Momming as a Millennial

Have you ever walked away from a conversation with your family thinking, Wait… did that actually happen the way I remember it? Am I being too sensitive? Am I overreacting? Am I crazy?

If you grew up being told you were dramatic, too sensitive, or remembering things incorrectly, you might spend a surprising amount of your adulthood trying to figure out whether you can actually trust your own feelings and perceptions.

In this episode, I'm joined by licensed trauma and relationship therapist Kayla Reilly, aka The Spicy Shrink, for a conversation about what happens when our reality is repeatedly minimized as children — and how those messages can follow us into adulthood.

We talk about dysfunctional family dynamics, the roles we learn to play to survive, and what happens when we finally start questioning the patterns we grew up believing were normal.

Kayla Reilly, MSW, LCSW, is a licensed therapist, entrepreneur, and founder of Evolution Wellness, as well as the creator of The Spicy Shrink and host of the Not Your Therapist podcast. She helps cycle breakers understand how emotionally immature and dysfunctional family dynamics can shape us long after childhood—and how to recognize and break those patterns with humor, honesty, and a little spice.

In this episode, we cover:

• Why being told you're "too sensitive," "dramatic," or "remembering it wrong" can make you question your own reality.
• Narcissistic personality or emotional immaturity? Why knowing the difference matters.
• How the traits we think are "just who we are" may actually be survival tactics we learned as children.
• The family roles we take on to survive, and the surprising ways they can follow us into adulthood.
• Why validation doesn't mean agreeing with someone's version of events—and why your experience still matters.
• Kayla's 3-part framework for healing: awareness, acceptance, and action.

Connect with Kayla:

• Follow on Instagram
• Take the survival role quiz
• Check out her website

Connect with Christine:

• Follow on Instagram
• Check out my website
• Get the Future Self Reset

Be sure to subscribe/follow so you never miss an episode!

In this episode, we're talking about what resilience looks like in real life—not the polished version, but the gritty, painful, keep-going-anyway kind.

My guest, Lisamarie Pearson, shares her journey through a life-altering diagnosis, losing her grandmother, and the identity shift that followed. In the middle of it all, she rediscovered a skill her grandmother taught her: how to sew.

What started as an outlet quickly became a lifeline, and eventually, a purpose-driven business creating her now-beloved "octopals."

If you've ever felt lost in survival mode, unsure of who you are anymore, or craving something that feels like you again—this conversation will remind you it's never too late to start over.

Lisamarie is the founder of Scatterbrain Toys, where she creates sensory-friendly plush toys designed to inspire creativity and bring comfort and joy.

In this episode, we cover:

• The emotional toll of navigating cancer and grief at the same time.
• The identity shift that happens after trauma, and how to rebuild from it.
• How creativity can become a powerful tool for healing.
• The mental load of motherhood and running a business—and why time feels so limited.
• One thing all entrepreneur mamas should be doing.
• Lisamarie's favorite self-care routine. Full body cleanse anyone?

Connect with Lisamarie:

• Follow on Instagram
• Check out her website

Connect with Christine:

• Follow on Instagram
• Follow on TikTok
• Check out my website

Be sure to subscribe/follow so you never miss an episode!

Everyone talks about the first six weeks after having a baby. But what if postpartum lasts much longer?

In this episode, we're having a raw and honest conversation about how long postpartum really lasts, especially when it comes to mental health.

My guest Alyssa Maio and I explore how the common narrative around "baby blues" can minimize the reality of what many mothers experience.

If you've ever felt like something wasn't quite right after having a baby, even long after the newborn stage, you're not alone. This conversation is about normalizing the reality that postpartum recovery can take much longer than anyone prepares you for.

In this episode, we cover:

• The myth that postpartum recovery ends at 6–12 weeks.
• How the phrase "baby blues" minimizes what mamas are going through.
• What postpartum anxiety, OCD, and intrusive thoughts can really feel like.
• Why these symptoms are often misunderstood or dismissed.
• What I wish I knew about postpartum mental health before having my babies.

Resources & Links:

• What does maternity leave look like in other countries? Spoiler: most countries are doing more for moms than the United States.

Connect with Alyssa:

• Follow on Instagram

Connect with Christine:

• Follow on Instagram
• Follow on TikTok
• Check out my website

Be sure to subscribe/follow so you never miss an episode!

In this episode I'm discussing the invisible labor and mental load that so many moms carry. From Elf on the Shelf expectations to middle-of-the-night to-do lists, this episode names the unseen work that keeps families running and why it so often falls on the mamas.

I break down what invisible labor and mental load actually mean, how traditional gender roles still quietly shape parenting dynamics, and why so many moms feel like their brains are stuck on an endless hamster wheel.

If you're exhausted, overwhelmed, and wondering why it feels like everything depends on you, this episode is for you.

In this episode, we cover:

• What invisible labor and mental load actually are, and why they drain you in ways you can't quite explain.
• How cultural expectations assign moms household responsibility we never signed up for.
• The unseen responsibilities millennial moms like you are quietly carrying every single day.
• One thing you can do today to start lightening your mental load.

Resources & Links:

• Here's a resource to help you uncover the invisible tasks that are weighing you down, so you can start making lasting changes today.

If you're ready to go deeper—untangling your mental load while making space for your creativity, your desires, your joy, and your purpose—I've got you.

Your Guided Journey to Self-Discovery + Fulfillment is designed to help you reclaim your time, reconnect with what lights you up, and rediscover who you are beyond momming.

DM me "Fulfillment" on Instagram to learn more.

Connect with Christine:

• Follow on Instagram
• Follow on TikTok
• Check out my website

Be sure to subscribe/follow so you never miss an episode!

Intuition and faith don't have to be at odds. In this episode, I sat down with Jenn Barton, co-owner of Nickel City Moss & Moon and intuitive guide, to explore spirituality through a unifying, judgment-free lens.

Together, we unpack the idea that intuition is a universal human gift, not something mystical, taboo, or to be feared. Jenn opens up about discovering her intuitive abilities, and offers insight on how to recognize your own intuitive voice, nurture your gifts, and trust the path that brings you into alignment.

If you're looking for guidance but not sure where to turn, this conversation will empower you to stay curious, open, and confident in the Divine nudge already within you.

In this episode, we cover:

• Everyone has intuitive gifts. Here's how you uncover yours.
• How Divine guidance is an internal source of trust, clarity, and direction.
• Why intuition isn't woo woo or something to fear—it's something we're all born with.
• Vision boards. Spoiler: we've been doing it wrong. Jenn shares a simple, foolproof way to create alignment, not pressure.
• Jenn's #1 piece of advice for millennial moms seeking their most authentic, soul-aligned selves.

Connect with Jenn:

• Send her an email
• Follow on Instagram
• Check out her website

Connect with Christine:

• Follow on Instagram
• Follow on TikTok
• Check out my website

Be sure to subscribe/follow so you never miss an episode!

Today we're diving into one of the trickiest parts of modern parenting—raising kids in the digital age. From posting baby photos to getting them their first phone, the Internet is woven into every stage of our children's lives. But how do we balance sharing and connection with privacy and protection?

Joining me for this conversation is Professor Joana Gaia, Clinical Assistant Professor of Management Science and Systems at the University at Buffalo School of Management.

She shares why our online and offline lives shouldn't be treated as separate worlds, and how applying the same social rules to both can help us raise more self-aware, digitally responsible kids.

If you've ever second-guessed sharing that cute photo, felt uneasy about your child's screen habits, or wondered how to keep up with AI, this episode is your roadmap for navigating it all.

In this episode, we cover:

• The real risks (and realities) of AI, from deepfakes to data collection, and what parents can actually do to stay ahead.
• Don't panic! Joana breaks down what data fraudsters really want (and it's not what most parents think).
• The most overlooked online safety tool that can make a huge difference in protecting your child's privacy.
• Why "just say no to screen time" isn't the answer. And the guilt-free permission we've been waiting for!
• Plus, Joana shares the unexpected online game she uses in her classes to teach project management.

Connect with Joana:

• Through the University at Buffalo

Connect with Christine:

• Follow on Instagram
• Follow on TikTok
• Check out my website

Be sure to subscribe/follow so you never miss an episode!

In this episode, I'm joined by Human Design expert Kristin Quattlebaum, who shares how this powerful framework can help us uncover our true selves and move beyond fear and conditioning.

Kristin not only reads my Human Design, but also reveals why I've always been driven to hustle yet never quite felt satisfied. Together, we explore themes of worthiness, courage, and building new pathways to trust ourselves and act in alignment.

If you've ever wondered: Am I on the right path? or Am I doing enough? This conversation will help you begin to boldly walk in fear, trust your inner nudges, and step into the life you were designed to live. Or as Kristin puts it, "be who the f*** you're supposed to be."

In this episode, we cover:

• The one powerful step you can take to begin answering: Who am I, really?
• The surprising way Human Design uncovers parts of you that feel hard to explain.
• How to trust those inner nudges guiding you to your true self, even when your mind resists.
• Masculine and feminine energetics: how both live in us and shape our relationships.
• Why worthiness isn't earned, and what Kristin says about stepping into it right now.
• What's secretly stopping you from taking action, and how to finally move forward with courage.

Resources & Links:

• Here's the Strength Finders Assessment Kristin mentioned if you're interested in taking it.
• This is the book Kristin referred to: How to Love Yourself (and Sometimes Other People): Spiritual Advice for Modern Relationships, by Lodro Rinzler and Meggan Watterson

Connect with Kristin:

• Follow on Instagram
• View her website

Connect with Christine:

• Follow on Instagram
• Follow on TikTok
• Check out my website

Be sure to subscribe/follow so you never miss an episode!

Have you ever felt the pull to start something creative, something just for you, but haven't known where to begin? Maybe there's a quiet tug inside you that hasn't been satisfied yet.

In this episode, I share reflections of my journey into motherhood. I realized I had lost sight of my childhood dreams somewhere along the way. Deep down, I always knew I wanted to be more than just a mom or my career.

That's why I'm sharing the 3 steps that helped me connect with my passions and take real action to make my creative dreams a reality (including launching this very podcast!).

I hope this episode gives you the nudge to start that thing you've been putting off, feeling overwhelmed by, or telling yourself isn't possible.

In this episode, we cover:

• Why investing in yourself is the first step to uncovering what truly lights you up.
• How to turn big, overwhelming dreams into bite-sized, doable actions.
• The tough (but freeing) time audit I did. And what I let go of to make space for creativity.
• The hidden weight I didn't even realize I was carrying…and how you might be carrying it too.
• Three simple things you can do this week to start moving your creative dreams forward.

Connect with Christine:

• Follow on Instagram
• Follow on TikTok
• Check out my website

Be sure to subscribe/follow so you never miss an episode!

In this episode, I'm delighted to sit down with Dr. Nina Strollo, a board-certified OB/GYN, for an unfiltered conversation about the growing crisis in women's health care. Nothing is off-limits.

We dive into how the current political climate is stripping away access to reproductive care. And Dr. Strollo sheds light on how a broken medical system, compounded by the spread of misinformation on social media, is putting women's health at risk.

We also confront the realities of medical gaslighting and gender bias in exam rooms. Now, more than ever, finding a trusted provider and reliable information is essential.

Dr. Strollo encourages women to be skeptical, stay curious, ask questions, and protect their right to informed, evidence-based care. And support each other!

In this episode, we cover:

• How legislative attacks and policy changes are rolling back women's rights and forcing doctors into impossible decisions.
• The dangerous ripple effect misinformation can have when it reaches the exam room.
• How we can empower the next generation of girls to make informed, confident choices about their own bodies.
• The most exciting thing going on in women's medicine right now, according to Dr. Strollo.
• The ONE simple action we can all take today to drive meaningful change in women's lives.

Resources & Links:

• Women's health has been overlooked for decades. Hopefully that's changing. Research on perimenopause and menopause seems to be ramping up.

Connect with Dr. Strollo:

• Follow on Instagram

Connect with Christine:

• Follow on Instagram
• Follow on TikTok
• Check out my website

Be sure to subscribe/follow so you never miss an episode!

This is the conversation I've been CRAVING. And maybe you have too.

I sat down with Jill Barrile, intimacy and relationship coach and boudoir photographer, to have the raw, honest talk about intimacy I've been wanting to have for a while.

Once kids enter the picture, everything changes, including the way we connect with our partners. Between parenting, managing a household, and working full time, intimacy often falls to the bottom of the list.

But what if it doesn't have to? How can we fuel our relationship and connection, even in this chaotic, beautiful, overstimulating season?

Jill brings a judgment-free energy to this episode, and offers both practical tools and deep, soul-level insight into what real intimacy can look like after kids.

If you've ever felt disconnected from your partner — or from yourself — this episode is for you.

In this episode, we cover:

• The very real challenges of maintaining intimacy after becoming parents.
• Why connection often feels like an afterthought when you're just trying to survive the day.
• The simple shift I needed permission to make in my relationship.
• Why scheduling date nights feels transactional, and how to reframe it.
• How to clear mental clutter and create space for intimacy and connection.
• The one question Jill asks herself daily to stay anchored in joy.

Resources & Links:

• I came across this article about being touched out last year and it really hit.

Connect with Jill:

• Follow on Instagram
• Follow on Facebook
• Check out her website

Connect with Christine:

• Follow on Instagram
• Follow on TikTok
• Check out my website

Be sure to subscribe/follow so you never miss an episode!