Mama Needs A Moment

What if the changes you’ve noticed in your body aren’t signs that something is wrong—but signs that your body is doing exactly what it was designed to do?

In this roundtable episode, several HER+ Experts from our free Inclusive Provider Directory explore how women’s metabolism naturally shifts across the lifespan—from adolescence and the reproductive years to pregnancy, postpartum, perimenopause, and menopause. Instead of framing metabolism as something that “slows down” or breaks, this conversation reframes it as a dynamic, adaptive process shaped by evolution, safety, and survival.

The experts unpack why changes like insulin resistance during pregnancy and perimenopause are normal biological adaptations, why metabolism is about far more than burning calories, and how sleep, nutrition, movement, and mental health all play critical roles. Together, they offer a powerful mindset shift: metabolism isn’t a switch to fix, but a relationship to understand and renegotiate as your body moves through different seasons.

If you’ve ever felt confused or frustrated by changes in your body, this episode brings clarity, compassion, and a more sustainable way to think about health.

These are the top three things you will learn from this podcast episode:

• Why metabolic changes across a woman’s life are normal and adaptiveYou’ll learn how shifts during pregnancy, postpartum, perimenopause, and menopause are driven by biology and evolution—not personal failure or a “broken” metabolism.

• What metabolism actually is (and why it’s more than calories in vs. calories out)The episode breaks down metabolism as the sum of all the body’s processes—fueling the brain, hormones, detoxification, repair, and more—shaped by nutrition, movement, sleep, and stress.

• How to work with your metabolism through life transitionsYou’ll hear practical, sustainable ways to support metabolic health by reframing mindset, prioritizing sleep, and making realistic adjustments to diet and activity during different seasons of life.

HER+ Experts:

● Katherin Andrew, Registered Dietitian - https://www.katherineandrew.com/

● Dr. Abby DeVries, Family Medicine Doctor - https://www.sabiahealthnc.com/

● Sarah Parise, ACE Certified Fitness Professional - https://greatdaysbysarah.com/

● Kate Layman, Certified Nurse Midwife - https://motherlovewellness.com/

Episode Notes and Resources:

FREE Expert Provider Directory - https://herhealthcollective.com/search-the-directory/?type=fitness

HER Circle (A Mom community by HER Health Collective) - https://www.herhealthcollective.com/membership 

Support Mama Needs a Moment! Become a patron through our Mama Needs a Moment Patreon.

Blended families bring complex emotions, evolving roles, and the challenge of building something new while honoring what came before. In this roundtable episode, HER+ Experts from our Provider Directory explore how families can create emotionally safe, child-centered systems after separation, divorce, or remarriage.

The conversation highlights the importance of consistency across households, cooperation between co-parents, and maintaining predictable routines to reduce conflict and anxiety for children. The panel also discusses navigating different parenting styles, introducing new partners with care, and setting clear boundaries in high-conflict co-parenting situations.

You’ll also hear thoughtful guidance on balancing honesty with age-appropriate communication—helping children feel informed and secure without overwhelming them. Rooted in compassion, patience, and clear communication, this episode offers practical insight for parents and professionals supporting blended families through change.

Explore more about each expert featured in this episode — and connect with many other trusted professionals — through our free HER+ Provider Directory linked in the show notes.

These are the top three things you will learn from this podcast episode:

• How to create an emotionally safe, child-centered family system while blending households, honoring past family structures, and allowing relationships to develop naturally.

• Why consistency and cooperation across households matter—including parenting styles, schedules, and boundaries—and how this stability reduces conflict and stress for children.

• How to communicate honestly with children in age-appropriate ways, offering clarity and reassurance without oversharing or creating unnecessary anxiety.

HER+ Experts:

● Irene Gouge, Loving Lessons Sleep Solutions

● Marianne Breneman, Life and Health Coach, Mindful Health and Harmony LLC

● Anastasia Arauz, Licensed Therapist, and Educator, Parenting Coach

● Latoya Toller, Wellness Based, Certified Interior Decorator & Licensed Therapist

• https://www.mindfulcounselingnc.com/ 

• https://www.mindfulhomeinteriorsnc.com/

Episode Notes and Resources:

FREE Expert Provider Directory - https://herhealthcollective.com/search-the-directory/?type=fitness

HER Circle (A Mom community by HER Health Collective) - https://www.herhealthcollective.com/membership 

Support Mama Needs a Moment! Become a patron through our Mama Needs a Moment Patreon.

Co-parenting can be challenging, especially when communication breaks down and emotions run high. In this Roundtable episode, HER+ Experts from our Provider Directory share practical, compassionate strategies to help parents navigate separation, divorce, and blended family dynamics with more clarity and confidence.

This conversation explores assertive communication, emotional regulation, and how to model calm, respectful dialogue for children—without oversharing adult struggles. Our experts also reframe power struggles as communication clues, offering tools to pause, listen, validate, and empower rather than react.

You’ll hear guidance on setting healthy boundaries, speaking about the other parent without putting children in the middle, and why consistency, honesty, and predictability matter for kids. The episode closes with insight into building new family systems, allowing relationships to develop naturally, and defining roles clearly in blended families.

If you’re looking for realistic tools and supportive guidance for co-parenting without chaos, this episode is for you.

These are the top three things you will learn from this podcast episode:

How to communicate more effectively without escalating conflict, including setting boundaries, regulating emotions, and modeling calm, respectful conversations for children.

How to interpret power struggles as communication clues, using practical tools to pause, listen, validate, and respond in ways that build trust and emotional safety.

How to support children through separation or blended family changes, by maintaining consistency, speaking respectfully about the other parent, and allowing new family relationships to develop naturally.

HER+ Experts:

● Irene Gouge, Loving Lessons Sleep Solutions

● Marianne Breneman, Life and Health Coach, Mindful Health and Harmony LLC

● Anastasia Arauz, Licensed Therapist, and Educator, Parenting Coach

● Latoya Toller, Wellness Based, Certified Interior Decorator & Licensed Therapist

• https://www.mindfulcounselingnc.com/ 

• https://www.mindfulhomeinteriorsnc.com/

Episode Notes and Resources:

FREE Expert Provider Directory - https://herhealthcollective.com/search-the-directory/?type=fitness

HER Circle (A Mom community by HER Health Collective) - https://www.herhealthcollective.com/membership 

Support Mama Needs a Moment! Become a patron through our Mama Needs a Moment Patreon.

Co-parenting and blended family life can feel overwhelming, for caregivers and kids alike. In this Roundtable conversation, HER+ experts explore what children truly need when navigating transitions between homes, routines, and caregivers.

This episode unpacks why transitions are often the most challenging part of co-parenting, and how thoughtful planning, clear communication, and reassurance can reduce emotional stress for children. The discussion highlights the importance of helping kids feel safe, avoiding loyalty conflicts, and reminding them that adult decisions are never their fault.

You’ll also hear practical guidance on creating stability through anchor routines like sleep, meals, and screen time - balancing consistency with flexibility across households. Common challenges such as differing rules, visitation conflicts, and power struggles are addressed, along with when mediation can be a helpful tool to keep children’s well-being front and center.

If you’re navigating co-parenting or blended family dynamics, this episode offers compassionate insight and actionable strategies to help everyone feel more supported and grounded.

Explore more about each expert featured in this episode, and connect with many other trusted professionals, through our free HER+ Provider Directory linked in the show notes.

These are the top three things you will learn from this podcast episode:

How to support children through transitions between homesLearn practical ways to plan transitions, communicate expectations, and reassure children so they feel safe, secure, and free from feeling responsible for adult decisions.

Why routines matter—and how to keep them flexibleUnderstand how anchor routines like sleep, meals, and screen time help regulate children and create stability across households, even when each home looks a little different.

How to navigate conflict and power struggles in co-parentingGain insight into distinguishing true disagreements from power struggles, improving communication, and knowing when mediation can help keep the focus on children’s well-being.

HER+ Experts:

● Irene Gouge, Loving Lessons Sleep Solutions

● Marianne Breneman, Life and Health Coach, Mindful Health and Harmony LLC

● Anastasia Arauz, Licensed Therapist, and Educator, Parenting Coach

● Latoya Toller, Wellness Based, Certified Interior Decorator & Licensed Therapist

• https://www.mindfulcounselingnc.com/ 

• https://www.mindfulhomeinteriorsnc.com/

Episode Notes and Resources:

FREE Expert Provider Directory - https://herhealthcollective.com/search-the-directory/?type=fitness

HER Circle (A Mom community by HER Health Collective) - https://www.herhealthcollective.com/membership 

Support Mama Needs a Moment! Become a patron through our Mama Needs a Moment Patreon.

In this season finale of Mama Needs A Moment Podcast, we continue our HER+ Expert Roundtable, with Part 2 which brings together powerful insights on what it truly means for moms to care for themselves in a world that constantly demands more. This conversation explores the importance of boundaries, personalized wellness routines, and the role of community support in helping moms navigate the many pressures of modern motherhood.

Our experts highlight how understanding your physical and emotional limits can reshape your approach to self-care, why sharing stories is essential for healing, and how setting clear expectations—at home, at appointments, or in social settings—can reduce stress and create more supportive environments.

We also touch on long-term wellness topics like perimenopause, insulin resistance, metabolic health, and bone strength, offering practical and sustainable strategies for thriving through every season of motherhood.

As the final episode of this season, this roundtable reflects the core mission of HER Health Collective: bringing together diverse professional voices to support moms with holistic, connected care. Learn more about the experts featured in this episode through our free HER+ Provider Directory linked in the show notes.

These are the top three things you will learn from this podcast episode:

1. How setting boundaries can reduce stress and create space for real self-care.

2. Why community and shared experiences are essential for emotional well-being.

3. Simple, sustainable strategies to support hormones, metabolic health, and long-term wellness.

You will hear from the following experts:

• Kerry Lett, MPH, RDN, LDN, CLC - Milestones Pediatric + Maternal Nutrition 

• Dr. Lindsay Mumma, Chiropractor, Triangle Chiropractic & Rehabilitation Center

• Kate Layman, ARNP, Certified Nurse Midwife, Mother Love Wellness

• Dr. Abigail DeVries, board-certified family physician & menopause society certified practitioner, Sabia Health NC

• Nikki Fowler, FNP-C, Essential Health

Episode Notes and Resources:

• Kerry Lett, MPH, RDN, LDN, CLC 

• Milestones Pediatric + Maternal Nutrition 

• Dr. Lindsay Mumma, 

• Triangle Chiropractic & Rehabilitation Center

• Kate Layman 

• Mother Love Wellness

• Dr. Abigail DeVries

• Sabia Health NC

• Nikki Fowler

• Essential Health

FREE Expert Provider Directory - https://herhealthcollective.com/search-the-directory/?type=fitness

HER Circle (A Mom community by HER Health Collective) - https://www.herhealthcollective.com/membership 

Support Mama Needs a Moment! Become a patron through our Mama Needs a Moment Patreon.

Motherhood comes with its fair share of aches, exhaustion, and “just push through” moments — but what if the answers lie beyond quick fixes? In this HER+ Expert Roundtable, we explore how nutrition, movement, mental health, and medical care intertwine to create true, lasting wellness for moms.

Our panel of HER+ Experts dives into the root causes of common mom ailments like fatigue, hormonal imbalances, digestive issues, and burnout. This powerful conversation highlights the importance of self-care, community, and systems of support that empower moms to thrive — not just survive.

This episode marks the fourth and final roundtable in our 2025 Expert Series. Each roundtable brings together professionals from across disciplines to share insights, learn from one another, and offer holistic solutions for the challenges moms face every day.

Explore more about each expert featured in this episode — and connect with many other trusted professionals — through our free HER+ Provider Directory linked in the show notes.

These are the top three things you will learn from this podcast episode:

How to address the root causes of fatigue and burnout — including the roles of nutrient deficiencies, stress, and sleep deprivation, and why these factors are often overlooked in moms’ health.

The connection between hormones, movement, and mental health — and how understanding this mind-body relationship can ease symptoms of perimenopause, postpartum changes, and overall emotional strain.

Why holistic care matters — and how integrating nutrition, medical support, and mindful self-care can create lasting wellness instead of short-term fixes.

• Kerry Lett, MPH, RDN, LDN, CLC - Milestones Pediatric + Maternal Nutrition 

• Dr. Lindsay Mumma, Chiropractor, Triangle Chiropractic & Rehabilitation Center

• Kate Layman, ARNP, Certified Nurse Midwife, Mother Love Wellness

• Dr. Abigail DeVries, board-certified family physician & menopause society certified practitioner, Sabia Health NC

• Nikki Fowler, FNP-C, Essential Health

Episode Notes and Resources:

• Kerry Lett, MPH, RDN, LDN, CLC 

• Milestones Pediatric + Maternal Nutrition 

• Dr. Lindsay Mumma, 

• Triangle Chiropractic & Rehabilitation Center

• Kate Layman 

• Mother Love Wellness

• Dr. Abigail DeVries

• Sabia Health NC

• Nikki Fowler

• Essential Health

FREE Expert Provider Directory - https://herhealthcollective.com/search-the-directory/?type=fitness

HER Circle (A Mom community by HER Health Collective) - https://www.herhealthcollective.com/membership 

Support Mama Needs a Moment! Become a patron through our Mama Needs a Moment Patreon.

What if your toddler could start learning about money before they even start school? In this episode, we chat with homeschool mom and entrepreneur Shelly Young, the creator of Kids Finance Camp, a program dedicated to helping children develop financial confidence — from preschoolers to college students.

Shelly shares how she introduces money concepts as early as age one through chores, storybooks, and conversations about saving and giving. She dives into practical tools like the Greenlight debit card, which helps kids learn real-world budgeting, automate savings, and even start investing.

Through her personal stories and teaching experience, Shelly reveals how early lessons in money management can shape lifelong financial habits.

Whether you’re raising a spender, a saver, or a little entrepreneur, this episode offers empowering strategies to help your kids build a healthy relationship with money — and a future full of financial freedom.

Top three things listeners will learn::

1. How to Teach Financial Literacy at Every Age— From toddlers learning through chores and storybooks to teens managing debit cards, Shelly breaks down age-appropriate ways to introduce money concepts early — and make them stick.

2. Practical Tools to Build Smart Money Habits— Listeners will discover how to use real-world tools like the Greenlight debit card to teach budgeting, saving, and giving — while helping kids understand the value of money in everyday life.

3. The Power of Starting Early with Investing— Shelly explains how even small, consistent investments — like $100 a month — can grow significantly over time, helping parents see the long-term impact of teaching financial discipline and compound growth early on.

Episode Notes and Resources:

Shelly’s Books: https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B0BG326WK4/allbooks?ingress=0&visitId=0187d821-0530-41cb-ab18-690fdfaf40e6&ccs_id=d6dcc4d6-618c-4ecb-b6da-933b42640182

Shelly’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shellysyoung/

Support Mama Needs a Moment! Become a patron through our Mama Needs a Moment Patreon.

HER Circle - https://www.herhealthcollective.com/membership 

What if your clothes could help you reconnect with yourself? In this inspiring episode, we sit down with Mary-Michele Lidiffer—known as The Visibility Stylist—to explore how women can break free from the “invisibility trap” and rediscover their confidence through personal style, self-care, and joy.

Michele shares her insights on why French women seem to exude effortless elegance and confidence, explaining how their cultural approach to food, body image, and pleasure differs from the American mindset. She reveals how prioritizing self-connection over perfection transforms not only how women look, but how they feel.

You’ll also learn about Michele’s groundbreaking Style Finder ID system, which identifies eight style types and 32 archetypes to help women embrace their authentic style personality—without chasing trends or apologizing for their age or body.

Cindi and Crissy reflect on their own experiences taking the Style Finder ID quiz, and the conversation unfolds into a powerful reminder: confidence isn’t about fitting in—it’s about showing up as your truest self.

✨ In this episode, you’ll learn:

• How to dress for the body and life you have right now

• Why French women’s approach to joy, food, and self-care leads to lasting confidence

• How the Style Finder ID system can help you understand and express your unique style personality

It’s time to stop hiding—and start showing up fully as the woman you are today.

Episode Notes and Resources:

Michele’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/marymicheleofficial/?hl=en

Take the StyleFinder Quiz: https://tinyurl.com/SFinderBP

Michele’s Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/women-living-wildly-alive/id1560924181

Support Mama Needs a Moment! Become a patron through our Mama Needs a Moment Patreon.

HER Circle - https://www.herhealthcollective.com/membership

Your home should care for you. Yet so often, especially as moms and caregivers, we focus on everyone else’s comfort while our own needs quietly slip away.

This episode explores how the spaces we live in can directly impact our mental and emotional well-being — and how thoughtful design can help restore balance. You’ll learn how to create wellness-centered spaces that feel calming, functional, and personal, even on a budget.

We talk about the power of aligning your environment with your core values, the benefits of bringing in natural light and greenery, and how intentional design choices can help reduce stress and improve focus. You’ll also hear practical strategies for managing family clutter, fostering responsibility in teenagers, and creating systems that support emotional and physical safety at home.

If you’ve ever felt like the one holding everything together while your own needs take a backseat, this conversation is a gentle reminder that your space — and your well-being — deserve care, too.

Top Three Things You Will Learn In This Episode:

1. How your home environment impacts mental and emotional well-being — and why intentional design choices can help reduce stress, improve focus, and promote calm.

2. Simple, realistic ways to create wellness-centered spaces — from incorporating natural light and plants to aligning your home with your personal values and daily needs.

3. How to manage family clutter and foster responsibility — with systems and routines that support balance, emotional safety, and shared ownership of the home.

Episode Notes and Resources:

Latoya’s website: https://www.mindfulcounselingnc.com/

Latoya’s Wellness Based Interior Design: https://www.mindfulhomeinteriorsnc.com/

Support Mama Needs a Moment! Become a patron through our Mama Needs a Moment Patreon.

HER Circle - https://www.herhealthcollective.com/membership

Grief doesn’t pause for motherhood — and motherhood doesn’t pause for grief. 💔

In this special extended episode, Cindi and Crissy sit down with Sarah Szymanowski, a licensed clinical mental health counselor and music therapist, for a deeply moving, unhurried conversation about what it means to parent while grieving.

Together, they explore the unrealistic expectation that mothers should “hold it together,” even while their hearts are breaking, and the power of showing our children what healthy grieving looks like. Sarah introduces the concept of disenfranchised grief — the kind of loss society often minimizes, like the death of a pet — and explains why acknowledging all forms of grief matters.

Through personal stories and gentle wisdom, Sarah offers practical ways to keep the memory of loved ones alive — from maintaining traditions to finding comfort in everyday reminders. She also unpacks the complex emotions of anger, fear, and jealousy that can surface during grief, helping listeners understand that feeling deeply is not only okay, but essential.

If you’ve ever felt the weight of loss while still needing to show up for your children, this extended conversation will remind you that healing isn’t about holding it together — it’s about holding space for love, loss, and everything in between.

Top Three Things You Will Learn In This Episode:

1. Why “holding it together” can actually hold you back — and how letting your children see your grief helps them develop emotional resilience.

2. The truth about disenfranchised grief — and how unacknowledged losses (like a pet or a strained relationship) still deserve to be honored.

3. Practical ways to keep your loved one’s memory alive — through stories, traditions, and symbols that bring comfort and connection.

Episode Notes and Resources:

Sarah’s website: https://www.fermata-counseling.com/

Sarah’s Blog: https://www.fermata-counseling.com/blog

Support Mama Needs a Moment! Become a patron through our Mama Needs a Moment Patreon.

HER Circle - https://www.herhealthcollective.com/membership