Kim welcomes pediatrician and mom, Dr. Deanna Barry to talk about life after baby. They discuss adding children to the family and how it affects relationships and friendships and going back to work. Furthermore, they talk about how social media and comparison can sometimes make women feel pressure to do it all and do it all well. When, in reality, that is not possible. Finally, they discuss baby blues, postpartum depression and anxiety, and adjusting expectations after giving birth. This episode is like talking to a friend about all the demands and expectations of motherhood and how to navigate them in today’s world.

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

Website: https://www.barrypediatrics.com

Book: And Baby Makes Three by John and Julie Gottman; https://amzn.to/2J4y1PU

Kim connects with her colleague and good friend from graduate school, Dr. Carol Bruess, to talk about rituals in relationships. Dr. Bruess is a professor, author and researcher on relationships and she is passionate about rituals and traditions. They discuss the research on rituals, traditions and nicknames in families, couples and friendships. They also share advice and tips for making and sustaining your own relationship rituals and traditions.

You can find Carol at https://carolbruess.com.

The "Do you know?" Scale https://legacystories.org/do-you-know-scale.

Kim sits down for an in-depth conversation with esteemed blogger, Carly Riordan of Carly the Prepster. They talk about making friends in adulthood, challenges in friendship, loneliness, vulnerability, and authenticity. Carly talks for the first time publicly about her recent wedding and how those plans changed and adapted during covid.  Their conversation shifts to hobbies and connecting with others during challenging times and the role social media has on our own mental health and relationships. Carly shares an honest and vulnerable side of herself that her readers and others will really enjoy. 

Carly can be found at https://www.carlytheprepster.com

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

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/2089631344594251

Kim talks to Dr. Phil Boucher, father of five young children and pediatrician, about connecting with toddlers, handling meltdowns and tantrums and teaching them to express their emotions in healthy ways. They also talk about the role of dads and how to get dads more involved in the day to day stuff of parenting. Dr. Boucher offers concise and practical advice that will help all parents, but especially parents of young children.

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

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCO3MOvbjKe6Kr-6z9-_3wIQ

Website: https://drphilboucher.com

In this episode, Kim has a conversation with Dr. Anna Shannahan, an Integrative MD at the Osher Center at Northwestern in Chicago. They talk about finding the root cause of illness, practicing medicine in COVID times and how to ask your doctor about alternative therapies. They dive into what integrative medicine is and how to find a practitioner as well as supplements, herbal remedies, and self-care. If you are feeling overwhelmed and confused by your healthcare options, this is a great episode for you. Dr. Shannahan offers great practical tips for a healthy lifestyle.

Instagram: @drannabthewellnessmd

To help find a trained provider in your area-

Kim has an in-depth conversation with fellow marriage counselor and author, Lori Epting. They talk about the biggest struggles facing couples today, simple ways to strengthen your marriage and when to seek help from a professional. They also talk about extra-martial affairs, how they happen and ways to rebuild. Finally, they talk about empathy, how overwhelmed couples with young children feel and ways to connect more deeply. There are practical tips and wisdom for every couple in this episode.

Lori Epting can be found at https://www.loriepting.com/book and https://marriagesense.org.

Kim sits down with Sports Psychology and Mental Performance Coach, Ashley Eckermann to talk about how to best support your kids in sports. They discuss motivation, life lessons, fear, playing multiple sports versus specializing, what age to begin playing sports and when to know if it’s time to quit or move on to something different. They even talk about how to handle a difficult game or practice. Ashely offers lots of practical tips on all of these topics and more.

Expert Guest: Ashley Eckermann, Sports Psychology Coach at Maximize the Mind, Mental Performance Coaching.

You can find Ashley at https://www.maximizethemind.com.

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

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ashley.adkins.982

Email: [email protected]

Kim is joined again by Chiarra Stratton, friend and mom of two teens, to answer questions about parenting teens submitted by YOU, the readers/listeners. In this Q&A episode, they discuss social media, phone use, punishments and independence, whether you should track your teen and much more.

This episode was produced and edited by Sonia Kerrigan.

In this episode, Kim shares her best tips for building better relationships and clear boundaries in the teenage years. In this conversation with her friend and fellow mom to teenagers, Chiarra Stratton, they discuss the do’s and don’ts of parenting teens and how the things that worked when they were little don’t always work anymore.

This episode was produced and edited by Sonia Kerrigan. 

Join Kim Swales each week as she helps you find practical ways to better connect in your relationships with family, friends and loved ones. In this episode, Kim introduces herself and the topics she will be talking about with experts and friends this season. Subscribe now so you don't miss an episode.