This season has been a lot — for me and for so many highly sensitive, easily overstimulated moms. In this episode, I’m sharing what this busy fall has looked like inside my home, why I’ve been quieter than usual, and the shift that's helping me exhale.

If you’re feeling overwhelmed, stretched thin, overstimulated by life, or already dreading the holiday season, then grab a warm drink & let's catch up!

In this episode, we explore:
• Why fall and shorter days can spike overwhelm for sensitive moms
• How lack of margin affects your mood, energy, and regulation
• Three powerful questions for a more meaningful mom-life
• What happiness looks like for burned-out moms
• How connection (or lack of it) can make or break your day
• Three simple habits that help you feel grounded again

Whether you’re a homeschooling mom, a highly sensitive mom, or a mom navigating chronic overload, this episode offers gentle insight and practical encouragement to help you move through fall with more ease.

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Ready to more away from feeling like a reactive, chronically dysregulated mama? Book your free consultation for some support, just in time for the holidays.

https://calendly.com/sensationalmoms

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https://sensationalmoms.com

Send Whitney a Text

This podcast is not meant as medical advice or a substitute for any medical advice. Please contact your health professional with any mental health or physical health questions or concerns.

If you’ve ever felt like your ADHD brain makes mom life & homeschooling harder, this episode is for you. I was thrilled to chat with Emily Bailey, a mom who’s learning to let go of “shoulds” and find peace in rhythms & strategies that actually fit her neurodivergent brain. 

Together, we talk about what it looks like to homeschool when you’re overstimulated and stretched thin... Oh! And not to mention trying to support your own kid's neurodiversity.

✨ A gentle, real conversation for ADHD and overstimulated moms who crave connection & feeling enough, without pretending to be someone they’re not.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• How ADHD and overstimulation impact homeschooling and daily life
• Why traditional homeschool structure often fails ADHD moms
• How to create flexible homeschool rhythms that match your energy levels
• Simple mindset shifts that turn ADHD “struggles” into strengths
• What happens when you let curiosity, not comparison, lead your day

Check out Emily's coaching resources here: https://homeschoolunscripted.myflodesk.com/subscribe

Connect with her on Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/homeschoolunscripted/

Ready to kick-start your own self-regulation journey so you can ride that emotional roller-coaster instead of feeling like a wreck?  Grab yours for free here: https://sensationalmoms.com/free-resources-for-overstimulated-moms/

Send Whitney a Text

This podcast is not meant as medical advice or a substitute for any medical advice. Please contact your health professional with any mental health or physical health questions or concerns.

If you’re an overstimulated mom who’s tired of being told to “just stay calm..." me too! We’re unpacking the Calm Mom Myth — the unrealistic pressure for moms to always be gentle, composed, and regulated, even when overwhelm & sensory overload are hitting hard.

You’ll learn why “calm” isn’t always functional for an overstimulated or sensory-sensitive mom, how your nervous system naturally moves through waves of activation and rest, and why repair and reconnection matter more than staying perfectly calm.

If you’ve ever thought, “I just can’t stay calm,” this conversation will encourage you to:

•  understand your body’s cues
•  release the guilt
• ... and redefine what "calm" really means for you

In this episode:

• The difference between being calm and being regulated
• How forcing calm can backfire for a sensory-sensitive nervous system
• How to repair after you lose your cool (without shame)
• Explore your own functional definition of calm for neurodivergent and sensory-aware moms

Perfect for:
Overstimulated moms, sensory-sensitive moms, and homeschooling moms who crave more connection and less guilt — even when the house feels loud and your life feels a little too much.

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• 🎁Get your free "calm mom" reflection guide here. Does "calm" really mean what you think it means? If you're tired of being stuck in a cycle of mom guilt and setting yourself up with impossible expectations... start here.
• Read this blog post about your body's internal sense (interoception) here.

Send Whitney a Text

This podcast is not meant as medical advice or a substitute for any medical advice. Please contact your health professional with any mental health or physical health questions or concerns.

In this episode we’re getting personal with guest Amy Bodkin, an Autistic Adult who homeschools her 2 Autistic children. Amy is a passionate consultant and public speaker serving families worldwide with needs that fall outside the norm

She joins me for an honest and heartfelt conversation about what it’s like to navigate motherhood, homeschooling, and autism— all at once!

We talk about:
 ✨ The journey from “something feels different” to receiving her autism diagnosis as an adult
 ✨ How motherhood became the mirror that helped her see herself more clearly
 ✨ The beauty (and mess!) of choosing connection over “faking it till you make it”
 ✨ Why so many moms discover their own neurodivergence after their child’s diagnosis
 ✨ How visual vs. verbal processing styles show up in learning and relationships
 ✨ What it looks like to set the emotional tone at home — even when meltdowns happen

Amy’s story reminds us that growth and self-understanding often come in the middle of the mess — and that our kids don’t need us to have it all figured out; they just need us to keep choosing connection.

🎁Need some help navigating the beautiful messy moments of motherhood? Be sure to grab your free "getting started with self-regulation" guide created especially with moms in mind at https://www.sensationalmoms.com

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Amy Bodkin is a Consultant and Public Speaker serving families worldwide with needs that fall outside the norm. Amy is an Autistic Adult, has an Educational Specialist degree in Educational Psychology with an emphasis in Neuropsychology, and homeschools her two Autistic children. Amy believes in taking a Holistic Developmental Approach to support because children are full persons worthy of respect for individuality.

"We like to say it is as easy as ABC: Ally, Boost, and Connect! Ally with Amy through her podcast, “Special Needs Kids Are People Too!” Get a Boost with her Educational Resources, including her book Special Needs Kids Are People Too: Seeing the Possibilities Through a Neurodiverse Lens. And Connect through her Membership Group and Private Consultations!"

🎁We are offering listeners an opportunity to get a free month of our membership group! The membership includes free yearly testing for the entire family, weekly events like book clubs, Minecraft on our private server, DnD, Art Club, Video Game Club, and Office Hours for ongoing support. The membership is more than a social club. It is an investment in your child's future!! The number one thing that holds parents back from giving their kids a good start on life is a lack of knowledge in Child Development, including brain development. By connecting with Amy, you can have all of that knowledge in your back pocket without having to learn it all yourself! Let Amy monitor your child's development so you can take one more thing off your list!

Use the code: SENSATIONAL-FREE-MEMBERSHIP
https://amybodkin.com/product/special-needs-membership/

Send Whitney a Text

This podcast is not meant as medical advice or a substitute for any medical advice. Please contact your health professional with any mental health or physical health questions or concerns.

You thought the sensory overload would ease up once the baby and toddler years passed… but here you are, still feeling touched out, talked out, and overwhelmed.

 In this episode, I unpack why motherhood doesn’t get less overstimulating with big kids — and what you can do about it. 

Join me for this personal conversation and:

• pinpoint why you might feel that way (you're not crazy!)
• feel equipped with a few simple things to try to feel less overwhelmed
• & walk away feeling seen, describe what's going on, and ask for help

Let's talk about why it's not necessarily helpful to wait and see when it comes to feeling chronically overwhelmed by your kids.

💗 If you’ve been waiting for things to magically ‘get easier,’ I want you to know you’re not alone — and there’s real support for you. Book your free consultation at https://www.calendly.com/sensationalmoms so you can stop pushing through overwhelm and start finding joy in your days again.

How movement affects overstimulation: https://sensationalmoms.com/moms-who-are-overwhelmed-overstimulated-need-to-feed-these-3-senses-everyday/

How hormones affect sensory: https://sensationalmoms.com/hormones-sensory-overload/

Send Whitney a Text

This podcast is not meant as medical advice or a substitute for any medical advice. Please contact your health professional with any mental health or physical health questions or concerns.

I invite you to join me in this personal conversation with Teresa Wiedrick, a certified life coach. We get personal fast and dive deep into the challenges and triumphs of being a highly sensitive mom. 

Teresa and I also discuss transformative moments in the shift from my kids' difficulties being the problem to realizing we are all on our own growth journey... and how our's as mom deeply impacts our children's.

 In personal stories, we explore topics like:

• the importance of self-regulation
• the impact of sensory processing on family dynamics
• conflict management help
• practical strategies for managing stressful moments
•  how child-led learning has impacted our homeschool and relationship dynamics

This is the first in my Fall series of chats meant to encourage moms of all different neurotypes in our parenting journeys.

--->Be sure to check out Teresa Wiedrick's impactful resources especially for homeschool mamas at: https://capturingthecharmedlife.com/

--->You can also find her chatting about real life challenges and triumphs as a homeschoool mom on instagram @homeschoollifecoach

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Want your own free guide for how to support yourself in your next overwhelming, overstimulating moment? Grab it here: https://sensationalmoms.com/free-resources-for-overstimulated-moms/

Send Whitney a Text

This podcast is not meant as medical advice or a substitute for any medical advice. Please contact your health professional with any mental health or physical health questions or concerns.

Stress is inevitable in the life of a mom, but if you struggle with sensory overload and overwhelm... it's even more important that you address it before it compounds.

In this episode, Whitney explores common reasons WHY moms have a hard time getting around to stress management & how to work around them.

• What is the stress cycle?
• How does stress relate to sensory overload?
• 7 simple ways to address stress, even with your kids.

Learn more about sleep in this episode:
Season 2 Episode 3: https://sensationalmoms.com/podcast/

Want your 25+ Free Tips for what to do when you're STRESSED & over it?
https://sensationalmoms.com/free-resources-for-overstimulated-moms/

Listen to Alex Viera's podcast episode about rest:
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ep-14-theres-different-types-of-rest-yes-7-of-them/id1756368262?i=1000677014450

Watch alternate nostril breathing:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8VwufJrUhic

Send Whitney a Text

This podcast is not meant as medical advice or a substitute for any medical advice. Please contact your health professional with any mental health or physical health questions or concerns.

What does sound sensitivity and auditory processing disorder look like in real life for a family? Possibly melt-downs, hurting relationships, walking on eggshells, avoiding fun outings, attention struggles, social skill struggles, sleep difficulties, reading issues... the list goes on.

Wait! Before you say "My kid hears just fine" or "My hearing is ok..." This is often an unidentified source of defiance, conflict, reading, social & attention difficulties... and more. You really might be surprised!

Dr. Rae Stout joins me in this episode as we dive into APD & hearing sensitivites. 

• she helps us understand what APD, misophonia, and hyperacusis are in the first place
• we discuss the real impacts we've seen in the home
• she shares how she's pioneering the effective use of low-gain hearing aids to make life-changing functional impacts that affect whole families
• we talk about other treatment options and how they fit in

...and with an element of surprise and humor in the middle.

The impacts include academics but reach far beyond. Functional listening difficulties impact family dynamics and can make even normal daily tasks feel monumentally hard... whether it's a kid or a grown-up who struggles-- or both!

Dr. Rae Stout is a neurodivergent audiologist and mom of an AuDHD son, sharing both autism and ADHD diagnoses. She is a pioneer in the use of low-gain hearing aids for children and adults with normal or near-normal hearing who struggle with functional listening. Her specialties include auditory processing disorder, hyperacusis, tinnitus, and misophonia, with a focus on supporting children with autism, ADHD, and PDA profiles. Dr. Rae brings a neurodivergent-affirming approach to her work, combining clinical expertise with lived experience to help families create calmer, more accessible environments.

Connect with her here & learn more about her wonderful services & the community she's created:

Website: https://www.drraestout.com

APD Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1FFKPAfedd/

Watch this informative and heart-felt video about APD and LGHA's: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ea3XHUDIxIg

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Book your free consultation with Whitney here or sign up for regular email with actionable strategies and stories of encouragement at https://www.sensationalmoms.com

Send Whitney a Text

This podcast is not meant as medical advice or a substitute for any medical advice. Please contact your health professional with any mental health or physical health questions or concerns.

Back to school means shifting routines & expectations, which can be really hard for some kids (and adults too!)... even homeschoolers. 

A lot of the back to school excitement can be well-intended and is certainly happy for some... but for others of us, it's full of stress, emotions, & anticipation of tricky situations, like increased meltdowns and maybe refusals. 
In this episode, we discuss:

• What is high sensitivity (yes, it's more than sensory sensitivity)?
• What can you do to support your kid? Hint: Small shifts are key.
• How can you get more peace in your home during these tricky times?

Join Whitney as she shares how back to school has been tricky for her highly sensitive kid and what she's found that helps-- from an OT and a mom of 4.

Read more about high sensitivity here. 
https://sensationalmoms.com/highly-sensitive-person/

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Understanding more about you or your kids' sensory processing and self-regulation might be the missing pieces for more calm & connection in your home. 

If you want help putting those pieces together, book your Sensory Snapshot consultation today. Spots are limited to 5 families this back to school season. 

Start this school year feeling supported and equipped to create a home environment where everyone can flourish-- you included.

Learn more or book yours here.
https://sensationalmoms.com/services-for-sensory-support-self-regulation/

Send Whitney a Text

This podcast is not meant as medical advice or a substitute for any medical advice. Please contact your health professional with any mental health or physical health questions or concerns.

Did you know sensory stress doesn't have its own special "stress bucket" in the brain? Stress=stress... The good news is that simplifying other things helps improve your resilience with overstimulation too!

In this episode, we break down some tried and true ways to simlify life as we head "back to school," regardless of how you educate your kids.

• home maintenance
• meals
• car-time
• ...plus some of my favorite tools (new and old)

Listen along as we break things down into super practical steps and decide what NOT to do so that we can be present and enjoy our kids (most of the time).

What would you add to the list?
Join the conversation on Instagram @sensationalmoms

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You're invited! Join us for Supporting Your High Needs Learner at Home! An online conference just for you to find encouragement and advice as we head into a new year. Pre-recorded AND live sessions!

It's more than a conference, though. It's packed full of opportunities to "mingle" with other parents in your shoes, too... all from the comfort of home. Finally, other parents who "get it" too. All for $15!

Register here

Send Whitney a Text

This podcast is not meant as medical advice or a substitute for any medical advice. Please contact your health professional with any mental health or physical health questions or concerns.