Mom Founder Imagination Hub

Hi there, please let me know if this episode resonates with you. Send me a DM @melissallarena on Instagram and say YES: https://www.instagram.com/melissallarena/ Welcome to episode 196, have you ever felt anxious about taking your kids to a supermarket or Target? If the answer is yes then you have got to tune into this week's guest Amber Trueblood the author of the best-selling book THE UNFLUSTERED MOM. She has four boys of her own and several credentials including being a licensed marriage and family therapist. In her book, she shows readers how to find a healthy alternative to dealing with mom-fears. Without raising their cortisol levels—that is, literally living in a space of ease and flow —the tools in this book will help moms create positive physiological shifts, better emotional awareness, hormonal balance, and the ability to set realistic boundaries. More about Amber below.

This episode is brought to you by Fertile Imagination: A Guide for Stretching Every Mom's Superpower for Creating Maximum Impact – my book 👀 that is launching on October 31 🎃! You can shop it on Amazon in Kindle format at 99 cents! If you want me to send you a calendar reminder then send me an Instagram DM @melissallarena - just type FERTILE or email me [email protected]

About Amber Trueblood

Amber Trueblood, MBA, is a licensed marriage and family therapist (LMFT), best-selling author, speaker, and mother of four sons. She has over 25 years of experience in mental health, and co-founded The M.E.C.A. Project to help teens and young adults thrive Mentally and Emotionally through Conscious Awareness. Amber has been featured in People, Oprah Magazine, CNN, Motherhood Maternity, Good Day LA, CBS8, FOX5, KTLA5, and many more.

In this episode, you will hear these ideas expressed:

• What is an anxiety style?
• If you are anxious then tune in for on-the-go and longer term tips
• How can you increase the odds of a calm trip out the door with kids?
• Get a sneak peek into Unflustered Mom the book by Amber!
• Love, fighter, visionary, executive, and dynamo - which are you?
• Real talk between two moms with "spicy" high energy kids
• What are some ways you can hone a zen store-shopping experience with your kids?
• Might there be a positive use of anxiety? Tune in
• Mothering and staying calm throughs chaos

SHARE this episode with a mom founder, entrepreneur, or creator who frequently shops with her kids at Target or any other overwhelmingly big store!

Similar Episodes:

• https://www.melissallarena.com/the-backstory-to-being-published-in-fast-fall-women-edited-by-gina-barreca-my-book-preface-episode-195/
• https://www.melissallarena.com/you-can-learn-how-to-play-again-try-this-moms-episode-147/

Supporting Resources:

• www.ambertrueblood.com
• www.flourishquiz.com
• officialambertrueblood

Subscribe and Review:

Have you subscribed to my podcast for new moms who are entrepreneurs, founders, and creators? I'd love for you to subscribe if you haven't yet. I'd love it even more if you could drop a review or 5-star rating over on Apple Podcasts. Simply select "Ratings and Reviews" and "Write a Review" then a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a second and it helps spread the word about the podcast for writer moms.

About Fertile Imagination – www.fertileideas.com - coming out October 31, 2023!

Fertile Ideas Website:

www.fertileideas.com

You can be a great mom without giving up, shrinking, or hiding your dreams. There's flexibility in how you pursue anything—your role, your lifestyle, and your personal and professional goals. The limitations on your dreams are waiting to be shattered. It's time to see and seize what's beyond your gaze. Let's bridge your childhood daydreams with your grown-up realities. Imagine skipping with your kids along any path—you, surpassing your milestones while your kids are reaching theirs. There's only one superpower versatile enough to stretch your thinking beyond what's been done before: a Fertile Imagination. It's like kryptonite for impostor syndrome and feeling stuck when it's alert!

In Fertile Imagination, you will awaken your sleeping source of creative solutions. If you can wake up a toddler or a groggy middle schooler, then together with the stories in this book—featuring 25 guests from my podcast Unimaginable Wellness, proven tools, and personal anecdotes—we will wake up your former playmate: your imagination!

Dive in if you've ever asked yourself:

• Why do I want more?

• What about my big ideas?

• When do I get to play?

• Where can I find the energy?

• Who else is going for it and getting it done?

• How can I stay relevant and keep growing?

• What if I don't want to wait until my kids are grown?

It's filled with self-reflected questions, hilarious stories, and podcast examples of the use of a fertile imagination.

Advance Praise

"You'll find reality-based strategies for imagining your own imperfect, fulfilling life in this book!" —MARTHA HENNESSEY, former NH State Senator

"Melissa invites the reader into a personal and deep journey about topics that are crucially important to uncover what would make a mom

(and dad too) truly happy to work on...even after the kids are in bed." —KEN HONDA, best-selling author of Happy Money

"This book is a great purchase for moms in every stage of life. Melissa is like a great friend, honest and wise and funny, telling you about her life and asking you to

reflect on yours." —MAUREEN TURNER CAREY, librarian in Austin, TX

In this episode, I'll reveal the backstory of my participation in Fast Fall Women. But first, what was I thinking? I went from no one knowing about my experiences being raised by a mom with manic depression – to today, the world being able to hear one of my most vulnerable moments for $18.95.

Here's the truth: Today marks a milestone for me as a published author in a book that features these writing goddesses: Amy Tan, Jane Smiley, Caroline Leavitt, Bobbie Ann Mason, Honor Moore, Darien Hsu Gee, Ilene Beckerman, Lynn Peril as well as new writers like myself. It's a big deal and this is why you should tune into today's episode especially if you've ever wanted to tell your story (or feel scared to).

Imagine harnessing the whimsical power of your childhood imagination and translating it into the real world as a mompreneur. That's the journey I've been on, and in this episode, I share the heart and soul of it all. Listen in as I explore how motherhood can transform your relationship with your imagination and how you can navigate through the ups and downs of life using this powerful tool.

In today's episode, you will also hear the backstory to Fertile Imagination: my own book coming out on October 31, 2023. Prefaces tend to be overlooked but mine left an impression on other moms who are looking for more bubble wrap to protect their sanity, so I figured I'd share it with you. It took courage to tell this story, and I hope it resonates with you, giving you the strength to face your own high stakes and standards.

Let's connect on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/melissallarena/. Send me a "hi" DM on Instagram letting me know you caught this week's episode. I'd love to know who is listening.

In this episode, you will hear these ideas expressed:

• What does it feel like to be published?
• How did Melissa pitch her story, Imagine It Forward?
• Why Melissa wrote the book, Fertile Imagination
• When imagination can come in handy: Harnessing the power of childhood imagination in motherhood and entrepreneurship
• Is imagining too big possible?
• What it takes to write a book for two years without losing hope…
• Growing up with a single mom with manic depression
• Relying on imagination as a child
• How imagination helps navigate the ups and downs of entrepreneurship and motherhood
• The journey of writing a book, how the vision sustained through massive life changes, and the reawakening of imagination

SHARE this episode with a mom founder, entrepreneur, or creator who wants to pursue bigger dreams for herself and needs a guide with on-the-ground experience.

Similar episodes:

https://www.melissallarena.com/what-gina-barreca-has-to-say-about-feminism-humor-and-power-episode-119/

https://www.melissallarena.com/you-can-learn-how-to-play-again-try-this-moms-episode-147/

Supporting Resources:

Fertile Imagination Waitlist: https://www.melissallarena.com/waitlist/

Fast Fallen Women: https://www.amazon.com/Fast-Fallen-Women-Essays-NonFiction/dp/1954907788/ref=sr_1_3?keywords=fast+fallen+women&qid=1693938711&sprefix=fast+falln%2Caps%2C237&sr=8-3

Subscribe and Review

Have you subscribed to my podcast for new moms who are entrepreneurs, founders, and creators? I'd love for you to subscribe if you haven't yet.

I'd love it even more if you could drop a review or 5-star rating over on Apple Podcasts. Simply select "Ratings and Reviews" and "Write a Review" then a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a second and it helps spread the word about the podcast for writer moms.

This episode is brought to you by Fertile Imagination A Guide for Stretching Every Mom's Superpower for Maximum Impact – available for purchase on October 31, 2023!

Get on the waitlist - www.melissallarena.com/waitlist today.

My debut non-fiction book for moms like you!

Fertile Imagination is the jet engine you need to go after what you really, really want.

You don't have to give up your dreams, shrink them, or hide them to be a great mom anymore! There's flexibility in how you pursue anything—your role, your lifestyle, and your personal and professional goals. The ceiling on what you go after is waiting to be shattered. It's time to see and seize what's beyond your gaze. Let's bridge your childhood daydreams with your grown-up realities. Imagine skipping with your kids across any path—you, surpassing your milestones while your kids are reaching theirs. There's only one superpower versatile enough to stretch your thinking beyond what's been done before: a Fertile Imagination. It's the perfect kryptonite for impostor syndrome and feeling stuck when it's alert!

In Fertile Imagination, you will awaken your sleeping source of creative solutions. If you can wake up a toddler or a groggy middle schooler, then together with the stories in this book—featuring 25 guests from my podcast Unimaginable Wellness, proven tools, and personal anecdotes—we will wake up your former playmate: your imagination!

Dive in if you've ever asked yourself:

• Why do I want more?

• What about my big ideas?

• When do I get to play?

• Where can I find the energy?

• Who else is going for it and getting it done?

• How can I stay relevant and keep growing?

• What if I don't want to wait until my kids are gone?

Praise For Fertile Imagination

Get on the waitlist - www.melissallarena.com/waitlist today.

Book participants/podcast guests

"Melissa is an inspiring display of tenacity and motivation. Whenever you're feeling stuck, peruse Melissa's thoughtfully compiled tips and exercises and you'll be creating magic in no time." – Suzy Batiz, Chief Executive and Visionary Officer, ~Pourri, The Makers of Poo~Pourri, supernatural, Alive OS®

"Melissa's words are authentic and important. She is a great listener and now shares reality-based strategies for imagining your own imperfect, fulfilling life." – Martha Hennessey, Former New Hampshire State Senator / House of Representative

"This is the book for a mom who wants a second jet engine to embark on her own journey from thinking she will have to wait another lifetime to dream big to knowing she can take steps right now to uncover and do what she would find more fulfilling at this life stage. Melissa writes both intimately and conversationally about topics that many moms around the world can relate to (some dads too). She invites the reader into a personal and deep journey about topics that are crucially important to uncover what would make a mom truly happy to work on...even after the kids are in bed. It was an honor and a pleasure to speak with her for an interview, which she has included excerpts of in this book, too!" - Ken Honda, Japan's bestselling zen millionaire, author of Happy Money: The Japanese Art of Making Peace with Your Money

Moms like us with big dreams and school-age kids:

For moms like me, the pandemic was an opportunity to re-evaluate and course-correct things in our lives we weren't thrilled with. Coming out of this period, sluggish yet motivated, so many of us can use this book to help us wake up! If you're looking to refresh, reenergize, and yes, reimagine a better version of your life, this book is for you. I loved the hilarious, yet poignant stories about motherhood today and the window into the world of those who've gone for it – and did it. - Macollvie Neel, Brooklyn, NY

"The words: imagination, play and fun are not the usual things we as mothers think of when wondering how to get a grip back on our career and I believe it provides a really fresh take and lots of food for thought for mothers reading it. Its tone is so energetic and fresh!" – Alejandra Molina, Coach, Miami, Florida

"Melissa is a mom of three with big dreams who tells it like it is. She draws on her own experiences and the experiences of professionals she's interviewed for her podcast to reflect on the plight of the mother. How do women conform to or challenge the traditional "mom script"? If you're a mom, what can you do to break the "cultural glass ceiling" to be yourself and a great parent, all without having to force yourself into a mom mold that doesn't fit you? Melissa is like a great friend, honest and wise and funny, telling you about her life and asking you to reflect on yours. This book is a great purchase for moms in every stage of life." – Maureen Turner Carey, Librarian, Austin, Texas

"In her book, Melissa shows us that motherhood does not have to be a pause or an end to your pre-child self. With guidance from her podcast guests, she encourages us to think big, find what lights us up, think big, and move towards our goals with the steps that fit the reality of our lives as they are today. In doing so we honor and inspire our child(ren), and our own inner child." – Katherine Howell, Administrator in a Museum, Queens, NY

Let's connect on Instagram. https://www.instagram.com/melissallarena/

Send me a "hi" DM on Insta letting me know you caught this week's episode. I'd love to know who is listening.

Welcome to episode 194. Do you have a great business idea stuck in your head? What if getting it out of your head would put $30K in your pocket? Why would anyone procrastinate on executing such an idea? Meet Carin today's live coaching session participant. This is her situation and yet she has been procrastinating launching her $30K idea. Does this sound familiar? The conversation started with this $30K challenge yet as is often the case for moms in business specifically there is often more going on in the background that is affecting our sanity. So what might be the root cause of Carin's hesitation to release her idea into the world and just stating selling it?

Tune in to find out!

You'll hear how through candid and brutally honest coaching questions I uncovered that her procrastinating the launch of this idea was just a symptom of something much bigger: she is actually a hesitant to let go of her old life ( she's in the middle of an incomplete divorce). So it turns out, the issue is not really the offer, the credentials, or the details of binging her offer to the world. Sound familiar? Tune in. if this episode resonates with you as a mom in business then sign-up for a free break-through session with me. This is the link for my calendar: https://www.melissallarena.com/sessions/

Carin Cooper is a coach who helps women who are agonizing about their jobs and leaving their kids how to create income from home. She has worked hard on deprogramming herself from feeling like she is not enough. She has worked on her money story and hired a mentor who has a framework for creating a new coaching offer. You will hear how self-aware Carin is regarding the world of coaching. Use this coaching session, to see if the areas of your own life where you might require a therapist instead of a coach.

I'm sharing this conversation because the truth is that not every business challenge can be fixed on the surface. No number of affirmations, marketing funnel hacks, or shifts in money stories are going to change you when you are in the middle of a personal life tragedy like a divorce. So consider this episode a good gauge of where a coach's expertise may be insufficient.

In this episode, you will hear these ideas expressed:

● How to know when procrastinating is just a symptom vs. the real issue in business stagnation

● Accepting change vs. resisting it; what can this look like for moms with a lot on their minds

● Signs that you are avoiding a bigger emotional issue by investing in temporary business fixes

● The fear of big life changes and getting back up

● Investing in coaching vs. when you might need to invest in therapy

● What questions might you need to answer to get to the bottom of your procrastinating?

● How to address pain beyond the surface when coaches are not helping

● What it sounds like when coaching is not the answer

SHARE this episode with a mom founder, entrepreneur, or creator who is procrastinating launching a new offer.

Similar episodes:

https://www.melissallarena.com/carolines-path-from-law-to-art-embracing-art-amid-societal-pressures-episode-191/

https://www.melissallarena.com/serin-is-not-writing-her-memoir-due-to-a-fear-of-judgment-episode-193/

https://www.melissallarena.com/you-can-learn-how-to-play-again-try-this-moms-episode-147/

Supporting Resources:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/caren.s.cooper?mibextid=D4KYlr

Subscribe and Review

Have you subscribed to my podcast for new moms who are entrepreneurs, founders, and creators? I'd love for you to subscribe if you haven't yet.

I'd love it even more if you could drop a review or 5-star rating over on Apple Podcasts. Simply select "Ratings and Reviews" and "Write a Review" then a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a second and it helps spread the word about the podcast for writer moms.

This episode is brought to you by Fertile Imagination A Guide for Stretching Every Mom's Superpower for Maximum Impact – available for purchase on October 31, 2023!

Get on the waitlist - www.melissallarena.com/waitlist today.

My debut non-fiction book for moms like you!

Fertile Imagination is the jet engine you need to go after what you really, really want.

You don't have to give up your dreams, shrink them, or hide them to be a great mom anymore! There's flexibility in how you pursue anything—your role, your lifestyle, and your personal and professional goals. The ceiling on what you go after is waiting to be shattered. It's time to see and seize what's beyond your gaze. Let's bridge your childhood daydreams with your grown-up realities. Imagine skipping with your kids across any path—you, surpassing your milestones while your kids are reaching theirs. There's only one superpower versatile enough to stretch your thinking beyond what's been done before: a Fertile Imagination. It's the perfect kryptonite for impostor syndrome and feeling stuck when it's alert!

In Fertile Imagination, you will awaken your sleeping source of creative solutions. If you can wake up a toddler or a groggy middle schooler, then together with the stories in this book—featuring 25 guests from my podcast Unimaginable Wellness, proven tools, and personal anecdotes—we will wake up your former playmate: your imagination!

Dive in if you've ever asked yourself:

· Why do I want more?

· What about my big ideas?

· When do I get to play?

· Where can I find the energy?

· Who else is going for it and getting it done?

· How can I stay relevant and keep growing?

· What if I don't want to wait until my kids are gone?

Praise For Fertile Imagination

Get on the waitlist - www.melissallarena.com/waitlist today.

Book participants/podcast guests

"Melissa is an inspiring display of tenacity and motivation. Whenever you're feeling stuck, peruse Melissa's thoughtfully compiled tips and exercises and you'll be creating magic in no time." – Suzy Batiz, Chief Executive and Visionary Officer, ~Pourri, The Makers of Poo~Pourri, supernatural, Alive OS®

"Melissa's words are authentic and important. She is a great listener and now shares reality-based strategies for imagining your own imperfect, fulfilling life." – Martha Hennessey, Former New Hampshire State Senator / House of Representative

"This is the book for a mom who wants a second jet engine to embark on her own journey from thinking she will have to wait another lifetime to dream big to knowing she can take steps right now to uncover and do what she would find more fulfilling at this life stage. Melissa writes both intimately and conversationally about topics that many moms around the world can relate to (some dads too). She invites the reader into a personal and deep journey about topics that are crucially important to uncover what would make a mom truly happy to work on...even after the kids are in bed. It was an honor and a pleasure to speak with her for an interview, which she has included excerpts of in this book, too!" - Ken Honda, Japan's bestselling zen millionaire, author of Happy Money: The Japanese Art of Making Peace with Your Money

Moms like us with big dreams and school-age kids:

For moms like me, the pandemic was an opportunity to re-evaluate and course-correct things in our lives we weren't thrilled with. Coming out of this period, sluggish yet motivated, so many of us can use this book to help us wake up! If you're looking to refresh, reenergize, and yes, reimagine a better version of your life, this book is for you. I loved the hilarious, yet poignant stories about motherhood today and the window into the world of those who've gone for it – and did it. - Macollvie Neel, Brooklyn, NY

"The words: imagination, play and fun are not the usual things we as mothers think of when wondering how to get a grip back on our career and I believe it provides a really fresh take and lots of food for thought for mothers reading it. Its tone is so energetic and fresh!" – Alejandra Molina, Coach, Miami, Florida

"Melissa is a mom of three with big dreams who tells it like it is. She draws on her own experiences and the experiences of professionals she's interviewed for her podcast to reflect on the plight of the mother. How do women conform to or challenge the traditional "mom script"? If you're a mom, what can you do to break the "cultural glass ceiling" to be yourself and a great parent, all without having to force yourself into a mom mold that doesn't fit you? Melissa is like a great friend, honest and wise and funny, telling you about her life and asking you to reflect on yours. This book is a great purchase for moms in every stage of life." – Maureen Turner Carey, Librarian, Austin, Texas

"In her book, Melissa shows us that motherhood does not have to be a pause or an end to your pre-child self. With guidance from her podcast guests, she encourages us to think big, find what lights us up, think big, and move towards our goals with the steps that fit the reality of our lives as they are today. In doing so we honor and inspire our child(ren), and our own inner child." – Katherine Howell, Administrator in a Museum, Queens, NY

DM me to talk about the fear of judgment. Is it real to you too? https://www.instagram.com/melissallarena/

Have you ever felt trapped within your own survival story? This week, we walk through this very journey with Serin, a mother and author who finds herself entangled in the chains of her past. As we traverse the winding path of her life, we uncover the deep-seated fears that have held her back from achieving her full potential as a mom and writer. Diving into the heart of her narrative, we delve into the impact of early childhood trauma and explore the powerful role of self-sabotage in Serin's life. Together, we shed light on the tangible tools and lessons that can aid her quest for progress and growth.

This is a live coaching session where I coach Serin, an author with one daughter who is holding on to an old story that is getting in the way of writing her book, a memoir. Sound familiar? She has done a lot of work to fight that story of survival but she still finds herself using it as the reason why she is not earning at her full potential nor making progress in writing her memoir. A lot came up related to early childhood trauma, which I have to say is often behind self-sabotage, impostor syndrome, and playing very small. Will Serin hold on tightly to her story or will she let it go after 40 years? Time to find out – and if this episode resonates with your situation as a mom in business then sign up for a free breakthrough session with me: https://www.melissallarena.com/sessions/

This episode is brought to you by Fertile Imagination: A Guide For Stretching Every Mom's Superpower For Maximum Impact – My book that will be available on October 2023. I believe that every mom has a fertile imagination. It's your superpower. You can learn how to use it and once you do it is then that you can create the impact and income you know you should be earning!

My book is for a mom who says YES to this question: Could you use a second jet engine to go on a playful journey to deliver on your dreams?

It's filled with self-reflected questions, hilarious stories, and podcast examples of the use of a fertile imagination.

Get on the waitlist - www.melissallarena.com/waitlist today!

About Serin

Serin was a Fortune 500 business executive who launched over 25 well-known brands, some are household names. Twelve years ago, she moved to Boulder, Colorado, and discovered her spiritual gifts as a medium and intuitive healer. When she's not healing, she's a mama to a budding young artist and a wife to a sculptor. Today, Serin teaches people to harness their instincts and to be truly at home with themselves. Her belief: the world is more beautiful when we can be who we want to be. Her best-selling book, U Empath You, helps women tap into their inner wisdom and learn how to manage their energy for the better.

Let Serin's story inspire you to break free from the chains of your past and harness the power within you to create and share your unique narrative. Remember, your journey toward healing, progress, and empowerment is a significant one, not just for you, but for future generations as well. So, stay resilient, keep writing, and continue creating. Your story matters.

In this episode, you will hear these ideas expressed:

• How to let go of a trauma story? Is it possible or is it like an irreparable mold?
• Self-compassion can be the answer to changing a story
• Imagine this: If you let go of a story then who could you be?
• The fear of dropping a story that's no longer serving you
• Using what you as a mom would tell your kids for yourself is one coaching approach displayed
• Is there a way to push yourself to write and can you give yourself the certainty that you are safe enough to write the truth?
• Mother-daughter dynamics and what if your mom was a narcissist
• What are new strategies for overriding your story so that you can write?
• Navigating being judged for your work and how to trust yourself enough to know how to handle it
• So who are you really living a full life for and expressing your artistry?
• Overcoming deep-seated fears and self-sabotage
• The impact of early childhood trauma on Serin's life
• The role of self-love in reshaping our life narratives and breaking free from survival stories
• The importance of self-approval and trust in oneself for healing
• Overcoming fear of judgment and embracing one's true potential

SHARE this episode with a mom founder, entrepreneur, or creator who is stuck for fear of judgment of her work.

Similar episodes:

https://www.melissallarena.com/carolines-path-from-law-to-art-embracing-art-amid-societal-pressures-episode-191/

https://www.melissallarena.com/you-can-learn-how-to-play-again-try-this-moms-episode-147/

Supporting Resources:

• https://www.serinsilva.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/serin.silva.coach/?hl=en
• X: https://twitter.com/SNSilva5
• Free 30-minute intuitive session - visit www.serinsilva.com
• https://www.facebook.com/kismetenergies

Subscribe and Review

Have you subscribed to my podcast for new moms who are entrepreneurs, founders, and creators? I'd love for you to subscribe if you haven't yet.

I'd love it even more if you could drop a review or 5-star rating over on Apple Podcasts. Simply select "Ratings and Reviews" and "Write a Review" then a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a second and it helps spread the word about the podcast for writer moms.

Book Launch October 2023! Join the Collective Of Moms Who Seek More Imaginative Solutions For Maximum Impact While Inspiring Their Kids To Do The Same

Introducing: Fertile Imagination: A Guide For Stretching Every Mom's Superpower for Maximum Impact – Get on the list and grab your FREE Chapter today: https://www.melissallarena.com/waitlist/

Join the waitlist for Fertile Imagination to be the first to

See the book cover and vote on your favorite

Get a sneak peek at the behind-the-scenes book-writing process

Join my Imagination to Impact 21-Day challenge first to bring my three-stage method of reawakening your imagination, playing with your imagination, and stretching your imagination to your daily life and see what using your fertile imagination can look like and how this can turn around your relationship with your kids too

Learn first-hand about playful and fun book launch events (online and offline)

Snag a FREE chapter today and start your journey towards becoming the fun parent through a series of imagination warm-ups created for the most ambitious moms who feel like they lost a big piece of themselves (along with their placentas – literally or figuratively)

Praise For Fertile Imagination

Book participants/podcast guests

"Melissa is an inspiring display of tenacity and motivation. Whenever you're feeling stuck, peruse Melissa's thoughtfully compiled tips and exercises and you'll be creating magic in no time." – Suzy Batiz, Chief Executive and Visionary Officer, ~Pourri, The Makers of Poo~Pourri, supernatural, Alive OS®

"Melissa's words are authentic and important. She is a great listener and now shares reality-based strategies for imagining your own imperfect, fulfilling life." – Martha Hennessey, Former New Hampshire State Senator / House of Representative

"This is the book for a mom who wants a second jet engine to embark on her own journey from thinking she will have to wait another lifetime to dream big to know she can take steps right now to uncover and do what she would find more fulfilling at this life stage. Melissa writes both intimately and conversationally about topics that many moms around the world can relate to (some dads too). She invites the reader into a personal and deep journey about topics that are crucially important to uncover what would make a mom truly happy to work on...even after the kids are in bed. It was an honor and a pleasure to speak with her for an interview, which she has included excerpts of in this book, too!" - Ken Honda, Japan's bestselling zen millionaire, author of Happy Money: The Japanese Art of Making Peace with Your Money

Moms like us with big dreams and school-age kids:

For moms like me, the pandemic was an opportunity to re-evaluate and course-correct things in our lives we weren't thrilled with. Coming out of this period, sluggish yet motivated, so many of us can use this book to help us wake up! If you're looking to refresh, reenergize, and yes, reimagine a better version of your life, this book is for you. I loved the hilarious, yet poignant stories about motherhood today and the window into the world of those who've gone for it – and did it. - Macollvie Neel, Brooklyn, NY

"The words: imagination, play, and fun are not the usual things we as mothers think of when wondering how to get a grip back on our career and I believe it provides a really fresh take and lots of food for thought for mothers reading it. Its tone is so energetic and fresh!" – Alejandra Molina, Coach, Miami, Florida

"Melissa is a mom of three with big dreams who tells it like it is. She draws on her own experiences and the experiences of professionals she's interviewed for her podcast to reflect on the plight of the mother. How do women conform to or challenge the traditional "mom script"? If you're a mom, what can you do to break the "cultural glass ceiling" to be yourself and a great parent, all without having to force yourself into a mom mold that doesn't fit you? Melissa is like a great friend, honest and wise and funny, telling you about her life and asking you to reflect on yours. This book is a great purchase for moms in every stage of life." – Maureen Turner Carey, Librarian, Austin, Texas

"In her book, Melissa shows us that motherhood does not have to be a pause or an end to your pre-child self. With guidance from her podcast guests, she encourages us to think big, find what lights us up, think big, and move towards our goals with the steps that fit the reality of our lives as they are today. In doing so we honor and inspire our child(ren), and our own inner child." – Katherine Dzierzynski, Museum Group Sales, Forest Hills, NY

Let's DM: https://www.instagram.com/melissallarena/

Welcome to episode 192, this is a live coaching session where I coach Sandrine a web designer who is struggling with imposter syndrome. She was spending a lot of time creating social media assets when we spoke yet her former clients all came from referrals – is she going to meet her income goal this month or is that use of her time really a clue that she is procrastinating due to imposter syndrome? Time to find out and if this episode resonates with your situation as a mom in business then sign-up for a free break-through session with me. The link is in the show notes: https://www.melissallarena.com/sessions/

This episode is brought to you by Fertile Imagination: A Guide For Stretching Every Mom's Superpower For Maximum Impact – My book that will be available on October 2023. I believe that every mom has a fertile imagination. It's your superpower. You can learn how to use it and once you do it is then that you can create the impact and income you know you should be earning!

My book is for a mom who says YES to this question: Could you use a second jet engine to go on a playful journey to deliver on your dreams?

It's filled with self-reflected questions, hilarious stories, and podcast examples of the use of a fertile imagination.

Get on the waitlist - www.melissallarena.com/waitlist today.

About Sandrine

Sandrine is a Showit Web Designer who craft websites that demand to be noticed for unapologetic creatives and brands looking to stand above the crowd. She started her web design business years ago after discovering her healthy obsession for design, strategy, and getting that brand color palate. Sandrine feels like she's livin' the good life and she want to help others fall in love with their business all over again. And to show them just how easy a website building process can be (their words not hers).

In this episode, you will hear these ideas expressed:

● How to get out of your head and not focus on other people's work

● Am I good enough? Am I credible enough? We discussed both

● What clues are there that you might be held back by impostor syndrome?

● How do you know if your prices are too low?

● Is research sometimes a way to procrastinate? Is this a clue of impostor syndrome

● What might you need to believe to ask for referrals or help in your own business? See Sandrine's answers/

● What else might you focus on that distinguishes you in your field….to feel less insecure about your skills?

● A flavor of Melissa's sales coaching for solopreneurs who are the face of their business is on display during this LIVE coaching session

● Writing your own definition of success – have you?

● What would it take for you to overcome your imposter syndrome? Book a call with Melissa to find out.

● How can you be comfortable doing things that are uncomfortable?

SHARE this episode with a mom founder, entrepreneur, or creator who is stuck and

not really going for impact and income in her business that you know she deserves

because of impostor syndrome.

Similar episodes:

https://www.melissallarena.com/carolines-path-from-law-to-art-embracing-art-amid-societal-pressures-episode-191/

https://www.melissallarena.com/you-can-learn-how-to-play-again-try-this-moms-episode-147/

Supporting Resources:

· Your Websitehttps://sandrinesdesignco.com/

· Instagramhttps://www.instagram.com/sandrinesdesignco/

Subscribe and Review

Have you subscribed to my podcast for new moms who are entrepreneurs, founders, and creators? I'd love for you to subscribe if you haven't yet.

I'd love it even more if you could drop a review or 5-star rating over on Apple Podcasts. Simply select "Ratings and Reviews" and "Write a Review" then a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a second and it helps spread the word about the podcast for writer moms.

Book Launch October 2023! Join the Collective Of Moms Who Seek More Imaginative Solutions For Maximum Impact While Inspiring Their Kids To Do The Same

Introducing: Fertile Imagination: A Guide For Stretching Every Mom's Superpower for Maximum Impact – Get on the list anf grab your FREE Chapter today: https://www.melissallarena.com/waitlist/

Join the waitlist for Fertile Imagination to be the first to

See the book cover and vote on your favorite

Get a sneak peek at the behind-the-scenes book-writing process

Join my Imagination to Impact 21-Day challenge first to bring my three-stage method of reawakening your imagination, playing with your imagination, and stretching your imagination to your daily life and see what using your fertile imagination can look like and how this can turnaround your relationship with your kids too

Learn first-hand about playful and fun book launch events (online and offline)

Snag a FREE chapter today and start your journey towards becoming the fun parent through a series of imagination warm-ups created for the most ambitious moms who feel like they lost a big piece of themselves (along with their placentas – literally or figuratively)

Praise For Fertile Imagination

Book participants/podcast guests

"Melissa is an inspiring display of tenacity and motivation. Whenever you're feeling stuck, peruse Melissa's thoughtfully compiled tips and exercises and you'll be creating magic in no time." – Suzy Batiz, Chief Executive and Visionary Officer, ~Pourri, The Makers of Poo~Pourri, supernatural, Alive OS®

"Melissa's words are authentic and important. She is a great listener and now shares reality-based strategies for imagining your own imperfect, fulfilling life." – Martha Hennessey, Former New Hampshire State Senator / House of Representative

"This is the book for a mom who wants a second jet engine to embark on her own journey from thinking she will have to wait another lifetime to dream big to knowing she can take steps right now to uncover and do what she would find more fulfilling at this life stage. Melissa writes both intimately and conversationally about topics that many moms around the world can relate to (some dads too). She invites the reader into a personal and deep journey about topics that are crucially important to uncover what would make a mom truly happy to work on...even after the kids are in bed. It was an honor and a pleasure to speak with her for an interview, which she has included excerpts of in this book, too!" - Ken Honda, Japan's bestselling zen millionaire, author of Happy Money: The Japanese Art of Making Peace with Your Money

Moms like us with big dreams and school-age kids:

For moms like me, the pandemic was an opportunity to re-evaluate and course-correct things in our lives we weren't thrilled with. Coming out of this period, sluggish yet motivated, so many of us can use this book to help us wake up! If you're looking to refresh, reenergize, and yes, reimagine a better version of your life, this book is for you. I loved the hilarious, yet poignant stories about motherhood today and the window into the world of those who've gone for it – and did it. - Macollvie Neel, Brooklyn, NY

"The words: imagination, play and fun are not the usual things we as mothers think of when wondering how to get a grip back on our career and I believe it provides a really fresh take and lots of food for thought for mothers reading it. Its tone is so energetic and fresh!" – Alejandra Molina, Coach in Miami, Florida

"Melissa is a mom of three with big dreams who tells it like it is. She draws on her own experiences and the experiences of professionals she's interviewed for her podcast to reflect on the plight of the mother. How do women conform to or challenge the traditional "mom script"? If you're a mom, what can you do to break the "cultural glass ceiling" to be yourself and a great parent, all without having to force yourself into a mom mold that doesn't fit you? Melissa is like a great friend, honest and wise and funny, telling you about her life and asking you to reflect on yours. This book is a great purchase for moms in every stage of life." – Maureen Turner Carey, Librarian, Austin, Texas

"In her book, Melissa shows us that motherhood does not have to be a pause or an end to your pre-child self. With guidance from her podcast guests, she encourages us to think big, find what lights us up, think big, and move towards our goals with the steps that fit the reality of our lives as they are today. In doing so we honor and inspire our child(ren), and our own inner child." – Katherine Howell, a Museum Administrator, Queens, NY

Feel free to DM me your thoughts on this episode? https://www.instagram.com/melissallarena/

This is a live coaching session with a creative mom who has entrepreneurial ambitions to write and sing music. She has two young kids at home and works part-time as an attorney. She recently turned forty and does not want to squander this season of her life. Take this opportunity to see what a coaching session with me sounds like and if you are a creative mom with entrepreneurial goals that you are not hitting because you are stuck in an old story about who you should be as a mom with a business (less risky, less playful, less ambitious) then sign-up for a free breakthrough session with me. The link is in the show notes: https://www.melissallarena.com/sessions/

This episode is brought to you by Fertile Imagination: A Guide For Stretching Every Mom's Superpower For Maximum Impact – www.melissallarena.com/waitlist today.

About Caroline

Caroline writes music about what it's like, as a mom and an artist. She sought coaching to muster the courage to redefine myself outside of society's expectations (and my own expectations) in order to find something truer.

Caroline also shares the realities of juggling multiple roles - as an artist, a mother, and a professional. She talks about the courage and vulnerability it takes to follow a passion project, despite the hurdles life throws at you. In her journey of expanding her life possibilities and navigating the joys of parenting, Caroline's story serves as a testament to the power of passion and resilience. Be prepared to journey with us through a narrative of self-rediscovery, resilience, and embracing your true identity with Caroline.

In this episode, you will hear these ideas expressed:

• Turning 40 is a reckoning point when you take a look at your life and make different choices moving forward.
• Why might a mom with two young kids but the means to focus on her artistic interests NOT move forward? What if you don't have anything to lose too? What beliefs might be stopping you?
• What if being ridiculous and following your passion lit you up as a mom? Is being an excited mom worth following a creative adventure?
• Choosing a path where you feel respected. What do you need to hear to feel respected and accepted by others based on your choices?
• How to get over other people's perceptions and approaching challenges from a position of power
• Seeing jealousy as a sign that you may be interested in a topic or creative adventure – in comes Taylor Swift
• Making a pivot into a creative adventure: What would it look like to actually be an artist? What would a weekend look like?
• Not until you take yourself seriously will others take you seriously
• Get to that place of how you want to feel to drive your goals and specific steps forward
• What if no one else takes interest? How can you let go of needing that acceptance?
• The idea of 'three chords and the truth' in music, and the importance of feeling acknowledged and accepted for our decisions
• Owning her identity as an artist, practical and societal concerns, family's reaction, and motivation to create her passion project
• How the support of those closest to us can show us the respect we need to pursue our passions

SHARE this episode with a mom founder, entrepreneur, or creator for whom a fear of judgment or not feeling accepted might be getting in her way of an incredible creative entrepreneurial adventure.

Similar episodes:

The Risks And Consequences Of Taking On A Supporting Role In Your Mom Life, Episode 182

https://www.melissallarena.com/you-can-learn-how-to-play-again-try-this-moms-episode-147/

Supporting Resources:

• www.maudlinhousewife.com

• https://www.instagram.com/maudlinhousewife/

Subscribe and Review

Have you subscribed to my podcast for new moms who are entrepreneurs, founders, and creators? I'd love for you to subscribe if you haven't yet.

I'd love it even more if you could drop a review or 5-star rating over on Apple Podcasts. Simply select "Ratings and Reviews" and "Write a Review" then a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a second and it helps spread the word about the podcast for writer moms.

Book Launch October 2023! Join the Collective Of Moms Who Seek More Imaginative Solutions For Maximum Impact While Inspiring Their Kids To Do The Same

Introducing: Fertile Imagination: A Guide For Stretching Every Mom's Superpower for Maximum Impact – Get on the list and grab your FREE Chapter today: https://www.melissallarena.com/waitlist/

Join the waitlist for Fertile Imagination to be the first to

See the book cover and vote on your favorite

Get a sneak peek at the behind-the-scenes book-writing process

Join my Imagination to Impact 5-Day challenge first to bring my three-stage method of reawakening your imagination, playing with your imagination, and stretching your imagination to your daily life and see what using your fertile imagination can look like and how this can turn around your relationship with your kids too

Learn first-hand about playful and fun book launch events (online and offline)

Snag a FREE chapter today and start your journey towards becoming the fun parent through a series of imagination warm-ups created for the most ambitious moms who feel like they lost a big piece of themselves (along with their placentas – literally or figuratively)

Praise For Fertile Imagination

Book participants/podcast guests

"Melissa is an inspiring display of tenacity and motivation. Whenever you're feeling stuck, peruse Melissa's thoughtfully compiled tips and exercises and you'll be creating magic in no time." – Suzy Batiz, Chief Executive and Visionary Officer, ~Pourri, The Makers of Poo~Pourri, supernatural, Alive OS®

"Melissa's words are authentic and important. She is a great listener and now shares reality-based strategies for imagining your own imperfect, fulfilling life." – Martha Hennessey, Former New Hampshire State Senator / House of Representative

"This is the book for a mom who wants a second jet engine to embark on her own journey from thinking she will have to wait another lifetime to dream big to know she can take steps right now to uncover and do what she would find more fulfilling at this life stage. Melissa writes both intimately and conversationally about topics that many moms around the world can relate to (some dads too). She invites the reader into a personal and deep journey about topics that are crucially important to uncover what would make a mom truly happy to work on...even after the kids are in bed. It was an honor and a pleasure to speak with her for an interview, which she has included excerpts of in this book, too!" - Ken Honda, Japan's bestselling zen millionaire, author of Happy Money: The Japanese Art of Making Peace with Your Money

"The words: imagination, play, and fun are not the usual things we as mothers think of when wondering how to get a grip back on our career and I believe it provides a really fresh take and lots of food for thought for mothers reading it. Its tone is so energetic and fresh!" – Alejandra Molina, Coach, Miami, Florida

"Melissa is a mom of three with big dreams who tells it like it is. She draws on her own experiences and the experiences of professionals she's interviewed for her podcast to reflect on the plight of the mother. How do women conform to or challenge the traditional "mom script"? If you're a mom, what can you do to break the "cultural glass ceiling" to be yourself and a great parent, all without having to force yourself into a mom mold that doesn't fit you? Melissa is like a great friend, honest and wise and funny, telling you about her life and asking you to reflect on yours. This book is a great purchase for moms in every stage of life." – Maureen Turner Carey, Librarian, Austin, Texas

"In her book, Melissa shows us that motherhood does not have to be a pause or an end to your pre-child self. With guidance from her podcast guests, she encourages us to think big, find what lights us up, think big, and move towards our goals with the steps that fit the reality of our lives as they are today. In doing so we honor and inspire our child(ren), and our own inner child." – Katherine Howell, Museum Administrator, Queens, NY

• One decision can change your life entirely.
• Melissa shares an anecdote from her book, Fertile Imagination, about her mom's one turning point decision moment back in the 60s.
• Melissa leads a 10-minute meditation to help you build a greater awareness of your body sensations.
• Melissa talks about the decision to raise bilingual third generation Latinos.

Excerpt from Melissa's book: Fertile Imagination: A Guide for Every Mom's Superpower for Creating Maximum Impact - https://www.melissallarena.com/waitlist/

The wrong script for you can hold you back. My Puerto Rican grandmother, who finished school after the third grade, got impatient with my mom back in the '60s. One of three girls, my mom attended a community college to earn her associate's degree. No other daughter went that far. My grandmother once told my mom, that's enough school! She saw school as a waste of time for a girl. Decades later, my mom enrolled in college because she really wanted to earn a bachelor's. The problem was that my mom was working full-time, I was born, and she had to complete all of her domestic duties for my father. No adjustments would be made to her script because my mom was carrying a full load of classes. My mom's anxiety levels, due to her duties of being the primary caregiver as a wife and mom on top of her studies, led her to quit. Imagine if my mom, before she met my dad or had me, could have called BS on her own mother? Lashing out at your mom in a Puerto Rican household in my mom's experience could result in a black eye so bottling up disappointments was often a better option. The baby step to changing a script that doesn't feel true to you is in asking yourself the question: Is that behavior or expectation right for ME?

Melissa's story about raising bilingual third generation Latinos:

For me, I was told by my mom that my kids should be spoken to in Spanish. So that is one generation of moms telling me another generation of moms. Meanwhile, my grandmother would only talk to me in Spanish. Let's be clear. She understood every single word in English. And I knew that she could understand what I was saying, but it was like she'd be unresponsive if I opened my mouth and said anything in English. So this idea that you have to know Spanish was ingrained in me and frankly it's been a struggle. And it's this decision that I have had to really think to myself, okay, like, am I doing this for myself or am I doing this for my mom or am I doing this for my grandmother, right? These decisions are the ones that can change the trajectory of my kids' lives. My advise is to check-in that its a fight for going into because YOU would want the outcome. Check-in as I mention in my book that it's not just a "mom script" that's been handled down to you. Or a glass-cultural ceiling you were meant to shatter?

*Update: the 21-day challenge will now be the 5-day challenge to ensure you complete the experience along with your school-age child.

Get on the list while it's free: https://www.melissallarena.com/fertileideas

The meditation:

Close your eyes and take a deep breath in through your nose. As you exhale, let go of any tension you're holding in your body.

Now, bring your awareness to your feet. Notice the sensations you feel in your feet. Are they warm or cold? Do they feel heavy or light?

Slowly bring your awareness up your legs, to your knees, your thighs, your hips. Notice the sensations you feel in these areas.

Continue to bring your awareness up your body, to your torso, your chest, your shoulders, your neck, and your head. Notice the sensations you feel in these areas.

Now, bring your awareness to your breath. Notice the rise and fall of your chest as you breathe in and out.

Continue to breathe deeply and slowly, paying attention to the sensations in your body and your breath.

When you're ready, open your eyes and bring your awareness back to the room.

Takeaway:

• The decisions you make can have a big impact on your life.
• It's important to be aware of your body sensations and what they're telling you.
• You can use meditation to build a greater awareness of your body sensations.
• Raising bilingual children is a decision that should be made for the right reasons.

In this conversation, we will discuss why representation matters especially for children, how you can expand the perspective of someone as a mom or in other ways by being the first person in any category to use your special voice and get a look at what asking for precisely what you want is a good thing and how that contributed to the children's book Your Special Voice.

Temi Adamolekun is the author of Your Special Voice. This empowering board book inspires young readers to use their own special voices to make a difference in the world.

If you want to make a difference,

but you don't know where to start

Begin by searching way deep down

to find what's in your heart

Whether your voice shines through singing, drawing, or dancing—whether it's soft or loud, kind or proud—everyone has a voice that can effect change. This empowering and heartfelt message is conveyed through a beautiful, lyrical rhyme that will encourage even the youngest readers to think about what's important to them.

Temi is from Nigeria, grew up in England, and now lives in San Francisco with her husband and son. Temi runs her own communications agency and is an active and vocal member of her community. She has written essays on topics such as anti-racist parenting and the importance of Black protagonists in children's books. She is an avid reader who has dreamed of writing books for children for a long time, and she is delighted to have made that dream come true.

This conversation not only provides a deeper understanding of the importance of representation in children's books but also encourages us to leverage the power of our unique voices to create a significant impact in our lives and those around us. Tune in to be part of this compelling conversation.

In this episode, you will hear these ideas expressed:

• The difference between those who achieve and who don't is….
• Why done is better than perfect
• Do moms really not have time to read? How Temi - a voracious reader - keeps it up
• The reason why it's sometimes easier to focus on other people's wants
• How did she partner up with an illustrator who met her specific criteria…a black woman with Nigerian roots? And how to ask for what you really want.
• What Nigerian cultural nuances were at play whilst writing the book or partnering with a fellow Nigerian on the topic of using your voice as a woman
• The superpower of bringing cross-cultural perspectives, UK, US, and Nigeria
• Why representation matters in children's board books
• The courage to use your voice: Does your special voice need to be loud? Is whispering impactful?
• Exactly how does Temi run a business and mother a son and still stop her workday in time for dinner?
• Inspiring courage to share, and teaching her son the publication process
• How did writing this book affect her son? What's now possible and normal for him? A Simon & Schuster published mom is now his normal….
• Sharing unique voices takes courage and can have a positive impact.
• How Temi's book, "Your Special Voice" encourages children to use their unique voices, emphasizing the importance of boundaries and structure

SHARE this episode with a mom founder, entrepreneur, or creator who is seeking a children's book to read that celebrates the diverse and inclusive voices of many children.

Similar episodes:

David Roberts, New York Times Best-Selling Illustrator, Talks About Imagination, Following Our Children's Lead, and the Importance of Constructive Feedback, Episode 18

https://www.melissallarena.com/david-roberts-talks-about-imagination-following-our-childrens-lead-and-feedback/

Jane Egerton-Idehen, Nigerian-based STEM Advocate & IT Executive, Speaks About Gender Equality in the Workplace and How to Discover and Use Your Voice, Episode 38

https://www.melissallarena.com/jane-egerton-idehen-speaks-about-gender-equality-in-the-workplace-and-how-to-discover-and-use-your-voice-episode-38/

Supporting Resources:

https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Your-Special-Voice/Temi-Adamolekun/9781665912280#:~:text=About%20The%20Book,a%20difference%20in%20the%20world.&text=Whether%20your%20voice%20shines%20through,voice%20that%20can%20effect%20change.

https://www.instagram.com/tigertemi/

Subscribe and Review

Have you subscribed to my podcast for new moms who are entrepreneurs, founders, and creators? I'd love for you to subscribe if you haven't yet.

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/unimaginable-wellness-for-new-moms-who-are-founders/id1308269140?app=podcast&mt=2

I'd love it even more if you could drop a review or 5-star rating over on Apple Podcasts. Simply select "Ratings and Reviews" and "Write a Review" then a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a second and it helps spread the word about the podcast for writer moms.

Book Launch Fall 2023! Join the Collective Of Moms Who Seek More Imaginative Solutions For Maximum Impact While Inspiring Their Kids To Do The Same

Introducing: Fertile Imagination: A Guide For Stretching Every Mom's Superpower for Maximum Impact – Get on the list and grab your FREE Chapter today: https://www.melissallarena.com/waitlist

Join the waitlist for Fertile Imagination to be the first to

• See the book cover and vote on your favorite

• Get a sneak peek at the behind-the-scenes book-writing process

• Join my FREE Imagination to Impact 21-Day challenge first to bring my three-stage method of reawakening your imagination, playing with your imagination, and stretching your imagination to your daily life and see what using your fertile imagination can look like and how this can build self-confidence in your elementary to tween-aged kids too - https://fertileideas.com

• Learn first-hand about playful and fun book launch events (online and offline)

• Snag a FREE chapter today and start your journey towards becoming the fun parent through a series of imagination warm-ups created for the most ambitious moms who feel like they lost a big piece of themselves (along with their placentas – literally or figuratively) - for the FREE chapter go to: http://www.melissallarena.com/waitlist

Praise For Fertile Imagination

Both book participants and podcast guests are featured below

Melissa is an inspiring display of tenacity and motivation. Whenever you're feeling stuck, peruse Melissa's thoughtfully compiled tips and exercises and you'll be creating magic in no time." – Suzy Batiz, Chief Executive and Visionary Officer, ~Pourri, The Makers of Poo~Pourri, supernatural, Alive OS®.

"Melissa's words are authentic and important. She is a great listener and now shares reality-based strategies for imagining your own imperfect, fulfilling life." – Martha Hennessey, Former New Hampshire State Senator / House of Representative

"This is the book for a mom who wants a second jet engine to embark on her own journey from thinking she will have to wait another lifetime to dream big to knowing she can take steps right now to uncover and do what she would find more fulfilling at this life stage. Melissa writes both intimately and conversationally about topics that many moms around the world can relate to (some dads too). She invites the reader into a personal and deep journey about topics that are crucially important to uncover what would make a mom truly happy to work on...even after the kids are in bed. It was an honor and a pleasure to speak with her for an interview, which she has included excerpts of in this book, too!" - Ken Honda, Japan's best-selling zen millionaire, author of Happy Money: The Japanese Art of Making Peace with Your Money

Moms like us with big dreams and school-age kids:

For moms like me, the pandemic was an opportunity to re-evaluate and course-correct things in our lives we weren't thrilled with. Coming out of this period, sluggish yet motivated, so many of us can use this book to help us wake up! If you're looking to refresh, reenergize, and yes, reimagine a better version of your life, this book is for you. I loved the hilarious, yet poignant stories about motherhood today and the window into the world of those who've gone for it – and did it. - Macollvie Neel, Brooklyn, NY

"The words: imagination, play and fun are not the usual things we as mothers think of when wondering how to get a grip back on our career and I believe it provides a really fresh take and lots of food for thought for mothers reading it. Its tone is so energetic and fresh!" – Alejandra Molina, Coach, Miami, Florida

"Melissa is a mom of three with big dreams who tells it like it is. She draws on her own experiences and the experiences of professionals she's interviewed for her podcast to reflect on the plight of the mother. How do women conform to or challenge the traditional "mom script"? If you're a mom, what can you do to break the "cultural glass ceiling" to be yourself and a great parent, all without having to force yourself into a mom mold that doesn't fit you? Melissa is like a great friend, honest and wise and funny, telling you about her life and asking you to reflect on yours. This book is a great purchase for moms in every stage of life." – Maureen Turner Carey, Librarian, Austin, Texas

"In her book, Melissa shows us that motherhood does not have to be a pause or an end to your pre-child self. With guidance from her podcast guests, she encourages us to think big, find what lights us up, think big, and move towards our goals with the steps that fit the reality of our lives as they are today. In doing so we honor and inspire our child(ren), and our own inner child." – Katherine Howell, Museum Administrator, Queens, NY

Welcome to episode 188 (Mom Summer Camp Series). Today, I'll tell you a story that reflects how my summer plans are going, you'll learn about this concept of transitions for yourself ) not only your kids, and then I'll walk you through a 10-minute resource-building meditation. The 10-minute resource-building meditation is a sneak peek into my FREE 21-day imagination to impact challenge. Sign-up on www.fertileideas.com

This is for you if you have elementary school-aged up to tween-aged kids and your intention is to create a new offering as a creative or passion-based business owner in this fall. This 21-day challenge aligns with my upcoming book entitled Fertile Imagination: A Guide for Stretching Every's Mom Superpower for Maximum Impact coming out this October!

First the story...

My typical trip to Target features one son lying down underneath my shopping cart, another one hanging on one side of my cart, and the third on the other side so that it doesn't tip over. I'm only trying to buy ponytail holders + TP, and this fiasco is my typical Target experience....and HEB (supermarket) and Walmart too. I wish this was a made-up story but if you send me a DM on @melissallarena I'll send you a picture.

Now let's talk about transitions, this is especially helpful if you are a mom leading your own summer camp with elementary to tween-aged kids. In a bit, I will lead a 10-minute meditation to help you feel more in control of your own transition moments.

Definition: A transition moment is the time between you caring for the kids and you focusing on another activity. These are the spots when you can feel frazzled, short-tempered, and resentful IF you do NOT create an intentional buffer between one activity and another.

You can use today's meditation specifically to clear your cache in between those moments. I also want to invite you to sign-up today (while it is free) to my 21-day imagination to impact challenge. This meditation is an example of one tool you would be emailed to set the groundwork for your fertile imagination to wake up.

Your fertile imagination is a superpower that can help you create an impact as a creative mom. Other benefits are also that you can create fertile business ideas that can turnaround the mood of your home, plant a seed of self-confidence in the minds of your elementary school-age kids or tweens (because I'll share exercises for them too), and set you up for success this upcoming back to school season. Isn't September usually the best time for moms with kids in this age brackets to launch into their next chapter? It has been for me as a coach for over twelve years and mom with three kids.

So enjoy today's chat and don't forget to sign-up at www.fertileideas.com.

A closer look at the 21-days imagination to impact challenge...in 21-days you will:

Set the groundwork to reawaken your fertile imagination

• Set physical and emotional boundaries to explore the power of your fertile imagination
• Remove mom guilt from by getting your family involved and on the same page
• Set a meditation routine to be more present while ideating and mothering
• Gain tools to have the energy and enthusiasm to add this 21-day challenge to your plate
• Uncover ways to leverage your kids' very awake imagination to help you play more

Play with your fertile imagination while capturing the ones that light you up

• Return to the little girl you once were with a fertile imagination and a desire to play
• Experience novel topics to see which enhance your mood to test if it's a real passion
• Encourage your kids to use their fertile imaginations to enhance your playful experiments
• Explore new technology or things your kids enjoy to experience having a learner's mindset
• Fill your fertile mind with new data that can spark other ideas or enhance existing ones

Stretch your imagination by adding form to the one fertile idea you want to bring forth this year

• Uncover how to expand your knowledge and relationships around your fertile idea
• Get the language you need to pick up mentors and begin to ask for this guidance
• Ask for your personal fans for support on this next chapter
• Find your tribe and find ways to engage or be there which is also great for the kids
• Build out an ideal week to see how you can confidently build this into your school weeks and vacation weeks alike

This challenge is a example of the application of key concepts in my book Fertile Imagination!

Sign-up at www.fertileideas.com

Ever wonder how a mom of four can juggle being a successful entrepreneur, author and still maintain her calm? Jenna Hermans, author of "Chaos to Calm: Five Ways Busy Parents Can Break Free from Overwhelm," spills her secrets and takes us through her journey of becoming an entrepreneur, managing her energy and time, and how she inspires others to chase their dreams while keeping the balance of life intact. She even shares a real-life example of maintaining calm amidst the chaos of a messy situation with her teenager.

Jenna Hermans is living proof that you can create a life of calm within chaos and overwhelm. She uses her bachelor's degree in psychology, master's degree in organizational management, and over fifteen years of Human Resources experience to build strong teams, both at work and at home. Jenna takes an intentional and inclusive approach to help individuals and teams implement tools that put organization and systems around their busy lives that infuse calm and more joy, helping them go from Chaos to Calm.

Listen as Jenna unpacks her methods for staying present and appreciating the moment before reacting, essential tools for any busy parent. She shares an example of managing a messy situation with her teenage son and how she was able to remain calm and grounded in the moment. We also discuss how to balance relationships that enhance our calmness and the impact our actions have on those around us.

In this episode, you will hear these ideas expressed:

• How to choose calm over chaos when creating a book
• Ways a family achieves a calm life with four kids, a business, zero childcare or family around
• Can you filter out relationships using the Chaos to Calm thinking Jenna brings in her book?
• Making friends when you are new in a city
• Finding support when you are working on a creative project and what to say to let friends know
• Picking yourself inspires other moms pick themselves, Jenna offers examples
• How to build a system to set out to do something YOU want to do even in the thick of it as a parent
• What if you read the book and walk into a chocolate mess of a kitchen with kids playing but lots to clean up? What's another way to look at this through the filter of calm?
• How to find calm in chaos if it's impossible to pause life
• Engaging with listeners and offering feedback
• Taking a moment to think before reacting
• How to choose relationships that enhance your calmness
• Your actions are also impacting those around you!

SHARE this episode with a mom founder, entrepreneur, or creator who seeks to restore or create more calm this season in your family's life.

Similar episodes:

The Risks And Consequences Of Taking On A Supporting Role In Your Mom Life, Episode 182

https://www.melissallarena.com/the-risks-and-consequences-of-taking-on-a-supporting-role-in-your-mom-life-episode-182/

Join the 21-day Imagination to Impact Challenge to uncover your next big idea and your kids' interests along the way (Mom Summer Camp Series), Episode 186

https://www.melissallarena.com/join-the-21-day-imagination-to-impact-challenge-uncover-your-next-idea-your-school-aged-childs-interests-episode-186/

Supporting Resources:

https://jennahermans.com/

https://www.instagram.com/jennazhermans/

Subscribe and Review

Have you subscribed to my podcast for new moms who are entrepreneurs, founders, and creators? I'd love for you to subscribe if you haven't yet.

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/unimaginable-wellness-for-new-moms-who-are-founders/id1308269140?app=podcast&mt=2

I'd love it even more if you could drop a review or 5-star rating over on Apple Podcasts. Simply select "Ratings and Reviews" and "Write a Review" then a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a second and it helps spread the word about the podcast for writer moms.

Book Launch Fall 2023! Join the Collective Of Moms Who Seek More Imaginative Solutions For Maximum Impact While Inspiring Their Kids To Do The Same

Introducing: Fertile Imagination: A Guide For Stretching Every Mom's Superpower for Maximum Impact – Get on the list and grab your FREE Chapter today: https://www.melissallarena.com/waitlist

Join the waitlist for Fertile Imagination to be the first to

• See the book cover and vote on your favorite
• Get a sneak peek at the behind-the-scenes book-writing process
• Join my Imagination to Impact 21-Day challenge first to bring my three-stage method of reawakening your imagination, playing with your imagination, and stretching your imagination to your daily life and see what using your fertile imagination can look like and how this can turn around your relationship with your kids too - https://fertileideas.com
• Learn first-hand about playful and fun book launch events (online and offline)
• Snag a FREE chapter today and start your journey towards becoming the fun parent through a series of imagination warm-ups created for the most ambitious moms who feel like they lost a big piece of themselves (along with their placentas – literally or figuratively) - for the FREE chapter go to: http://www.melissallarena.com/waitlist

Praise For Fertile Imagination

Both book participants and podcast guests are featured below

Melissa is an inspiring display of tenacity and motivation. Whenever you're feeling stuck, peruse Melissa's thoughtfully compiled tips and exercises and you'll be creating magic in no time." – Suzy Batiz, Chief Executive and Visionary Officer, ~Pourri, The Makers of Poo~Pourri, supernatural, Alive OS®.

"Melissa's words are authentic and important. She is a great listener and now shares reality-based strategies for imagining your own imperfect, fulfilling life." – Martha Hennessey, Former New Hampshire State Senator / House of Representative

"This is the book for a mom who wants a second jet engine to embark on her own journey from thinking she will have to wait another lifetime to dream big to knowing she can take steps right now to uncover and do what she would find more fulfilling at this life stage. Melissa writes both intimately and conversationally about topics that many moms around the world can relate to (some dads too). She invites the reader into a personal and deep journey about topics that are crucially important to uncover what would make a mom truly happy to work on...even after the kids are in bed. It was an honor and a pleasure to speak with her for an interview, which she has included excerpts of in this book, too!" - Ken Honda, Japan's best selling zen millionaire, author of Happy Money: The Japanese Art of Making Peace with Your Money

Moms like us with big dreams and school-age kids:

For moms like me, the pandemic was an opportunity to re-evaluate and course-correct things in our lives we weren't thrilled with. Coming out of this period, sluggish yet motivated, so many of us can use this book to help us wake up! If you're looking to refresh, reenergize, and yes, reimagine a better version of your life, this book is for you. I loved the hilarious, yet poignant stories about motherhood today and the window into the world of those who've gone for it – and did it. - Macollvie Neel, Brooklyn, NY

"The words: imagination, play and fun are not the usual things we as mothers think of when wondering how to get a grip back on our career and I believe it provides a really fresh take and lots of food for thought for mothers reading it. Its tone is so energetic and fresh!" – Alejandra Molina, Coach, Miami, Florida

"Melissa is a mom of three with big dreams who tells it like it is. She draws on her own experiences and the experiences of professionals she's interviewed for her podcast to reflect on the plight of the mother. How do women conform to or challenge the traditional "mom script"? If you're a mom, what can you do to break the "cultural glass ceiling" to be yourself and a great parent, all without having to force yourself into a mom mold that doesn't fit you? Melissa is like a great friend, honest and wise and funny, telling you about her life and asking you to reflect on yours. This book is a great purchase for moms in every stage of life." – Maureen Turner Carey, Librarian, Austin, Texas

"In her book, Melissa shows us that motherhood does not have to be a pause or an end to your pre-child self. With guidance from her podcast guests, she encourages us to think big, find what lights us up, think big, and move towards our goals with the steps that fit the reality of our lives as they are today. In doing so we honor and inspire our child(ren), and our own inner child." – Katherine Dzierzynski, Museum Group Sales, Forest Hills, NY