No Textbook for Life

In today’s episode, we’re talking about the 10 things I don’t apologize for — as a woman, a mom, a wife, and a human being trying to stay sane.

If you’ve ever said “sorry” for resting, setting boundaries, not responding to a text instantly, or making parenting choices that work for your family… this episode is for you.

Research shows women apologize 3–8x more than men (yes, really). But the more we apologize for things that don’t require an apology, the more we shrink ourselves.

So today, I’m sharing:

✨ 10 things I never apologize for

✨ The science + facts behind why these choices matter

✨ Real-life examples from my own family

✨ Quotes from Brené Brown, Carol Dweck, Matthew Walker & more

✨ How living unapologetically actually improves your mental health

If you’re ready for less guilt and more confidence — listen in.

🎥 Watch the video version on YouTube: Modern American Mama

https://youtube.com/@ModernAmericanMama

New episodes every Friday ♡

Thanks for listening to No Textbook for Life.

In today’s episode, I’m sharing 12 baby items that truly made my life easier as a new mom. After wasting money on things I never used, I finally found the products that were worth every penny — from the Baby Brezza to the perfect travel stroller setup.

💬 Tune in if you’re building your baby registry or wondering what’s actually useful postpartum!

🎥 Watch the full video on YouTube: Modern American Mama

In today’s episode of No Textbook for Life, I’m breaking down the 12 baby items I completely regret buying as a first-time mom. From the fancy crib we never used to the wipe warmer that collected dust — I’m sharing the honest truth about what wasn’t worth it.

Whether you’re a new mom trying to prep for baby or building your registry, this episode will save you money, time, and space.

🎧 Watch the video version on my YouTube channel, Modern American Mama — where I share my postpartum healing journey, motherhood moments, and real-life lessons school forgot to teach us.

New episodes every Friday 💛

In this episode of No Textbook for Life, my husband and I share the raw, real story of our first home birth — and what made it so different from our first hospital birth.

We talk about why we chose to have a home birth, what it was really like during labor and delivery, how my husband handled being my main support, and what recovery looked like afterward. From the emotional highs to the hard lessons, we’re opening up about everything we wish we’d known before choosing a home birth.

If you’re pregnant, postpartum, or just love authentic birth stories, this episode gives you an honest look at what to expect and how to prepare. 💛

🎥 Watch the video version on my YouTube channel → Modern American Mama

📺 youtube.com/@ModernAmericanMama

Follow No Textbook for Life for more real stories on motherhood, marriage, and healing after baby.

It’s officially been one year since I gave birth to my second baby — and this year has taught me more than I ever expected.

In this episode, I’m opening up about my first year postpartum — from the early weeks of recovery after my home birth to the heavy mental and emotional challenges that followed. I talk honestly about postpartum depression, suicidal thoughts, and finally discovering that my thyroid wasn’t working properly. Since starting medication and rebuilding my wellness habits — prayer, journaling, exercise, gratitude, and faith — I’ve slowly begun to heal.

Whether you’re a new mom, a partner trying to understand, or someone walking through their own healing season, this episode shares the lessons, facts, and real-life truths about postpartum recovery. You’ll hear how partners can support new mothers better, why asking for help isn’t weakness, and the habits that helped me rebuild from the inside out.

One year later, I’m still learning — but I can finally say I’m healing.

In this special episode, my 4-year-old daughter joins me on the podcast to share her experience of becoming a big sister at just 3.5 years old. She talks about what it was like meeting her baby sister for the first time, the fun moments they share, the challenges, and what she loves most about being a big sister.

This conversation is full of sweetness, honesty, and the unfiltered thoughts of a 4-year-old. Sometimes the biggest lessons in life come from the littlest voices.

🎧 Listen on Spotify & Apple Podcasts

📺 Watch the video version on YouTube @ Modern American Mama

September threw me everything from failed sourdough starters to bathtub disasters, four lost chickens, and podcast crashes. In this episode of No Textbook for Life, I share 5 key lessons I learned about leaning into new roles, perseverance, persistence, community, and resilience. Real stories, practical insights, and encouragement for anyone navigating the messy, unpredictable parts of adulting.

Join us for a special episode featuring our first ever guest! My husband! Lol. We have a 40 minute episode for y’all because talking about love takes longer than just 20 minutes. We never expected to meet in the Missionary Training Center (MTC), but that’s exactly where our love story began. In this episode of No Textbook for Life, Colt and I share how we first met as missionaries, the two weeks we spent side by side, and how letters and emails kept us connected across two years of service. From picking him up at the airport to being engaged just a month later and married the next, this is the real story of how we went from strangers to soulmates.

We’ll also share the lessons we’ve learned along the way about love, faith, and timing.

💌 If you’ve ever wondered if long-distance love can work — or how unexpected beginnings can lead to forever — this episode is for you.

✨ Don’t forget — there’s a video version of this podcast on my channel Modern American Mama!

At 18 years old, just weeks before starting college, I was hospitalized with West Nile meningitis — a rare and life-altering complication of West Nile virus. In this episode of No Textbook for Life, I share my experience in the hospital, the miracles that gave me strength, and the lessons I learned about resilience, faith, and finding purpose in pain.

If you’ve ever felt blindsided by life, this story is for you.

🎧 Listen now to Episode 2: Surviving West Nile Meningitis at 18.

📺 Watch the video version on YouTube → Modern American Mama

In this very first episode of No Textbook for Life, I’m sharing the story of my first real taste of adulting — moving away for college at 18. From working a factory job, buying my first car, and navigating life after high school, to battling illness, heartbreak, and paying rent without a safety net — it was nothing like I expected. Join me as I share the struggles, the small miracles, and the life lessons that shaped me in ways no classroom ever could.