Pausing is a Mother! All too often, we get in the habit of pushing onward without pausing to reflect on how far we’ve come, acknowledging the bumps we’ve navigated to achieve our goals, and celebrating all the wonderful things that happened along the way. 

On episode 24 of ___ Is a Mother, we take our own advice to pause and reflect on our wins and lessons from 2024 so we can look ahead to what’s on the horizon for us, personally, professionally, and for the podcast in 2025. In the final episode of Season 2, we: 

• Highlight some of our most cherished moments from last year. 
• Discuss areas of personal and professional growth we experienced in 2024.
• Give updates on our boys: how the new schools are going, and celebrating their (and our) growth over the last year. 
• Update our community on Jamie’s upcoming surgery and continued journey of healing. 
• Spill the tea on what’s in store for the future of the podcast. 

Hitting the pause button can be a powerful act of self-care. As we close out Season 2 of the podcast, we want to extend our heartfelt gratitude to you for being on this journey with us, and we encourage you to take a pause and celebrate your wins, as well. Especially at this moment in time (February 2025), self-care is extremely important to stay well and resilient. Communities are critical for lifting each individual up so that no one person falls, and collectively, we will rise. As much as you can – check in on your friends. 

Thank you for listening! If you enjoyed this episode, please share on Instagram and tag us! Follow, rate, and review the podcast, and tell us your key takeaways. If there are topics you would like us to discuss in a future episode, we’re all ears. Thanks for being part of our inner circle and an important part of this community. Go call your best friend!

CONNECT WITH US:

@_IsAMotherpodcast on Instagram

YouTube

Work with Jamie! 

LINKS MENTIONED:

Ep 22: Breast Cancer is a Mother

The Garden Within by Dr. Anita Phillips 

Overcoming limiting beliefs is a Mother! Society puts forward unsustainable and often unattainable ideas of who we should be and what we should accomplish, setting us up for failure and on a path to burnout. These unrealistic expectations can lead to a host of limiting beliefs, keeping us from reaching our full potential and living our best and healthiest lives. 

In episode 23 of ___ Is a Mother, we are joined by Audrey Rose, a self-worth empowerment mentor, to discuss what limiting beliefs are, where they stem from, and how we can use her RISE process to overcome them. Some of the talking points we go over in this episode include:

• What the R.I.S.E. (Recognize, Interrogate, Shift, and Evolve) method is, and how to use it to overcome limiting beliefs. 
• RISE is an ongoing process that requires constant attention and self-work. An important part of that is rest!
• Giving yourself grace is also important, especially towards the end of the year when expectations are often heightened. 
• How to set realistic, sustainable goals for the new year while leaving space for rejuvenation. 

Regardless of any inner thoughts that may feel like they are holding you back at the moment, remember that you are worthy. You do not need to fit any societal mold. You get to choose your own path!

Thank you for listening! If you enjoyed this episode, please share on Instagram and tag us! Follow, rate, and review the podcast, and tell us your key takeaways. If there are topics you would like us to discuss in a future episode, we’re all ears. Thanks for being part of our inner circle and an important part of this community. Go call your best friend!

CONNECT WITH AUDREY:

Website

Instagram

90 Days of Self-Love Journal

Ready to Rise Podcast 

YouTube

CONNECT WITH US:

@_IsAMotherpodcast on Instagram

YouTube

Work with Jamie! 

LINKS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:

The Power of Habit by Charles Duhigg

Rest is Resistance by Tricia Hersey (also see her Rest Deck!)

Atomic Habits by James Clear 

Calm Mama Retreats

Breast Cancer is a Mother! In honor of breast cancer awareness month, I (Jamie) had the pleasure of sitting down with my mother, a 3x breast cancer survivor herself, as we get vulnerable on how breast cancer has impacted our lives. 

In episode 22 of ___ Is a Mother, we discuss how our breast cancer journey affected us as we were going through it, as well as having to watch the other one fight through it. Some of the talking points we go over in this episode include:

• Our individual breast cancer journeys, from how we were diagnosed to our treatment plans and the ongoing measures we take to monitor our health.
• The importance of leaning on your community of family, friends, and your medical team as you navigate this journey. 
• Leading with positivity while acknowledging and leaving space for all of the other emotions (fear, anger, uncertainty) that come up. 
• Encouraging you to be proactive with your healthcare through regular screenings, self-exams, and genetic testing if possible.  

As we close out Breast Cancer Awareness Month, we want to encourage you to be proactive with your health. Get your routine testing done and continue to do self-exams in between. You have nothing to lose but a life if you don’t do it.  

Thank you for listening! If you enjoyed this episode, please share on Instagram and tag us! Follow, rate, and review the podcast, and tell us your key takeaways. If there are topics you would like us to discuss in a future episode, we’re all ears. Thanks for being part of our inner circle and an important part of this community. Go call your best friend!

CONNECT WITH US:

@_IsAMotherpodcast on Instagram

YouTube

Work with Jamie! 

LINKS MENTIONED:

Limited Edition Maxine EMOVE Walking Shoes 

BRCA Strong Nonprofit

FORCE (Facing Our Risk of Cancer Empowered)

American Cancer Society

Modern parenting is a mother! As parents, there is so much we have to navigate and many difficult conversations that we need to have, and let’s be real– it’s not easy!

We often talk on the podcast about the importance of leaning on your community during this challenging parenting era, so when we connected with the ladies from Calm Mama Retreats for a collaboration, we knew it was meant to be. Imagine- a sanctuary for moms who need a break to focus on themselves for once and rediscover who they are, other than “Mom.” 

On episode 21 of ___ Is a Mother, we recorded live with a group of women from the Calm Mama Retreat–some long-time friends, some we had just met that weekend–to discuss the unique challenges and nuances of modern parenting, particularly around creating an environment to keep our children safe while allowing them the autonomy and confidence to explore and make decisions on their own. Some of the talking points we go over in this episode include:

• Using anatomical terms when talking to our children about their bodies and providing a safe and trusted space for children to explore and understand their bodies, physically and emotionally. 
• Trusting your parental instinct when it comes to your child’s safety and well-being.
• Thoughts and opinions on anxiety and boundaries around sleepovers and balancing trust in other families to care for your child. 
• The importance of equipping children with the skills they need to navigate the world, making their own choices and mistakes along the way.
• The positive impact of finding community with other moms (like in Calm Mama retreats!) to create a space for self-care and authentic connection. 

Thank you for listening! If you enjoyed this episode, please share on Instagram and tag us! Follow, rate, and review the podcast, and tell us your key takeaways. If there are topics you would like us to discuss in a future episode, we’re all ears. Thanks for being part of our inner circle and an important part of this community. Go call your best friend!

CONNECT WITH US:

@_IsAMotherpodcast on Instagram

YouTube

Work with Jamie! 

CONNECT WITH CALM MAMA:

Calm Mama Wellness Retreats

Instagram

LINKS MENTIONED:

Muna Coffee - use “ISAMOTHER” promo code for 10% off

Wellmane Beauty

Rachael Allex Photography (Sacramento, CA)

Speaking Spiritually with Amy and Felix Lee

My Body, My Self for Boys by Lynda Madaras

My Body, My Self for Girls by Lynda Madaras

Love and Logic

Back to school is a Mother! The start of a new school year can be a whirlwind of emotions for both parents and kids, especially when starting at a new school. We can spend all the time in the world planning and preparing, but the reality is that sometimes things don’t pan out the way we expected. 

On episode 20 of ___ Is a Mother, we’re sharing how our boys are adjusting to their new schools, the tears and triumphs we’ve gone through thus far, and how we, as parents, are balancing our new routines while trying to maintain our own self-care. Some of the talking points we go over in this episode include:

• An update on how our little ones are adjusting to the transition into a new school. 
• The challenges of making sure our kids are eating well and sleeping enough as they navigate their increased independence. 
• Predictions we have for our kids by the end of the school year. 
• How we as parents are managing our own routines and maintaining (or not maintaining) our self-care.

Thank you for listening! If you enjoyed this episode, please share on Instagram and tag us! Follow, rate, and review the podcast, and tell us your key takeaways. If there are topics you would like us to discuss in a future episode, we’re all ears. Thanks for being part of our inner circle and an important part of this community. Go call your best friend!

CONNECT WITH US:

@_IsAMotherpodcast on Instagram

YouTube

Work with Jamie! 

LINKS MENTIONED:

Ep 18: Kindergarten Readiness is a Mother

Ep 13: Self-Care is a Mother

10 Questions to Ask Your Kid Instead of, “How was School?”

Calm Mama Wellness Retreats

Nut-Free Oatmeal Energy Bites Recipe

Wavelength Protein

Self-love is a Mother! As mothers, we often lose sight of ourselves, especially once the school year starts and our world revolves around our children’s schedules. But as the saying goes, it’s important to remember to put on your own oxygen mask before helping others. That is exactly what we are doing by collaborating with Calm Mama Wellness Retreats for an upcoming retreat! Come get your Self Love on with us, mamas!

On episode 19 of ___ Is a Mother, we discuss how our summers have been so far and a look inside the upcoming Calm Mama Wellness Retreat we are attending with some of our listeners! Some of the talking points we go over in this episode include:

• The importance of intentional self-care and finding support through a community of like-minded mamas. 
• What we are personally looking forward to the most about the Calm Mama Retreat this September.
• A look into some of the activities and workshops the retreat offers (sound bath! vision board! massage! head shots!).

Join us for the Calm Mama Wellness Retreat September 27-29, 2024 in Castro Valley, CA. Use promo code “ISAMOTHER” for a special listener discount of $499 off! Space is limited and there are only a few spots left — grab yours asap.

Thank you for listening! If you enjoyed this episode, please share on Instagram and tag us! Follow, rate, and review the podcast, and tell us your key takeaways. If there are topics you would like us to discuss in a future episode, we’re all ears. Thanks for being part of our inner circle and an important part of this community. Go call your best friend!

CONNECT WITH US:

@_IsAMotherpodcast on Instagram

Work with Jamie! 

LINKS MENTIONED

Ep 18: Kindergarten Readiness is a Mother with Leigh Fitzgerald

Ep 9: Labeling Kids is a Mother with Dr. Nekeshia Hammond

Ep 17: AI is a Mother with Stephanie LeBlanc-Godfrey

Kindergarten readiness is a Mother! As parents, we want to do everything in our control to get our kids ready to enter Kindergarten, but what does it mean to be “Kindergarten ready”? Our guest Leigh Fitzgerald is a veteran Kindergarten teacher from San Diego, CA, and she joins us on the podcast to explain that Kindergarten readiness is less about knowing ABCs and 123s, and more about helping your kids be excited to be there and empowering agency.  

In episode 18 of ___ Is a Mother, we discuss the social, emotional, and academic skills kids need entering Kindergarten, and what parents can do to support their child (& their teacher) during a successful school year. Some of the talking points we go over in this episode include:

• The social and emotional benefits for children who attend any schooling outside of the home before Kindergarten. 
• Because of this, kids are entering Kindergarten with a higher level of skills and development than ever before.
• What Kindergarten readiness really looks like, beyond the ABCs and 123s.
• Technology is revolutionizing the way kids learn, and parents & teachers connect. 
• How to effectively communicate with and build relationships with your child’s teacher. 
• Ideas to show your child’s teacher how much you appreciate them. 

Episode corrections from Leigh:

In California, Transitional Kindergarten (TK) started in 2012 (not 2010, as mentioned). For the 2024-2025 school year, kids who turn 5 between September 2 and June 2 are eligible for Universal TK (UTK) in California. iReady is used in 600 districts in California (not all of them).

Thank you for listening! If you enjoyed this episode, please share on Instagram and tag us! Follow, rate, and review the podcast, and tell us your key takeaways. If there are topics you would like us to discuss in a future episode, we’re all ears. Thanks for being part of our inner circle and an important part of this community. Go call your best friend!

CONNECT WITH US:

@_IsAMotherpodcast on Instagram

Work with Jamie! 

LINKS MENTIONED:

Calm Mama Wellness Retreats – Use “ISAMOTHER” discount code for $499 off!

AI is a mother! Although it feels like AI is this new thing that popped up on the scene in recent years, it has been integrated into our daily lives through the products and services we have used for many years. 

Much of the information and resources for chatbot-based AI platforms focus on how business owners and creators can leverage this technology to streamline their tasks and uplevel their strategies. However, there hasn’t been anything specifically for moms desperately needing a reprieve from their growing mental (and physical) workload. Until now! In Episode 17 of ___ is a Mother, Stephanie LeBlanc-Godfrey joins us to discuss how she set out to change this with Mother AI, sharing tools, prompts, and ideas that parents can implement to make their lives easier and lessen their “invisible load”, as well as responsibility guiding their kids’ tech journeys. Some of the talking points we go over in this episode include:

• Creative ways AI can be used to help kids with homework, explain complex topics in an age-appropriate way, plan meals, maintain the home, and streamline life.
• AI is not here to stifle creativity, but rather to change how we spark creative expression and bring it to life. 
• While AI is changing the landscape of many jobs, workers can gain new skills with or related to AI to transition to new opportunities and adapt as technology evolves.
• Further development in these tools is necessary to address potential bias in language models and decision-making tools. 

If we use AI to help tackle 80% of the things on our plates, we can focus our remaining energy on the 20% of what is truly the most important. 

Thank you for listening! If you enjoyed this episode, please take a screenshot of the episode to post in your stories and tag us! Follow, rate, and review the podcast, and tell us your key takeaways! If there are topics you would like us to discuss in a future episode, please let us know. Thanks for being part of our inner circle and an important part of this community. Go call your best friend!

CONNECT WITH STEPHANIE:

LinkedIn Newsletter

Instagram

Stephanie LeBlanc-Godfrey’s website, and sign up for the Mother AI LinkedIn newsletter

Join the Waitlist for the Mother AI 101 webinar, and join the AI revolution!

CONNECT WITH US:

@_IsAMotherpodcast on Instagram

Work with Jamie! 

LINKS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:

Level Leaders Website

IG: @LetsLevel

ChatGPT

Google Gemini

Anthropic AI

Microsoft Copilot AI

Chat Black GPT Beta

Erin Reddick LinkedIn- creator of Chat Black GPT

AI Tool to make artwork come to life

Toxic positivity is a Mother! It’s a topic that most of us can probably relate to as Western society has ingrained in us that we should be “likable” and aim to be positive all the time. An important disclaimer: we are by no means anti-positivity. We recognize the importance of creating space for all emotions. Sometimes life is hard, and to overcome challenges we need to acknowledge them, and take appropriate action to work through them, authentically. 

In episode 16 of ___ Is a Mother, we discuss why making space for all emotions is important to avoid “toxic positivity”, and paying attention to the language we use when encouraging ourselves, others, and children. Some of the talking points we go over in this episode include:

• The toxic positivity we experienced when trying to get pregnant, and during Jamie’s cancer journey.
• Toxic positivity, although well-intended, can minimize people’s struggles and close the door to connection.  
• The toxic positivity we unintentionally pass onto our children by rewarding happy behaviors and failing to consider the implications of affirmations that aren’t rooted in values, feasibility, and action. 
• Aligning our authentic selves and our social (influenced) selves can help us live with purpose.

Thank you for listening! If you enjoyed this episode, please share on Instagram and tag us! Follow, rate, and review the podcast, and tell us your key takeaways. If there are topics you would like us to discuss in a future episode, we’re all ears. Thanks for being part of our inner circle and an important part of this community. Go call your best friend!

CONNECT WITH US:

@_IsAMotherpodcast on Instagram

Work with Jamie! 

LINKS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:

The Momwell Podcast Ep. 145: How to deal with toxic positivity as a Mom with Whitney Goodman, Marriage and Family Therapist

Toxic Positivity by Dr. Whitney Goodman

Libby - link your local library card membership number!

Finding Your Own North Star by Martha Beck

Estate planning is a mother! It can feel morbid to think about but when our time comes, the best thing we can leave behind for our loved ones is a roadmap for who will take care of our kids, how we want our assets dispersed, and who we have designated to make decisions on our behalf.

On episode 15 of ___ Is a Mother, we are joined by Jillian Cardona, the founding attorney of Peace of Mind Planning, to discuss what estate planning is, the right time to start estate planning, when to review and update your plans, and how to make the process as easy as possible for your loved ones. Some of the talking points we go over in this episode include:

• The difference between an estate and a trust (and all the elements that go into each).
• Taking inventory of your assets is best handled by your “A-Team”, composed of your CPA, financial advisor, and estate planning attorney.
• Advice for avoiding probate court and ensuring all of your assets go to the people you intend them to go to– without years of fighting for it.
• Digital executors are becoming more common to handle digital assets like e-mail accounts and social media profiles.
• Encouraging someone to think about estate planning can be sensitive and tricky, but it is necessary and provides peace of mind. 

*The information presented in this episode is for informational purposes only and not to be taken as legal advice. Jillian is licensed in the State of California. Estate planning laws may differ by state. To ensure your estate plan reflects your wishes and complies with the laws of your jurisdiction, consult with a qualified estate planning attorney licensed in your state. 

Thank you for listening! If you enjoyed this episode, please take a screenshot of the episode to post in your stories and tag us! Follow, rate, and review the podcast, and tell us your key takeaways! If there are topics you would like us to discuss in a future episode, please let us know. Thanks for being part of our inner circle and an important part of this community. Go call your best friend!

CONNECT WITH JILLIAN CARDONA: 

Peace of Mind Planning

Email: [email protected]

Instagram

CONNECT WITH US:

@_IsAMotherpodcast on Instagram

Work with Jamie! 

LINKS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:

Ep 10: Financial Planning is a Mother with Karen Holloway, Financial Advisor