Do y'all know Jamie Ivey yet?! Well, you should. She is one of the people who inspired me to get into podcasting! And, I just love her. She has a super popular podcast, The Happy Hour with Jamie Ivey (35 million downloads!), has written a few books, is a speaker, wife and mother of four teenagers.

On October 5th, she released a children's book, God Made You to Be You, and it is the sweetest story about Sammy the Cactus that you and your kids will love. Thus, in this episode we center our conversation around FAMILIES. We talk about the importance of prioritizing your spouse, teaching our kids that they are not the center of our universe (#sorrynotsorry), dating your spouse and why instilling self-worth into your kids is so valuable. Her book, geared toward the six and under crowd, relays the message that you are fabulous just the way God created you to be. Check out her new children's book - available now.

Connect with Jamie:

Jamie on Instagram // The Happy Hour Podcast // God Made You to Be You // Complement Book

Connect with Susannah:

Susannah on Instagram // Facebook // Website // Instagram: The 5 to 8 Shift

Adrianne Delgado, RD, LDN, our guest on episode 34, is a registered, licensed dietitian with over 15 years experience in out-patient nutrition care. Her passion includes helping her patients have a positive relationship with food, improving energy levels and empowering her clients to live their best life. 

As a working mother of five children, Adrianne understands firsthand the challenges of balancing health and responsibilities. We discuss how to be a "proactive eater" rather than a "reactive eater," how planning ahead can lead to increased energy, and why it's so important to model self care (read: prioritizing health and wellness) for our kids. If you are looking for some tips to boost the overall wellness of your family - start here with Adrianne of Bodymetrix Health!

Connect with Adrianne:

Website // Instagram // Nourish Eat Repeat Podcast and Book

Connect with Susannah:

Instagram: Susannah // Facebook // Website // Instagram: The 5 to 8 Shift

Rachel Van Kluyve, our guest on ep. 33, wears a lot of hats. She is mostly known for her great DIY tips on a budget, but she is also a podcaster, an author, a homeschool teacher - and a mother of three. She has carved out this beautiful little space on the internet, Crate & Cottage, that has attracted thousands of loyal fans and offers her community ways to be more intentional about creating a home they love.

Rachel brings a good dose of encouragement to open up Season 2. (Who doesn't need a little encouragement?!) We discuss everything from how toxic thoughts can steal your dreams to the slippery slope of comparison to ways you can make your home a more inviting and functional space. She encourages women to let go of fear and chase their dreams - and she does this all with grace and humility. Rachel's words are just the encouragement you didn't know you needed. 

Connect with Rachel

Instagram: Crate & Cottage // Podcast // Website

Connect with Susannah 

Instagram: Susannah // Facebook // Website // Instagram: The 5 to 8 Shift

On this episode, Michelle and Susannah talk *so many things* related to tween life, parenting the young teen crowd, and navigating the tumultuous time - otherwise known as middle school. Specifically, Michelle shares what role risk plays in the brain of an early adolescent and what parents should understand about the power of reputation in middle school.

Michelle Icard is a speaker, author, and educator who helps kids, parents, and teachers navigate the complicated social world of early adolescence. Her latest book, Fourteen Talks by Age Fourteen (Harmony/Random House 2021), guides readers through the fourteen essential conversations parents need to have with their kids before they start high school.

Enjoy this rebroadcast of one of our most popular episodes from Season 1!

Resources Mentioned in this Episode:

MichelleIcard.com

14 Talks by Age 14

Connect with Michelle: Instagram

Connect with Us!

Connect with Susannah: Instagram

The 5 to 8 Shift Website

Megan and I go way back - 20 years back! - and she has no problem encouraging young women to pursue their careers while telling it like it is. In this episode, Megan, VP, In-Store Marketing and Merchandise Presentation, Big Lots, shares some insight on what it's like to be female in Corporate America, how to juggle the demands of a career and a family, and lessons learned through over a decade of honing her craft. 

We spend the second half of the interview talking about some of the mental health challenges Megan has faced in a very real and present way. In hopes to continue to break the stigma around mental health, Megan discusses how eventually she couldn't ignore her mental health any longer, what she did to find help, and imparts wisdom on how to be a friend to someone who might be trending in a worrisome direction. 

Enjoy this rebroadcast of one of our most popular episodes from Season 1.

Resources Mentioned in the Episode:

Big Lots

Nationwide Children's Hospital

Connect with Us!

Connect with Susannah: Instagram

The 5 to 8 Shift Website

The 5 to 8 Shift Instagram

On Ep. 30, Laura and Susannah chat all things marriage. Solid relationships don't just appear - they are nurtured, cultivated, and developed with intention; marriage is no exception. Laura even makes the case for why couples should have a marital mission statement. (Spoiler alert: You're gonna want one too after listening!) Laura is down to earth, funny, and full of great insight for couples. We chat boundaries, consistency, and making time for your spouse. We also talk about the impact of strong marriages on family life - and how a happy marriage is a solid building block for a happy family.

Laura Gethers is a wife, mother, conflict resolution expert, author, speaker, and founder of Love Harder Marriage Coaching. Laura equips couples with the tools they need to strengthen their marriage. 

Enjoy this rebroadcast of one of our most popular episodes from Season 1. Season 2 out this September!

Resources Mentioned in this Episode:

Laura Gethers: Instagram

Love Harder Marriage Coaching

Your Marriage is Worth Fighting For, Book (on Amazon)

Connect with Us!

Connect with Susannah: Instagram

The 5 to 8 Shift Podcast Community on Facebook

The 5 to 8 Shift Website

The 5 to 8 Shift Instagram

Crystal Paine, founder of the wildly popular MoneySavingMom.com, host of "The Crystal Paine Show" podcast, New York Times bestselling author, occasional Foster Mom, and Mama to 4 bio kids is our guest today. Crystal's new book, Love-Centered Parenting: The No Fail Guide to Launching Your Kids, is her first parenting book and we are thrilled to have her share some insight on the journey of parenting in this episode.

You will find Crystal’s honesty, conversational style, and tried-and-true methods to be balm to your weary soul. At a time when parents are more fragile than ever, this message offers hope, freedom, and rest for the discouraged. Crystal talks about the day she found out her kid was a bully, leading with humility, and why letting go of what others think is so powerful as a parent.

We hope you enjoy this rebroadcast of one of our most popular episodes from Season 1. 

Connect with Us!

Connect with Susannah: Instagram

The 5 to 8 Shift Podcast Community on Facebook

The 5 to 8 Shift Instagram

Today's guest is Kelly Raudenbush; She is a Mama of 4 and Cofounder/Director, The Sparrow Fund, a nonprofit organization supporting families in adoption as well as those who care for vulnerable children. As an adoptive mom herself, Kelly talks about the importance of building attachment with your child in a conversation entitled, "The First 6 Months Together." There are so many resources available for those looking to adopt, but what about once you arrive home with your child? Now what? Those first 6 months together are crucial in setting a strong foundation for your family and Kelly shares some great ways to make them count.

Kelly and Susannah discuss why building attachment with your child is so vital, how and when to share your child's story with others, and the value of talking with your child about their story. This is such a great conversation for anyone who has adopted or is thinking of adopting.

Connect with Us!

Connect with Susannah: Instagram

The 5 to 8 Shift Podcast Community on Facebook

The 5 to 8 Shift Instagram

If you are a parent in 2021 then you already know that managing what your kids watch and how much they watch is a big challenge. Questions abound, such as: What are some ways parents can set up good habits for the 5 and under crowd? Why should we care about limiting screen time, (i.e., why does screen consumption matter?) What role do parents play in appropriately acclimating kids to internet usage? What's the advantage to referring to devices as "family devices?" How does extended screen time impact language development in toddlers? How can planning ahead help with unintentional extended screen time?

All this and more answered in this episode - specifically geared toward families with toddlers and/or preschoolers. 

And on that note - this is the last episode of Season 1. What a joy and privilege this podcast is - thank you for being here, for investing in your parenting, for investing in your family, and for investing in yourself over the past several months! This community is so encouraging - y'all are the best! We'll be back with new guests, new content, and a new season later this summer. 

Connect with Us!

Connect with Susannah: Instagram

The 5 to 8 Shift Podcast Community: Facebook

The 5 to 8 Shift: Website

The 5 to 8 Shift: Instagram

Netflix gets a lot of flack for being a time-sucking black hole, but the truth is - they have a boatload of incredible documentaries. Really! They even have some documentaries that can help with your parenting. 

On today's episode, our host, Susannah, shares three documentaries every parent should watch. One documentary has to do with the science behind the importance of loving relationships in the early years, one has to do with empathy and courage, and the last one has to do with a small dilemma, otherwise known as social media. But, you'll have to listen in to get all the details.

Season 1 coming to an end this June - but more goodness to come this Fall on Season 2! 

Connect with Us!

Connect with Susannah: Instagram

The 5 to 8 Shift Podcast Community on Facebook

The 5 to 8 Shift Website

The 5 to 8 Shift Instagram