The EFF IT Madres Podcast

In this episode, we speak with Allison Hardman, a single madre of two, who said EFF IT and left a marriage of 14 years behind her because of how toxic it was to her and her kids.  She took a sign from the universe to get out of what she had intuitively felt was not right for her and her kids to stay in any longer.  And, once she got out, she did things that she never would have done had she stayed in something that wasn’t serving her. It’s through these EFF IT moments where we build resilience, and you should be damn proud of taking those steps in finding what works and doesn’t work for you.  Just EFFing trust your gut, do what you love, and choose joy in everything that you do.  To follow Allison’s journey, please follow her on Instagram at @alliinwanderlust.  And, if you’re in Austin, go check out one of her yoga classes at @blackswanyogaaustin.

In this episode, we speak with Food Network star, Penny Davidi, a madre of 2, who said EFF IT and got divorced at a time when divorce was taboo. On top of that, coming from a Persian Jewish upbringing, it was very frowned upon. But, she knew it was not what she wanted anymore, and once she left,  an onslaught of EFF IT moments followed: she bought pizza joints even though she knew nothing about it; manifested herself onto the Food Network; and found the love of her life. It just goes to show that you have to make things EFFing happen for you by putting yourself into different environments and take advantage of the opportunities that are all around you because they always are. You just have to be willing and open to accepting them. To check out all the projects Penny is involved in, go to Instagram and give her a follow at @pennydavidi. Also, check out her book, “It’s my Thyme,” on Amazon.

In this episode, we thought it would be fun to check in with each other since Romi’s birthday was this past week, and Carla’s is in a few weeks, and is also turning 42.  We were both at such different spots since this time last year, so we wanted to see what we’ve learned, want to leave behind, and what we want to see and achieve in 2024. We talk about growth, realize that we can change our identities whenever we want, and that our EFF IT moment really has pushed us forward in so many ways.  As messy as it has been, we are both super grateful that we said EFF IT and started this podcast.  It literally has opened us both up to new perspectives, new opportunities, learning new things, and different ways of being. A big reason why we continue showing up to record more episodes is because we hope to inspire madres out there to say EFF IT so that they can reap the benefits that these big life changes bring. Don’t get us wrong, there will definitely be some shitty ass parts, but what you learn along the way supersedes the bad. So, if you’re at that point and want to say EFF IT, all we can say is just effing doing. It may suck at times, but it will be worth it in the end.

In this episode, we speak with Romi’s Aunt, Mary Nabers,, a madre of two, who decided to say EFF IT, and go back to school in her 40’s. When she was younger, she had dropped out high school, and ever since then carried around this narrative that she wasn’t smart enough for school. But, she always wanted to go back. So, when that opportunity arose, she went back to school and  broke that narrative by really applying herself, and ended up on the Dean’s List and graduating with honors.  It just goes to show that you can rewrite your EFFing story, and know that you aren’t the narratives that you have told yourself for so long.  You have the power to break through them and become a fresh, new version of you.  If you are interested in going back to school, know that you have tons of resources available to you. All you have to do is research your local community colleges in your area, and either call admissions or go in and speak with someone. Remember, where there’s a will, there’s a way!

In this episode, we speak with Chelsea Hale, a madre of one, that decided to say EFF IT and put her ego aside in regards to co-parenting her son with her ex. She realized that lawyering up and fighting with him was only feeding her ego, but hurting her son.  So, they both decided to put their son first, and worked on developing a very harmonious co-parenting relationship.  It went so well, that it made them reconsider their own relationship, so they are now on the path of exploring that.  You just have to EFFing breathe, know that you will get through the hard times, and put your ego aside when it comes to what’s best for your kids.  To follow Chelsea’s co-parenting journey, please give her a follow on Instagram at @thechelseahale

Now that we are in Season 3, and the year is coming to a close, we decided it would be nice for us to catch up with each other with  where we each are at in our EFF IT moment. This has been a year of some major EFFing changes, growth, and self reflection. So we wanted to share with you all where we’re at because EFF IT moments can look different for everyone. Thanks for tuning in, and coming along for the ride!

In this episode, we speak with Barrett Prendergast, a madre of 3 boys, who said EFF IT with her husband, and decided to move their whole family from LA to Italy.  It was something they thought they would maybe do once they were closer to retirement, but with everything going on in the world in regards to school shootings, quality of life and of food, they decided the time was now.  They are 3 months into their move, and are experiencing all the highs and sometimes lows of stepping out of their comfort zones.  But, by accepting that it was going to be very challenging, they are taking things day by day, growing together, and building their family connection through this new chapter in life.  You just have to effing decide that you are going to do something, and commit to it.  Change is scary and hard, but know that you will come out the other side, and that side will be worth all the emotions and fears that you feel when you take that first step. To follow Barrett and her family’s new chapter in Italy, please follow her on Instagram at @barrettprendergast, and their newsletter barrettandtheboys.substack.com.  If you are interested in some holiday gift ideas, please visit www.valleybrinkroad.com to check out their luxury gift basket company, as well as @valleybrinkroad on Instagram.

In this episode, we have Jen Brady back on from Season 1 to update us on the momentum she has had since saying EFF IT a year ago.  Since having her EFF IT moment, and embarking on a new career path of tattooing areolas for women who have had reconstructive breast surgeries, it has opened up a lot of opportunities for her to learn, and to fears that she didn’t know she had.  It was great to bring her back on and talk about her progress because what we see, aside from our own journeys, is that once you say EFF IT, it makes you more willing to try and learn new things.  And by doing these new things, you then become exposed to new people, environments, information, and perspectives that you wouldn’t have had if you decide to not take that first EFFing step.  So, you just have to EFFing trust and fall in love with your ideas, especially if they make your heart flutter!  To check out Jen’s journey, please follow her on Instagram at @jenrestoresatx.

In this episode, we speak with Sal and Lena Osborne, two madres to 7 kids, who said EFF IT and went against what they had learned growing up in Mormonism. They were both married to men, had children, and were living the way they were expected to in accordance with organized religion.  But, when they met each other, they felt something that they had never felt before for anyone else.  They both stepped away from Mormonism, went through painful divorces, and came together with a love so strong and so deep that it was worth any discomfort that they were experiencing..  They are now living their true, authentic lives together with all their children, and couldn’t be happier.  You just have to EFFing be your own cheerleader, know that you will get through the discomfort and discover a freedom you never knew could exist.  To follow Sal and Lena’s love story, please check out their show on Hulu called “Mormon No More,” and visit their website to check out all their latest news, services and courses that they offer.  And don’t forget to give them each a follow on Instagram at @comingoutcoach,, and @lena_osborne.

In this episode, we speak with Heaven Leigh, a madre of one, who decided to say EFF IT and open up and be honest about making the decision to become a single mom, which was not an easy decision to make.  But, the relationship was difficult, and was no longer serving her and her son.  She knew that if she stayed, it would be her son that would be affected the most.  So, she got herself and her son out of a toxic situation, and they are now on the other side of the whole experience, with the love and support of her family and friends, which she didn’t expect to get because she was never one to ask for help.  This is an important reminder to all of us, madres, to know that asking for help is not a sign of weakness.  We need the support and love of people around us. But, if we never ask or speak our truth, we may never know how much people are willing to help us, and stand with us.  You just have to EFFing remember what you have been through, how far you have come, and just do your best and know that the right thing will come to you.  To follow Heaven and her journey, please follow her on Instagram at @heavenleigh.