Hello, hi!

Why is having fun so hard sometimes? As moms, we often find ourselves stuck in caretaker mode, struggling to reconnect with the joy of play—whether it’s for ourselves or with our kids. In this episode, we’re talking about fun and how stepping out of your comfort zone can bring more laughter, connection, and lightness into your life.

I’m sharing unique, low-cost (and even free!) ways to have fun, both solo and with your family. You’ll also hear from my three kids—William, Henry, and Beckett—who reveal what fun means to them, how they know they’re having it, and what they’d love to do to have fun with me. Spoiler alert: their answers might surprise you!

Together, we’ll unpack why playing can feel awkward, how to overcome that mindset, and why fun doesn’t have to look perfect to be meaningful. Whether you’re looking to reclaim a little joy for yourself or bond with your kids in a playful way, this episode is full of practical ideas and heartfelt encouragement to make it happen.

What you’ll hear in this episode:

Resources mentioned in this episode:

Other Episodes you might like:

Episode 123: Are You Guilty or Did You Just Make a Decision?

Episode 120: 9 Small Things My Husband Never Feels Guilty About with guest Handsome Face

Episode 121: Mindful Content Creators and the Quest to Curate a Perfect Childhood with guest Stephanie Cunningham

Medium Lady Reads Episode 33- Cozy Christmas Reads 2024

Other Resources Mentioned:

Ralphie Jacobs free printable "25 Ways to Fill your Child's Cup this Holiday Season"

Connect with Erin:

Hello, hi and happy holidays

It’s the most wonderful time of the year… time for the fourth annual Cozy Christmas Reads episode! This episode is special because Jillian and Erin are joined by two additional guests, Stephanie Cunningham and Ali Oppenlaender. The four women come together yearly (previous episodes are linked below), to share each year’s picks for a cozy Christmas read. 

If you’re ready for this year’s edition, just hit play wherever you listen to podcasts!

In This Episode:

Books Mentioned In This Episode:

If you're new to Medium Lady you might not be well acquainted to a hallmark practice of mine: mindful monthly planning. I have been monthly planning for over 5 years, and I can genuinely say it has allowed me to feel more like myself, to capture more fun in my life, and to give me a sense of personal growth and meaning that I wouldn't find from my work or relationships.

I hope you enjoy this repost of Episode 82!!

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Hello, hi! In this episode, I delve into the profound impact of planning your free time on self-identity and personal growth. Join me as I share personal insights and experiences from four years of planning my reading, play, self development, and mindset each month.

Benefits of Monthly Free Time Planning:

The Planning Process:

Living Out Your Monthly Free Time Plan:

Goal Setting and Tracking:

Overcoming Challenges:

Additional Resources Mentioned:

Other Episodes Mentioned (Spotify Links):

Key Topics:

Connect with Erin:

Hello, hi! I can’t seem to stop talking about guilt - but  I PROMISE this is the last I’ll say about it (at least until 2025) . The thing that continues to remain problematic and troubling for so many women, the thing that gets in our way is that we’re always feeling bad. If we’re not feeling bad we’re avoiding the things that make us feel bad or managing the feeling to get rid of it. What if there was another way? Today’s episode is for anyone who ever wondered “what would I be like if I could get rid of the guilt, for good?”

Episode Summary

Medium Effort

Mindful Fun:

Other Episodes you might like:

Episode 119: 9 Small Things I’m No Longer Feeling Guilty About

Episode 120: 9 Small Things My Husband Never Feels Guilty About with guest Handsome Face

Episode 121: Mindful Content Creators and the Quest to Curate a Perfect Childhood with guest Stephanie Cunningham

Episode 114: The Difference Between Guilt and Shame when it comes to Self-Care with guest Tami Hackbarth

Medium Lady Reads Episode 31- Your Reading Slump is Totally Normal

Connect with Erin:

Hello, hi! Are you feeling overwhelmed by all the expectations of the holiday season? In this episode, we’re tackling the “holiday guilt” that so many moms and women feel this time of year—guilt about not doing enough, spending too much, or skipping traditions. Together, we’ll explore how to tell the difference between decisions you need to let go of and opportunities to align with what truly matters. By the end of this episode, we'll have completed an exercise to help you map out a holiday season that feels joyful, intentional, and guilt-free.

Episode Summary

• Check in: I share that while everything is going well on paper, I’ve been struggling with a flare-up of my anxiety. My empathy has been in overdrive with a lot of things I’m witnessing online or in the news. I’m trying to remember that I’ve learned a lot over the last 5 years managing my health and wellness, but that doesn’t mean that I’m “cured” or that I’ll never struggle

1. Holiday Planning and preparation

Medium Effort

• Reflect on what always matters to you all year round and ask yourself “does that change for the holidays?”

Mindful Fun: Make a Holiday Map

• On your own or with your spouse/kids/friends/ write out three priorities for your holiday (these will come from the show up column)

Other Episodes you might like:

Episode 119: 9 Small Things I’m No Longer Feeling Guilty About

Episode 120: 9 Small Things My Husband Never Feels Guilty About with guest Handsome Face

Episode 121: Mindful Content Creators and the Quest to Curate a Perfect Childhood with guest Stephanie Cunningham

Medium Lady Reads Episode 31- Your Reading Slump is Totally Normal

Connect with Erin:

• Instagram: @medium.lady

Hello, hi! Today’s episode features a returning special guest to Medium Lady, my friend Stephanie Cunningham. Stef can be found on instagram @steffski where she role models real-life living, sharing both the highs and the lows of homeschooling, intergenerational living and breaking the “highlight reel” so that her friends and followers feel like they can share in the chaos of this season of life.  

Episode Summary

• Stephanie’s guiding principles about what she shares online are about authenticity and serving her own interest first, which is such a refreshing point of view when we see overly curated or highly produced content online

Other Episodes you might like:

Episode 119: 9 Small Things I’m No Longer Feeling Guilty About

Episode 117: Medium Effort Advice - “Help! I’m Doing Too Much and None of it Well!”

Episode 87: Cultivating your Aspirations with guest Stephanie Cunningham

Episode 23: In the Interest of Realness with Stephanie Cunningham

Medium Lady Reads Episode 30- Would You Try a DNF Challenge?

Connect with Erin:

• Instagram: @medium.lady

Hello, hi! Today’s episode features a very special guest who hasn’t been on the pod in a while - my husband Nick! Nick reviews last week’s episode list of the 9 Small Things I’m No longer Feeling Guilty about. We hope you enjoy this episode and you like seeing another side of Medium Lady! 

Episode Summary

• Check in:  I’ve brought Nick on mic to review the 9 things, and you may (or may not) be surprised what he thinks of these things!

Medium Effort

• Here’s my medium effort list of 9 things  I’m no longer feeling guilty about

1. Buying and eating candy as a grown up

A Moment of Gratitude:

• I share my gratitude for Nick - don’t worry he didn’t listen to that part of the recording. I feel so lucky to have a partner that is fun, values-driven and open to my many ideas and goals. Yet, he never let’s me take myself too seriously, which is exactly what I need!  

Other Episodes you might like:

Episode 119: 9 Small Things I’m No Longer Feeling Guilty About

Episode 114: The Difference Between Shame and Guilt with Tami Hackbarth

Episode 117: Medium Effort Advice - “Help! I’m Doing Too Much and None of it Well!”

Episode 74: How to be a Human With a Voice with guest Jam Gamble

Medium Lady Reads Episode 30- Would You Try a DNF Challenge?

Connect with Erin:

• Instagram: @medium.lady

Hello, hi! Today’s episode is a personalized list of all the little things that I let myself feel guilty about. And through the episode I give myself permission to let these things go, mostly because there's nothing wrong with them! This episode is for you if you feel like you spend too much time trying to navigate guilt when you’re just trying to relax and enjoy yourself.

Episode Summary

• Check in:  I’ve just come off an amazing experience hosting a live-in person event conceived by Jam Gamble creator and CEO of the Slay the Mic program and community

Medium Effort

• Here’s my medium effort list of 9 things  I’m no longer feeling guilty about

1. Buying and eating candy as a grown up

Mindful Fun

• If you write your own list your follow up task is to look at it with a lighthearted point of view

A Moment of Gratitude:

• I share my gratitude for my podcasting equipment. My mic, my computer, Riverside, my lighting and camera, so many tools that come together to help make the podcast what a gift! I am in awe of my setup when I remember how long I dreamt of having a podcast and now I have one that is enabled by amazing technology and tools.

Other Episodes you might like:

Episode 114: The Difference Between Shame and Guilt with Tami Hackbarth

Episode 117: Medium Effort Advice - “Help! I’m Doing Too Much and None of it Well!”

Episode 74: How to be a Human With a Voice with guest Jam Gamble

Medium Lady Reads Episode 29 - Somewhere Beyond the Sea-Quel

Connect with Erin:

• Instagram: @medium.lady

Hello, hi! Today's episodes is one of my personal favourites from the Medium Lady Talks archives, and very relevant given my recent bout with a nasty cold this last week! I'm just making an educated guess that you or someone in your household has been sick the last few weeks!

I love this episode because I made it while completely embracing how imperfect I felt while recording it waaaay back in 2022. I had a lot of doubts "why am I talking about being sick?" "will this even resonate with anyone?" but it turns out this episode is one I still get lots of great feedback on and when I relistened to it myself, I'm grateful for the advice past me shared. I hope you enjoy today's episode if you've never heard it and can think of your own ways to take care while sick.

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Hello, hi! Welcome to Season 2 of Medium Lady Talks! 

This week's episode talks about something most of us are familiar with at this point of 2022, getting sick. This episode covers my reflections on being sick in early January and what I've learned about how to take care when feeling the effects of illness. 

While this episode specifically covers "cold season" type illness, with symptoms that resolve and improve - I would invite anyone with experience with chronic illness or recurrent illness to connect on Instagram @medium.lady. This episode focuses on my own personal experience and invites you to reflect on yours, its not designed to be prescriptive or all-encompassing. If these tips help you, that's great! 

Here are the tips in the episode:

1. Sick doesn't equal Sad

2. Sick doesn't move in a straight line

3. Stay still when you're sick

4. You have the time to be sick

You can always help out the podcast by providing a rating or review, and sharing it with another Medium Lady in your life! Make sure you're subscribed so you don't miss when the new episodes drop. I love to connect with listeners, you can swing by to say hi on Instagram, @medium.lady

Music is Climb by The Ghost in Your Piano. I'm grateful for its use via creative commons license.

Hello, hi! Today’s episode is more Medium Effort Advice. In this episode our listener asked “Past me seemed to have it all figured out. I look at pictures from 2-3 years ago and I want to get back to that but right now everything feels too hard. What do I do?”  This episode is for you if you feel like you used to be on top of things, but somehow, you’ve gotten off track.

Episode Summary

• Check in:  I’m fighting the end of a cold (sorry for the congestion!) and all of my October anticipation (yay! Events! Friends! Family!) is colliding with that common desire to just cancel everything and stay home.

A Moment of Gratitude:

• I share my gratitude for my parents both for hosting my youngest two sons for a sleep over but also to acknowledge our evolving relationship and the ways that our relationship has been able to evolve to meet our needs and the season of life we find ourselves in. Mom and Dad, I love you both very much.

Other Resources Mentioned:

Coaching A to Z: The Extraordinary Use of Ordinary Words by Dr. Haesun Moon

Burnout: The Secret to Unlocking the Stress Cycle by Emily and Amelia Nagoski

Other Episodes you might like:

Episode 117: Medium Effort Advice - “Help! I’m doing too many things and none of them well!”

Episode 83: Is your Self-Care Helpful or Harmful? A Book Review of “Real Self-Care” by Dr. Pooja Lakshmin

Episode 69: Unlocking the Simple Secrets of Goal Setting with guest Jillian O’Keefe

Episode 62: Gentle Goal Setting for Burnt Out Mothers and Millennials

Medium Lady Reads Episode 28 - Your TBR is Just a Version of Your Ideal Self

Connect with Erin:

• Instagram: @medium.lady