Motherhood Journeys: {MOM}ents with Madly Wish by Whitney Surane

In today's episode, I want to share some more insights into my mental health as a new mom. I have already given you a glimpse into my overall story in episode 1, but this week, let's talk about depression, anxiety, intrusive thoughts, and struggling with feeling alone in motherhood. The reality is that many of us experience postpartum depression and other mental health obstacles, especially as new moms, and it can be really isolating and challenging to overcome. I hope that by sharing my story and how I found hope and light in the darkness, others can feel less alone.

If you are or someone you know is struggling, help is available to you. You are not alone. Dial 988 to reach the national suicide and crisis lifeline. Seeking help is a sign of strength, not weakness.

Please know you can also reach out to me directly: [email protected]. If my story resonates with you or if you have any of your own stories or questions you'd like to share, please connect with me.

Want to share your {MOM}ent with me?

[email protected]

Connect with Whitney & shop Madly WIsh:

https://www.madlywish.com/

https://www.instagram.com/madlywish

My very first guest is Jasmine Williams. Jasmine is the mom of two little boys and the founder of the inclusive brand Sunny and Ted. In this episode, she shares her journey to motherhood as a military daughter and wife, how she's navigating life as a single mom after divorce, and how she is single-handedly helping us all create new memories with Sunny and Ted's collection of keepsakes that represent families of every ethnic background.

Motherhood includes so many interesting and sometimes unexpected circumstances. From coming up with her children's names, to family holiday traditions, to anxiety and grief from events like medical emergencies and divorce, these stories are the formative moments that shape not just Jasmine's motherhood journey, but also her business: Sunny and Ted. Jasmine madly wishes that we can see ourselves reflected beautifully in the world. This is Jasmine's {MOM}ent.

Connect with Jasmine and Sunny and Ted:

https://sunnyandted.com/

https://www.instagram.com/shopsunnyandted/

Want to share your {MOM}ent with me?

[email protected]

Connect with Whitney & shop Madly WIsh:

https://www.madlywish.com/

https://www.instagram.com/madlywish

Parenting is hard, but as I've gotten older, I like to think I've become a better parent. I'm excited to introduce you to this week's guest, who got married at 35 and started having kids a little bit later in life. My guest today is Kristina Schlegel, a wife, mom of two, and inventor of Stickies, edible stickers for baking. Kristina shares how transitioning from one to two kids helped her embrace simpler, sustainable traditions that prioritize quality time and meaningful connections. This is Kristina's {MOM}ent.

Connect with Kristina Schlegel

instagram.com/letsmakebake

www.letsmakebake.com

Want to share your {MOM}ent with me?

[email protected]

Connect with Whitney & shop Madly WIsh:

https://www.madlywish.com/

https://www.instagram.com/madlywish

My guest today is Nicole Lewis, a wife, mom of two, and the owner of custom crayon brand Art 2 the Extreme. Nicole's journey from educator to entrepreneur is fueled by a passion for imaginative play and fostering independence in her children.

In this episode, Nicole shares how her background in teaching has shaped her approach to motherhood and influenced her small business today.

Connect with Nicole:

https://art2theextreme.com/

https://www.instagram.com/art2theextreme/

Want to share your {MOM}ent with me?

[email protected]

Connect with Whitney & shop Madly WIsh:

https://www.madlywish.com/

https://www.instagram.com/madlywish

In this episode, we tackle the often misunderstood concept of quitting and why, in certain situations, it can actually be a healthy choice. We'll explore the negative effects of pushing children to stick with activities that make them unhappy, and how forcing them to continue can lead to emotional distress, anxiety, and people-pleasing tendencies, especially for girls. Citing expert advice, we discuss how allowing kids to quit teaches them self-awareness, confidence, and boundary-setting—important skills for their future well-being. Tune in to discover why sometimes, the best thing we can do for our kids is to let them walk away and explore new opportunities.

Want to share your {MOM}ent with me?

[email protected]

Connect with Whitney & shop Madly WIsh:

https://www.madlywish.com/

https://www.instagram.com/madlywish

In this episode, I dive into the popular Instagram hashtag, #CherishEveryMoment, and explore how it can sometimes create pressure for moms to make every moment picture-perfect. We'll talk about how this mindset can lead to unnecessary stress and unrealistic expectations, and why it's more important to embrace the beauty of everyday life — the messy, chaotic, and imperfect moments included. Join me as I share personal reflections and thoughts for shifting from the pressure of perfection to finding joy in simply being present. Whether you're a new mom or a seasoned pro, this episode will inspire you to cherish the small, meaningful moments that make motherhood truly special.

Want to share your {MOM}ent with me?

[email protected]

Connect with Whitney & shop Madly WIsh:

https://www.madlywish.com/

https://www.instagram.com/madlywish

My guest today is Lauren Glass. She's a visionary entrepreneur who founded Lauren Glass Designs, with a mission to empower women through creativity. Her innovative approach has pioneered a new path in the small business space, helping others escape, create and heal. She is a wife and the mom of a four-year-old little girl. This is Lauren's {MOM}ent.

Connect with Lauren:

https://www.instagram.com/laurenglassdesigns/

https://laurenglassdesigns.com

Want to share your {MOM}ent with me?

[email protected]

Connect with Whitney & shop Madly WIsh:

https://www.madlywish.com/

https://www.instagram.com/madlywish

My guest today is Deb Podlogar. She is widely known as the Mocktail Mom and embarked on a transformative journey when she chose to part ways with her old friend, Chardonnay. Today, Deb hosts the Thriving Alcohol-Free with Mocktail Mom podcast and runs a membership program for women looking to connect online over mocktails and non-alcoholic beverages. She's also getting ready to release her new recipe book, The Happiest Hour: Delicious Mocktails for a Fabulous Mom's Night In. It's available November 5th, and you can get it for pre-order right now. This is Deb's {MOM}ent.

Connect with Deb:

https://www.mocktailmom.com/

https://www.instagram.com/mocktail.mom/

Want to share your {MOM}ent with me?

[email protected]

Connect with Whitney & shop Madly WIsh:

https://www.madlywish.com/

https://www.instagram.com/madlywish

My guest today is Kourtney Wallace. She's my sister-in-law. And after struggling with years of infertility, she became a pet mom. Whether two or four legs, feathers or scales, she loves them all. This is Kourtney's {MOM}ent.

Connect with Kourtney

https://myhswm.org/outreach-impact/

https://oinkingacres.org/

Want to share your {MOM}ent with me?

[email protected]

Connect with Whitney & shop Madly WIsh:

https://www.madlywish.com/

https://www.instagram.com/madlywish

My guest today is Sarah Heeter. Sarah is my podcast producer and strategic consultant, building a company from scratch and hoping to leave a legacy for her kids that includes both generational wealth, as well as earning empowerment and entrepreneurial inspiration. She has three adult kids, two cats, loves books, and is a lifetime member of Girl Scouts. She hosts two podcasts, Big Brave Business and The Troop Leader Experience. This is Sarah's {MOM}ent.

Connect with Sarah:

https://www.podfoxmedia.com

https://bigbravebusiness.com

Want to start your own podcast? Book a free 90-minute strategy session with Sarah & her team. Tell them I sent you!

https://www.podfoxmedia.com/book-now

Want to share your {MOM}ent with me?

[email protected]

Connect with Whitney & shop Madly WIsh:

https://www.madlywish.com/

https://www.instagram.com/madlywish