Happy Holiday season friends!! Today, Britt Smith, founder of She Is Kindred, joins me on the podcast and we get real about what it means as mothers when hear the phrase "holiday season". To be honest that is a loaded phrase often associated with exhaustion and endless lists of things to accomplish. But why? Who sets those boundaries and expectations? The short answer is we do!!  So, what if we start to change that narrative? 

Britt and I talk though how to be intentional during this season and the importance of about quality interactions over quantity. Kids look back and remember moments. Setting boundaries with activities and events is key for your mental health during this season. Please remember your responsibility is to support your family and your health and maybe that makes the holiday season look a little different this year and that is ok! 

Please like and share this episode with all of your friends and let's start normalizing a slower pace around the holidays and simply encouraging each other to be present. I hope you find this episode empowering and I want to wish you a joyous season filled with laughter and time spent with the ones you love. 

#109: She is Kindred: A Storytelling Collective w/ Britt Smith 
Ways to find Britt:
Instagram: Brittany Smith (@brittnikelsmith) • Instagram photos and videos
Instagram: She is Kindred (@sheiskindredco) • Instagram photos and videos
Website: Home (sheiskindred.org)


Ways to Find Embrace. Live. Thrive.:
Website: Embrace, Live, Thrive! (embracelivethrive.com)
Instagram: Sarah Meyer (@embracelivethrive) • Instagram photos and videos
Facebook: Embrace, Live, Thrive | O'Fallon MO | Facebook

Britt Bio: Brittany Smith is the vision casting dreamer behind She is Kindred. She's a full-time creative, with a thriving photography + film business that she owns with her husband, Smitty. Britt is a lifelong writer + musician with a heart for storytelling through the arts, and She is Kindred is a project that she believes God has been forming in her for much of her adult life. She lives in the St. Louis area with her husband, Smitty, their four homeschooled kids, and their incredible au pair from Ecuador.

Handling the Holidays w/ Britt Smith

A podcast to start the hard conversations surrounding motherhood and normalizing issues with mental health. To teach women that taking care of themselves is the best way to care for their families. We will be talking through issues in mental, social, nutritional, and physical health to educate ourselves on living a balanced life. But knowing we have to first address our mental health as a means to create success in all areas of your life.&nbsp;

Education

Training

Language Courses

Higher Education

K-12

Educational Technology

Health & Fitness

Mental Health

Self-Improvement

Today, Carol Prosser, joins me on the podcast and we talk about one of biggest topics that many parents struggle with knowing where to start, discipline. Parenting is filled with so many responsibilities and often feels overwhelming and just plain hard. Carol shares her wisdom and insight on the topic of biblical discipline and helps grounds us in truths that God shares with us through His word. 

Carol walks us through different levels of misbehavior, tips around how to make discipline more impactful for our children, natural/logical consequences, and even helps us think through ways we might be training our kids in disobedience. Parenting will always be unique to each of our families as we all have different needs. As mothers we know our children best, and this conversation holds some great information about how to structure our discipline to help our children address the root (heart) of the misbehavior and not just the fruit (action).  

Please like and share this episode with friends and family. You are not alone in this journey and there are many amazing resources to help you as you navigate all the ups and downs that come. Remember, it is ok to not be ok, but let's not stay there. 

Book Resources: 
Boundaries with Kids: How Healthy Choices Grow Healthy Children

Ways to Find Carol: 
Contact me and I'll connect you. 

Ways to Find Embrace. Live. Thrive.:
Website: Embrace, Live, Thrive! (embracelivethrive.com)
Instagram: Sarah Meyer (@embracelivethrive) • Instagram photos and videos
Facebook: Embrace, Live, Thrive | O'Fallon MO | Facebook

Parenting: Basics around Biblical Discipline

Today, Katie Fischer, LPC-S, RPT, joins me on the podcast and we have an excellent conversation surrounding this big topic of our children and anxiety. There is a lot to process when it comes to understanding the world around us, add anxiety to the mix and it can become paralyzing. Now, think about how we might handle that understanding with decades less of experience. Our little humans have so much to learn, helping provide them with support and coping strategies can help make some of that learning a little smoother. 

Katie knocks it out of the park teaching us about understanding basic needs, how to recognize signs of that our children might be struggling and gives us so many tips on how to equip them when they are in a moment of anxiety.  I felt so encouraged and seen as we talked through questions surrounding this topic. I know I will be referring to this information again and again. 

Please listen, like, and leave a review as we work to continue to build awareness that it's ok to not be ok, but let's not stay there. I know a lot of us are living in survival mode at the moment, but does it have to be that way? There will always be moments where we are just surviving, but learning how to care for our body's mental, social, nutritional, and physical health is how we transition from just surviving to thriving. Curious to know more? Send me a message and let's chat.  

Ways to Find Katie: 
Website: Stay & Play Counseling (stayandplaycounseling.com)
Facebook: (7) Facebook
Calm Breathing Fish

Ways to Find Embrace. Live. Thrive.:
Website: Embrace, Live, Thrive! (embracelivethrive.com)
Instagram: Sarah Meyer (@embracelivethrive) • Instagram photos and videos
Facebook: Embrace, Live, Thrive | O'Fallon MO | Facebook

Katie Bio: 
Welcome! The fact that you have made your way here  is HUGE!   It means that you have taken the first step to seeking the help your child needs. Finding your way to a healthy, happy child is a journey that takes one step at a time. Hello! My name is Katie Fischer and I am the owner of Stay & Play Counseling, LLC. I am a Licensed Professional Counselor  and Registered Play Therapist who is passionate about  using the power of play to help children through difficult times. I bring over 20 years of experience working with children to my private practice including many years of work in the school setting as an elementary school teacher and school counselor, as well as a therapist in an early childhood setting. I work primarily with children ages 3-12 and their families to navigate challenging circumstances in their lives including trauma, anxiety, depression, behavioral problems, school-related struggles, death and loss, divorce, peer/sibling conflict, and anger management. Each child deserves a personal, unique approach to achieving their best self and I believe Play Therapy is the answer! Play Therapy allows the child to process these struggles through a non-judgemental, play-based approach with a safe, trusting adult. Through Play Therapy, children learn ways to improve communication skills, express feelings appropriately, gain problem solving skills, and develop better relational skills. I value a strong relationship with my client, as well as their caregivers and communication between the family and therapist. Finding the right person to work with your child can be a daunting process and I am so glad you found Stay & Play! Please reach out to me with any questions you may have or to learn more about my practice.

Parenting: Recognizing and Supporting our Children's Anxiety w/Katie Fischer

Today, Tori Tilton, owner of "Share the Soap" joins me on the podcast and we talk all things goat milk. Tori started her journey with goats needing an alternative source of milk for her family and decided to try out soap making as a way to use the extra milk she had around her home. What began as a learning experience for her family turned into an entire goat milk empire. 

Tori shares about her experiences with her own products and why a low tox alternative to skin care products became so important for her and her family. We know that we need to be mindful of what we are putting into our bodies and being active, but have you considered the impact of what you are putting on your body? Being intentional about all your products is key in living a truly healthy lifestyle. 

Please check out Tori's websites and social media for a ton of awesome information and products. Also, like and share this episode to spread awareness that you don't ever have to settle about what you are putting on, in, or around your body. 

Ways to Find Tori: 
Website: Share the soap goat milk aromatic bath and body skin care – ShareTheSoap
          Share the Soap, with CBD – Share The Soap, with CBD (bathbombswithcbd.com)
FB: (2) Facebook
IG: Share the Soap (@sharethesoap) • Instagram photos and videos

Ways to Find Embrace. Live. Thrive.:
Website: Embrace, Live, Thrive! (embracelivethrive.com)
Instagram: Sarah Meyer (@embracelivethrive) • Instagram photos and videos
Facebook: Embrace, Live, Thrive | O'Fallon MO | Facebook

Tori Bio: 
In the Fall of 2003 I started making goat milk soap while looking for something to do with the extra milk from our dairy goats. My first batch of soap was a failure! That started a passion of researching oils, attending soap courses, studying formulation and MANY test batches of soap until I got it right and that Winter,  was the first Winter my hands didn't crack and bleed for as long as I could remember (years!)!  Today, I'm convinced we have the very best soap you can use for your skin!  It's like using a soap and a lotion at the same time and as a lifelong student of aromatherapy, I love incorporating what I'm learning into our products to enhance your day naturally while caring for your skin. A little more about our products: We have family that have severe chemical sensitivities so I started studying about essential oils and decided to only use essential oils or plant fragrances, not chemical fragrances in our products. The colorants I use for our soaps are made from natural colorings and mineral micas. The oils and butters you'll find in our soaps are not the cheapest, but the highest grade and purest that we can source as close to home as possible. I am not interested in producing the cheapest bar of soap possible, there are lots of those out there already. I'm interested in creating the BEST formulations and most skin-loving bars for your skin, even if you have sensitive skin.  Our packaging and materials used for shipping are eco-friendly and we're constantly trying new items and ideas to reduce waste and our carbon footprint. Our workshop is powered by solar and we reduce and reuse as much as possible. We work hard to provide ways for you to enhance your day naturally and to support you thru your every day "to do list" as well as when you need a little more rest and relaxation. We would love to support your journey! We invite you to experience the difference with Share the Soap! 

Natural Skin Care: Share the Soap w/ Tori Tilton

Today, Amy Keith, DoTerra Wellness Advocate, joins me on the podcast and we have a wonderful conversation about all things essential oils. Amy is a teacher who has found a passion for not only teaching kids in the daytime, but also educating adults about how to use essential oils to support their health and daily wellness. From the very first conversation I had with Amy about essential oils, her passion it was clear to me, and that she was the perfect person to help break down the foundational information around understanding essential oils.  

I would imagine you have heard about oils and likely even used them at this point, but, if you are like me, you are iffy on how to use them more than just sporadically in my diffuser.  Amy tells us all the ways to use them safely and does a phenomenal explaining the importance of understanding where your oils have come from and why you need to use quality oils. She shares about how, in her own life, she has moved to using her oils preventively to help support her stress levels and health. I have been inspired to use my oils more in my daily life as well after this awesome conversation. 

As you listen, I hope you are inspired to learn more about how to use oils in your own life. Amy reminds us that its just start with understanding just one oil, getting comfortable with that, and then adding another. Please like and share this episode with your friends and let's help spread awareness about this incredible way to naturally support your body and health. Remember, it's ok to not be ok, but let's not stay there.  

Resources Mentioned: 
Book:  Modern Essential Handbook: The Premier Introductory Guide to the Therapeutic Use of Essential Oils Websites: 
AromaTools - Essential Oil Tools & Accessories
Oil Magic Book
doTERRA eBooks—Archive | doTERRA Essential Oils

Ways to Find Amy:
Email: amy.keith@sbcglobal.net
Instagram: Amy Keith (@wellness.is.worth.it) • Instagram photos and videos

Ways to Find Embrace. Live. Thrive.:
Website: Embrace, Live, Thrive! (embracelivethrive.com)
Instagram: Sarah Meyer (@embracelivethrive) • Instagram photos and videos
Facebook: Embrace, Live, Thrive | O'Fallon MO | Facebook

Amy Bio: 
Welcome, friend! I’m so glad you are here! Although I don’t know enough about technology to be doing this, here I am! My hope is that I can help you find natural solutions to your health and wellness issues! Wellness is a journey, and I can promise, it is worth it! My husband and I have been married for 37 years and we have two beautiful kids, both grown and married! Our labradoodle, Sophie, is a fully trained therapy dog and is about to retire along aside myself in just a couple of months from teaching reading to special needs kiddos. I love nature, gardening, reading, my family, and learning and teaching about DoTerra essential oils and everything wellness.

Essential Oil 101: The What, The Why, & The How

Katie Bynum returns to the podcast to share about her incredible new ministry, E3. Katie has had a passion to create a safe space to encourage, equip, and embrace all things motherhood for women since her own motherhood journey began 16 years ago. 

Katie and I talk about the foundations of E3, but we go on to discuss common anxiety triggers in motherhood, and practical tips to help manage all the changes that come with starting a family. Katie's kindness and passion shines through with every word and tip she shares. I hope you hear today's conversation and are encouraged to know you are not alone, equipped knowing it takes daily renewal, and excited to continue to embrace your high calling of motherhood.  

As you listen and are inspired, please share this podcast with your loved ones and help spread the missions of E3 and Embrace. Live. Thrive. Remembering that it's ok to not be ok, but let's not stay there. If you are struggling, please reach out and let's figure out your next step to health and healing. 

Ways to Find Katie: 
E3 Registration: https://2rivers.churchcenter.com/registrat.../events/2034953
Facebook: (1) Facebook
Instagram: Katie Black Bynum (@katiecbynum) • Instagram photos and videos

E3 Details:
The vision of E3 Moms Group is to encourage and equip moms of all ages and stages to embrace the high calling of motherhood. Each week we will apply God’s Word to mothering and incorporate all 3Es; Encourage, Equip and Embrace.

Through E3 Moms a community will form which will allow moms to support and encourage one another.
2 Corinthians 3:4 - "Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort,  who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God."

E3 will meet on Fridays twice a month from 9:00-11:00 am
Childcare will be available (must register your children) 

Handling the Holidays w/ Britt Smith

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