We interviewed the amazing psychotherapist, author, and new momma Michelle Goodloe, LCSW for our Season 2 Finale! Goodloe has a private therapy practice in Atlanta, and she also leads self-care workshops. In addition, Goodloe authored the self-care journal, “Self Explore, Self Restore,” and the new self-care workbook, “The Self-Care Investment.” Listen to learn about Goodloe’s self-care non-negotiables, the importance of setting boundaries with yourself, and how to overcome guilt that’s working overtime.

Connect with Michelle Goodloe, LCSW:

Cited in this Episode:“A Mother’s Love” on Oprah.com (Ayelet Waldman says kids are not the center of her universe in her 2005 essay on an Oprah episode) https://www.oprah.com/oprahshow/a-mothers-love_1/all

Shop Our Books: Kjersti's book Running for Mental Health + Kristi's ebook Self-Care 101 for Busy Parents

Connect on Instagram: @thementalmile @parentselfcare @kjersti_running_therapy

In this episode Kristi and Kjersti discuss the value in re-thinking work-life, post-pandemic.  Many places, like California, are open for business, and people and businesses are reflecting on lessons learned during the pandemic. Some are doing their best to realign their personal values with their work-life.  This conversation is a great jumping-off point to get thinking about the changes you'd like to see in the corporate world. 

Cited in this episode:

Shop Our Books: Kjersti's book Running for Mental Health + Kristi's book Self-Care 101 for Busy Parents

Connect on Instagram: @thementalmile @parentselfcare@kjersti_running_therapy 

This one's for you dads! We chat about our Father's Day traditions and gifts, what we've learned from our dads, paternal mental health and more in our Father's Day episode. 

Mentioned in this episode:

1. "Oh Baby: Postpartum Depression in Men is Real, Science Says" by Margaret Jaworski https://www.psycom.net/postpartum-depression-in-men

2. "The Science of Dad and the ‘Father Effect’" by Joshua A. Krisch https://www.fatherly.com/health-science/science-benefits-of-fatherhood-dads-father-effect/

Shop Our Books: Kjersti's book Running for Mental Health + Kristi's book Self-Care 101 for Busy Parents

Connect on Instagram: @thementalmile @parentselfcare @kjersti_running_therapy

In this episode Kristi and Kjersti discuss the role that community-care plays in self-care, especially how it relates to parenting young children. 

Mentioned in this episode: 

1. The quote "Shouting 'self-care' at people who actually need community care is how we fail people." --Nakita Valerio as quoted in the Flare article: https://www.flare.com/identity/self-care-new-zealand-muslim-attack/

2. There are many articles/studies that discuss whether or not parents are less happy or more happy than non-parents.  Here is one of them: https://time.com/collection/guide-to-happiness/4370344/parents-happiness-children-study/

3. Coursera, world class learning for anyone, anywhere, for free.  https://www.coursera.org

4. San Mateo Parents Club: https://sanmateoparentsclub.wildapricot.org

5. The book Mommy Burnout by Dr Sheryl Ziegler: https://drsherylziegler.com/mommy-burnout/

6. Circle of Care Worksheet by Kjersti Nelson, MFT: https://www.kjerstinelson.com/blog/2021/5/17/growing-your-community-circle-of-care-worksheet

If you are local to the SF Bay Area join Kjersti in one of her running communities: https://www.kjerstinelson.com/runclubs

Shop Our Books: Kjersti's book Running for Mental Health + Kristi's book Self-Care 101 for Busy Parents

Connect on Instagram: @thementalmile @parentselfcare @kjersti_running_therapy

Kjersti + Kristi chat about their Mother's Day traditions, holiday self-care and the best gifts for burned-out moms! You are amazing mothers, and we are so glad we get to walk the mental mile with you. Here's to joy, connection, laughter, hugs, breakfast in bed, and self-care this year and beyond.

Books in this Episode: It's Not You, It's the Dishes by Paula Szuchman and Jenny Anderson 

Fair Play by Eve Rodsky

Self-Care for Tough Times by Suzy Reading

Article in this Episode: 15 Mother's Day Gifts for the Burned-Out Mom in Your Life by Zibby Owens

Relationship Resource: Decoding Couples for newsletters, self-paced courses + relationship workshops

Self-Care Tip: Fair Play card deck by Eve Rodsky about sharing the parental workload

Shop Our Books: Kjersti's book Running for Mental Health + Kristi's book Self-Care 101 for Busy Parents

Connect on Instagram: @thementalmile @parentselfcare @kjersti_running_therapy

Take a self-compassion break with the Giving and Receiving Compassion guided meditation from Kristin Neff, Ph.D. and Chris Germer Ph.D.

Featured Resources:

Self-compassion quiz by Kristin Neff 

Insight Timer with Kristin Neff 

Link to a PDF of the Giving and Receiving Compassion meditation

Chris Germer meditation recordings 

Kristin Neff meditation recordings 

Featured Books:

Self-Compassion by Kristin Neff 

The Mindful Self-Compassion Workbook by Kristen Neff and Chris Germer

Good Morning, I Love You by Shauna Shapiro 

Stay Woke by Justin Michael Williams 

Shop Our Books: Kjersti's book Running for Mental Health + Kristi's book Self-Care 101 for Busy Parents

Connect on Instagram: @thementalmile @parentselfcare @kjersti_running_therapy

Dr. Rachel Kowert is a research psychologist that studies topics relating to the uses and effects of digital games, including the impact on physical, social, and psychological well-being.  She is the author of numerous books, including 'A Parent's Guide to Video Games', and the children's book 'Pragmatic Princess'. In this interview Dr. Kowert demystifies the common stereotypes associated with video game play, and helps put into perspective the positive ways video games can be part of every day life for kids, families, and parents.  She also shares tips for how parents can oversee their child's game play and take the necessary steps to safeguard the experience based on associated risks, the child's age, and interests.  

Mentioned in this interview:

You can find Dr. Rachel Kowert via..

Kristi and Kjersti both share a 'community care' wellness practice called "Common Humanity Meditation", to find the details with full instructions visit https://ggia.berkeley.edu/practice/common_humanity_meditation

Shop Our Books: Kjersti's book Running for Mental Health + Kristi's eBook Self-Care Inspiration for Busy Parents

Connect on Instagram: @thementalmile @parentselfcare @kjersti_running_therapy

In this episode Kristi interviews co-host Kjersti (Marriage and Family Therapist and Run Coach) about how she got started with running and evolved her run practice into a therapy modality/intervention.  Kjersti covers her own run story, info about running as a treatment element for mild to moderate depression and anxiety, as well as using running and nature in a mindfulness practice.   

Mentioned in this episode:

To learn more about Kjersti you can find her at...

In this episode Kristi's self-care [community-care] suggested practice: "the donut tour", try out a new restaurant/donut shop and buy some for you and a friend!

Kjersti's self-care [couple-care] suggested practice: Stay-At-Home date night.  Put the kids to bed, order a nice dinner, watch a new-to-you movie!

Shop Our Books: Kjersti's book Running for Mental Health + Kristi's eBook Self-Care Inspiration for Busy Parents

Connect on Instagram: @thementalmile @parentselfcare@kjersti_running_therapy

In this episode Kristi and Kjersti interview Ilana Beigel, Yogi, Mindful Parenting Coach, Speech Language Pathologist, and all around wonderful human about her yoga practice and how she brings the lessons from yoga with her on and off the mat especially when it comes to parenting, wellness, and self-care.  

Ilana shares with us her unique parenting tool that she calls "The Lollipop Technique," which is a gentle and inviting way to start a conversation with your child (of any age).  

Mentioned in this episode:

Kripalu Center for Yoga and Health: kripalu.org

The Lollipop Technique: ilanab.com/lollipop

Ilana Beigel's Mindful Parenting and Yoga website: ilanab.com

You can follow Ilana on Instagram @ilanabeigel

Connect with Kjersti + Kristi:

Shop Kjersti's book Running for Mental Health

Listen to hear how we are doing a year into pandemic parenting, and our thoughts about grief during this time. We chat about COVID trends + fads, distance + hybrid learning, the skills we need in 2021, and two of our favorite self-care practices.

Mentioned in this Episode: "The AfterGrief: Finding Your Way Along the Long Arc of Loss" by Hope Edelman, The Anniversary Effect blog, Greater Good Magazine + The Science of Happiness podcast

Shop Our Wellness Books: Kjersti's book Running for Mental Health + Kristi's book Self-Care Inspiration for Busy Parents 

Connect on Instagram: @thementalmile + @parentselfcare + @kjersti_running_therapy