April Hoss reads her essay, Consider Yourself Warned, about how difficult the holiday season can be for women waiting to get pregnant or adopt.

In this episode we interview hit blogger and HGTV.com star Erin Loechner about how she turned away from fame and frenzy to chase a slower lifestyle. We talk about everything from capsule wardrobes to slow blogging, cutting down on social media use, and managing gift giving during the holiday season. This one will change your perspective, renew your priorities, and shift your focus for 2017.

Like what you heard? Visit coffeeandcrumbs.net for more inspiration on your motherhood journey. And, don't forget to subscribe and leave a review on iTunes!

To help fund Season Two of the Coffee + Crumbs Podcast, head on over to our brand new Patreon support page.

On today's Coffee Break, Lesley reads her essay Preparing to Jump, about the sometimes complicated decision of trying to get pregnant for the first time.

In this episode, Lesley gets to chat with New York Times bestselling author, Ann Voskamp, about her new book The Broken Way. You'll hear Ann's encouragement for moms who feel like they don't have enough time in their days (hint: swap your to-do list with a to-love list), and learn what the gift of going first means. Plus—why both women are drawing crosses on their wrists, some of Ann's advice for mama writers, and her charge to Americans on Election Day. If you're feeling sad, discouraged or just a little fragile—this is an episode you don't want to miss.

Like what you heard? Visit coffeeandcrumbs.net for more inspiration on your motherhood journey. And, don't forget to subscribe and leave a review on iTunes!

On today's Coffee Break, regular C+C contributor Melanie Dale talks about that one time she snuck away to a movie theater in the middle of the day with a friend, and why having older kids is awesome.

When Love Feels Heavy by N'tima Preusser is still, by far, the most well-read essay on Coffee + Crumbs. Today, N'tima shares more about her postpartum mental health journey, subtle signs that you may be struggling with depression or anxiety, and some ideas of what to do if you are. This is one of our most authentic, touching episodes yet; a breath of fresh air for any mama in the trenches of infant life.

Like what you heard? Visit coffeeandcrumbs.net for more inspiration on your motherhood journey. And, don't forget to subscribe and leave a review on iTunes!

October is National Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month, and it's a season for recognizing the pain so many families experience but don't always feel comfortable talking about. In this episode Lesley talks to clinical psychologist Dr. Jessica Zucker about her personal story of loss, the grief process and changing the way we talk about miscarriage. Plus, hear about a new C+C initiative to help mothers in developing countries.

Like what you heard? Visit coffeeandcrumbs.net for more inspiration on your motherhood journey. And, don't forget to subscribe and leave a review on iTunes!

This week we're talking to Krystal Festerly, mom of three and editor of The Village Magazine. You'll hear all about how The Village got started--she launched it the same day she gave birth to her second child--and why the quarterly publication is dedicated to bringing back sisterhood between mommas. Plus, hear a little about Krystal's third birth, and why she calls it a healing experience.

Like what you heard? Visit coffeeandcrumbs.net for more inspiration on your motherhood journey. And, don't forget to subscribe and leave a review on iTunes!

In part two of our working mom conversation, Lesley and Kelsey discuss the term "default parent" and how they split up household chores with their husbands. Plus, three things Kelsey does as soon as she walks in the door at night, her kitchen whiteboard system to manage the chaos, how she gets herself fed every morning (freezer burritos!), and the chores her family chooses to outsource.

Like what you heard? Visit coffeeandcrumbs.net for more inspiration on your motherhood journey. And, don't forget to subscribe and leave a review on iTunes!

Being a full-time working mom is quite the juggling act. In this episode, Lesley talks with Kelsey Wharton, co-host of The Girl Next Door podcast. You'll hear about Kelsey's transition back to work after her first baby (it was harder than she thought it would be), simple ways she simplifies her evenings, and how all moms need to support each other in the quest to make workplaces more breastfeeding/pumping friendly. Plus, hear about Kelsey's beauty capsule routine and how a sleep coach saved her sanity. (Also: spoiler alert! This is a two-part episode with Kelsey. Check back later this week for the second half of our conversation.)

Like what you heard? Visit coffeeandcrumbs.net for more inspiration on your motherhood journey. And, don't forget to subscribe and leave a review on iTunes!