Get Mom Ready Podcast

If you’ve ever eaten a rushed lunch on a Zoom call, sighed at the amount of unread texts on your phone, or over-explained your “no,” this episode is for you.

In this week’s episode, we’re talking about principled living and what it looks like to make decisions from your values instead of every demand, meltdown, or email ping.

Meredith calls it building your “internal operating system.” Hannah frames it as trusting your intuition. Together, we unpack what it means to decide before the moment so that when life gets chaotic, we can show up grounded and confident—whether that’s in the boardroom, the playroom, or the carpool line.

Tune in to hear:

• Why principled living starts with knowing yourself (and why that takes practice) • How boundaries really work: they’re about what you will do, not forcing others to change • Detaching from reactivity, not from people—staying connected while staying calm • The “walking out of myself” test: how to tell when you’re betraying your own values • Why disappointing others is sometimes the most principled thing you can do

Things We Love (and Mentioned)

• Boundaries by Henry Cloud & John Townsend - The OG “say no without feeling like the worst human” book. We unpack how boundaries aren’t about controlling others—they’re about deciding what you will do.

• Extraordinary Relationships by Roberta Gilbert - An oldie (with a very 80s cover) but a mind-blower on living from your values instead of reactivity. Meredith says it’s the book you’ll throw across the room and then pick back up.

• Pediped (sponsor): Use code MOMREADY for 20% off your first order at pediped.com. Iris picked the orange-and-pink Flex this week and we’re obsessed.

Quick & Actionable Steps From the Episode:

* When did I feel most “reactive” this week? What value of mine felt threatened in that moment?

* What are the top 3 values I want to lead with this season (e.g., presence, honesty, margin, generosity)? Why these three?

* Where am I walking out of myself? (Look for the pit-in-your-stomach, procrastinated text, or over-explaining “no.”)

* What is one place I’m outsourcing decisions to “shoulds” (internet, relatives, group chat) instead of my own discernment?

* What disappointment am I willing to tolerate in others so I can stop disappointing myself?

Hannah created this Principled Living Guide for our paid subscribers to have a practical list of questions they can work through to build their own list of principles they want to live by.

Scripts You Can Steal

* Capacity-honest no: “I wish I could. I’m at capacity this week, so I’ll pass. Let’s try for next month.”

* Boundary-in-action (not control): “If the conversation turns disrespectful, I’m going to end the call and we can try again later.”Lunch on Zoom: “I’m eating so I can stay focused—I’ll mute while I chew.”

* Parenting pause: “I’m not ready to answer. I’ll think about it and circle back after dinner.”

* Friend disappointment (and it’s okay): “I know this is a bummer. I’m choosing rest tonight so I can show up well tomorrow.”

Come hang with us:

• Upgrade to the paid community at GetMomReady.com for behind-the-scenes content, reflection prompts, and practical templates we’re creating. • Join us on Instagram @GetMomReady—we’d love to hear the principles you’re living by this fall

Hey friend—this week is our first topic episode! We’re talking about the courage to change your mind about work and motherhood, how to tell intuition from anxiety, and why giving yourself room to pivot is a gift to you and the people around you.

Along the way, we detour into finding ways to engage in your own hobbies as a mom, color analysis (because yes, your cherry red can make you feel instantly more “put together”), and a mindset shift that beats the Saturday “mom guilt” spiral.

In This Episode

* Change your mind without the shame spiral. “This is the best decision for our family right now” can be true today—and different next season.

* Intuition vs. anxiety. A simple check to spot the difference and choose your next right step.

* Scarcity → abundance. Borrowing from Carol Dweck’s Mindset, we reframe Saturdays (and mom life) away from “I must make every minute perfect” to “I’m grateful for this day—and there are many more to come.”

* Work, identity, and wholeness. It’s not either/or. You’re allowed to design a life that makes you feel more whole.

* Friendly heads-up. If Meredith sounds a tad like a robot this week, forgive her—she was in Hawaii on a hotspot (dreamy backdrop, crunchy Wi-Fi). And yes, Meredith still isn’t on social media. Connect with her here.

Get Mom Ready is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

Stuff We Mentioned

* Color Analysis: Meredith’s Choice: House of Colour

* SLUMBERPOD: Because sleep is everyone’s love language

* Book: Mindset by Carol Dweck (fixed vs. growth—helpful for moms and littles)

* Pediped: Our incredible sponsor - kid, parent, and pediatrician-approved footwear for children. Use code MOMREADY at checkout for 20% off your first order at pediped.com.

Join us: Subscribe free at GetMomReady.com for weekly episodes. Upgrade to the paid community for templates, behind-the-scenes, and deeper dives on identity, capacity, and rhythms.

Leave us a Comment: What’s one decision you’re reconsidering right now—work, routines, or otherwise? We’d love to cheer you on.

Hi friends, it’s Hannah (your Mindset Mom).

If I could sum up my story in one phrase, it would be intentionality. For me, that looks like belonging to yourself, trusting your intuition, and giving yourself room to pivot when life changes.

But let’s be honest—living that way didn’t come naturally. It took a few career pivots and a hurricane (literally, Hurricane Harvey) to push me toward what I now know is my true calling: helping moms increase their capacity, find joy in motherhood, and love their kids well.

Layer on top of that: nursing struggles, two babies just 26 months apart, and the constant pressure I put on myself to be “more capable”—and you get a season that felt heavier than I imagined.

There were bathroom floor moments. There were “can we survive on one income?” phone calls. There were tears in the pediatrician’s office and days I wondered why it felt like I couldn’t “do it all”. But slowly, through therapy, faith, and a whole lot of stubbornness, my capacity did grow. And along the way, I learned that “hard” doesn’t mean “wrong.”

In this episode, I share honestly about all of it—the disappointment, the turning points, and the small, grace-filled wins that helped me find joy again. My hope is that it feels like sitting with a friend who says: you’re not crazy, it really is this hard… and you’re doing better than you think.

In this episode, you’ll hear:

* Why knowing to yourself matters more than pleasing everyone else

* How I literally worked myself out of a job—and why that was the right pivot

* The circus that comes with having 2 under 2 (potty-training a toddler while nursing a newborn, anyone?)

* How I learned that it’s okay to not be okay

* The grief of hitting capacity but still longing for a bigger family

* Why supporting moms first is the most powerful way to support kids

* Why I don’t buy into the idea that motherhood has to be miserable

Episode Shoutouts

* We love our friends at pediped®. They make shoes designed with pediatric science to support growing feet—because supportive shoes = thriving kids. Use code MOMREADY for 20% off your first order.

* Birds & bees- The Instagram account that saved me during the “how are babies born?” phase with my kids. Highly recommend.

We’ve now shared all four of our stories—mine, Meredith’s, Anna’s, and Holly’s. Starting next week, we’ll move from introductions into topics—the everyday realities of staying grounded as moms while raising kids. First up: personal fulfillment, the impact of external voices on decision-making, and integrating work and motherhood. I can’t wait.

With you,Hannah

PS: Subscribe at GetMomReady.com for weekly episodes (and behind-the-scenes extras if you’re part of our paid community). And come say hi on Instagram @GetMomReady—I’d love to hear your thoughts on this episode.

Get Mom Ready is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

Hi friends—Meredith here 👋 (your resident Wellness Mom and Enneagram 7 who, as you’ll learn, process tough emotions through humor. Welcome to the ride).

Today I’m sharing my journey to motherhood—four miscarriages, a moldy bathroom (yep), a detour into NaPro Fertility, acupuncture needles, and finally: letting go. I wish I could tell you I “zen-surrendered.” Actually, I rage-surrendered. And it was enough.

What I learned: your intuition often whispers the answer long before the experts do. Mine said “mold + acupuncture.” Once I did the work—and then stopped trying to control every lab result—my body surprised me. Cue my perfect little chubby prince, Ethan. 🍼

In this episode, I get into:

* Intuition > protocol: The moment “mold + acupuncture” landed while I was on an ultrasound table

* Rage-surrender: Why my turning point wasn’t candles and breathwork; it was “I’m done.”

* Finding the right care team: Hopeful, human practitioners > sterile “cautious optimism”

* Humor as a lifeline: Taylor Swift on blast, a bathtub, and one very necessary whiskey 🥃

* Being “right on schedule”: The most annoying, and strangely comforting, truth

Stuff we mentioned (and why I love it):

* Sponsor: PediPed.com — Comfy, foot-healthy shoes for little walkers. Use code MOMREADY for 20% off your order.

* e.l.f. Halo Glow Filter — Hannah’s “did you get a facial?” foundation dupe. ( She did not. She just glows.)

* 🩺 NaPro (Natural Procreative Technology) — The fertility specialty I tried; helpful for investigating hormone patterns like progesterone.

If you’re in the thick of it…

You are not alone. Whether you’re testing, trying, grieving, or resting—your timeline isn’t behind. You’re right on schedule, even if that sentence makes you want to throw a shoe at me today. (Fair.)

Come hang with us

* Say hi on IG @GetMomReady

* Paid folks: My Postpartum Wellness Guide is available to you now.

Get Mom Ready is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

Next week on Get Mom Ready…

We’re dropping our last intro episode before we dive into weekly topics: Hannah Castle (our Mindset Mom) shares her story on her career in social work and experience in motherhood, including the challenges of breastfeeding, handling multiple young children, and the emotional and mental toll it takes. It’s validating, practical, and so compassionate.

With you,Meredith 💛

P.S. Friendly boundary: please skip the “I’m so sorry” replies—send me your story, your questions, or your favorite healthy snack recipe instead. 😉

Hi, I’m Anna—mom to Emmie, wife to Phillip, and the operations arm behind Get Mom Ready. Today I’m sharing something that no mama-to-be plans for: our journey with congenital heart disease (CHD) and what it’s looked like to embrace being a “medical mom.”

In this episode, I talk about finding out during pregnancy that something was wrong with our daughter’s heart, navigating multiple hospital stays and surgeries, and how we’ve learned to hold the tension of making everyday life magical while still parenting with boundaries. If you’re walking through medical unknowns—or love someone who is—I hope this conversation helps you feel seen and a little less alone.

In this episode, I share:

* The day we learned about Emmie’s congenital heart disease and how quickly life changed

* What hospital life really looks like (including the 2:22 moment I’ll never forget)

* How community carried us—and practical ways to let people help

* Marriage in the middle of medical trauma: what supported us and what we learned the hard way

* The phrase I’m living by right now: “It’s not that serious” (and when it is)

Links & mentions

* Get Mom Ready: Subscribe free or join the paid community → GetMomReady.com

* Paid members get my Hospital Packing List (what to bring for everything from a quick stay to the long hauls).

Get Mom Ready is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

Get Mom Ready is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

* Pediped Footwear (today’s sponsor): Thoughtfully made kids’ shoes from sandals to sneakers → pediped.com

* Use code MOMREADY for 20% off your first order.

* Jones Road Beauty: Bobbi Brown’s clean makeup line we keep mentioning → jonesroadbeauty.com

* BrüMate: The handled, twist-to-close water bottle Meredith won’t stop talking about

* Berne Brown on The Tim Ferriss Show - How to Save Your Marriage

* Radical Candor (the book that changed my life)

* Our Favorites List: A single place for everything we rave about on the show → free access at GetMomReady.com

* Join us on Instagram for extras and to share your story: @GetMomReady

For the moms in the thick of it

If you’re facing CHD or any kind of medical unknown with your child, your feelings are valid. Let people help. Take the walk. Eat the ice cream for breakfast sometimes. And when you can, remember: not everything is that serious—but the love you’re building absolutely is.

Paid community members can grab my Hospital Packing List today at GetMomReady.com. I made it so you don’t have to think when you’re already carrying so much.

What’s next?

Next week, we hear from Meredith Mayo (our Wellness Mom). She gets vulnerable sharing never-before-heard stories about her road to motherhood and the hardship of walking through miscarriage. Meredith opens up about the grief, the grit, and how her Enneagram 7 spirit helped her find light even in the darkest seasons. At the heart of it all? Learning to trust your gut as a mom. Don’t miss it.

Follow along on Instagram: @GetMomReady

—Anna

It’s here, friends—the very first episode of Get Mom Ready (A production of The Ready Network)!

We’re four moms, in four different phases of motherhood, with one mission: to help you stay grounded while raising your kids.

In this first episode, Holly (👋 hi, that’s me!) shares her story of becoming a mom—the joy, the heartbreak, the pumping saga, and why I believe moms deserve a space that’s not just about parenting, but about you.

No matter what phase of motherhood you’re in—we want you to feel seen here.

What you’ll hear in today’s episode:

* Why we created Get Mom Ready (spoiler: because moms are more than “just moms”).

* My story of miscarriage, loss, and eventually welcoming our daughter Iris 🌈.

* The reality of exclusively pumping for a year (portable pumps for the win 🙌).

* How each of my co-hosts—Hannah Castle, LCSW, Anna Baker, and Meredith Mayo, MSW, NTP—brings a different perspective to this community.

Products & Mentions from this episode:

* Jones Road Beauty Miracle Cream (we’re manifesting that Bobbi Brown collab ✨).

* Jimmy Fallon’s kids’ books: Everything is Mama + Everything is Dada.

* Pediped 👟 – Our very first sponsor! Shoes designed by a mom, for babies, toddlers, and kids. Use code MOMREADY for 20% off your first order at pediped.com.

(Psst. access our running list of favorite mom-approved products here.)

Join the conversation

We’d love to hear from you! Share your biggest challenge as a mom, or what you want us to talk about next, in the discussion board on GetMomReady.com.

And don’t forget—you can subscribe for free weekly episodes, or upgrade to our paid community for bonus content and deeper conversations.

What’s next?

Next week, Anna gets real about her journey as a medical mom—navigating hospital stays, surgeries, and the perspective shift it brought to her parenting. You don’t want to miss it. Follow along on Instagram here.

Hey friend,

Motherhood is messy, beautiful, and overwhelming — and if you’re anything like us, you’ve probably wondered: Who am I in the middle of all this?

That’s why we created Get Mom Ready — a podcast (and community!) about staying grounded in who you are while raising your kids.

I (Holly!) teamed up with three amazing women who each bring a unique perspective:

* Hannah Castle — our Mindset Mom (therapist & social worker)

* Meredith Mayo — our Wellness Mom (whole-person health enthusiast)

* Anna Baker — our Medical Mom (resilience is her superpower)

* And me, your Working Mom (making work work in a way that feels right for you)

Each week, we’ll bring you real, raw, and relatable conversations for moms, by moms — the kind that make you feel seen, help you exhale, and maybe even laugh-snort into your coffee.

Because motherhood doesn’t come with a manual, but it can come with a community. And that’s what we’re building here.

Episode one drops Monday.

We’re so glad you’re here. 💛

Why Join the Inner Circle?

Our weekly podcast is free for every mom — but if you want to go a layer deeper, that’s where our Inner Circle comes in.

As a paid member, you’ll get:✨ Juicy behind-the-scenes moments we can’t share on the main feed✨ 2 times a week, we'll share our most helpful tools, templates, and resources for real mom life✨ Exclusive conversations with all-star guests we know you’ll love✨ A front-row seat to the laughs, the tears, and the “same here” moments

The best part? Every mom is welcome. Whether you’re a Type A scheduler, a Type B free spirit, or somewhere in between — you belong here.

Because motherhood is better when we don’t do it alone.

Join the inner circle as a paid subscriber:

Get Mom Ready is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a paid subscriber.

Holly, Hannah, Meredith & AnnaGetMomReady.com