Be Well and Ground

Motherhood changes so much about who we are, but what happens when you start craving connection and something that's just for you?

In this episode of Be Well & Ground, I'm joined by Meg DellaMea, creator of Half Full Media and host of the Half Full on Motherhood podcast!

What started as a desire for connection during her postpartum journey grew into a space dedicated to sharing women's stories, building community, and helping moms feel a little less alone.

We chat about the loneliness that can come with motherhood, finding your people, rediscovering your identity, and having the courage to start something new even when you don't have it all figured out.

Meg also shares one of my favorite takeaways from our conversation: do it messy, do it scared, and don't wait for the perfect time!

We discover how much we have in common, from yoga and gardening to our love of storytelling and connecting people. I loved getting to know Meg and walked away feeling inspired by her story and the community she's creating!

HELP MEG REACH 500 MOMS!

Through the Half Full Listening Project, Meg is inviting moms to share how motherhood has shaped their identity, sense of self, and relationship with themselves.

The survey takes approximately 7 minutes and welcomes moms at every stage of motherhood.

Survey closes at the end of November 2026!

Take the survey:
https://www.siphalffull.com/listening-project

CONNECT WITH MEG

Half Full Media Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/half.fullmedia/

Meg's Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/megdelamea/

Website:
https://www.siphalffull.com/

LISTEN TO MORE WITH MEG!

I also had the chance to join Meg on her podcast, Half Full on Motherhood! Check out our conversation over there, too!

Listen to my guest episode:
https://open.spotify.com/episode/6EilTT8tGxfjagXv423hkp

Follow Half Full on Motherhood:
https://open.spotify.com/show/60pc5LpjnAdCR5MDESsGJn

FOLLOW BE WELL & GROUND

Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/bewellandground/

Website:
https://wellandground.com/

EXPLORE UFLOW YOGA

Join me for toddler yoga, Baby & Me yoga, prenatal yoga, adult yoga, private sessions, and teacher training!

Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/uflowgirl/

Toddler Yoga:
https://www.instagram.com/uflowyogaforlittles/

Website:
https://uflowyoga.com/

What does it really take to build a food business around ingredients you actually feel good about?

In this episode, I’m chatting with Abby, owner of FOUR99, a new Lake Norman food truck focused on locally sourced ingredients, thoughtful food choices, and supporting other small businesses.

Abby shares how she and her husband took a longtime dream and turned it into a food truck, what really goes on behind the scenes, and how her own journey toward more intentional living helped shape the business.

We also talk about her sourdough business, Abby Rose & Co., motherhood, entrepreneurship, finding something that’s yours outside of being a mom, and learning to find balance while building a business and raising a family.

If you love supporting local businesses, being more intentional about the food your family eats, or hearing the real stories behind people taking a chance on their dreams, this episode is for you!

IN THIS EPISODE:
00:00 Welcome to Be Well & Ground

00:36 Meet Abby and FOUR99Co

02:07 Food Truck Origin Story

03:20 Naming Daytona FOUR99

04:16 Building the Menu

05:18 From Dream to Launch

06:25 Life on the Truck

07:13 Clean Ingredients Mission

09:26 Abby Rose and Co

10:11 Sourdough Journey Begins1

1:54 Teaching Sourdough Classes

14:13 Past Work and TikTok

16:52 Clean Living Tips

17:53 Motherhood and Balance

19:18 Dream Weekly Rhythm

20:23 Local Sourcing Values

21:48 Finding the Right Buns

22:30 Fries Prep Reality

24:29 Support Systems Fuel

26:08 Rapid Fire Favorites

26:49 Hard Truths and Pride

29:27 Rest and Mom Identity

32:17 What’s Next and Booking

34:25 Closing Thanks and Socials

CONNECT WITH ABBY + FOUR99:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/four99.co/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61579573571339
Want to book the truck? Visit the FOUR99 website and head to the “Book Us” page linked here:

https://four99co.com/pages/contact

CONNECT WITH ME:
Be Well Ground:https://www.instagram.com/bewellandground/
UFLOW Yoga: https://www.instagram.com/uflowgirl/
Toddler Yoga: https://www.instagram.com/uflowyogaforlittles/

Website: https://uflowyoga.com/

We've still got July and August before school starts back up — so if you've been putting off that last summer trip because you're worried about wrecking your baby's sleep schedule, this episode is for you.

This one came from a very real panic spiral. My husband and I were gearing up for a road trip, and all I could think was: is this going to completely wreck our son's sleep?? So instead of doom-scrolling at midnight, I brought in an actual expert.

I'm joined by Stella Kontak from Stellar Baby Sleep, a pediatric sleep consultant and mom of two, to talk all things baby and toddler sleep while traveling. We cover:

• Why travel throws off kids' sleep in the first place (and the biggest misconception parents have about it)
• What to pack to recreate the perfect sleep environment on the road
• The "golden rule" for handling late nights and skipped naps without it becoming a new pattern
• How to protect downtime without over-scheduling your whole trip
• Her favorite travel sleep gear (SlumberPod, portable sound machines, and more)
• How long it actually takes to get back to a normal routine once you're home
• When to consider reaching out for sleep support, and what ages she works with

We also get into the mom-life side of things — building a "tribe," letting go of first-time-mom rules, and balancing motherhood with running a business.

Whether you're already planning that last summer getaway or still on the fence, listen before you go.

Bonus: use code STELLARBABYSLEEP for 10% off a SlumberPod — Stella's #1 travel sleep recommendation.

Timestamps:
00:00 Podcast Welcome
00:34 Travel Sleep Anxiety
01:21 Meet Stella
02:57 Why Sleep Consulting
04:17 Why Travel Disrupts Sleep
05:02 Travel Sleep Myths
06:05 Pre Trip Packing Setup
08:35 Vacation Nap Strategy
09:34 Late Nights Recovery Rules
11:43 Avoid Overscheduling
13:00 Sound Machines On The Go
14:25 Back Home Reset Routine
15:27 Best Age To Travel
16:23 Best Age to Fly
17:39 Motherhood Shapes Coaching
19:00 Balancing Business Boundaries
20:11 When to Get Sleep Help
21:22 Sleep Regressions Explained
22:46 Rapid Fire Favorites
25:30 Rules You Let Go
27:05 Finding Your Mom Tribe
28:49 How to Work Together
29:55 Final Takeaway for Moms
30:50 Podcast Wrap Up

Need personalized sleep support?
Book a call or get in touch with Stella for 1:1 sleep consulting: https://www.stellarbabysleep.com/

Connect with Stella:
Instagram: @stellarbabysleep

Connect with me for motherhood + podcast:
Instagram: @bewellandground

Connect with me for yoga:
Instagram: @uflowgirl and @uflowyogaforlittles
Website: www.uflowyoga.com

This episode is perfect for anyone gardening here in the Lake Norman area, especially if you're growing in zones 7B or 8A! I sat down with local garden consultant Allison Fickling of The Blue Family Farm Table to talk about everything you need to know for your garden right now.

We cover common summer garden challenges, pest control (squash bugs are here 🐛), succession planting, watering tips, soil health, fall garden planning, and simple ways beginners can get started — whether you've got a big backyard, a few raised beds, or just a container on your porch.

In this episode we talk about:

🌻 Squash bugs & squash vine borers (and the soapy water trick that actually works)
🌱 Succession planting — keeping your garden productive all summer long
💧 When (and when not) to water in the summer heat
🪴 Container & small-space gardening for beginners
🥬 What to give up on right now (hint: cilantro, radishes, peas) + smart substitutes
🍅 Determinate vs. indeterminate tomatoes and planning your fall garden space
🍂 When to start seeds for fall crops like broccoli and cauliflower
🐛 Mulching tips and why chipdrop.com is a gardener's best friend
🌷 Allison's $30 garden consults — what they include and how to book one

If you're watching on YouTube, stick around till the end for a full garden tour of the Blue Family Farm Table Kitchen Gardens! 🎥

00:00 Welcome to Be Well

00:36 Episode and Guest Preview

01:14 Meet Allison

02:18 Blue Family Farm Story

03:48 Succulent Pumpkin Business

04:50 Garden Tour Overview

05:52 Tomato Obsession

07:27 June Pests and Squash Bugs

10:46 Succession Planting Tips

13:03 Sunflower Placement and Protection

15:36 Watering Best Practices

17:30 Patience Sleep Creep Leap

19:57 What to Stop Growing Now

21:53 Starting Late and Soil Basics

23:38 Seeds Starts and Tomato Suckers

25:12 Mulch for Summer Survival

27:55 Building Living Soil

30:12 Planning the Fall Garden

2:06 Year Round Garden Planning

33:20 Small Space Herb Wins

4:39 Lettuce Seed Starting Tricks

37:01 Garden Consult Services

40:57 Ideal Clients And Tiny Yards

43:53 Rapid Fire Favorites

50:06 Joy Giving From Garden

1:52 Three Forever Crops

3:34 Where To Find Allison

55:42 June Garden Tour Walkthrough

59:32 Podcast Wrap And Yoga Plug

Connect with Allison:

📍 Instagram & Facebook: @the_blue_family_farm_table / The Blue Family Farm Table / Allison Fickling

📱 Text or call: 704-626-0097 for local garden consults

Connect with me:
🧘‍♀️ Follow along: @bewellandground
🌿 Local to Lake Norman? Come take a class with me — I teach prenatal, toddler, and adult yoga! @uflowgirl & @uflowyogaforlittles

In Episode 10 of Be Well and Ground, Emily sits down with Stephanie Korczynski, founder of Soak Head & Foot Spa, to talk about her journey from corporate burnout to building a wellness business centered on intentional rest and nervous system healing.

Stephanie shares how burnout, anxiety, and a life-changing moment with intentional rest led her to create Soak — a luxury head spa and foot soak experience opening in Huntersville, NC.

This conversation explores burnout recovery, slowing down in motherhood, the rise of modern wellness experiences, and what it really takes to rebuild life from the ground up.

00:00 Podcast Welcome

00:44 Episode Guest Preview

00:59 Father's Day Deal

01:34 Meet Stephanie

03:02 Soak Origin Story

03:37 Burnout Panic Attack

04:44 Foot Soak Breakthrough

05:52 From Idea to Leap

07:15 LLC and Timeline

08:10 Finding the Space

11:09 What Soak Offers

12:52 Learning the Craft

14:21 Why Copper Basins

15:10 Designing the Vibe

16:21 Luxury for Everyone

17:20 Men at Soak

17:53 Design Background

19:08 Head Spa Trend Explained

19:34 Fresh Water Difference

20:13 Stress and Hair Health

20:44 Stress Hair Loss Explained

20:58 Head Spa Soil Analogy

22:16 Self Care Breakthrough

22:46 Intentional Rest Habits

25:42 Why Slow Wellness Now

27:21 Dropping Mom Guilt

29:40 Entrepreneur Wins Challenges

31:18 Do It Scared Advice

32:55 Opening Dates Deals

3:48 Rapid Fire Favorites

35:20 Grounding Rituals Sunflowering

36:52 Underrated Wellness Habit

38:07 Where To Find Soak

38:43 Podcast Closing Message

✨ Special note: Soak is currently offering discounted gift cards ($115 value for $100 and $230 value for $200). Booking is now live at soakheadandfoot.com, and their grand opening is June 16th.

🔗 Links & Socials

Soak Head & Foot Spa
Website: https://soakheadandfoot.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/soak_lakenorman/

Be Well & Ground Podcast
Website: https://wellandground.com
Instagram: hhttps://www.instagram.com/bewellandground/
Host: https://www.instagram.com/uflowgirl/

P.S. Love the merch I’m wearing in this episode? Shop the yoga merch here → https://uflowyoga.com/

What happens when a Cambridge-trained geneticist trades her lab coat for a homestead, a curriculum binder, and an unexpected calling that grew out of grief?

In this episode, I sit down with Ruth — a former genetic researcher at Cambridge University and the Sainsbury Laboratory — who moved to the U.S. seven years ago as an Air Force spouse and completely rebuilt her life from the ground up. From culture shock and identity crisis to sourdough starters, oyster mushrooms, and homeschooling her four-year-old, Ruth's journey is one of the most unexpected and beautiful I've had the privilege of sharing.

We talk about:

• Leaving a career in whole genome sequencing and plant genetics for the NHS

• Finding a small piece of land outside Charlotte that sparked everything

• Growing oyster mushrooms and making ginger bug probiotic soda

• Fermenting garlic honey safely (and why it works)

• Hatching chicks and the plan to add dairy goats and bees

• Homeschooling with Critical Thinking Child and Blossom and Root curriculum

• How science and faith can coexist beautifully

• An unexpected calling that came after losing her grandmother

• Advice for women in the middle of a big transition

Ruth is warm, whip-smart, and refreshingly grounded. I think you're going to love her.

🎙️ Be Well & Grounded is a podcast for moms and women in transition — honest conversations about wellness, homemaking, community, and becoming.

Timestamps:

00:00 Welcome

00:43 Meet Ruth

04:03 From genetics to homestead

06:42 The house that changed everything

08:32 Homeschool calling

11:03 Culture shock and identity

13:23 New skills and fixations

15:11 Mushroom growing basics

17:07 Garden plans and ginger bug

19:50 Ferments and garlic honey

22:28 Chickens and hatching chicks

25:27 Next goals: dairy and bees

30:19 Plant medicine priorities

31:35 Choosing homeschool curriculum

33:58 What a structured chaos day looks like

38:38 Sourdough and starters

41:44 An unexpected calling

47:30 Motherhood and stewardship

50:48 Advice for women in transition

54:46 Rapid fire questions

58:43 Final encouragement and wrap

Follow along:

📍 Emily: @bewellandground

📍 Ruth: @heirloom.crochet

🎥 YouTube: BeWellGroundPodcast

🌿 TikTok: @bewellwithemily

Sleep is one of the biggest challenges new parents face — and it can impact everything from postpartum healing to mental health.

In this episode of the Be Well and Ground Podcast, I’m joined by Molly, a former labor & delivery nurse, midwife-trained professional, and founder of Sweet Sleep & Wellness. Molly now helps families gently guide their babies toward better sleep while supporting moms through the postpartum season.

We talk about why sleep is so essential for both babies and mothers, common myths around sleep training, and how families can create healthy sleep habits without using harsh methods like “cry it out.”

Molly shares her gentle Rest, Recover, Thrive framework, explaining how prioritizing sleep supports nervous system regulation, postpartum recovery, and family wellbeing.

If you’re navigating newborn sleep, toddler bedtime battles, or simply feeling exhausted as a parent, this episode will offer encouragement, practical tips, and a reminder that you don’t have to figure it all out alone.

✨ Gentle sleep shaping for babies
✨ Why sleep is essential for postpartum healing
✨ Common baby sleep myths
✨ How routines support healthy sleep habits
✨ What healthy baby sleep hygiene looks like
✨ How to navigate sleep regressions
✨ When it might be helpful to work with a sleep consultant

Molly also shares how her experience as a mom and healthcare professional shaped her passion for helping families thrive through better sleep.

00:00 Welcome to Be Well and Ground

01:40 Meet Molly and Sweet Sleep

03:28 From Nursing to Sleep Work

04:44 Gentle Sleep Consulting

05:44 Rest Recover Thrive Framework

06:41 Attachment and Nervous System

07:39 Sleep Training Myths

09:39 Postpartum Wellness and Sleep

12:33 Where to Start With Sleep

14:18 Routines and Independent Sleep

15:54 Handling Regressions and Teething

17:42 Working With Molly One on One

19:03 Custom Schedules vs Online Plans

21:30 Choosing the Right Package

22:10 Two Week Sleep Plans

22:27 Sleep Red Flags

23:29 Bedtime Boundaries

24:48 Who She Helps Most

25:31 Postpartum Support Packages

27:14 Building Your Tribe

28:22 Raising Great Sleepers

30:34 Sleep Culture Reality Check

32:40 Nervous System And Sleep

34:05 Rapid Fire Fun Questions

38:28 Where To Find Molly

39:27 Podcast Closing Message

Connect With Sweet Sleep & Wellness:
Website: sweetsleepandwellness.com
Instagram: @sweetsleep.midwife.molly

Host of the Be Well and Ground Podcast, Emily is a yoga teacher, mom, and wellness advocate passionate about helping families find balance through motherhood, movement, gardening, and simple living.

🌿 Website: bewellandground.com
🌿 Instagram: @bewellandground

If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and share it with another mom who could use a little more rest and support.

In today’s episode, I’m sitting down with Lisa, a personal trainer, nutrition coach, and founder of Balanced, a wellness business built around the belief that true health comes from balancing fitness, nutrition, and stress management.

Lisa shares her powerful journey from being a competitive dancer caught in the cycle of overtraining and restrictive dieting to discovering a healthier, more sustainable way to care for her body. What started as a personal transformation eventually turned into a mission to help other women break free from extreme fitness culture and find a balanced approach to wellness.

In this conversation we talk about:

✨ Why strength training is one of the most important things women can do for long-term health
✨ Common nutrition myths (including surprising “healthy” foods that may not be so healthy)
✨ Why under-eating can actually work against your fitness goals
✨ How to break the guilt spiral around workouts and food
✨ The importance of rest, mindset, and realistic routines for busy women and moms
✨ What sustainable progress actually looks like over months and years

Lisa also shares practical advice you can start using today to build healthier habits without burnout.

If you’ve ever struggled with finding balance between movement, nutrition, and real life, this episode is for you.

Connect with Lisa:
Instagram: @balancedwithlisa
Website: balancedwithlisa.com

If you enjoyed this episode of the Be Well and Ground Podcast, please share it with a friend or leave a review—it helps this community grow and reach more women on their wellness journey.

What does it really look like to trust your gut, lean into your faith, and build something that actually fills your cup? In this episode, I'm sitting down with Hannah Emme, founder of Mood Reader Books, a mobile bookstore run out of the most adorable vintage baby blue 1949 Ford truck right here in Charlotte, NC.

Hannah shares how a dream she'd been quietly carrying for years finally became real, how faith guided her through one of the biggest transitions of her life, and what it's like to build a business from scratch as a mom of two. She went from a six-figure corporate marketing career to doing something that lights her up every single day — and her story is equal parts inspiring, honest, and deeply relatable.

We talk about anxiety, identity, mom guilt, marketing your own dream, and what it really means to choose fulfillment over comfort. This one is so good, friend. You don't want to miss it.

✨ In this episode we cover:

• How Hannah turned a years-long dream into a real, thriving business
• The moment faith and timing aligned to bring her vintage truck right to her doorstep
• Building Mood Reader Books from the ground up in Charlotte
• Navigating anxiety and perfectionism as a mom and entrepreneur
• Why community matters more than follower counts
• Rapid fire book lover questions!

00:00 Podcast Welcome

00:43 Meet Hannah and Mood Reader

03:27 The Leap From Corporate

05:29 Faith and Quitting Story

09:00 Finding the Vintage Truck

11:26 Renovation and Color Choice

14:04 Setup and Community Mission1

8:02 Hannah’s Career Background

19:56 Marketing Skills as a Founder

22:48 Naming Mood Reader Books

25:04 Curating New and Used Books

28:37 Customer Feedback So Far

29:30 Curated Book Variety

30:46 Mobile Inventory Planning

31:51 Instagram And Community

34:53 From Burnout To Joy

39:49 Kids And The Truck

42:25 Hard Lessons On Events

44:29 Reading Habits And Genres

46:36 Rapid Fire Book Talk

50:27 Advice For Big Leaps

53:12 Where To Find Them

54:26 Podcast Farewell

📍 Find Hannah & Mood Reader Books:Instagram: @moodreaderbooks

📍 Find Emily & Be Well & Grounded:Instagram: @bewellandgroundWebsite: bewellandground.com

If this episode spoke to you, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with a friend who needs a little encouragement today. It means so much and helps this community grow! 🤍

Join me for a heartfelt conversation with Ally Raven, certified birth doula, owner of Ally Raven Doula Services, and mama of three! If you've ever wondered what a doula actually does, how to prepare for birth, or how to navigate postpartum, this episode is packed with wisdom and real talk.

Ally has supported over 40 families through pregnancy, labor, delivery, and postpartum. We have an honest conversation about everything from prenatal care to postpartum mental health.

What We Cover:

🤰 What Does a Doula Actually Do?Ally breaks down the difference between doulas and midwives, explaining that doulas provide hands-on emotional and physical support (not medical care). She shares how doulas help with position changes, education, advocacy, and so much more.

💭 When to Hire a DoulaFrom the moment you get a positive pregnancy test to a week before your due date - Ally shares when people typically reach out and her recommendations for the ideal time to connect (hint: it's between 12-20 weeks!).

👶 Prenatal Care & Partner InvolvementLearn about the prenatal sessions Ally offers, including childbirth education, birth plan development, and breastfeeding preparation. We talk about why including your partner in these sessions is crucial and how they can feel empowered instead of terrified!

😰 Common Birth FearsAlly addresses the most common fears she hears from expecting parents, including fear of tearing and fear of being pressured into unnecessary medical interventions. She shares how education and advocacy can help you navigate these concerns.

❓ The Power of Asking "Why"One simple question can completely change the course of your birth experience. Ally explains why asking "why" when providers suggest interventions is so important and how it helps you make truly informed decisions.

💔 When Birth Plans ChangeWe have a raw conversation about what happens when your birth doesn't go according to plan. Ally shares how she supports clients through the grief process and why it's completely valid to mourn the birth experience you hoped for, even when you have a healthy baby.

🌸 Postpartum Support & CareFrom helping with the first latch to making sure partners are present and engaged, Ally walks through what immediate postpartum support looks like and how she helps families in those crucial first hours and days.

🧠 Postpartum Mental HealthAlly shares the warning signs to watch for, including feeling overwhelmed, wanting to isolate, and other red flags. She emphasizes the importance of scheduling therapy ahead of time and not waiting for people to offer help - you need to ask for what you need!

👨‍👩‍👧 Birth Partner BootcampAlly and her husband created an online, self-paced Birth Partner Bootcamp that prepares partners for what to expect during pregnancy, labor, and postpartum. She shares what makes this class unique and why the most important thing partners can do is simply be present.

⚖️ Balancing Motherhood & BusinessAs fellow mamas in similar stages (our babies are only 3 days apart!), we talk about the real challenges of running a business while raising kids. Ally shares how becoming a mom of three has shifted her priorities and why she's focusing on building systems so she can be more present with her family.

Use code UFLOW15 for 15% off Ally's Birth Partner Bootcamp!

Connect with Ally:Website: https://www.allyravendoula.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/allythedoula

Whether you're expecting, planning to get pregnant, or supporting someone on their birth journey, this episode is filled with practical advice, emotional support, and real conversation that helps you feel prepared and empowered.

Subscribe to Be Well and Ground for more heart-centered wellness conversations! ✨