This meditation is designed to harness the energy of the Lion’s Gate Portal. This annual cosmic event, peaking on 8/8, aligns the star Sirius with the Sun in Leo, creating an energetic gateway for manifestation, spiritual growth, and deep inner transformation.

This meditation will help you align with this potent energy, set powerful intentions, and manifest your deepest desires. Whether you're looking to attract abundance, love, or success, this meditation will help you tap into the infinite possibilities available during this special time.

Connect with Liz

Instagram @motherhoodunstressed

Youtube Motherhood Unstressed

https://www.motherhoodunstressed.com 

This week I sit down with the incredible actress Katee Sackhoff, best known for her iconic roles as Lieutenant Kara "Starbuck" Thrace on Sci-Fi's Battlestar Galactica, Bo-Katan Kryze on Disney+'s The Mandalorian, and as the voice of Silk Spectre in the upcoming animated Watchmen feature.

Katee opens up about her personal journey as a mother of two, sharing the challenges and triumphs of balancing a successful acting career with the intense demands of motherhood. During our heartfelt discussion, Katee shares her family's quiet struggle with her young daughter's cancer diagnosis and treatment, and how this experience has reshaped her perspective on life and legacy.

Join us as we explore the themes of resilience, appreciating every day, and living life to the fullest. This episode is a testament to the strength of the human spirit and the power of love in the face of adversity.

Connect with Katee

Facebook @officialkateesackhoff

Instagram @therealkateesackhoff

TikTok @therealkateesackhoff

X @Kateesackhoff

Youtube @kateesackoffofficial

Listen to Katee's podcast The Sackoff Show

Connect with Liz

Instagram @motherhoodunstressed

Youtube Motherhood Unstressed

https://www.motherhoodunstressed.com 

In this episode, I sit down with the incredibly talented Joe Gatto—comedian, actor, producer, and star of the hit series Impractical Jokers. We dive into his latest creative venture, a delightful children's book debut titled "Where’s Bearry?" 

"Where’s Bearry?" (releasing on 9/3) is a story that resonates with parents and children alike. It’s a hilarious and heartwarming bedtime adventure about a boy’s quest to find his missing stuffed bear, brought to life by the vibrant and engaging illustrations of award-winning illustrator Luke Flowers.

In our conversation, Joe shares the hands-on inspiration behind the book. As a father of two, Joe recounts the night when his son couldn't find his stuffed bear, Bearry. This real-life family adventure became the heart of "Where’s Bearry?" and highlights the relatable chaos and love that parents and children experience together.

We also explore the book’s emphasis on promoting healthy coping mechanisms. Joe discusses how the story teaches mindfulness and deep breathing techniques to help children manage their emotions during stressful moments. Kids are encouraged to practice these techniques along with the character, ensuring the lessons of the book linger long after the story ends.

The enchanting illustrations by Luke Flowers are another highlight. Luke’s friendly, funny, and powerful artwork brings Bearry’s search to life, capturing the imagination of young readers and their parents.

Join us as we delve into the making of "Where’s Bearry?" and discuss its potential to become a beloved classic. With its traditional rhyming scheme, modern mindfulness lessons, and Joe’s unique comedic touch, this book is poised to stand out as a new favorite in children’s literature.

Tune in to this heartwarming and insightful episode, and get ready to be inspired by Joe Gatto’s journey from comedian to children’s book author, and the beautiful story of "Where’s Bearry?"

Connect with Joe

Instagram @joe_gatto

Twitter/X @joe_gatto

Web: https://www.joegattoofficial.com 

Connect with Liz

Instagram @motherhoodunstressed

Web: https://www.motherhoodunstressed.com  

I had the honor of chatting with the phenomenal Stephanie Land, an author and activist whose voice resonates deeply with so many of us. Stephanie’s work sheds light on the crucial issues of social and economic justice, all while sharing her powerful journey of parenting under the harsh reality of poverty.

You might know Stephanie from her debut book, Maid: Hard Work, Low Pay, and a Mother’s Will to Survive. This raw, unfiltered look at her struggles became a #2 New York Times bestseller and captivated millions as a hit Netflix series. 

The Netflix adaptation of Maid wasn’t just popular; it was transformative. Reaching 67 million households in its first four weeks, it became Netflix’s fourth most-watched show of 2021. The series’ impact was so profound that it led to a record number of calls to the National Domestic Violence Hotline, showcasing the real-world change that powerful storytelling can spark. With over 60 million hours of viewing in the first half of 2023 alone, Maid continues to inspire and resonate across platforms like TikTok.

But Stephanie’s journey didn’t stop there. Her second book, Class: A Memoir of Motherhood, Hunger, and Higher Education, debuted in November 2023 as Good Morning America’s Book of the Month and was hailed as one of the best books of the year by Amazon. It even garnered a nomination for the Reading the West award in Biography/Memoir. Publishers Weekly gave it a starred review, calling it “eye-opening and heartrending.” Class takes us through Stephanie’s senior year in college and her daughter’s first year of kindergarten, highlighting the challenges they faced and the socioeconomic barriers they overcame together.

Beyond her books and speaking engagements, Stephanie is an arts and entertainment ambassador for the National Domestic Workers Alliance, championing the rights and recognition of over 2.2 million essential workers in the US. Her advocacy ensures that nannies, housecleaners, and home care workers receive the respect and rights they so richly deserve.

Our conversation was filled with raw honesty, heartfelt moments, and a profound understanding of the struggles many face. Stephanie’s story is not just one of survival but of relentless hope and unyielding strength. Tune in to this episode to hear Stephanie’s inspiring journey firsthand.

Connect with Stephanie

Web: https://stepville.com 

TikTok @stepville

Get the Book: Class

Connect with Liz

Instagram @motherhoodunstressed

Youtube Motherhood Unstressed

https://www.motherhoodunstressed.com 

This week Stephanie Middleberg, registered dietitian nutritionist and author of "THE BIG BOOK OF PREGNANCY NUTRITION: Everything Expectant Moms Need to Know for a Happy, Healthy Nine Months and Beyond" is sharing invaluable guidance and support for moms-to-be with actionable tips and expert advice to ensure a happy, healthy pregnancy and beyond. 

In this episode, Stephanie shares expert insights and practical advice on vital topics such as:

• Prenatal Vitamins and Key Nutrients: Discover the essential vitamins and nutrients for a thriving pregnancy and understand the crucial blood work you should get and why it matters.
• Food Safety and Toxins: Navigate the complexities of food safety during pregnancy, including what you can, maybe, and cannot eat to ensure both you and your baby stay healthy.
• Managing Cravings and Glucose Tests: Learn how to handle the dreaded blood glucose test and get delicious snack ideas to satisfy those pregnancy cravings without compromising your health.
• Hospital Prep and Postpartum Recovery: Get tips on what to pack for the hospital, how to stock your freezer with nutritious meals, and prepare effectively for postpartum recovery.

Connect with Stephanie

Web: https://www.middlebergnutrition.com 

Instagram @smiddleberg_rd

Get the book! The Big Book of Pregnancy Nutrition EVERYTHING EXPECTANT MOMS NEED TO KNOW FOR A HAPPY, HEALTHY NINE MONTHS AND BEYOND

Connect with Liz

Instagram @motherhoodunstressed

Youtube Motherhood Unstressed

https://www.motherhoodunstressed.com 

Welcome to my 10-minute guided meditation designed to help you find clarity and calm. Perfect for a quick reset during your busy day, this meditation will leave you feeling refreshed and focused. Whether you're looking to reduce stress, enhance mindfulness, or simply take a break, this short meditation is ideal for you.

In this session, we’ll guide you through:

1. Finding a Comfortable Position: Relax and settle into a space where you can fully unwind.
2. Deep Breathing Techniques: Use controlled breathing to center your mind and body.
3. Body Scan Meditation: Release tension and promote relaxation from head to toe.
4. Peaceful Visualization: Escape to a tranquil place in your mind for ultimate peace.
5. Positive Affirmations: Reinforce calmness, clarity, and focus with powerful affirmations.
6. Returning to the Present: Gently reawaken, feeling recharged and ready to take on the rest of your day.

This meditation is perfect for beginners and experienced practitioners alike. Use it at any time of day when you need a mental break or a quick recharge. Experience the benefits of mindfulness and stress relief in just a few minutes!

If you enjoy this meditation, don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share with others who might benefit from a moment of calm and clarity.

Tune in and transform your day with just a few minutes of mindfulness. 

Ready to discover tranquility amidst life's storms? Renowned yoga expert, entrepreneur, and founder of Uplifted Yoga, Brett Larkin, is your guide on a journey to mindfulness, balance, and joy infusion through the transformative practices of yoga and breathwork. Brett's path from anxiety to pioneering a multimillion-dollar business is not just inspirational but a testament to yoga's profound healing impact beyond the mat. In her latest book, YOGA LIFE, Brett shares empowering strategies to foster joy amid life's chaos. It's not about eradicating stress; it's about mastering the art of riding the wave and emerging stronger. Tune in to unlock the transformative potential of yoga and breathwork.

BRETT LARKIN is the founder of Uplifted Yoga and the author of Yoga Life: Habits, Poses, and Breathwork to Channel Joy Amidst the Chaos. Her training has set the standard for quality online certification since 2015 and has matriculated thousands of yoga teachers. Brett’s award-winning YouTube channel with over half a million subscribers and Uplifed Yoga Podcast empowers listeners to actively design their lives using yoga’s ancient wisdom. Yoga enthusiasts love her courses on Kundalini, Prenatal Yoga, and the Uplifted Yoga Academy. Learn more at BrettLarkin.com.

Connect with Brett:

BrettLarkin.com

Instagram

Twitter

Facebook

YouTube 

Uplifted Yoga Podcast

Connect with Liz

Instagram @motherhoodunstressed

Youtube Motherhood Unstressed

https://www.motherhoodunstressed.com 

Heidi Reimer's journey into motherhood sparked the inspiration for her latest work, "The Mother Act," a poignant exploration of the intricate dance between maternal devotion and personal fulfillment.

As a stay-at-home mother juggling the demands of caring for a baby and a toddler while her actor husband traveled for work, Heidi found herself at a crossroads. In a moment of quiet desperation, she contemplated the unthinkable: walking away from it all. Yet, instead of succumbing to her fleeting thoughts, Heidi channeled her emotions into a feverish burst of creativity, weaving her experiences into a literary tapestry that captures the essence of modern motherhood.

"The Mother Act" delves deep into the trials, triumphs, and sacrifices of motherhood, offering a bold perspective on the thin line between self-prioritization and self-centeredness. Through the lens of a mother and daughter duo, Heidi explores themes of identity, ambition, and the profound impact of our choices on those we love.

Tune in as we dissect the greater themes within "The Mother Act," from its feminist undertones to its exploration of the complexities of womanhood. Join us as we unravel the layers of this compelling narrative, exploring how Heidi's personal journey informed her storytelling and the universal truths it unveils about the human experience. Whether you're a parent grappling with the challenges of balancing family and personal aspirations or simply a lover of thought-provoking literature, this conversation promises to enlighten and inspire.

Connect with Heidi

Web: https://www.heidireimer.com

Instagram @heidi.c.reimer

Get the Book: The Mother Act

Connect with Liz

Web: https://www.motherhoodunstressed.com

Instagram @motherhoodunstressed

About Heidi

Heidi Reimer is a novelist and writing coach. Her debut novel,  The Mother Act, is coming from Penguin Random House in April 2024. Her writing interrogates the lives of women, usually those bent on breaking free of what they’re given to create what they yearn for. Her front row seat to The Mother Act’s theatrical world began two decades ago when she met and married an actor, and her immersion in motherhood began when she adopted a toddler and discovered she was pregnant on the same day. She has published in  Chatelaine,  The New Quarterly,  Literary Mama, and the anthologies  The M Word: Conversations About Motherhood  and  Body & Soul: Stories for Skeptics and Seekers.

About the Book

Set against the sparkling backdrop of the theater world, this propulsive debut follows the complicated relationship between an actress who refuses to abandon her career and the daughter she chooses to abandon instead.

Sadie Jones, a larger-than-life actress and controversial feminist, never wanted to be a mother. No one feels this more deeply than Jude, the daughter Sadie left behind. While Jude spent her childhood touring with her father’s Shakespearian theater company, desperate for validation from the mother she barely knew, Sadie catapulted to fame on the wings of The Mother Act—a scathing one-woman show depicting her maternal rage.

Two decades later, Jude is a talented actress in her own right, and her fraught relationship with Sadie has come to a head—bitterly and publicly. On a December evening in New York City, at the packed premiere of Sadie’s latest play, the two come face-to-face and the intertwined stories of their lives unravel. With years of love, resentment, and misunderstanding laid bare, the questions loom: What are the costs of being a devoted mother and a devoted artist, and who gets to decide if the collateral damage is justified?

Compelling, insightful, and cleverly conveyed as a play in six acts, The Mother Act is equal parts stylish page-turner and provocative exploration of womanhood.

Coming April 30, 2024 from Dutton and Random House Canada. Pre-Order here: https://www.heidireimer.com/preorder 

Indulge in a tranquil journey to inner peace with this soothing guided meditation, designed to guide you to a state of profound relaxation and harmony. Immerse yourself in the gentle frequencies of alpha waves, known for their calming effects on the mind and body. Whether you're seeking stress relief, mental clarity, or simply a moment of tranquility, this meditation offers a rejuvenating escape from the hustle and bustle of daily life. Join us and embark on a transformative voyage to inner harmony.

Connect with Liz

Instagram @motherhoodunstressed

Youtube Motherhood Unstressed

https://www.motherhoodunstressed.com 

Stephen Johnston is a father, radiologist, nonprofit founder, and Ironman athlete, who faced his son Luke's life-altering diagnosis with resilience and determination.

At just seven years old, Luke was diagnosed with a rare disease: retinitis pigmentosa and Bardet-Biedl Syndrome (BBS). With no medical intervention available for BBS-related retinitis pigmentosa, Luke faced the prospect of slowly losing his vision, eventually leading to blindness in his teenage years.

Undeterred by the daunting prognosis, Stephen embarked on a mission to save his son's sight. Connecting with a UK-based researcher on the cusp of human clinical trials for a potential treatment, Stephen founded A Race Against Blindness to raise $1 million for sight-saving research.

Through his relentless efforts, Stephen has raised over six figures, garnering attention from major media outlets like GoodMorningAmerica.com and various TV news stations. His story is not just about fundraising; it's about finding purpose in adversity and redefining resilience as a parent.

In this episode, Stephen shares invaluable insights on parenting through tough situations, setting a strong example for your children, and navigating co-parenting post-divorce, especially when faced with unexpected challenges like a serious medical condition.

In this episode we discuss:

1. Finding Your Purpose Amidst Adversity and Channeling Change: Stephen discusses discovering his passion amidst his son's diagnosis and the complex emotions that accompany finding purpose in difficult situations.

2. Making a Safe Space for Your Children Through Effective Co-Parenting Post-Divorce: Stephen offers practical tips on co-parenting through adversity, drawing from his experience of re-evaluating priorities and fostering family unity post-diagnosis.

3. Setting a Strong Example: Modeling a Balance of Strength and Vulnerability for Your Children: Stephen shares how he redefined resilience and vulnerability to become a better parent, inspiring listeners to shift their mindset and embrace challenges.

4. Parenting a Child Through Tough News: Stephen reflects on communicating difficult diagnoses to children, offering coping strategies and parenting tools to support children through challenging times.

Tune in to gain valuable insights from Stephen's journey and learn how to navigate parenthood with resilience and grace.

Connect with Stephen

Web: https://araceagainstblindness.org

Instagram: dad.vs.blindness and a.race.against.blindness

Youtube: A.Race.Against.Blindness

Connect with Liz

Instagram @motherhoodunstressed

Youtube Motherhood Unstressed

https://www.motherhoodunstressed.com