Mighty As A Mother

In today’s episode, we are joined by Dr. Whitney Casares, the physician and mother behind the popular Instagram account Modern Mommy Doc. A Stanford-trained pediatrician and maternal-child health expert, Dr. Whitney is also the author of *Doing It All: Stop Over-Functioning, and Become the Mom and Person You’re Meant to Be*. Her insights and practical advice have resonated widely, earning her a spot in prestigious publications like The New York Times, Forbes, Fortune, and Parents Magazine. Tune in as Dr. Whitney shares her unique framework for managing the multifaceted demands of modern motherhood without losing sight of joy and purpose.

1. Journey to Influence: Discover how Dr. Whitney transitioned from medical school to becoming a practicing physician and a social media influencer, blending her medical expertise with her passion for advocating for both parents and children.

2. Balancing Act: Learn how Dr. Whitney manages the demanding roles of being a doctor, a mother, and an online content creator, and the strategies she uses to maintain peace.

3. Combining Medical Knowledge + Parenting:  Dr. Whitney discusses her approach to making complex medical concepts accessible to parents and how she decides what information to share with her audience.

4. Centered Life Blueprint: Get an inside look at Dr. Whitney’s *Centered Life Blueprint*, a framework designed to help mothers focus on what matters most. Dr. Whitney outlines the six key areas every mom can say yes to, regardless of their circumstances.

5. Early Intervention Signs: Dr. Whitney explains the signs that parents should watch for that might indicate their child could benefit from early intervention services.

6. Raising a Neurodivergent Child: Dr. Whitney shares her personal journey and insights gained from raising a neurodivergent child, and how this has shaped her approach to parenting and medicine.

7. Advocating for Your Child: Effective ways for parents to advocate for their children in medical settings and ensure their voices are heard.

Links:

• The Modern Mommy Doc Podcast

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As we embark on arguably one of the highest-stakes elections this fall, we are thrilled to have Sarah Stewart Holland and Beth Silvers, the dynamic co-hosts of the acclaimed podcast Pantsuit Politics, joining us. Their podcast offers a refreshing approach to political discussions, focusing on grace-filled conversations and understanding rather than fueling divisive rhetoric. Since its launch in November 2015 amidst a highly charged political climate, Pantsuit Politics has carved out a unique space for nuanced and respectful dialogue.

In addition to the podcast, Sarah and Beth co-authored the books I Think You’re Wrong (But I’m Listening): A Guide to Grace-Filled Political Conversations and Now What?, expanding on their mission to foster thoughtful political discourse. With Sarah’s background in politics and Beth’s experience in corporate law, their combined perspectives offer rich insights into both the political landscape and the art of maintaining respectful conversations.

In this episode, we dive into:

• The Inspiration Behind Pantsuit Politics: Sarah and Beth share what motivated them to create a platform for respectful political dialogue and how they’ve managed to attract and engage a diverse audience.

• The Role Social Media Plays: Get advice on how to manage social media interactions and maintain personal peace amidst political debates.

• How to Have Respectful and Constructive Conversations: Hear strategies for having productive political discussions, particularly with family and friends who may have differing views.

• Motherhood and Politics: Explore how Sarah and Beth’s experiences as mothers have influenced their perspectives on politics and how they approach these discussions with their children.

• “Getting Political” Beyond Presidential Elections: Find out how mothers can use their unique perspectives to impact political discourse and policy-making, and get recommendations for staying informed about political issues.

Links:

• Pantsuit Politics on Instagram

• Pantsuit Politics on Apple Podcasts

• Beth Silvers Instagram 

• Sarah Stewart Holland Instagram

• Books:

• I Think You're Wrong (But I'm Listening): A Guide to Grace-Filled Political Conversations

• Now What?: How to Move Forward When We're Divided (About Basically Everything)

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As we approach the back-to-school season, tune in for a candid conversation with Julie Chavez, author of the compelling memoir "Everyone But Myself". Julie shares her transformative journey from stay-at-home mom to school librarian, offering a raw look at the challenges of modern motherhood. She delves into her experiences balancing family life, mental health, and personal aspirations. This episode provides invaluable insights for mothers feeling overwhelmed or seeking to rediscover their identity beyond parenting. Join us for an inspiring discussion filled with practical advice and heartfelt encouragement, perfect for any mom navigating the complexities of family life while nurturing her own dreams and well-being.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• Strategies for ALL Moms: Julie offers practical advice for finding balance and replenishing your well-being when it feels like you’re giving your absolute all to everyone but yourself.

• Mental Health Insights: Julie shares her deeply personal journey with depression and anxiety, emphasizing the importance of seeking help and offering support for those struggling silently.

• Parenting Advice That’s Actually Helpful: As a mom who has walked before us, Julie shares with us the importance of stopping to appreciate the joys of parenting older kids, as she offers guidance based upon her lives experiences navigating the various stages of motherhood.

• Partnerships in Parenting: We discuss the importance of asking for and accepting support from our partners, and share tips on strengthening marital relationships and how to navigate parenting challenges together.

• Pursuing Passions Outside of Motherhood: Julie provides inspiration and practical tips for balancing multiple roles and integrating personal passions alongside the many responsibilities at home. 

Links:

• Everyone But Myself: A Memoir by Julie Chavez

• Julie on IG

• https://www.juliewriteswords.com/

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Today, we welcome Mita Mallick, a corporate change-maker and author, to discuss the critical role of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in transforming workplaces for women and mothers. As the Head of DEI at Carta and author of "Reimagine Inclusion: Debunking 13 Myths to Transform Your Workplace," Mita brings valuable insights to our conversation that we think will resonate for mothers of all kinds.

Key Takeaways:

1. The significance of DEI for all individuals, especially women and mothers

2. Personal anecdotes driving Mita's passion for inclusivity

3. Strategies for creating thriving work environments for mothers

4. Raising inclusive children: practical approaches

Highlights:

- Explore the current state of DEI and its impact on working mothers

- Uncover the inspirations behind Mita's groundbreaking work

- Discuss actionable steps for fostering truly inclusive workplaces

- Learn how to instill inclusive values in the next generation

While acknowledging progress, we delve into the challenges that remain in achieving genuine inclusivity. Mita's expertise offers a thought-provoking perspective on reshaping the DEI narrative. We hope you enjoy! 

Links:

• https://www.linkedin.com/in/mita-mallick-2b165822/

•  https://www.amazon.com/dp/1394177097

• McKinsey Women in the Workplace (2022) https://www.mckinsey.com/featured-insights/diversity-and-inclusion/women-in-the-workplace

• HBR Women In Leadership Face Ageism At Every Age: https://hbr.org/2023/06/women-in-leadership-face-ageism-at-every-age

We hope this episode helps challenge (in a good way!) you think about diversity, equity, and inclusion and the role it plays.

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Join in on the conversation and follow along with us on Instagram: ⁠@mightyasamotherpodcast⁠!

In this episode, we’re joined by Sarah Olin, the Co-Founder and CEO of LUMO Leadership. 

With over 10,000 hours of coaching and facilitation experience, Sarah has advised top executives at renowned organizations such as the United Nations, Google, and the NBA (just to name a few!). Her passion for empowering individuals and organizations is palpable, focusing on fostering connection, advocacy, and personal growth. 

Sarah’s insights are particularly invaluable for mothers navigating personal and professional growth amidst challenges. In this episode, you’ll learn about:

1. The Difference Between Coaching and Therapy: Sarah walks us through coaching as a transformative and essential tool, especially beneficial for mothers balancing career, parenthood, and personal growth and breaks down when you should seek coaching versus when to seek therapy. 

2. Conquering Imposter Syndrome: Drawing from personal experiences, Sarah discusses strategies to overcome self-doubt whenever it creeps in.

3. Juggling Motherhood and a Demanding Career: Sarah provides insights into the motherhood penalty and shares her strategies for effectively managing both parenting and professional responsibilities, including practical advice she deploys herself as it relates to self-care and stress management.

4. Lessons from Motherhood: Reflecting on her journey, Sarah shares profound lessons learned from navigating the complexities of parenthood, offering wisdom gained from her own experiences raising her pre-teen daughter. 

5. Cultivating Supportive Communities: Sarah underscores the significance of community and connection for women, offering guidance on fostering meaningful relationships in both professional and personal spheres.

This episode promises to be a source of inspiration and practical wisdom for all - join us as we delve into navigating the intersection of motherhood, career, and personal fulfillment!

Links:

• Sarah Olin on LinkedIn

• Register to sign up for LUMO’s weekly newsletter: https://39764092.hs-sites.com/lumonewsletter  

• LUMO works directly with businesses to tailor their offerings to each company’s specific needs. For more details on how LUMO can help your company take care of new and expecting parents in your organization, feel free to reach out to: [email protected] 

• Blessing of the B-Minus 

For more authentic and honest motherhood conversation, subscribe to Mighty as a Mother:

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Join in on the conversation and follow along with us on Instagram: ⁠@mightyasamotherpodcast⁠!

As we are all in the midst of the joy and chaos that is the summer season, we are bringing you a re-release of one of our favorite episodes that is so apropos right now: renowned author and breathwork specialist Ashley Neese is on the show to talk about something much needed for all mamas. REST! 

Over the last fifteen years, Ashley has had the privilege of helping thousands of people with crippling anxiety, exhaustion, boundary setting, emotional regulation, grief, anger, overwhelm, and chronic stress. Her revolutionary work has consistently been featured in prominent outlets such as Vogue, Goop, Mind Body Green, and we know you will love this episode. 

In this episode, you will learn: 

• How to soothe your nervous system 

• Manage feelings of anxiety and overwhelm 

• What are grounding practices and can you easily weave them into micro moments throughout your day 

• Reconnect to yourself by quieting your mind and body 

You can discover Ashley’s incredible work and connect with her via:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ashley_neese/

• Her uplifting substack: https://thedeepercall.substack.com/ 

• Her latest book: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/690360/permission-to-rest-by-ashley-neese/

• Her first book: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/how-to-breathe-ashley-neese/1129663433;jsessionid=18116B5158D0DE63CCEFF1F3EA5D4C7E.prodny_store02-atgap13?ean=9780399582714&st=AFF&2sid=Linktree%20Pty%20Ltd_100589976_NA&sourceId=AFFLinktree%20Pty%20Ltd 

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Join in on the conversation and follow along with us on Instagram: ⁠@mightyasamotherpodcast⁠!

You asked and we listened! Today we are joined by an expert on all things skincare, injectables, and facial aesthetics. Molly Tomich is a physician assistant specializing in cosmetic dermatology, and a new mom embarking upon her own journey back to work after maternity leave. We got candid with Molly on all of your (and our!) skincare concerns - from skin laxity to anti-aging routines, and pressed her to answer the most burning question for so many of us - is more expensive skincare really better?! 

Skincare and aesthetics play a crucial role in boosting confidence for busy women and moms, and Molly brings her passion and expertise to educate our listeners on how they can best care for their skin during all seasons of life.

Join us as we discuss:

• Skincare During Life Transitions: Molly helps every mama understand ideal skincare routines while trying to conceive (TTC), during pregnancy, breastfeeding, and educating us on which key ingredients to avoid while providing safe alternatives.

• The Cost of Skincare: She breaks down the myth that effective skincare products need to be expensive, giving us suggestions on how to build an effective and approachable skincare routine. 

• Skincare for Busy Women: Molly provides practical skincare tips and product recommendations for busy women, focusing on the essential steps and multi-purpose products (spoiler alert - she believes less is more!)

• Must-Have Skincare Products: Identifying essential skincare products for everyone's routine, emphasizing the importance of simplicity and efficacy.

• The Role of Cosmetic Procedures: Exploring the effectiveness of skincare products versus surgical procedures in combating skin elasticity and natural aging that occurs in our 30s, 40s, and beyond. 

Links:

• https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34146086/#:~:text=Background%3A%20The%20popularity%20of%20videoconferencing,on%20camera%20for%20extended%20periods.

• https://www.precedenceresearch.com/anti-aging-cosmetics-market

• Agency Skincare

• The Treatment Skin Boutique

• Molly’s Instagram

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Join in on the conversation and follow along with us on Instagram: ⁠@mightyasamotherpodcast⁠!

If you’ve ever experienced anxious thoughts, feelings of burnout, or moments of self-doubt, you are not alone and this episode is the one for you. 

We know that more moms are feeling MORE anxious and burned out than ever, with more than two-thirds of mothers reporting feeling of burnout and overwhelm. So in this episode, we decided to enlist the help of a renowned expert to help us understand where to go from here. 

Today we are joined by a guest with expertise in maternal mental health - by the way of her Ivy League education but also in her role as a mother and therapist to mothers - Dr. Carolyn Rubenstein PhD. Dr Carolyn is an accomplished psychologist and author - and today she is all ours as we hear how us as busy, overwhelmed mamas might consider managing our own thoughts and expectations (of motherhood and of ourselves!). 

Join us as we discuss:

• High Functioning Anxiety in Motherhood: We unpack this often referred to phrase and learn how to recognize and manage anxiety amidst the seemingly endless demands of motherhood.

• Redefining Success on Our Own Terms: Initiating the process of redefining success beyond societal norms and what we may have expected for ourselves when we were younger. 

• Integrating Research into Practice: Incorporating research findings and the latest data sets to help us manage our own anxious and stressful thoughts more effectively.

• Overcoming Self-Doubt and Fear of Failure: Actionable advice for combating the oh to common struggles many of us face around “letting someone down.” 

We hope this episode serves you and reminds you that while there is no perfect parent, you are exactly the mom your kiddo(s) need. 

With love - Jenn & Laura

Links:

• Dr. Carolyn Rubenstein website

• Dr. Carolyn Rubenstein Instagram

• Dr. Carolyn Rubenstein Book: Perseverance: How Young People Turn Fear into Hope-and How They Can Teach Us to Do the Same

For more authentic and honest motherhood conversation, subscribe to Mighty as a Mother:

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Join in on the conversation and follow along with us on Instagram: ⁠@mightyasamotherpodcast⁠!

Today we are joined by mother of five and Medical Director, Dr. Jennifer McLeland of Frame Fertility to raise awareness and honor World Infertility Awareness Month this month.

Dr. McLeland brings a wealth of expertise and an unmatched passion for women’s healthcare and fertility and we know this conversation with help so many of you, regardless of where you are on your fertility and overall health journey.

Join us as we discuss:

• Common infertility concepts, challenges and misconceptions.

• Dr. McLeland's personal journey and specialization in women’s fertility.

• What women struggling with fertility can do to care for themselves during difficult times. 

• How she balances a demanding career and the pressures that come along with being a working mother to give kiddos. 

• What we can expect from the future of fertility treatments.

Links:

• Frame Fertility

• Motherly Article: "Am I Ready for a Baby?"

• Dr. Jenn McLeland on LinkedIn

For more authentic and honest motherhood conversation, subscribe to Mighty as a Mother:

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Join in on the conversation and follow along with us on Instagram: ⁠@mightyasamotherpodcast⁠!

Today's episode is heating up with the topic of hormonal shifts! Whether you're knee-deep in motherhood or just beginning, the menopausal and perimenopausal phases are closer than you think. Join us as we delve into this vital conversation with an esteemed guest — Midi Health Co-Founder and CEO Joanna Strober. As someone who has spent her career building businesses that unlock the potential of women and their families, Joanna has a visionary approach to transforming women's healthcare, particularly in addressing the challenges of menopause. It’s no surprise she created the first and only virtual-care platform for women experiencing this significant life change.

Join us as we discuss:

- The Evolution of Working Parenthood: Reflecting on her book "Getting to 50/50," Joanna discusses changes in the landscape of working parents and partnerships over the past 15 years.

- Lessons from a Decades-Long Career: Joanna imparts wisdom gained from her extensive career in business, highlighting key lessons learned along the way.

- Understanding Menopause and Perimenopause: Joanna provides definitions and age ranges for menopause and perimenopause, plus common symptoms experienced during these phases. We discuss empowering women to educate themselves, particularly in their early to mid-thirties.

- The Role of Midi Health: Explore how Midi Health supports women in aging their best and managing menopausal symptoms with dignity and ease.

- The Economic Impact of Menopause: Discussing the significant economic impact of menopause and its implications for consumers in the coming years.

Grab a pen and paper and an open mind. Together with Joanna, we’re ready to help you navigate these inevitable hormonal shifts with confidence and grace.

Links:

• Midi Health

• Joanna on LinkedIn

• Getting to 50/50: How Working Couples Can Have It All by Sharing It All by Joanna Strober and Sharon Meers

For more authentic and honest motherhood conversation, subscribe to Mighty as a Mother:

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Join in on the conversation and follow along with us on Instagram: ⁠@mightyasamotherpodcast⁠!