor information here: shamelessmom.com/sponsor/ Interested in becoming a sponsor of the Shameless Mom Academy? Email our sales team at [email protected] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Asha Frost (she/her) is an Indigenous Medicine Woman and a member of the Chippewas of Nawash First Nation. She is from the Crane Clan, the totem of leadership, and believes in holding space from vision and heart. As an energy healer, homeopath, and mentor, Asha has guided thousands of people through profound and lasting transformation. Impacted by generational trauma and colonization, Asha has been on a lifelong journey of reclamation. A lupus diagnosis sent her on a path of studying and practicing a multitude of energy Medicine modalities with many guides. She has blended this life experience with her innate gifts and the wisdom of her Ancestors. She loves sharing her Medicine in powerful ways through Ceremonies, teachings, and speaking events. Through this work, she loves seeing people reclaim their roots, find their healing wisdom, and rise into their power. She is the author of You are The Medicine published by Hay House and has an Oracle Deck coming out next year. She is also a Shameless Mom to her 5 and 10 year old sons. Listen in to hear Asha share: The importance of acknowledging and not bypassing the trauma of the pandemic How generational trauma and colonization led to her journey of reclamation How her diagnosis of lupus at age 17 impacted her life The costs of her assimilation when she was the only Indigenous child among white kids growing up Her sense of responsibility to represent her people and her ancestors, even if imperfectly Her vision for her book - to decolonize and storytell The difference between Indigenous appropriation and appreciation - and what she wants white women to know about both The Indigenous core wound of invisibility The gift of connecting to your own lineage and land in order to access your ancestors Links mentioned: Connect with Asha: ashafrost.com Book: You are The Medicine: youarethemedicinebook.com Asha on IG Asha on FB Sponsor info and promo codes: Please find our sponsor information here: shamelessmom.com/sponsor/ Interested in becoming a sponsor of the Shameless Mom Academy? Email our sales team at [email protected] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

I’m training for my first triathlon in 18 years. It has definitely been a little daunting getting back into tri training. As I’ve been hopping in the water, onto my bike, and into my running shoes, I’ve been giving a lot of thought to the grit, fortitude, and tenacity it takes for us to get to any start lines in our lives. When we cross a finish line, there is often a decent amount of fanfare. People show their support, give you all the accolades, and boost your confidence with cheers. But no one congratulates you for getting to the start line. Getting to any start line typically involves quiet, vulnerable, and methodical decision-making. It takes overcoming self-doubt, shutting down negative self-talk, and deciding, “I am worthy, qualified, and capable to START.” It takes a lot of grit, fortitude, and tenacity that no one ever sees and no one ever gives you credit for. I would argue that it’s substantially harder to get to a start line than a finish line. In this episode, I talk through what it looks like to get yourself to the start line and how to own, honor and embrace what a character-building experience it can be. I SEE YOU approaching start lines in your life. I believe in you. I know you can do it. I am proud with you and so excited for you. Sponsor info and promo codes: Please find our sponsor information here: shamelessmom.com/sponsor/ Interested in becoming a sponsor of the Shameless Mom Academy? Email our sales team at [email protected] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Christina Roulund is the founder of Size: Happy, a movement focused on helping women on their journey to self-love heal from and rebel against the unattainable standards that society inflicts on them, and instead... embrace their own unique beauty. After suffering from Breast Implant Illness, Christina went through explant surgery and experienced nearly complete healing from the multitude of symptoms and side effects of having breast implants. She is now recognized as an expert in the Breast Implant Illness Community, helping other women reclaim their health and happiness through education on her blog at SizeHappy.net ...and through her Facebook group, Breast Implant Illness Rejuvenation & Education with Christina. I was unaware of the prevalence of Breast Implant Illness until I did this interview. Fascinatingly, after doing this interview, I started hearing stories about BII from a number of women. This conversation is for anyone who has implants, knows someone with implants, who has struggled with your relationship with your breasts, or who has been unheard or unseen by the medical community. Listen in to hear Christina share: How women develop relationships with their breasts in youth and young adulthood What motivated her to get breast implants in her early twenties Her experience of enduring Breast Implant Illness Her experience of being dismissed by her doctor for 3 years as she experienced BII symptoms The relief she felt in self-diagnosing her BII and going through explant surgery The trauma of being unseen and unheard by medical professionals Initial steps to take to start to recover and relearn healthier, more joy-filled body talk Links mentioned: Connect with Christina: https://sizehappy.net Christina on IG Facebook Group: Breast Implant Illness Rejuvenation and Education With Christina YouTube: Size Happy Sponsor info and promo codes: Please find our sponsor information here: shamelessmom.com/sponsor/ Interested in becoming a sponsor of the Shameless Mom Academy? Email our sales team at [email protected] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

You are not powerless. I know motherhood, and heck, the state of the world, will try to make you feel differently on any given day. It is easy to let outside circumstances dictate how you feel, how you show up, and what you think is possible in any given moment. But, what if YOU could dictate how you feel, how you show up, and what you think is possible in any given moment? Today, I’m sharing with you 10 Ways to Own Your Day in 10 Minutes or Less. These are little tricks I’ve been using for years to help me step back into my power when I feel rocked by circumstances outside myself - anything from my child having a massive meltdown to a tough day in my business to devastating world news. Because I’m determined (like, fiercely determined) to show up for myself, my family and for you all, I’ve had to learn how to keep going and find my power in really sticky, if not impossible, moments. Once you know how to harness a few of these tricks, you can shift your energy and your power in mere minutes on any given day. Being able to use these 10 Minute Tools will allow you to: Listen inward and find guidance from your intuition Shut down distractions Gain clarity around what you choose to let in and focus on for the day Be reminded of what is good in your life, what you are capable of, what you have to look forward to You are not powerless. You have the opportunity to own #everydamnday. Link mentioned: Grab my free 15 Minute Manifest: shamelessmom.com/15mm Sponsor info and promo codes: Please find our sponsor information here: shamelessmom.com/sponsor/ Interested in becoming a sponsor of the Shameless Mom Academy? Email our sales team at [email protected] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Kimberly Didrikson is the founder of Learning Motherhood, a consulting agency and online community platform that helps women return to work after having a baby from feeling overwhelmed with motherhood and career to thriving in navigating the changes that occur when becoming a mother and also pursuing a career. Kimberly spent 15 years growing her career at a Fortune 100 company and as a director managed teams with portfolios of over $20 million in yearly sales... yet nothing prepared her for growing and birthing a child and returning to work. Determined to change how mothers are supported through this transition back to work, Kimberly created Learning Motherhood. Her passion runs deep in transforming the workplace to support working parents by also providing programs to assist organizations in creating a work environment that embraces families to strengthen company values. She is a workplace advocate for family-friendly policies including parental leave for all and national paid leave programs. Listen in to hear Kimberly share: How she’s reclaiming her Unicorn Space How her career was massively connected to her identity and idea of success prior to having kids How motherhood “played tricks” on her identity The significance of millions of moms leaving the workforce during the pandemic The specific long-term impact on the future of work when we consider moms leaving the workforce in droves The significance of men being part of the parental leave conversation - and actually taking parental leave Why parental leave should be gender-neutral, not labeled maternity or paternity leave Steps you can take to speak up and ask questions about parental leave in your workplace Links mentioned: Connect with Kimberly: Learningmotherhood.co Kimberly on IG Kimberly on FB Learning Motherhood on LinkedIn Kimberly on LinkedIn Podcast: Motherhood and Career Collide Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Born and raised in Detroit, Penny Decree began her career in construction management working on many of the commercial projects that dot the city’s downtown skyline. After deciding to start a family and giving birth to two boys, Penny wanted to make sure her sons saw themselves and were affirmed early on in the literature they read. She knew championing them and teaching them how to empower themselves at an early age would fortify their foundation as they grew older and faced new challenges as Black males growing up in America. Preparing them early for the societal forces that would work against them was a priority in her parenting strategy. Penny began reciting morning affirmations with her two sons- who were toddler-aged at the time. Penny then decided to transform their affirmations into a book for them and others. Witnessing the power of affirmations in her own life and their little beginnings is what fueled the journey of writing and sharing her debut book, 'I Am Enough' with others. Founding Decreed Publishing along with her two sons was the next step to continue the impact on Black youth. Together, they create empowering children’s books and products to help parents ground their children in truth and take control of their destinies. Listen in to hear Penny share: How she started to incorporate affirmations with her very young sons to help with anything from potty training to being young Black boys How to use fluid and flexible affirmations with your kids as they grow and evolve How she is using affirmations with Black boys so they can own their truth and their worth in a society that puts a target on their back The importance of diversity in children's literature for Black kids and white kids The reality of “both Americas” for Black people The difference in reality between my white son and Penny’s Black sons playing with police cars at a young age The dignity afforded white children vs Black children Links mentioned: Connect with Penny and buy her products: DecreedPublishing.com Penny on FB Penny on IG Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Amanda Kingsley is a Certified Life Coach and Doula, and the host of the Speaking Light Into Abortion podcast. After her own unanticipated abortion as a mother of three, she recognized the need for a wider conversation around mental health and the complex emotional landscape of life after abortion. She reminds her audience that it’s okay to feel all the feelings after abortion and that we can honor our decisions by living the life we made our choice for. Amanda and I set out to have this conversation in November of 2021. But a series of life events kept pushing out our recording date. How serendipitous that we would end up recording this just days after Roe vs Wade was overturned by the Supreme Court. It was hard to have this conversation as we were both still processing what this means for us - as citizens, women, and moms. But this conversation has never been more crucial. I am so grateful to Amanda for showing up and speaking up in the middle of this devastating season. Listen in to hear Amanda share: The story of her abortion when she was already a mom of 3 Myths and truths and things we often don’t consider about abortion Some of the privileges she carried during her abortion experience Permission to hold joy and pain simultaneously when enduring hard times What she learned about abortion that she could only learn by going through it herself The expansiveness that came out of her abortion experience How she realized that 60-65% of women who have abortions are already moms and the anger that brought her Who should be speaking up about abortion right now Links mentioned: Take my Shameless Summer Survey and win $100 gift card: shamelessmom.com/survey Connect with Amanda: amandastarkingsley.com Amanda on IG Amanda’s Book: What I Wish: 100 love notes to help you survive, come alive, and thrive after abortion Amanda’s Podcast: Speaking Light into Abortion Sponsor info and promo codes: Please find our sponsor information here: shamelessmom.com/sponsor/ Interested in becoming a sponsor of the Shameless Mom Academy? Email our sales team at [email protected] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Let your rage be your fuel. The rage I have carried over the last 6+ or so years has fueled so much of my work. But rage is not a long-term plan. If you want to show up in advocacy, allyship, and activism you need more than rage. Rage will only take you so far. I want your rage to fuel you - it can be the gas that allows you to keep your foot on the pedal. But, I also want you to be able to sustain the long-term fight that is often required to make change. And that will require more than rage. In this episode, I walk you through how to let your rage be your fuel while also not letting you get overly caught up in any one moment. The power of pacing yourself in your advocacy, allyship, and activism is what will allow you to stay in the work over the course of the next few decades - and that is what we need from you. From the moment Roe vs Wade was decided in 1973, people (white men of privilege, to be exact) have been working to overturn it. They have worked on this diligently for 50 years. 50 years! While I don’t think it will take 50 years to codify abortion rights, I do believe we have a long haul in front of us. This goes for this fight and so many others. Advocacy is an ongoing, long-term commitment. In this episode, I talk you through how to stay in this commitment over the long haul as well as how you can take action today. We can use our rage for good. We can keep showing up, no matter how long it takes. We can get loud. We can get creative and innovative and scrappy AF. We can and will stay in this as long as is required. Link mentioned: Take my Shameless Summer Survey and win $100 gift card: shamelessmom.com/survey Sponsor info and promo codes: Please find our sponsor information here: shamelessmom.com/sponsor/ Interested in becoming a sponsor of the Shameless Mom Academy? Email our sales team at [email protected] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Amy Shlosberg, Ph.D , is an Associate Professor of Criminology and Department Chair at Fairleigh Dickinson University where she teaches courses on Wrongful Conviction, Offender Reentry and Reintegration, Race and Crime, Penology, Comparative Justice Systems, Data Analysis and Research Methods. Her primary research focuses on miscarriages of justice, the negative implications of incarceration and issues surrounding reentry, with an emphasis on policy and procedural reform. She is also the co-host of two podcasts: Women & Crime and Direct Appeal Amy and I connect via Instagram (where all the best relationships are born) and I immediately knew I wanted to have her on the show. The work she is doing in our criminal justice system is so important. And it’s so important that all of us US citizens understand the way our system works - and repeatedly fails to work. I learned so much in this conversation and I think you will too. Listen in to hear Amy share: How she got involved teaching people in prisons and why it lights her up The impact of bringing university students into her prison classroom What inspired her and her podcast co host to create Women & Crime How women can be offenders and victims in our criminal justice system at the same time Her thoughts on whether or not our current criminal justice system works How the culture of poverty impacts our criminal justice system Why people are wrongfully convicted and the role of bias in wrongful convictions The problem with our bail system Why she has hope for our criminal justice system in spite of its current Links mentioned: Take my Shameless Summer Survey and win $100 gift card: shamelessmom.com/survey Connect with Amy: womenandcrimepodcast.com/ Podcast: Women and Crime Podcast: Direct Appeal Women and Crime on Instagram and Facebook: @womenandcrimepodcast Sponsor info and promo codes: Please find our sponsor information here: shamelessmom.com/sponsor/ Interested in becoming a sponsor of the Shameless Mom Academy? Email our sales team at [email protected] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Every time I’ve surveyed you all over the last 6 years, you have shared with me that overwhelm is one of your biggest struggles. I HEAR YOU. It seems no matter the season of life, if you are parenting, you are overwhelmed. Whether it’s the challenge of the constant caregiving logistics, that challenge of the state of the world, the challenge of holding emotional space for your children, or the challenge of trying to find some semblance of your own sense of self in all of this - IT IS A LOT. And it is CONSTANT. Today, I’m giving you permission to start dropping some balls. Maybe one. Maybe two. Maybe, like 13??? In this episode, I walk you through how to determine which balls to drop and how to restructure time so you can keep the most important balls in the air. I hope this episode helps you take a close look at what you can let go of in order to make space for more peace, joy and sanity. Link mentioned: Take my Shameless Summer Survey and win $100 gift card: shamelessmom.com/survey Sponsor info and promo codes: Please find our sponsor information here: shamelessmom.com/sponsor/ Interested in becoming a sponsor of the Shameless Mom Academy? Email our sales team at [email protected] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Former litigator Shari Leid currently operates An Imperfectly Perfect Life, LLC, a professional mindset coaching business serving clients who are in those tricky middle age years, helping them create the life of their dreams. She is the author of the Friendship Flow transformational book series, which includes The 50/50 Friendship Flow: Life Lessons From and For My Girlfriends and Make Your Mess Your Message - More Life Lessons From and For My Girlfriends. Shari’s life has been an incredible journey of identity shifting and identity shaping events that have led her to such a beautiful place of honoring who she is and how she wants to show up in the world and share her life with other women. Listen in to hear Shari share: Her story of being adopted from Seoul Korea in 1970 in the first wave of international adoptions by Japanese American parents who were interned during WWII Her parent’s memories of living and working in internment camps The impacts of her parent’s internment on her upbringing How she ended up growing her family by 2 children in less than one year How adopting her daughter brought her full circle in seeing her own adoption journey Her massive shift in identity when she left a career as a litigating attorney to become a stay at home mom - and the major struggle to maintain her sense of self The impact of her physical sense of self as she had double hip replacement from hip dysplasia and double mastectomy after a breast cancer diagnosis Links mentioned: Connect with Shari: animperfectlyperfectlife.com Shari on LinkedIn Shari on IG Shari on FB Shari on YouTube Shari on TikTok Sponsor info and promo codes: Please find our sponsor information here: shamelessmom.com/sponsor/ Interested in becoming a sponsor of the Shameless Mom Academy? Email our sales team at [email protected] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

As I’ve worked with moms over the last 19 (!!) years, I’ve noticed how quickly society sells us short. And how often we, in turn, sell ourselves short. I want to invite you to cross more finish lines - BUT - not by working more or working harder. I want you to cross more finish lines, reach more goals, and live more of your dreams by simply owning and honoring who you are, where you’ve been and how that journey makes you completely magical, uniquely talented, and tough as nails. Motherhood makes you a better leader, advocate, and citizen. Motherhood allows you to hone skills you never knew you’d need and maybe never wanted - master negotiator, thoughtful persuasionist, quick adaptor, highly efficient productivityist, and intentional & considerate champion of others. Motherhood positions you as an expert and an authority on compassion, connection, and unconditional love. If you can own and honor these skills, the world opens up for you. But, we aren’t taught to own and honor these skills. Let’s change that. In this episode, I’ll talk you through 4 ways you can leverage the gifts of motherhood in ways that can be mutually beneficial for you and for the world. Sponsor info and promo codes: Please find our sponsor information here: shamelessmom.com/sponsor/ Interested in becoming a sponsor of the Shameless Mom Academy? Email our sales team at [email protected] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jessica Sinarski is a highly sought-after therapist, speaker, and change-maker. Extensive post-graduate training and 15+ years as a clinician and educator led her to create the resource and training platform–BraveBrains. She makes brain science practical, helping parents and professionals become healers for hurting children. She is the author of the award-winning Riley the Brave series, Hello, Anger, and more. This is Jessica’s third time on the show! Anytime she has a new book, I’m dying to get her back on the SMA. Jessica’s ability to help kids and parents understand brain science in order to support emotional management is incredible. I walk away from every conversation with Jessica feeling like I have a ton of new tools to support my child and myself. Listen in to hear Jessica share: What anger is and why it’s so crucial to talk about it now The importance of recognizing anger as a protection mechanism Why we need to recognize that anger is not bad The vicious cycle of anger and shame How mom overwhelm triggers anger The importance of really accessing our anger and working through it vs avoiding it and stuffing it (which ultimately forces it to show up in dysfunctional ways) How to explicitly ask for help with your anger or shame Why it was important to her to write a book that honors anger, not shut it down Links mentioned: Connect with Jessica: www.bravebrains.com Book Jess: [email protected] Shop Books: www.rileythebrave.org/bookstorev2 Jessica on IG Jessica on Twitter Jessica on Facebook Sponsor info and promo codes: Please find our sponsor information here: shamelessmom.com/sponsor/ Interested in becoming a sponsor of the Shameless Mom Academy? Email our sales team at [email protected] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

I have spent the last year co-chairing the Parent Association at Vinnie’s school. I have learned so much from this experience. I’ve stretched myself in new ways and humbled myself more than once. I’ve made incredible new friends and led in ways I never saw coming. You may recall many occasions in which I encouraged moms to “Get off the PTA! Stop volunteering so much!” So, yes, I feel like a bit of a hypocrite sharing my commitment to our school’s Parent Association. But hear me out… While I stand by the fact that moms over give and it’s a big problem, I am so grateful for this opportunity to show up and lead in new ways. I believe it has qualified me to lead in other new ways down the road. This role has allowed me to see myself as capable and qualified to do new things in my community that I never previously considered and that feels like a huge win and huge gift. I’m not at all suggesting that you all go out and become Volunteer of the Year at your kids school. But, if you do choose to step into leadership in your community in a similar way, I think my lessons might help you. To anyone from Vinnie’s school who might tune into this one, thank you for the opportunity to lead in this way and for affording me constant grace. I feel so fortunate to be a part of this community. It has been an honor to serve in this way. Sponsor info and promo codes: Please find our sponsor information here: shamelessmom.com/sponsor/ Interested in becoming a sponsor of the Shameless Mom Academy? Email our sales team at [email protected] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

As a speaker, teacher, podcast host and author, Miranda Anderson provides tools and inspiration for women to live a creative, adventurous, and intentional life. Starting out as a lifestyle blogger in 2007, Miranda now offers thousands of weekly listeners of the Live Free Creative podcast something new to think about, feel and DO as they move toward living the life of their dreams. In 2018, she published ‘More Than Enough’ to chronicle her family’s 12-month no-shopping challenge that both shaped their perspective and family culture, and informed some of her most popular content on sustainability and intentionality. Since then, she’s hosted online courses, creative retreats, and in-person workshops in her efforts to help those ‘go-getter at heart’ women who feel stuck by circumstances live a life more aligned with their dreams and values. Listen in to hear Miranda share: Her philosophy on “just going for it”, knowing full well she may fail The massive impact of her 12 month no-shopping minimalism challenge, which inspired her book, More Than Enough What she learned about herself and how she learned to listen to her intuition by not buying anything new for herself or her family of 5 for 12 months How the 12 month challenge evolved and inspired her work today How she helps moms adopt a sense of adventure as a mindset Using adventure as a mindset and a lens to creativity, curiosity, connection, calm The difference between perfectionism and striving in how we manage outcomes How moms (especially risk averse or perfectionist moms) can practice being adventurous in low stakes way that can have big impact Links mentioned: Enroll in Momentum Mamas: shamelessmom.com/momentum Connect with Miranda: livefreecreative.co Join Miranda’s Grown Up Summer Camp July 14th-17th Miranda’s Podcast: Live Free Creative Miranda on Facebook Miranda on Instagram Miranda on Twitter Miranda on YouTube Miranda on Pinterest Sponsor info and promo codes: Please find our sponsor information here: shamelessmom.com/sponsor/ Interested in becoming a sponsor of the Shameless Mom Academy? Email our sales team at [email protected] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Fear is a beast. Don’t get me wrong, fear can be functional. It can protect us from great harm. But, it can also hold us back from taking action. It can paralyze our heads and our hearts. It can prevent us from dreaming, doing, and becoming. There are some very real reasons to carry fear right now. That will continue to be the case. So, how will you learn to navigate fear and all the internal and external noise that accompanies it? Fear keeps us stuck. Fear allows our inner critic to grow louder each and every day. Fear keeps us stuck in inaction. Right now, we cannot afford to sit in fear. When we are feeling fear, everything constricts - our ability to see possibility and potential, our ability to be nimble and adaptive, our ability to see what else is true beyond our fear. In this episode, I walk you through the ways that your fear might show up. Then, I share how to see it, listen to it, and continue to move through it - with it at your side instead of in your driver's seat. Link mentioned: Enroll in Momentum Mamas: shamelessmom.com/momentum Sponsor info and promo codes: Please find our sponsor information here: shamelessmom.com/sponsor/ Interested in becoming a sponsor of the Shameless Mom Academy? Email our sales team at [email protected] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Piers Kowalski is an average father of two with a not so average story. Born and raised in Colorado, Piers lived and worked on the west coast for 11 years before moving back to Colorado with his wife. He started building a career in his dream field of performance psychology, his wife went back to school for nursing, and they had two children. They seemed to be living a typical life. But at the age of 36, Piers was seven years, two kids, and two dogs into marriage when he discovered he was transgender. He was afraid he was going to lose everything and everyone he loved. On a mission to change the world, Piers shares his story of pain, self-discovery, fear, love, and hope to help others better understand the transgender experience, community, and humanity. We have had parents of trans kids on the show in the past, but Piers is our first trans parent to come on the show. I am so grateful and honored that he said yes. This was a really special and important conversation. I hope you’ll listen and then share it widely. Listen in to hear Piers share: The unexpected process of realizing he was trangender at the age of 36 The choice he had to make to either live with his family as a women - internalizing destructive pain - or take the risk of transitioning to living in his full male identity and potentially lose everything that meant the most to him The social conditioning of shame that creates immense and unnecessary pain for trans people His experience coming out to his mom and where she made missteps out of love that ultimately caused harm Simple steps cisgender people can support transgender people His 4 part advice for parents of a child who identifies as trans/non-binary or who are gender expansive/diverse in their gender identity or expression Links mentioned: Piers’s Personal IG Piers’s Professional IG Sponsor info and promo codes: Please find our sponsor information here: shamelessmom.com/sponsor/ Interested in becoming a sponsor of the Shameless Mom Academy? Email our sales team at [email protected] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

How do you get people to do what you want them to do? How do you help people make decisions that will benefit them? How do you help people see the potential they have to be leaders, culture shifters, and culture shapers? How do you move people to action? This might sound daunting, I know. But here’s the thing… You are already doing this in your parenting. You help your children make decisions. You help your children see their potential. You walk them into opportunities that serve them. You probably also cheer for and champion your partners and friends when they are doing something great. How can you take the next step to become someone who inspires others to take action, to step into their gifts to lead, to advocate for themselves and others? You can do this. I’m going to give you 4 steps to do it. 4 steps to inspire your children, partner, parents, friends, and co-workers to become better action takers. Sponsor info and promo codes: Please find our sponsor information here: shamelessmom.com/sponsor/ Interested in becoming a sponsor of the Shameless Mom Academy? Email our sales team at [email protected] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Sonora Jha is the author of the memoir How to Raise a Feminist Son and the novel Foreign. After a career as a journalist covering crime, politics, and culture in India and Singapore, she moved to the United States to earn a Ph.D. in media and public affairs. Sonora’s op-eds, essays, and public appearances have featured in the New York Times, on BBC, and elsewhere. She is a professor of journalism and lives in Seattle. I recently discovered Sonora and her book, How to Raise a Feminist Son, on Instagram. I got her audiobook and was hooked by the end of her introduction. Sonora is a phenomenal storyteller and truth teller. She is a magical combination of professor, comedian and friend as she digs into her life as a single mom who left India to bring her son to Seattle and raise him as a feminist as she built a family around them. I couldn’t be more excited and delighted to be sharing her with you all today. Listen in to hear Sonora share: How her 27 year old son is showing up as an activist for women’s rights today What inspired her book, HOW TO RAISE A FEMINIST SON How raising her son in the dark - at the movies - launched her and her son as a family unit into the world How she intentionally built a family around her and her son - that did not include blood relatives Why feminists can and should include men in their activism - and how we might need to check our biases and assumptions that men aren’t open to being feminists How she redefined motherhood in order to raise a feminist son Why it is important for men and boys to be intersectional feminists Links mentioned: Connect with Sonora: sonorajha.com Book: How to Raise a Feminist Son by Sonora Jha Book: Bad Feminist by Roxane Gay Book: Inclusion on Purpose by Ruchika Tulshyan Sonora on Twitter Sonora on Instagram Sonora on Facebook Sponsor info and promo codes: Please find our sponsor information here: shamelessmom.com/sponsor/ Interested in becoming a sponsor of the Shameless Mom Academy? Email our sales team at [email protected] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Madeline Reeves is the founder & CEO of Fearless Foundry, a creative consultancy that supports ambitious humans in building branding, marketing, and business development strategies that allow them to make a meaningful impact in the world. Madeline is an outspoken force for promoting equity, collaboration, and community in business and she spends her time working with clients, creating content, hosting the Finding Fearless podcast, and leading her growing team. I have had the pleasure of interviewing Madeline as well as being interviewed by her and I can tell you she is the real deal. She walks the walk and lives the values she has posted on her walls and on social media. It’s been awesome getting to know her as we’ve guested on each other’s podcasts! Listen in to hear Madeline share: Her story of having the rug pulled out from under her in her corporate career How to assess the cost of staying in a position that’s not working for you The power and significance of negotiating and advocating for yourself even if you don’t get what you want How to assess if a company is aligned with your core values and if they are actively LIVING their core values vs just plastering them on a wall How having to go back to work 2 weeks postpartum fuels her work around parental leave policies How to start building a strategy and plan if you want to make a career change or start your own business Links mentioned: Connect with Madeline: www.fearlessfoundry.com Madeline’s podcast: Finding Fearless Madeline’s interviewing Sara on Finding Fearless Madeline on IG Fearless Foundry on IG Sponsor info and promo codes: Please find our sponsor information here: shamelessmom.com/sponsor/ Interested in becoming a sponsor of the Shameless Mom Academy? Email our sales team at [email protected] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Luvvie Ajayi Jones is a two-time New York Times bestselling author, sought-after speaker, and podcast host who thrives at the intersection of humor, media, and justice. Her critically acclaimed books Professional Troublemaker: The Fear-Fighter Manual (2021) and I’m Judging You: The Do-Better Manual (2016) were instant bestsellers and established her as a literary force with a powerful pen. Her newest book Rising Troublemaker: A Manual for Teens is out NOW! Luvvie is a proud disruptor who has been featured in NPR, Forbes, Inc, Fortune, Chicago Tribune, and more. She has disruptively graced the stages of Google, Facebook, Microsoft, Twitter, and Nike and many more top brands. Her renowned TED talk "Get Comfortable with Being Uncomfortable" has over 8 million views, has been transcribed into 23 languages, and has placed her in the Top 1% of TED Talks of all time. Born in Nigeria, bred in Chicago and comfortable everywhere, Luvvie enjoys laying around in her plush robe, eating a warm bowl of jollof rice in her free time. Her love language is shoes. Listen in to hear Luvvie share: The importance and urgency of showing up in this very moment in history How to be a Troublemaker in ways that are authentic and true to who you are Why you must become a Professional Troublemaker yourself in order to raise a Troublemaker Why Troublemakers need to ask more questions How to circle back on missed chances to speak up The 4 types of Troublemaker 3 things three things Rising Troublemakers can do every day to own your dopeness The domino effect of using your words to have impact Links mentioned: Connect with Luvvie: luvvie.org/ Book: Rising Troublemaker: A Fear-Fighter Manual for Teens Book: Professional Troublemaker: The Fear-Fighter Manual Podcast: Professional Troublemaker Luvvie’s Community: LuvvNation Luvvie's Blog: https://awesomelyluvvie.com/ Luvvie on Social Media: @luvvie on all platforms Sponsor info and promo codes: Please find our sponsor information here: shamelessmom.com/sponsor/ Interested in becoming a sponsor of the Shameless Mom Academy? Email our sales team at [email protected] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

For a few years now I have walked you all through building Summer Bucket Lists. I love that a number of you have taken on this tradition with your families. It is such a fun and meaningful tradition. When I told Vinnie I was going to record an episode on Summer Bucket Lists, he lit up. “Mom, it’s time to make ours!!” I asked him if he had any advice for all the Shameless Moms who are getting ready to make their Summer Bucket Lists and he told me, “You should put a lot of fun things on your list.” So, FUN is the official #1 rule of Summer Bucket Lists. In this episode I walk you through why Summer Bucket Lists are so special and meaningful as a family tradition. Then, I share a few (very loose) rules for building your Summer Bucket List. Lastly, I give you 3 steps/categories to use when creating your Summer Bucket Lists: Old Traditions New Adventures Soul Nourishment (This one is just for you, mama. You’re welcome.) After you listen to this episode, please create your Summer Bucket Lists and share them to inspire other mamas to make theirs. And make sure to tag me @shamelessmomacademy so I can see all the FUN you are planning this summer. (Don’t forget the FUN.) Sponsor info and promo codes: Please find our sponsor information here: shamelessmom.com/sponsor/ Interested in becoming a sponsor of the Shameless Mom Academy? Email our sales team at [email protected] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Neill Williams is a Master Certified Life and Productivity Coach, host of “The Unbusy Your Life” podcast, and creator of the Unbusy Entrepreneur Mastermind. Only after ditching her own belief that success was measured by the number of hours worked was Neill able to achieve true lifestyle freedom while juggling her roles as a mom, wife, Master Certified Coach, entrepreneur and employee. Now, she helps too busy high-achieving online entrepreneurs simplify their schedules to 30 hours or less for more time and lifestyle freedom. Listen in to hear Neill share: How she scaled her corporate job from 60 hours a week to 30 hours a week Why she set a goal to quit working overtime hours after proudly being the employee with the most overtime hours for a long time How to negotiate cutting work hours without cutting your salary The two questions you should ask if you want to work fewer hours The powerful difference between making a To Do List vs a Done List How to shift your mindset around productivity and what you can get done in shorter time frames Why she thinks “productivity” is an outdated concept that needs to be rethought Why scheduling is a self care tool How traditional jobs reinforce mom guilt and unnecessary busyness - and how the pandemic massively compounded this How to catch yourself when you’re worrying about someone’s reactions to you Links mentioned: Connect with Neill: neillwilliams.com Neill’s podcast: Unbusy Your Life Neill on IG Neill on FB Sponsor info and promo codes: Please find our sponsor information here: shamelessmom.com/sponsor/ Interested in becoming a sponsor of the Shameless Mom Academy? Email our sales team at [email protected] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

I started dreaming up this episode last Sunday. The next day, the Supreme Court was outed on their plan to own our bodies. The next day, our family was hit with Covid. By the time I sat down to record this, what I wanted to say shifted quite a bit. I was seeing this conversation through a totally different lens. As you listen in, I want you to deeply understand how to honor yourself as well as how to keep showing up for the hard stuff - the stuff that is so critically important in our world right now. This episode gives you permission and guidance on how to do both. In honor of Mother’s Day, let me confirm for you that you are an excellent mother. Full stop. And here are a few gifts I share with you, as you hold space for your excellence: You don’t owe anyone anything Your world can suck and be great simultaneously The little ways you show up in the world are making a difference BONUS - you gotta listen in for this one. (And it’s my favorite one!) Sponsor info and promo codes: Please find our sponsor information here: shamelessmom.com/sponsor/ Interested in becoming a sponsor of the Shameless Mom Academy? Email our sales team at [email protected] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Leah Carey is a sex and intimacy coach and host of the podcast “Good Girls Talk About Sex.” She works with people eager to explore new avenues of their sexuality and fulfill their greatest desires, like: diving back into the dating pool after a long time away, having first-time queer experiences, investigating consensual non-monogamy, or learning how to communicate about kink. This work was not an obvious life choice for Leah. Growing up with an abusive father, she learned to be a VERY “good girl.” She got involved in a series of emotionally abusive relationships, always convinced that SHE was the problem – not pretty enough, smart enough, or sexually skilled enough. And because she wasn’t having pleasure during sex, so she was convinced she was broken. At age 42, life threw Leah an opportunity to build a new story: with both parents gone and no siblings, she could put aside the family mythology of the “good girl.” She began challenging her old beliefs about worthiness, attractiveness, and desirability. Watching her phenomenal growth, friends started seeking her out to help them do the same. Today, Leah works with women JUST LIKE YOU to reflect their true sexual nature back to them, without the judgment, shame, or fear that can get in the way of seeing it for themselves. Listen in to hear Leah share: How growing up in an alcoholic and abusive household shaped her sexual identity The challenge of healing trauma and overcoming sexual repression while her parents were still alive The road trip that led her on her journey of sexual awakening How her work with a sex worker was so healing and transformational How going to a sex resort and not having any sex completely changed her relationship with her body for the better Why connection and safety must trump sex even in trusted long term relationships Why libido is likely not the issue holding back sex & intimacy in your life Why moms are “touched out” and what to do about it The current cultural shift in acceptance and normalization of sexual identities, practices and frameworks Links mentioned: Connect with Leah: LeahCarey.com Leah’s podcast Good Girls Talk About Sex: GoodGirlsTalk.com Leah on Instagram Leah on Twitter Leah on YouTube Sponsor info and promo codes: Please find our sponsor information here: shamelessmom.com/sponsor/ Interested in becoming a sponsor of the Shameless Mom Academy? Email our sales team at [email protected] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Last week we went on the spring break trip we had been planning for 4 years. We started planning this trip well before the pandemic hit and then had to cancel it and wait. And wait. And wait. Over the last 2 years, we have done a decent job of taking time as a family to get away in ways that felt safe(ish). Things like road trips and camping trips. And these have all been great. But we were definitely missing bigger vacations and longer getaways to places further from home. Last week, we spent a week on the tiny island of Isla Mujeres, just off the coast of Cancun, Mexico. It was the dreamiest trip (in spite of me completely throwing my back on Day 2.) The trip was dreamy because of its natural beauty - white sand beaches and the lightest turquoise water - but also because of how we managed the trip. In this episode, I share 3 things that made this trip exactly the respite I didn’t know I desperately needed. I hope these 3 things inspire you to take a vacation this summer - in whatever way is accessible to you. I’m guessing you need a break - perhaps desperately so. You might not even realize how badly you need it. I certainly didn’t. Listen in for some serious vacay inspo! Sponsor info and promo codes: Please find our sponsor information here: shamelessmom.com/sponsor/ Interested in becoming a sponsor of the Shameless Mom Academy? Email our sales team at [email protected] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Amy Green Smith is a certified and credentialed life coach and hypnotherapist, masterful speaker, and personal empowerment expert. Amy uses her roles as coach, writer, podcaster, and speaker to move individuals to a place of radical personal empowerment and self-worth. With acute focus on helping people “find their voice”, she is highly sought after for her uncommon style of irreverence, wisdom, and humor and has been a featured expert in Inspired Coach Magazine and on Fox 5 San Diego. Amy and I were connected by our mutual friend - SHOUT OUT to Andrea Owen - who suspected we might hit it off. Well, we totally hit it off. I could have talked to Amy for days. Amy’s energy is infectious. The language in this episode matches the energy, so we have labeled this interview explicit. Hold on because you are in for a fantastic conversation. Listen in to hear Amy share: About her unexpected relationship with Eminem and cross stitch The story of finding her voice and her confidence after growing up in an extremely conservative evangelical family What happens if a person is emotionally flooded in a heated conversation How to use a bridge statement in a hard conversation How to use conversational consent in your conversation Why “You are responsible for your intention, not your reception” in conversations, situations and relationships Why people will not listen to other people if they don’t feel understood What a boundary hangover looks and feels like The defense mechanism of fawning that kept us safe when we were young, but has turned women into massive people pleasers What happens when self-help goes wrong Links mentioned: Connect with Amy: amygreensmith.com Amy’s Podcast: The Bold Faced Truth Amy on Instagram Amy on Facebook Amy on Twitter Sponsor info and promo codes: Please find our sponsor information here: shamelessmom.com/sponsor/ Interested in becoming a sponsor of the Shameless Mom Academy? Email our sales team at [email protected] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Sarah Walton is a business mentor who’s been featured on The Today Show, speaks at women's conferences all over the world, and has helped hundreds of women start and grow businesses they LOVE. Originally from Salt Lake City, Sarah spent her 15-year corporate career in New York City, navigating the male-dominated world of tech, managing a P&L worth hundreds of millions of dollars, working closely with Marianne Williamson, mentoring dozens of women, and balancing motherhood at the same time. She’s the voice behind the Game On Girlfriend Podcast, and she's known for her weekly "Sarah Uncut" TV show on YouTube and LIVE "Coffee With Coach" streaming video conversations on Monday mornings. When Sarah and I first started talking about things we could talk about on the show, she casually mentioned “high functioning co-dependency” and I immediately stopped her and exclaimed, “THAT’S IT.” There is quite possibly nothing my audience needs more. And, full disclosure… I knew I would benefit from this conversation too - and I did!! For better or worse, if you’re a high functioning, overachiever, people pleaser kinda person, I think you’ll learn a lot about yourself in this episode. Listen in to hear Sarah share: Her Grocery Store story that began her season of being a high-functioning co-dependence daughter Why women are so high functioning and how this leads us to codependency What keeps us locked into high-functioning codependency habits The one question to ask yourself if you think you’re trapped in codependent habits The devastating role of self betrayal in codependency Dig into my own examples of high functioning codependency - yikes…… Why we, as women, are so reluctant to self-promote ourselves and market our brilliance Links mentioned: Connect with Sarah: sarahwalton.com Sarah Uncut on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/SarahWalton1 Podcast: Game On Girlfriend Book: The Gift of Failure Sarah on IG Sarah on FB Sponsor info and promo codes: Please find our sponsor information here: shamelessmom.com/sponsor/ Interested in becoming a sponsor of the Shameless Mom Academy? Email our sales team at [email protected] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Nana Eyeson-Akiwowo the co-founder of Fourth Phase aftercare boxes that support women in their 4th Trimester after giving birth. She is a social entrepreneur and seasoned humanitarian with a strong commitment to advocating adequate and accessible health care for all under-resourced women, children, and families. Fifteen years prior, after her dad suffered a heart attack in Ghana, Nana founded African Health Now (AHN), a global public health organization, to provide information and access to primary and maternity health care to women, children, and families living across Sub-Saharan Africa. To date, her work with AHN has serviced over 30,000 people in Ghana and Nigeria who are in need of basic health services readily available in America. Before AHN and entering the world of non-profit work, Nana had a successful career in media, working for women's titles such as Honey, Suede, Essence, and Seventeen. Over the years, she has been repeatedly recognized for her philanthropic efforts, garnering multiple global awards. Nana speaks English and Twi, the latter a language native to Ghana. She and her husband are the proud parents of a beautiful, eight-year-old girl. When she’s not working on Fourth Phase, she is in DIY heaven making balloon garlands, resurfacing furniture, and watching HGTV. I immediately hit it off with Nana and want to go do DIY HGTV projects with her now! This conversation is as real and raw as they come. If your entrance into motherhood was not the stuff Instagram photos are made of, you will be able to deeply relate to Nana. Listen in to hear Nana share: Her journey into motherhood that defied every Instagram photo she had ever seen How her non profit in Ghana inspired her work in maternal health care globally How “fourth trimester” got added to the dictionary and why this is so important What the fourth trimester is in definition The massive gap of care for moms in the year after they give birth The missions of Fourth Phase as a social impact maternal wellness brand that helps moms heal, feel, be heard in their 4th trimester How Black moms are treated differently during and after childbirth How she courted her co-founder, Marcia Cole, and how they started Fourth Phase as a team Links mentioned: Shop Fourth Phase: fourthphasebox.com Fourth Phase on IG Nana on IG Sponsor info and promo codes: Please find our sponsor information here: shamelessmom.com/sponsor/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We all have days and seasons where we look around and think things like: “Why is it so easy for everyone else?” “If only I had what she has!” “Why can’t I catch any breaks right now?!” We look into other people’s apparently bright & lucious lives and feel twinges of envy, if not downright jealousy. It happens to me, too. Trust me. All of my childhood and youth I was surrounded by kids and families that had a lot more than me (materially, at least) and I spent so much time dreaming about what it must be like to live such a plentiful life. What I’ve learned over the years is that everyone has more than me and no one has more than me. It all depends on how I want to look at my life on any given day. In this episode, I walk you through 3 simple steps to loving what you already have so you can stop finding yourself in those moments of compare & despair and start finding moments of abundance, joy and MAGIC at every turn. Sponsor info and promo codes: Please find our sponsor information here: shamelessmom.com/sponsor/ Interested in becoming a sponsor of the Shameless Mom Academy? Email our sales team at [email protected] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices