Long Distance Friends

12. Esther Casey, mom of 12 (My MIL!), answers all of my burning parents questions like:

• What did you worry about that turned out to not matter?
• What is was like changing so many cloth (!!!) diapers??
• How do I honor unique giftings and personalities?
• How do I prevent my daughters from comparing themselves to each other?
• What was your lowest point (ages of kids) as a mom? What got you through?

This episode will feel like a big hug and such an encouragement.

11. Kaitlyn Thibodeaux, Licensed Professional Counselor, shares her personal journey with infertility and post-adoption depression. This conversation is honest and hope-filled. (and fun!)

We also discuss:

• What mental toughness really is 
• The illusion of control as it relates to fertility
• Unique struggles moms face post-adoption
• How to support friends in the adoption process
• Hope, purpose, and identity in God.

You can follow Kaitlyn on Instagram @kaitlyn.moreau or at @counselorkaitlynt.

SNAP Assistance:

If you are a teacher feeling the strain of SNAP benefits ending, please message me @ldf.pod and Long Distance Friends will sponsor snacks for your classroom until snap benefits are restored. 

10. Mom of 4 littles and military spouse, Laurel Clark, opens up about the hard and the good of being a stay-at-home mom. 

Key Takeaways: 

• Home systems for getting out of the house faster with kids, prioritizing alone time, handling snacks, and more.

• How to communicate the mental load with your spouse and stay on the same team

• a renewed appreciation for the autonomy in our days

• Small (yet impactful) ideas to disciple your kids as a Christian mom

Resources:

Being There: Why Prioritizing Motherhood in the First Three Years Matters Erica Komisar

A Better Share: How Couples Can Tackle the Mental Load for More Fun, Less Resentment, and Great Sex by Morgan Cutlip

Habits of the Household: Practicing the Story of God in Everyday Family Rhythms Justin Whitmel Earley

A Blessing for the Body of a Child While Lying in Bed Justin Whitmel Earley

@busytoddler on Instagram

@thelazygenius on Instagram and the Lazy Genius Podcast by Kendra Adachi

SNAP Assistance:

If you are a teacher feeling the strain of SNAP benefits ending, please message me @ldf.pod and Long Distance Friends will sponsor snacks for your classroom until snap benefits are restored. 

9. Retired U.S. Navy Commodore, Seismic Engineer, and Keynote Speaker Dr. Jennifer Donahue, teaches us how to use military tactics to engage and defeat the enemy in our minds.

In this episode you’ll take away:

• An action plan to overcome the negative voices in your mind
• Big-sister advice about leading in male-dominated fields

Jenn's leadership experience in high-stress environments as a combat veteran and female leader in male-dominated fields sets her up as the perfect person to inspire the next generation of leaders.

Resources:

• Pre-order Jenn’s book Becoming the Warrior: Harnessing Your Inner Strength to Silence Self-Doubt starting October 23rd 2025.
• Book Jenn for a speaking engagement
• Follow Jenn on Social Media

8. What I learned about my body, how to slow down, and my humanness. (I learned many lessons in my 20's.... but these are the ones I feel compelled to share!)

I discuss:

• The importance of being on a team to support mental health
• Staying disciplined in a pace of presence (take the slow lane! put your phone down when you wait in line!)
• Embrace your human limitations. Lean into the intimacy of limits.
• Having a relationship with your body motivated by love and not fear

Books Mentioned:

• To Hell with the Hustle by Jefferson Bethke
  
  
• The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry by John Mark Comer
  
  
• Breaking Free from Body Shame by Jess Connolly
  
  
• Intuitive Eating by Elyse Resch and Evelyn Tribole

7. Owner of Marrow Design, Grace Casey, shares an honest and open-hearted reflection of her life and business. We discuss everything from her brain surgeries, to growing her family through adoption, to her recent sabbatical. 

A few highlights include:

• customizing your life and business to work for YOU
• The importance of listening to your body
• rejecting rest as laziness 

You can learn more about Grace at marrowdesign.com & on Instagram @marrow.design

6. WE'RE BACK, BABY! I'm talking all things summer recap -- from:

• Living in a camper for 32 days with a toddler and baby

• Moving across the country & house hunting in Washington state

• Showing up whole + healthy

• Season 2 topic sneak peek

Thanks for being here!

5. I share EVERYTHING we spend per month - down to the dollar! Our family of 4 lives off my husband's O-3 army income (Captain) - which is a base pay of $85,348, with a total of $109,612 including BAH, or housing.

• What we pay for each bill and subscription
• Tips for categorizing your budget into giving, bills, saving, and spending
• How FUN MONEY can save your marriage
• Ideas for savings "buckets" (we use Ally bank's bucket feature)
• The importance of giving
• Having grace for yourself and owning your priorities

Resources mentioned:

Youtube Video Version

MY BUDGET spreadsheet on Google Sheets (feel free to make a copy!)

My budgeting/expense tracking app - Rocket Money!

4. Do you have a toddler at home and are about to give birth? I share:

• Tips for introducing your toddler to your baby in the hospital
• Prioritizing self-care and getting through the nights
• Hack for pooling your milk (without pumping!)
• Ideas for late-night snacks
• How to delegate taking care of your pets 
• Practicing getting out of the house for the first time with two kids

This episode ends with a prayer from my friend, Susanna, for those last few weeks of pregnancy (that time is so so hard!)

Resources mentioned:

Perfect Bar Dupe Protein Balls: (this is my recipe!)

• 1 heaping cup of oats (80 g)
• 1 cup peanut butter (225 g)
• 1 scoop vanilla protein powder (25 g)
• 1 tablespoon chia or flax seeds (optional) (11 g)
• 1/4 cup honey (85 g)
• Cinnamon - measure with your heart (I usually do 1/2 TB)

Mix all together, form into balls (or bars), put in fridge.

3. Birth trauma therapist Victoria Edgington answers honest and approachable questions about mom life and perinatal mental health including:

• What is EMDR therapy and how can it help moms?
• Can we truly prevent birth trauma?
• How can we reprocess our births and discover empowerment?
• How to find support during the perinatal period
• Relatable birth stories, funny "lose it" moments as moms, and more

For women navigating Postpartum Anxiety, Health Anxiety, Birth Trauma, Medical Trauma, and Childhood Trauma, you can find Victoria at https://www.humansthathelp.com/ and on Instagram @birthtraumatherapist

Resources mentioned: Postpartum Support International