Making new friends as an adult is challenging—and motherhood often makes it even harder. Between family responsibilities, full schedules, and emotional fatigue, it can feel like there’s no space left for connection. And even when we do show up, it’s not always easy to know how to move from polite small talk to real, meaningful friendship.

In this episode, psychologist and bestselling author Dr. Marisa G. Franco joins me to unpack why friendship often feels so complicated in adulthood—and how we can begin to build the kind of relationships we long for.

Whether you’re starting from scratch or hoping to deepen the friendships you already have, this conversation will give you both clarity and compassion for where you are—and the tools to take a small step forward.

This episode will help you:

🤗 Break out of the “I showed up but still feel lonely” cycle

🤗 Rewire your mindset to believe people actually want to be your friend (because they do!)

🤗 Recognize the hidden habits that may be quietly sabotaging your ability to connect

🤗 Learn what to do when you feel like you’re trying…but still not clicking with anyone

If friendship has felt harder than you expected in this season of life, this episode will remind you that you’re very much not alone—and that meaningful connection is still possible.

For full show notes, including takeaways, click here.

***

Related Episodes:

400: 3 Modern Manners for Friendship // Brooke Romney

386: Raising Securely Attached Kids // Eli Harwood, MA, LPC

417: The Sneaky Ways Comparison Creeps Into Conversations (and How to Stop It) // Kathie Gwilliam

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***

We want to raise kids who are responsible, capable, and financially wise—but it’s hard to know where to start. It can feel especially tricky to teach life skills like money management and personal responsibility without constant reminding or frustration.

In this episode, I’m joined by Saren Eyre Loosli, founder of Power of Families and one of my earliest parenting mentors. Saren is a mom of five and a family systems expert who shares a simple, sustainable way to teach these skills within the flow of everyday life—without turning your home into a battleground.

Summer is an ideal time to reset routines and try something new. This episode will give you practical tools and a clear framework to help your family work together more smoothly.

You’ll hear:

💰 A clear structure for helping kids earn and manage their own money

💰 How to connect allowance to responsibility and attitude, not just tasks

💰 A system for daily routines that fosters independence and ownership

💰 Tools for tracking money and chores that work for all ages

This conversation is both practical and encouraging, especially if you’ve been wanting more clarity (and less conflict) around chores, allowance, and life skills at home.

For full show notes, including takeaways, click here.

***

Related Episodes:

369: How to Teach Your Kids about Money // Abby Chipman

350: Rethinking Chores: A Quick Mindset Shift to Help with Overwhelm

373: Teaching Children to Work Without Being a Drill Sergeant // Danielle Porter

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***

Summer is almost here… which means it’s road trip season! If you’re gearing up for some long drives with your kids in tow, this episode is packed with practical tips to help make those hours in the car smoother, more fun, and a little less chaotic.

 Brittney Hanks—mom of four and the genius behind Home and Kind—is here to share her favorite road trip hacks that she’s developed over years of cross-country drives with her kids. She’s all about simple systems that ease the mental load for moms and bring more connection and joy into everyday moments.

Whether you're a seasoned road tripper or just trying to survive your first long haul with littles, Brittany’s creative ideas will have you feeling calm, confident, and ready to roll.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

🚗 A clever way to visually track your progress (and keep kids from asking “Are we there yet?” every five minutes)

🚗 How to turn a gas station stop into a fun, energy-boosting family relay

🚗 The best podcasts and audiobooks for a variety of ages that the whole family will enjoy

🚗 Why embracing flexibility—and letting some of your usual rules slide—can actually lead to more meaningful connection

You’ll come away from this conversation feeling inspired and equipped to make your summer road trips less stressful and a lot more special.

For full show notes, including takeaways, click here.

***

Announcements:

Click here to receive my Travel Hacks for Families handout

Related Episodes:

402: How to Travel More as a Family without Breaking the Bank // Amber Paul

363: Tips & Tricks for Family Travel // Meesha Slade

370: How to Adventure As a Family // Chamaine WollenzeinEpisode

Sponsors:

Zocdoc: Stop putting off those doctors appointments and go to Zocdoc.com/3in30 to find and instantly book a top-rated doctor today.

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***

What if your next family trip wasn’t about packing in more—but about slowing down, connecting, and actually enjoying your time together?

This week, I'm joined by family travel expert Meggie Busath, who shares practical ways to bring more intention, connection, and joy to your trips—without overcomplicating things or blowing your budget.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

🫶 How to stop overcomplicating travel—and focus on what actually matters to your family

🫶 Why your attitude as the parent is the most important factor in whether a trip feels successful

🫶 Practical strategies for navigating inevitable bumps in the road (without losing your cool)

🫶 The small, intentional choices—like what snacks you pack or when you schedule screen time—that can make a huge difference for your kids

If you're craving more connection and less chaos in your family travels, this episode is filled with ideas to help you get there.

For full show notes, including takeaways, click here.

***

Announcements:

Grab my FREE Travel Hacks for Families Guide to help with your summer travel plans!

Related Episodes:

431: 3 Road Trip Hacks for Traveling with Kids // Brittney Hanks

363: Tips & Tricks for Family Travel // Meesha Slade

402: How to Travel More as a Family without Breaking the Bank // Amber Paul

Episode Sponsors:

Kiwi Co: Build the best summer ever with KiwiCo! Get $15 off on your Summer Adventure Series at kiwico.com/3in30.

Factor: Get started at factormeals.com/3in3050off and use code 3in3050off to get 50 percent off plus FREE shipping on your first box.

BetterHelp: 3 in 30 Takeaways for Moms is sponsored by BetterHelp. Go to betterhelp.com/3in30 to get 10% off your first month of online therapy.

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***

If you’ve ever felt like the problems of the world are too big, and your influence is too small to matter, this conversation with Sharon McMahon will help you realize how powerful even just your small actions can be.

Sharon is a former high school government teacher turned trusted online educator and advocate. In her new book The Small and the Mighty, she highlights 12 lesser-known Americans whose quiet courage changed history. In this episode, she shares the stories of three women whose steady choices and persistence still shape our world today—and shows how small, consistent actions in your own life can create a ripple effect too.

Tune in to hear:

🌎 Why doing the next needed thing can be the most impactful—and most accessible—form of change

🌎 How helping just one person can expand your capacity, bring you hope, and ripple outward in unseen ways

🌎 What it looks like to keep showing up, even when others don’t understand or support you

Sharon’s storytelling is rich and inspiring, and her perspective will help you reframe your role as a mother, a neighbor, and a citizen. You don’t need to be extraordinary to do something that matters. You just need to begin.

For full show notes, including takeaways, click here.

***

Announcements:

If you love this conversation, grab the worksheet that my team made to go along with this episode, where you can think through Sharon's takeaways and brainstorm how they apply to your life right now. It includes some of Sharon's best quotes and some thought-provoking questions to help you apply what you learn today.

Related Episodes:

392: How to Have Grace-Filled Political Conversations with Family & Friends // Sarah Stewart Holland & Beth Silvers of Pantsuit Politics

256: Why “Unsexy” Elections Matter and How to Get Involved as a Busy Mom // Laney Hawes

051: How (and Why) to Get Involved in the Political Process as a Mom // Lacey Parr

Episode Sponsors:

Tushbaby: Visit Tushbaby.com and start customizing your own carrier. Make sure to use code 3IN30 for 20% off your first order.

Nutrafol: For a limited time, Nutrafol is offering our listeners $10 off your first month’s subscription and free shipping when you go to Nutrafol.com and enter the promo code 3IN30.

AirDoctor: Head to AirDoctorPro.com and use promo code 3IN30 to get UP TO $300 off today!

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I've never considered myself a person who cares about fashion or "style" so when I first stumbled across Julie Allen on Instagram, I didn’t expect to stick around. But something about the way she talked about clothes felt different. It was kind, approachable, and freeing.

Julie teaches women how to embrace style tools instead of style rules, and as I listened to her, I realized how much that philosophy overlaps with how I think about motherhood. There’s no one right way to be a mom—or to get dressed. It’s about finding what fits you and building a life you love from there.

Julie is a mom of six and a style educator who’s passionate about helping women reconnect with themselves through the way they show up each day. In this episode, she shares three style principles that double as beautiful life lessons for moms—and they might just shift the way you think about both your wardrobe and your parenting.

We’ll talk about:

✨ How to use style (and motherhood) tools instead of rigid rules

✨ Why you’re allowed to express different parts of yourself—on any given day

✨ The importance of building your motherhood on a foundation of your core values

Whether or not you’ve ever cared much about fashion, this episode will help you feel more confident in showing up as you.

For full show notes, including takeaways, click here.

***

Related Episodes:

201: Living your Life’s Purpose in Every Stage // Brooke Snow

297: 3 Secrets to Confidence in Motherhood

354: Letting Go of Heavy Expectations of Yourself // Sneak Peek from the Declutter your Motherhood Audio Course

Episode Sponsors:

Team Supercrew: Visit teamsupercrew.com and use the code 3in30 at checkout to get 10% off your order. You’ll also get a free gift—step-by-step reading and play guides to help you reinforce the lessons in simple, powerful ways.

BetterHelp: 3 in 30 Takeaways for Moms is sponsored by BetterHelp. Go to betterhelp.com/3in30 to get 10% off your first month of online therapy.

KiwiCo: Build the best summer ever with KiwiCo! Get $15 off on your Summer Adventure Series at kiwico.com.

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***

As moms, summer can feel like both a dream and a juggling act. We want to make magical memories for our families… but we also crave order, rest, and a little bit of time for ourselves. So, how do we actually find balance in the chaos of summer break?

In this episode, I’m joined by Jenny Layton—professional organizer, time management coach, and mom of five—who shares a beautifully simple framework that will change the way you think about your summer rhythm. Jenny introduces the idea of “family and personal seasons” and helps us understand how to honor the season we’re in, while still making space for what we need as women.

In this conversation, we explore:

✨ Why summer feels so overwhelming—and how to shift your expectations

✨ How to embrace the season of family life without losing yourself in it

✨ Why even a small “dot of personal time” can restore your sense of peace

✨ How to help your kids learn to rebalance themselves when they’re bored or off-track

Whether you’re a full-time stay-at-home mom, a working mom, or somewhere in between, this episode will help you create a summer that feels more aligned, more joyful, and more you.

For full show notes, including takeaways, click here.

***

Announcements: Don’t miss the free PDF bundle Jenny created for our listeners—including a printable yin-yang graphic, an “Are You Bored?” checklist for kids, and a list of age-appropriate life skills to teach your children over the summer.

Related Episodes:

371: 3 Spaces to Organize for the Most Summer Fun // Jen Martin from Reset Your Nest

361: How to Make Reading Fun This Summer // Janssen Bradshaw

360: A Secret Tool to Keep Your Kids Entertained this Summer // Andi Smiley

Episode Sponsors:

Skylight: Right now, Skylight is offering our listeners $30 off their 15 inch Calendars by going to Skylightcal.com/3IN30.

AquaTru: Get 20% OFF any AquaTru purifier! Just go to AquaTru.com and enter code “3IN30” at checkout.

Wildgrain: For a limited time, Wildgrain is offering our listeners $30 off the first box - PLUS free

Croissants in every box - when you go to Wildgrain.com/3IN30 to start your subscription. Or you can use code 3in30 at checkout.

StoryWorth: Right now, save $10 on your first purchase when you go to StoryWorth.com/3in30.

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***

This is one of those episodes I felt called to record because I know so many of us have been here. You love your child with your whole heart, and yet, in certain seasons, you find yourself thinking, I just don’t like them very much right now.

That doesn’t make you a bad mom. It makes you human.

In this solo episode, I’m sharing three tools that have helped me move through those really hard parenting stretches—when one child is pushing every button I have—and find my way back to affection, connection, and even joy.

We’ll talk about:

💜 How your child’s “hardest” traits may actually be their biggest strengths in disguise

💜 Why the words you say about your child (even when they’re not around) can shape how you see them

💜 What to do when your child is constantly seeking negative attention—and how you can gently redirect that cycle

I’ll also tell you about a simple mindset shift that changed the way I experience motherhood—plus the journaling tool I created to help me live it out day by day.

If you’re in a tough season with one of your kids, I hope this episode feels like sitting down with a trusted friend who truly gets it—and who can gently offer some ideas for how to keep going.

For full show notes, including takeaways, click here.

***

Announcements:

Don’t forget, the Flecks of Gold Journal is on sale now through Mother’s Day. It’s a beautiful gift for any mom who’s trying to see and savor the good.

Related Episodes:

189: “Quiet Time” Tips for Families // Solo Episode

423: How to Parent a Strong-Willed Child Without Losing Your Mind // Kirk Martin of Calm Parenting

425: When PARENTING Doesn’t Turn Out As Planned // Michelle Barrow

Episode Sponsors:

Team Supercrew: Visit teamsupercrew.com and use the code 3in30 at checkout to get 10% off your order. You’ll also get a free gift—step-by-step reading and play guides to help you reinforce the lessons in simple, powerful ways.

BetterHelp: 3 in 30 Takeaways for Moms is sponsored by BetterHelp. Go to betterhelp.com/3in30 to get 10% off your first month of online therapy.

Factor: Go to factormeals.com/3in3050off and use code 3in3050off to get 50% off plus free shipping on your first box.

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***

What happens when your child's story looks nothing like the one you had imagined? This heartfelt encore episode features my dear friend, Michelle Barrow—a mother of four and grandmother of six—who generously shares the wisdom she’s gained from raising teenagers and supporting her adult children through life’s unexpected twists.

This conversation is a powerful companion to last week’s episode with author Jessica N. Turner on moving forward when life doesn’t turn out as planned. In this episode, Michelle invites us into her journey of learning how to let go of rigid expectations, make room for her children’s evolving identities, and parent from a place of trust rather than fear.

In this conversation, you'll hear:

💜 Why “parenting formulas” don’t guarantee outcomes—and how letting go of expectations can lead to more peace and joy.

💜 What it looks like to change the rules mid-parenting, and how doing so can strengthen trust and relationships within your family.

💜 How to stay rooted in your values while giving your children the freedom to shape their own stories.

💜 And ultimately, how you can find peace and steadiness in parenting, even when things don’t go as planned.

Whether you're parenting toddlers or teens, this episode will leave you feeling seen, inspired, and encouraged to embrace the beautifully imperfect journey of motherhood.

For full show notes, including takeaways, click here.

***

Related Episodes:

279: Navigating Parenting Triggers // Nat Vikitsreth

272: How to Fall Back in Love with Motherhood When It All Feels Hard // Tessa Brown

206: 3 Things to Remember when Parenting is Difficult

Sponsors:

Acorns Early: Ready to help your kids learn the value of money? Just head to acornsearly.com/3in30 or download the Acorns Early app to get started. Sign up now and your first month is on us!

Zocdoc: Stop putting off those doctors appointments and go to Zocdoc.com/3in30 to find and instantly book a top-rated doctor today.

Helix Mattresses: Helix mattresses are award-winning and have been proven to help with deep sleep. They ship right to your house, and they have a 100-night risk-free trial. If you don't love your Helix, they'll pick it up and give you a full refund. Go to helixsleep.com/3in30 for 20% Off Sitewide.

Air Doctor: Head to AirDoctorPro.com and use promo code 3IN30 to get UP TO $300 off today!

AirDoctor comes with a 30-day money back guarantee, plus a 3-year warranty—an $84

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When you were younger, did you imagine your life turning out a certain way? Maybe you thought you’d have a house full of children, a forever kind of love, or a career that lit you up. But what happens when the reality of your life looks nothing like the dream?

In this heartfelt and hope-filled episode, I sit down with bestselling author Jessica N. Turner to talk about how to rise from life’s deepest disappointments and rebuild something beautiful. Jessica vulnerably shares her personal story of walking through a midlife divorce after her husband of 16 years came out—and the healing journey that followed.

Whether you’re grieving the loss of a dream, struggling through a transition, or just feeling stuck in unmet expectations, this conversation will help you:

💜 Feel less alone in your disappointment and more seen in your story.

💜 Understand how to make meaning from your grief without rushing through it.

💜 Explore practical ways to process emotional pain.

Jessica’s wisdom is layered with empathy, grace, and real-life tools. She reminds us that even if we didn’t choose the hard thing, we can still choose what comes next.

For full show notes including takeaways, click here.

***

Related Episodes:

104: How to Move Through Grief towards Joy // Anna Packard, PhD in Clinical Psychology

205: How to Coach Yourself through Big Emotions // Georgia Anderson

299: How to Let Go of Hard Stuff from Your Past

Episode Sponsors:

Acorns Early: Ready to help your kids learn the value of money? Just head to acornsearly.com/3in30 or download the Acorns Early app to get started. Sign up now and your first month is on us!

Tushbaby: Visit Tushbaby.com and start customizing your own carrier. Make sure to use code 3IN30 for 20% your first order.

Nutrofol: Start your hair growth journey with Nutrafol. For a limited time, Nutrafol is offering our listeners ten dollars off your first month’s subscription and free shipping when you go to Nutrafol.com and enter the promo code 3IN30.

KiwiCo: Tinker, Create, and Innovate with KiwiCo! Get up to 50% off your first crate at kiwico.com, promo code 3in30.

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***