De-Stress the Nest

In this episode of De-Stress The Nest, host Hannah Morgan sits down with Alyssa Wolff—homeschooling mom of five— who shares her practical and refreshing approach to self-care for working parents. She introduces the idea of prioritizing personal time before the second shift begins, offering realistic ways to build quiet, restorative rhythms into your day—no matter your children’s ages or your work schedule.

Key Takeaways

• Take your primary self-care break before transitioning into the evening caregiving “second shift.”
• Use nap or quiet time intentionally, not for chores or productivity, but to truly recharge.
• Brand quiet time as a treat for kids to foster independence and cooperation.
• Even working parents can carve out post-work recharge time by adjusting routines and meal prep.
• Self-care isn’t selfish—it’s necessary for being present and patient with your family.

Quotes

• “This is not time to clean the house. This is time to send everyone to their rooms—peace and quiet for everyone.”
• “If you don’t fill your cup before the second shift starts, you’re running on empty by bedtime.”
• “Quiet time isn’t punishment—it’s a privilege. You just have to brand it that way.”

Resources Mentioned

• Heron House Management — Support for working parents

• “The Second Shift” book by Arlie Hochschild

• Breathwork, meditation, and mindset practices (no specific tools named, but mentioned as part of Alyssa’s routine)

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Episodes Released Weekly on Tuesdays

This episode of De-Stress the Nest is sponsored by Heron House Management.

About Heron House Management:

Heron House Management⁠ is a virtual house management service that takes the stress out of your busy life by taking on your mental load and managing your To Do list. We provide fractional virtual house management for busy families at 10, 15 and 20+ hours/month.

Meal planning, signing up for kids activities, scheduling doctor's appointments, finding a house cleaner, planning your kid's birthday party, getting quotes for that home renovation project, or scheduling a monthly date night with your significant other and so much more. We do it all!

In this episode of Destress The Nest, host Hannah Morgan sits down with time management coach and mother of four, Jill Wright, to dive into the surprisingly powerful concept of “Time Confetti.” Coined by author Brigid Schulte, time confetti refers to the scattered pockets of downtime we all experience throughout the day — waiting in line, sitting in the school pickup lane, or microwaving lunch. Jill reframes this often-overlooked concept as a tool for busy moms (and anyone, really!) to reclaim their time, improve productivity, and integrate meaningful self-care without carving out hours from their schedule.

Key Takeaways

• Time confetti is made up of small, scattered pockets of time we often overlook.
• Recognizing and intentionally using these moments can dramatically improve both productivity and well-being.
• Creating a “Time Confetti List” in your phone with 5–10 minute tasks can help you quickly act instead of defaulting to phone scrolling.
• You can use these time pockets for self-care (meditation, stretching, journaling) or admin tasks (signing school forms, replying to quick emails).
• Alternating between rest and productivity based on your energy levels helps maintain a balanced nervous system.
• Strategic micro-rest throughout the day can be more effective than trying to recharge only after you're completely depleted.

Quotes

• “We don’t need more time—we need to see the time we already have.”
• “Rest is productive. But so is knocking out admin tasks that drain your mental load.”
• “It’s not about carving out a girls’ weekend. It’s about a five-minute recharge that keeps your day on track.”
• “You don’t have to choose between being productive and taking care of yourself — time confetti lets you do both.”

Resources Mentioned

• Overwhelmed: Work, Love, and Play When No One Has the Time  by Brigid Schulte
• Research by Harvard behavioral scientist Ashley Whillans on time perception and leisure
• Notes app tip: Create two “Time Confetti” lists — one for self-care and one for admin tasks
• ⁠ Connect with Jill Wright⁠

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If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review on Spotify, iHeartRadio, Apple Podcasts or your favorite podcast platform. Your feedback helps us reach more listeners and continue to bring you valuable content!

Episodes Released Weekly on Tuesdays

This episode of Destress the Nest is sponsored by Heron House Management.

About Heron House Management:

Heron House Management⁠ is a virtual house management service that takes the stress out of your busy life by taking on your mental load and managing your To Do list. We provide fractional virtual house management for busy families at 10, 15 and 20+ hours/month.

Meal planning, signing up for kids activities, scheduling doctor's appointments, finding a house cleaner, planning your kid's birthday party, getting quotes for that home renovation project, or scheduling a monthly date night with your significant other and so much more. We do it all!

In this empowering episode of Destress The Nest, host Hannah Morgan sits down with marriage coach Michelle Purta to explore the radical yet transformative concept of loving yourself most—especially after becoming a parent. Michelle shares how prioritizing your own well-being isn’t selfish—it’s the foundation for deepening intimacy, improving communication, and reigniting joy in your relationship. Tune in for a refreshing perspective on how self-love can create more connection, patience, and fulfillment in both marriage and motherhood.

Key Takeaways

• Loving yourself most is not selfish—it’s essential for healthy relationships.

• When you take care of your needs, you increase your capacity for patience, compassion, and joy.

• Self-love empowers you to advocate for your needs, set boundaries, and have deeper intimacy.

• Many women lose their sense of self in motherhood; reconnecting with who you are is critical for a thriving marriage.
• Ask yourself: Am I designing my life, or just living out a script handed to me?

• Quotes

• “When we love ourselves most, we truly embody kindness—not just for others, but for ourselves.”

• “Things go from romance to responsibility so quickly after kids, but that doesn’t mean love has to fade.”

• “We’ve been taught to run ourselves ragged for everyone else—what if there’s a better way?”

• “When you know yourself deeply, you become magnetic—you radiate joy, creativity, and compassion.”

• “You can’t be fully known and loved in a marriage if you don’t even know who you are.”

Resources Mentioned

• Learn more about Michelle Purta’s coaching services and how she helps moms and couples reignite their marriages at michellepurtacoaching.com.

• Follow Michelle on Instagram for relationship tips and inspiration: @michellepurtacoaching

Subscribe & Leave a Review:

If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review on Spotify, iHeartRadio, Apple Podcasts or your favorite podcast platform. Your feedback helps us reach more listeners and continue to bring you valuable content!

Episodes Released Weekly on Tuesdays

This episode of Destress the Nest is sponsored by Heron House Management.

About Heron House Management:

Heron House Management⁠ is a virtual house management service that takes the stress out of your busy life by taking on your mental load and managing your To Do list. We provide fractional virtual house management for busy families at 10, 15 and 20+ hours/month.

Meal planning, signing up for kids activities, scheduling doctor's appointments, finding a house cleaner, planning your kid's birthday party, getting quotes for that home renovation project, or scheduling a monthly date night with your significant other and so much more. We do it all!

In this episode of Destress The Nest, host Hannah Morgan is joined by Dana Baker-Williams, an ADHD and anxiety coach for parents, teens, and young adults. Dana shares practical strategies for creating “brain backups” to support executive functioning and reduce family tension. From visual aids to consistent routines, Dana offers simple yet powerful tools to help both parents and children thrive, especially in households managing ADHD or anxiety.

Key Takeaways

• Why Brain Backups Matter: People with ADHD often struggle with working memory. Visual and external reminders are essential to support follow-through.
• Make it Visible: Use whiteboards, sticky notes, color-coded folders, and written schedules to keep important information front and center.
• Establish Zones & Routines: Designated “landing zones” for backpacks, keys, and shoes help reduce daily chaos.
• Create External Accountability: Replace willpower with systems—like chore reminders via Alexa, or schedules posted in common areas—to reduce nagging and missed tasks.
• Prepare for Transitions: Kids with ADHD and anxiety need time and clarity. A visible weekly schedule can ease stress and avoid meltdowns.
• Involve Kids Early: Even young children benefit from predictable routines and can be taught to engage with visual schedules as they grow.

Quotes

• “If you have ADHD, you need a backup system because out of sight really is out of mind.”
• “Visual reminders are a gift—whiteboards, sticky notes, and color-coded folders give working memory a break.”
• “Instead of relying on your willpower, rely on your habits and routines.”
• “We can’t just expect our kids to try harder. We have to give them the tools to succeed.”

Resources Mentioned

• Dana’s website: parentinginreallife.org

• Tools mentioned: whiteboards, sticky notes, Alexa reminders, Skylight calendar, chore zones

• Tip: Write out weekly family schedules on Sundays using chalkboards, whiteboards, or printed templates

• Subscribe & Leave a Review:

If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review on Spotify, iHeartRadio, Apple Podcasts or your favorite podcast platform. Your feedback helps us reach more listeners and continue to bring you valuable content!

Episodes Released Weekly on Tuesdays

This episode of Destress the Nest is sponsored by Heron House Management.

About Heron House Management:

Heron House Management⁠ is a virtual house management service that takes the stress out of your busy life by taking on your mental load and managing your To Do list. We provide fractional virtual house management for busy families at 10, 15 and 20+ hours/month.

Meal planning, signing up for kids activities, scheduling doctor's appointments, finding a house cleaner, planning your kid's birthday party, getting quotes for that home renovation project, or scheduling a monthly date night with your significant other and so much more. We do it all!

In this episode of Destress The Nest, host Hannah Morgan sits down with Brian Page, founder of Modern Husbands, to explore how dual-career couples can more effectively manage money and household responsibilities as a team. Brian shares practical strategies, including the HALT method and weekly money check-ins, to reduce financial tension and strengthen relationships. He also opens up about his own financial personality and how he and his wife navigate emotional triggers around money.

• Key Takeaways:
• - Use the HALT method (Hungry, Angry, Lonely, Tired) to avoid emotionally charged money talks.
• - Schedule financial conversations proactively—ideally on weekend mornings when you're rested and calm.
• - Transparency and regularity in financial discussions are key, especially in dual-income households.
• - Couples often have different financial personalities (e.g., spender vs. saver) that need understanding and accommodation.
• - Aligning spending decisions with long-term values can reduce stress and improve relational harmony.
• - Living simply and prioritizing financial independence offers more freedom and less daily overwhelm.

Quotes from the Episode:

• - “If your emotions are high, your cognition is going to be low.”
• - “You’re not just talking about money—you’re talking about whether you're living your life on purpose.”
• - “Money is just a tool. If you’re not making spending decisions on purpose, you’re missing out on better ways to use it.”

Resources Mentioned:

• - Modern Husbands – Brian’s platform supporting dual-career couples with household and money management.
• - HALT Method – A communication technique for managing emotional states.
• - Tiller – A financial tool Brian and his wife use for budgeting and transparency.
• - JL Collins – Referred to as the "godfather" of the Financial Independence (FI) movement.
• - FIRE Movement – Financial Independence, Retire Early framework.

Subscribe & Leave a Review:

If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review on Spotify, iHeartRadio, Apple Podcasts or your favorite podcast platform. Your feedback helps us reach more listeners and continue to bring you valuable content!

Episodes Released Weekly on Tuesdays

This episode of Destress the Nest is sponsored by Heron House Management.

About Heron House Management:

Heron House Management⁠ is a virtual house management service that takes the stress out of your busy life by taking on your mental load and managing your To Do list. We provide fractional virtual house management for busy families at 10, 15 and 20+ hours/month.

Meal planning, signing up for kids activities, scheduling doctor's appointments, finding a house cleaner, planning your kid's birthday party, getting quotes for that home renovation project, or scheduling a monthly date night with your significant other and so much more. We do it all!

Summary:
In this episode, Hannah welcomes Shivani, a busy mom working in the fast-paced Bay Area tech industry, to talk about how she manages stress and avoids burnout through intentional home organization and decluttering. Shivani shares her twice-yearly condo sweeps, her smart use of mind maps and digital tracking, and how participating in Buy Nothing groups has helped her build community and minimize clutter.

Key Takeaways:

• Decluttering twice a year, during season changes, creates a major reset for both home and mental clarity.
• Creating a mind map of your home and listing every space that can collect clutter helps remove overwhelm from the process.
• Using a simple "donate, trash, keep" system streamlines decluttering decisions.
• Shivani recommends donating through Buy Nothing groups for higher emotional ROI compared to selling items.
• Weekly mini-decluttering (like Shivani’s Sunday morning routine) keeps clutter from building up.
• Inventory management can include digital notes tracking the last use of items, making decisions easier over time.
• Building a system for acquiring fewer new items is as important as decluttering old ones.

Quotes:

• "It’s required. I can either live with clutter and be stressed, or declutter and have more peace."
• "When money is involved, people act entitled. When gifting through Buy Nothing, there’s gratitude and community."
• "Mind mapping my inventory turned something overwhelming into something manageable."
• "Time is as valuable as money. Negotiating on Facebook Marketplace wasn’t worth it for me."

Resource Mentioned:

• Buy Nothing Project (Facebook Groups and local chapters)
• Freecycle

• 
  

  Subscribe & Leave a Review:

  If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review on Spotify, iHeartRadio, Apple Podcasts or your favorite podcast platform. Your feedback helps us reach more listeners and continue to bring you valuable content!

  Episodes Released Weekly on Tuesdays

  This episode of Destress the Nest is sponsored by Heron House Management.

Episode Summary

In this episode, Hannah talks with executive coach, facilitator, and mom of two, Sam, about how to recognize, set, and hold boundaries in both work and home life. Sam shares a thoughtful and approachable framework for identifying where boundaries already exist and where they might need reinforcement. They discuss how parenting can strengthen your skills in communication and leadership, and how tools like calendar blocks can help make boundary-setting easier and more sustainable.

Key Takeaways

• You already have boundaries—they might just need adjusting
• Resentment is often a sign that a boundary is being crossed
• Identify where you're already successful with boundaries and apply those strategies elsewhere
• Skills developed through parenting, like clear communication and prioritization, translate to the workplace
• Boundaries need to be clearly communicated to be effective
• Tools like calendar blocking and transition time can support your boundaries
• It's okay to flex boundaries, but if you're constantly overriding them, it's time to reevaluate

Quotes

• "You’ve got boundaries—they just might be too porous or not working for you"
• "A signal that your boundaries aren’t working is resentment"
• "If you can hold a boundary with your toddler, you can hold one with a colleague"
• "Make it the obvious choice to hold your boundary. That’s not cheating—it’s being smart"
• "When you hold a boundary, it’s not a surprise. You’ve communicated it in advance"

Resources Mentioned

• Sam's coaching solutions: https://www.thefloat.space/
• Calendar blocking and buffer time
• Exercises to identify resentment as a signal
• Coaching strategies for carrying parenting strengths into the workplace

• 
  

  Subscribe & Leave a Review:

If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review on Spotify, iHeartRadio, Apple Podcasts or your favorite podcast platform. Your feedback helps us reach more listeners and continue to bring you valuable content!

Episodes Released Weekly on Tuesdays

This episode of Destress the Nest is sponsored by Heron House Management.

About Heron House Management:

Heron House Management⁠ is a virtual house management service that takes the stress out of your busy life by taking on your mental load and managing your To Do list. We provide fractional virtual house management for busy families at 5, 10 and 15+ hours/month.

Meal planning, signing up for kids activities, scheduling doctor's appointments, finding a house cleaner, planning your kid's birthday party, getting quotes for that home renovation project, or scheduling a monthly date night with your significant other and so much more. We do it all!

In this episode, Hannah sits down with Dr. Anne Welsh—a clinical psychologist, leadership coach, and mom of four—to explore the emotional and practical barriers that keep so many of us from asking for help. Whether at home or in the workplace, women are often socialized to be self-reliant and over-capable, but Dr. Welsh shares why vulnerability is actually a strength, and how learning to delegate can create more meaningful relationships and stronger teams.

Episode Summary:

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• Why asking for help feels hard, especially for high-achieving women
• The subtle mindset shift that makes asking for help feel good for both sides
• How delegating can open doors to growth—in your career and in your personal life
• How to identify what to keep on your plate and what to let go of
• The ripple effect of modeling healthy boundaries for your family and colleagues

• Key Takeaways:
  • Letting others in—at work or at home—isn’t weakness. It’s a way to build trust, deepen connection, and free yourself up to do what truly lights you up.

  Quotes from the Episode:

• "People are asking for help all the time—we just don’t always notice it. When we start paying attention, we realize we’re not supposed to do this all alone." – Dr. Anne Welsh

"It actually feels good to help someone. Asking for help isn’t a burden—it’s an invitation to deepen a relationship." – Dr. Anne Welsh

"If you do everything yourself and never delegate, you become irreplaceable—and that’s not a good thing if you want to grow." – Dr. Anne Welsh

"I could do this, sure—but someone else can do it better. Delegating lets me focus on what really matters." – Hannah Morgan

Resources Mentioned:

• Dr. Anne Welsh’s coaching services
• Heron House Management’s Etsy Shop w/ Summer Camp Planner

Subscribe & Leave a Review:

If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review on Spotify, iHeartRadio, Apple Podcasts or your favorite podcast platform. Your feedback helps us reach more listeners and continue to bring you valuable content!

Episodes Released Weekly on Tuesdays

This episode of Destress the Nest is sponsored by Heron House Management.

About Heron House Management:

Heron House Management⁠ is a virtual house management service that takes the stress out of your busy life by taking on your mental load and managing your To Do list. We provide fractional virtual house management for busy families at 5, 10 and 15+ hours/month.

Meal planning, signing up for kids activities, scheduling doctor's appointments, finding a house cleaner, planning your kid's birthday party, getting quotes for that home renovation project, or scheduling a monthly date night with your significant other and so much more. We do it all!

In this episode, Hannah is joined by returning guest Chaitali Narla to talk about what it really means to “build your village” as a working parent. Chaitali shares candid reflections from her own life as a mom, career coach, and startup leader after leaving a 15-year career at Google. Together, they unpack the emotional and logistical realities of raising children without nearby extended family and explore how friendship, community, and even paid caregivers become part of the modern village.

Episode Summary:

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• Key Takeaways:
  • Your village won’t appear overnight—it takes intention. You need to both give and receive support to cultivate lasting relationships.
  • Villages are not just made of family. Friends, teachers, sitters, neighbors, and even paid helpers can all be essential parts of your support network.
  • It’s okay to rely on paid support. Trust, mutual respect, and shared investment matter more than whether someone is on your payroll.
  • The village supports more than just logistics—it supports joy. Building community enables rest, personal time, and stronger relationships, not just emergency coverage.

  Quotes from the Episode:

• “Your village isn’t just there when you want it—you have to build it before you need it.”
• “It’s not just about who you can count on, but also who you show up for.”
• “The ‘lean in’ philosophy is missing the recharge—it’s not sustainable if you’re pouring from an empty cup.”

Resources Mentioned:

• Chaitali Narla on LinkedIn
• Chaitali’s career coaching – Group coaching, 1:1s, and her course
• Getting to 50/50 by Sharon Meers and Joanna Strober – A book on shared parenting and gender equity at home
• Lean In by Sheryl Sandberg – Referenced in discussion as a once-defining philosophy now due for evolution

Subscribe & Leave a Review:

If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review on Spotify, iHeartRadio, Apple Podcasts or your favorite podcast platform. Your feedback helps us reach more listeners and continue to bring you valuable content!

Episodes Released Weekly on Tuesdays

This episode of Destress the Nest is sponsored by Heron House Management.

About Heron House Management:

Heron House Management⁠ is a virtual house management service that takes the stress out of your busy life by taking on your mental load and managing your To Do list. We provide fractional virtual house management for busy families at 5, 10 and 15+ hours/month.

Meal planning, signing up for kids activities, scheduling doctor's appointments, finding a house cleaner, planning your kid's birthday party, getting quotes for that home renovation project, or scheduling a monthly date night with your significant other and so much more. We do it all!

Summary:

In this episode, we’re joined by Chiao Dyi—career coach, podcaster, and mom of three—who shares how she brings her project management mindset into parenting by turning chores into games. From before-and-after room cleanups to sock-matching races with chocolate prizes, Chiao Dyi gives us a behind-the-scenes look at how she keeps her kids engaged and her house running smoothly. Plus, she draws powerful parallels between managing a household and managing a career, showing how fun, structure, and incentives can transform even the most dreaded tasks.

Key Takeaways:

• Chores don’t have to be a battle—they can be playful, empowering, and even motivating.
• Benchmarking progress against your own starting point fosters confidence and reduces sibling rivalry.
• Rewards don’t have to be big—simple prizes like choosing dinner or skipping a walk go a long way.
• Many parenting strategies also apply in leadership and team management.
• Gamifying routines can be especially helpful for neurodiverse individuals or those who thrive on structure and incentives.

Quotes from the Episode:

- “It’s not just about making chores fun—it’s about teaching them life skills, self-awareness, and motivation.” – Chiao Dyi

- “I’m just riding this out until it stops working—then we’ll mix it up. That’s life, right?” – Chiao Dyi

- “One of my kids said, ‘Okay, what’s the next game we’re gonna play?’ And I was like… music to my ears!” – Chiao Dyi

Resources Mentioned:

• Podcast: Parenthood Bytes (https://parenthoodbytes.co/) – Hosted by Chiao Dyi, featuring interviews with parents in tech
• Parenting Tip: Use before-and-after photos as a self-comparison tool
• Incentives Used: Walk passes, chocolate pieces, choosing family meals

If you try any of Chiao Dyi’s chore games, let us know! We’d love to hear how it goes in your house.

Subscribe & Leave a Review:

If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review on Spotify, iHeartRadio, Apple Podcasts or your favorite podcast platform. Your feedback helps us reach more listeners and continue to bring you valuable content!

Episodes Released Weekly on Tuesdays

This episode of Destress the Nest is sponsored by Heron House Management.

About Heron House Management:

Heron House Management⁠ is a virtual house management service that takes the stress out of your busy life by taking on your mental load and managing your To Do list. We provide fractional virtual house management for busy families at 5, 10 and 15+ hours/month.

Meal planning, signing up for kids activities, scheduling doctor's appointments, finding a house cleaner, planning your kid's birthday party, getting quotes for that home renovation project, or scheduling a monthly date night with your significant other and so much more. We do it all!