Who is up for a little brain (more like heart) dump? Yeah? Good. Because I am an empath, coming out of the haze of survival mode and have lots of thoughts.

If you haven't already, head to IG this week to learn more about a Virtual Diaper Drive I am doing. With a never ending list of what needs to happen for moms, it can feel like a lot to tackle. So I am starting here. 

Join Mary everyday for a real look into life with 3 crazy ass kids, surviving, thriving, and whatever the F else you might consider over at www.instagram.com/theverymarylife. Or if you're a Tik Tok fan, find me at https://www.tiktok.com/@theverymarylife. And of course, explore more on Theverymarylife.com

As moms, we are really good at putting everyone else first. When was the last time you were kind? No, I don't mean in general... I mean to yourself?

Dr. Whitney Casares joins me on the podcast today to talk about mindful self-compassion, a pediatrician's view on parenting, and her new book, Doing it All, Stop Overfunctioning and Become the Mom and Person You're Meant to Be. It's a big dose of good advice that I think we could all use.

Episode Highlights:

• Moving on from the generation of "hiding it"
• Why are we so cruel to ourselves?
• How body image talk is changing in the doctor's office
• Advice for making change that encourages joy
• What we hope it's like for our kids as future parents

Dr. Whitney Casares is a private practice pediatrician, a two-time American Academy of Pediatrics Author and Spokesperson, and a mom to two young girls. She lives in Portland, Oregon. Her mission, through online channels and her books, is to help moms break the cycle of burnout in parenting. She focuses on health and well-being to create a sense of balance and, most importantly - joy - for all moms.

Dr. Casares' new book, Doing it All, Stop Overfunctioning and Become the Mom and Person You're Meant to Be is out January 23rd, 2024 BUT if you pre-order by October 1st, you can be eligible to win $15,000 in free child care!

Find out more information on her website and you can also follow her on Instagram.

Join Mary everyday for a real look into life with 3 crazy ass kids, surviving, thriving, and whatever the F else you might consider over at www.instagram.com/theverymarylife. Or if you're a Tik Tok fan, find me at https://www.tiktok.com/@theverymarylife. And of course, explore more on Theverymarylife.com

**Trigger Warning** This episode focuses on eating disorders. 

Our bodies change after having babies, and diet culture hasn't helped. And let's be real... it hasn't helped since long before we were of baby-making age. Our mothers, our grandmothers, our great-grandmothers - it's been a long history of weight obsession.

Let's talk about making a change. For ourselves, for our daughters, for their daughters.

Zoe Lewis joins me to discuss our shared past of living with eating disorders, getting the right help, and how we hope to disrupt diet culture for the future.

Episode highlights:

• When our skewed body image issues began, and how we got help
• Why it's so frustrating living in our current weight-obsessed world
• Changing the narrative for future generations
• What it means to "filter your feed" and why everyone should be doing it

Zoe Lewis is the busy mom of two boys, ages 5 and 3, who also shares her sage advice for intuitive eating and mindful movement. Her business, Wellness 111, focuses on proper nutrition and pilates, as well as offering a free community for support. To learn more, check out her website: www.wellness1111.com. You can also follow along via Instagram, at VeryVeryZoe.

Join Mary everyday for a real look into life with 3 crazy ass kids, surviving, thriving, and whatever the F else you might consider over at www.instagram.com/theverymarylife. Or if you're a Tik Tok fan, find me at https://www.tiktok.com/@theverymarylife. And of course, explore more on Theverymarylife.com

Growing up in the 90's seems like it was simpler... but was it?

Katie's back, breaking down the tough parts of parenting with me.

Episode Highlights: 

• That weird age of parenting and finding your people
• How parenting and childhood has changed through the years
• Approaching the birds and the bees conversation
• What we hope to teach our kids about s-e-x
• Managing our emotions (looking at you, anger) 

Katie Costa is my hilarious friend behind @mommyneeds_morewine and joins me each month as co-host for an always relatable, always fun episode.

Join Mary everyday for a real look into life with 3 crazy ass kids, surviving, thriving, and whatever the F else you might consider over at www.instagram.com/theverymarylife. Or if you're a Tik Tok fan, find me at https://www.tiktok.com/@theverymarylife. And of course, explore more on Theverymarylife.com

Have we taken this whole "motherhood" thing too far?

Dr. Morgan Cutlip joins me to talk about all the ways we've cultivated a very unhealthy perspective on what it means to be a good one: good moms, good partners, good friends, good people. What happened to just being enough?
 
Episode highlights:

• The insane amount of pressure that's put on by society and ourselves
• Losing ourselves in the role
• Our favorite parenting "hacks" that aren't exactly "mainstream"
• How to feel good in motherhood, while navigating all the pieces 

Dr. Morgan Cutlip has a PhD in Psychology and is a highly sought-after relationship expert. Her work focuses on helping moms navigate motherhood better, through forming and maintaining healthy relationships.

Dr. Cutlip has been a featured relationship expert with Good Morning America, Teen Vogue, The New York Times, Women’s Health Magazine, MOPS International, Loveology, and Flo, the #1 app in health and fitness. Follow her on Instagram or find out more via her website. Her new book, Love Your Kids Without Losing Yourself, comes out September 19th and is available for preorder now!

Join Mary everyday for a real look into life with 3 crazy ass kids, surviving, thriving, and whatever the F else you might consider over at www.instagram.com/theverymarylife. Or if you're a Tik Tok fan, find me at https://www.tiktok.com/@theverymarylife. And of course, explore more on Theverymarylife.com

The American Speech Language and Hearing Association reports that 13.5% of 18 to 23-month-olds have delayed language. The percentages increase a bit when a child turns 2 - and you'd be surprised by the limited access many families have in the US when it comes to getting help.

My guest Melissa is aiming to change that via her online platform, Raising Little Talkers. She is a licensed speech therapist with more than a decade of experience, and we're going to be explaining all things speech. I have personal experience on this topic with my daughter, and let me tell you - this episode is FULL of good advice.  I'm excited for you to listen!

Episode highlights:

• The difference between speech and language, and what qualifies as a delay
• Risk factors
• How the pandemic affected (and continues to affect) our kids
• Interesting insight on tongue function
• Resources available if you suspect your child needs help
• Some great tips and tricks to try at home

Just remember - any delay your little one might have, it's not your fault. Melissa does a great job, lifting you up and helping us all feel a little less helpless.

Melissa is the supportive expert behind Raising Little Talkers.  She's a mom of 3 - ages 6, 4, and 10 months. Her business started during the Covid pandemic, when the world shut down. She decided to take her services online and has been empowering parents ever since. She's helping kids nationwide gain access to speech therapy, with tips and strategies that parents can do at home. If you're interested in learning more, or taking her online course, check out her website, RaisingLittleTalkers.com. You can also follow her on Instagram and Youtube, @RaisingLittleTalkers.

Join Mary everyday for a real look into life with 3 crazy ass kids, surviving, thriving, and whatever the F else you might consider over at www.instagram.com/theverymarylife. Or if you're a Tik Tok fan, find me at https://www.tiktok.com/@theverymarylife. And of course, explore more on Theverymarylife.com

Welcome to the NEW Picking Daisies Podcast!

I'm thrilled to re-launch with a new name, some fresh focus, all while keeping that same circle of support you've come to know and love. 

In this episode:

• New name, who dis? We'll go over what to expect from here on out
• Barely surviving summer, then Back to School hits different
• How my mom reacted to my nose ring (ha!)
• How I'm feeling about the Baby Train after vacation

I'm so excited for you to join me on this next adventure - get ready for some really great conversations and laugh out loud moments! 

Join Mary everyday for a real look into life with 3 crazy ass kids, surviving, thriving, and whatever the F else you might consider over at www.instagram.com/theverymarylife. Or if you're a Tik Tok fan, find me at https://www.tiktok.com/@theverymarylife. And of course, explore more on Theverymarylife.com

Motherhood isn’t always perfect, but I think this episode might be.

That’s the beauty in being honest - we can relate, find empathy, and realize that we’re not alone in this whole thing. My sweet friend Emily from @MadeforMotherhood_ joins me to talk about the hard times, and the importance of giving ourselves some room to not be “picture perfect.”

Emily has a counseling background, and I think you’ll really appreciate hearing from someone who has all the resources available and also struggles with mental health.

Episode highlights:

-The 80/20 rule: what is it? 

-Admitting our mistakes, and taking the time to talk about them with our kids and repair

-Things we wish all women knew before having kids 

-It’s not all the “Wedding Days of Motherhood”

Emily Martyak is a professional school counselor turned stay at home mom, married with two young boys. Her Instagram account, MadeforMotherhood_ is a great place to find humor, inspiration, and practical tips with a good dose of Maternal Mental Health guidance. She’s also an advocate for PMDD Awareness. Follow along or check out her website, madeformotherhood.site for more!

Join Mary everyday for a real look into life with 3 crazy ass kids, surviving, thriving, and whatever the F else you might consider over at www.instagram.com/theverymarylife. Or if you're a Tik Tok fan, find me at https://www.tiktok.com/@theverymarylife. And of course, explore more on Theverymarylife.com

Changes are coming to the podcast, and I CAN'T. WAIT. (If you're not sure what I'm talking about, make sure to listen to the episode before this!)

Katie joins me to digest the big news I shared in an earlier episode, what to expect, and how she still fits into this whole thing. (Spoiler: she totally does.)

Episode highlights: 

• Debating whether or not we're done with kids
• The growth and life cycle of an Instagram influencer
• The cost of childcare
• Periods after kids - why are they such crime scenes?
• The many phases of ourselves

While big changes are coming, know that the core reason for this podcast remains the same. I want you to come here, be yourself, no judgment. Katie and I explain!

Katie Costa is my hilarious friend behind @mommyneeds_morewine and joins me each month as co-host for an always relatable, always fun episode.

Join Mary everyday for a real look into life with 3 crazy ass kids, surviving, thriving, and whatever the F else you might consider over at www.instagram.com/theverymarylife. Or if you're a Tik Tok fan, find me at https://www.tiktok.com/@theverymarylife. And of course, explore more on Theverymarylife.com

Yep you read that right. Again this podcast is changing and growing and finally, at almost a full year of recording, I finally feel like I have not only a clue as to what I'm doing but what direction I really want to take. So first things first, name change. 

In addition to changes here, check in to hear about where things are going with content, opportunities to be involved and more!

Join Mary everyday for a real look into life with 3 crazy ass kids, surviving, thriving, and whatever the F else you might consider over at www.instagram.com/theverymarylife. Or if you're a Tik Tok fan, find me at https://www.tiktok.com/@theverymarylife. And of course, explore more on Theverymarylife.com