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What if becoming a more conscious mother begins with bringing the focus back to yourself?

In this episode of The Mommy Pod, Shanta’ speaks with Urvi Shah, a certified coach and spiritual healer who helps mothers reconnect with themselves and learn how to regulate their emotions. She openly shares her experience with severe postpartum depression and how therapy and mindfulness supported her healing.

Together, they discuss conscious motherhood, emotional regulation, overstimulation, asking for help, repairing after difficult parenting moments, and releasing the pressure to be the “perfect” mom. This conversation is a powerful reminder that caring for yourself is not selfish—you are already whole, you lack nothing, and you are doing an amazing job in your own way.

Connect with Urvi Shah on Instagram: Inner Serenity Life Coaching www.innerserenitylifecoaching.com

Learn more about The Mommy Pod at themommypod.net.

This episode discusses postpartum depression and mental health. It is intended for encouragement and education and is not a substitute for professional medical or mental-health care.

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Walking away from a toxic relationship may feel like the ending—but for many women, it is only the beginning of the healing journey.

In this episode of The Mommy Pod, Shanta’ sits down with author and mother Tiffany Lauren for an honest conversation about surviving emotional abuse, rebuilding confidence, navigating the legal system, and co-parenting while protecting your peace and your children.

Tiffany shares how writing helped her reclaim her voice and transform painful experiences into purpose. Her memoir, Never Free From A Narcissist, explores the realities of remaining connected to a toxic former partner through shared children. She is also the author of Two Houses, One Heart, a children’s book and companion coloring book created to support children who divide their lives between two homes.

Now pursuing her bachelor’s degree in Clinical Counseling, Tiffany hopes her experiences will remind women that survival is not the end of their story. You can rebuild, rediscover your worth, and create something beautiful from chapters you never wanted to live.

Because we bend—but we don’t break.

To connect with Tiffany and learn more about her books, follow @pain_taughtme_power on Instagram and TikTok or find Tiffany the Author on Facebook

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FT1KP8Q3?lv=shuf&channelId=500&plpRedirect=mhFallback

https://www.amazon.com/Two-Houses-Heart-Coloring-Book/dp/B0HF8RRJB6/ref=sr_1_9?dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.tVAHO0N-gLC6rBlg40UI_clN3YUm1Llromj5aaCuPWshHmVKMh0gFDbSJfQaR9cgrXZKQqmIboPYpQxlC9gD2yEGlb6QqsUUbm4uGJzpW9UcsyH6wKvUl-6XbbBe-pX47fIl4I2XLbTcDMlNZzpHK1HEw2lFnxCq6sytfxl4g7OSTHpTq2w3x_0LC0AmKr40jZHtd7l06_Luydk506MrWT0jaGkyF5SP3BfUm47s_pc.4hu36WRgreEN7QNPvf9CUAM01no2QCyGoKH7JIBeDcQ&dib_tag=se&qid=1788798600&refinements=p_27%3ATiffany+Lauren&s=books&sr=1-9&text=Tiffany+Lauren

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Rachel Kerr Schneider faced the unimaginable when her husband, John, was diagnosed with ALS while they were raising two young sons. In this deeply personal episode, Rachel shares how she talked to her children about their father’s illness, helped them prepare for loss, created space for their individual grief, and leaned on her faith through caregiving, hospice, death, and rebuilding.

Rachel is a speaker, the voice behind Spirited Prosperity, and the award-winning author of The Widow Chose Red? My Journey with Jesus, John, and ALS. Together, we discuss anticipatory grief, age-appropriate honesty, maintaining family routines during crisis, supporting children after a parent dies, accepting help, remembering the parent who was lost, and allowing joy to return without guilt into finding love again!

This conversation offers inspiration and encouragement to grieving parents—and practical guidance for anyone supporting a child through loss.

Content note: This episode discusses ALS, terminal illness, hospice, parental death, grief, and children coping with loss.

Learn more about Rachel at SpiritedProsperity.com.

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Letting Go of the “Shoulds”: Its Okay not to be Okay- in this moment~ with Dr. Lindsay Weisner

Motherhood can make us feel like we should be doing more, handling everything better, and meeting everyone’s expectations—all while pretending we aren’t overwhelmed.

In this episode of The Mommy Pod, Shanta’ sits down with psychologist Dr. Lindsay Weisner to discuss anxiety, motherhood, and letting go of the “shoulds” that steal our peace. Lindsay has 20 years of experience, writes for Psychology Today, co-authored “Ten Steps to Finding Happy: A Guide to Permanent Satisfaction,” and co-hosts the true-crime podcasts “The Husband Did It” and “Crimes of Long Island.”

Lindsay shares why becoming a parent gave her an entirely new list of things to worry about and explains how outside pressure, perfectionism, comparison, and the fear of disappointing others can intensify anxiety. She also reminds us that it’s okay to ask for help, it’s okay if someone says no, and it’s okay not to be okay in the moment—because the moment will pass.

If you have ever felt like you should be able to do it all, this conversation will help you breathe, release unrealistic expectations, and find greater calm when life begins closing in.

Connect with Lindsay on Instagram and Tik Tok: @PsychShrinkMom

Follow The Mommy Pod and share this episode with another parent who needs permission to put down some of the “should's.”

Because we bend—but we do not break. 💜

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FQ86RF9S

Living with ADHD: Getting Clean and Organized is not another rigid “how-to” guide that demands perfection—it’s a compassionate roadmap designed for real people with real ADHD challenges.  Living with ADHD will help you take back control—one small step at a time.

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Why won’t the father of my children step up?

For many mothers, that question carries frustration, disappointment, and the exhaustion of feeling like they must manage everything alone. In this episode of The Mommy Pod, Shanta' sits down with Dr. Binyamin “Ben” Rothstein—a retired family physician, father of eight, grandfather, author, and mentor to hundreds of men.

Dr. Ben explains how growing up without a healthy male role model can affect a man’s ability to become a loving father and dependable partner. Together, they discuss the importance of a father’s presence, why some men become defensive when their partners express their needs, and how couples can move from constant conflict toward healthier communication.

They also explore the difference between encouraging a man and parenting a grown adult, why a difficult upbringing can explain behavior without excusing it, and how women can maintain their standards and boundaries without carrying responsibility for a man’s growth.

Dr. Ben believes the relationship between partners should be a dance—not a wrestling match. But a healthy dance requires two willing participants.

Connect with Dr. Binyamin Rothstein on LinkedIn and learn more about his book, A Real Man’s Guide to Becoming a Terrific Dad, and his mentoring work with fathers and husbands.

Listen, download, and share this episode with a parent who needs this conversation.

Because we bend—but we don’t break. 💜

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What does it really look like to be a present parent while running a successful business?

In this episode of The Mommy Pod, we're joined by Mark McAuley—dad of three, business owner, soccer coach, self-proclaimed Certified Dad Joke Practitioner, and someone passionate about helping parents build thriving businesses without sacrificing what matters most.

Mark shares how he's been able to run his cleaning business remotely while creating more time for his family, and why true success isn't just measured by profit—it's measured by presence.

Together, we dive into intentional parenting, supporting your partner so they can flourish, building meaningful family rituals, creating a strong family culture, and finding balance in the beautiful chaos of raising children.

Whether you're a single parent, co-parent, married, or simply trying to be more intentional with your family, this conversation is full of practical wisdom, laughter, and reminders that showing up consistently is one of the greatest gifts we can give our children.

*Trigger Warning we do discuss Postpartum Depression 

In this episode, we discuss:

• Creating a family culture with intentional daily rituals
• Why presence matters more than perfection
• Supporting your partner while raising a family
• Running a successful business without missing family moments
• Balancing work, parenting, and personal well-being
• Practical ways to be more intentional with your children
• Finding joy and laughter in everyday parenting
• Why success at home is just as important as success at work
• Supporting a partner through Postpartum and signs you can look out for 

💜 Because we bend—we don't break.

🎧 Listen now on The Mommy Pod, available wherever you get your podcasts.

Sign Up for Marks program and learn more at 

https://warplan.au/about-mark

First 5 to use the code get a free course! 

Code: MOMMYPOD

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FQ86RF9S

Living with ADHD: Getting Clean and Organized is not another rigid “how-to” guide that demands perfection—it’s a compassionate roadmap designed for real people with real ADHD challenges.  Living with ADHD will help you take back control—one small step at a time.

Support the show

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Send us Fan Mail

Parenthood can make it difficult to remember who you are outside of caring for everyone else.

In this episode of The Mommy Pod, Shanta’ sits down with Lauren Pearlingi—a mom, television host, author, and Intuitive Human Design Business Guide. Lauren shares how her experiences with postpartum depression, divorce, custody challenges, and ten years in high-risk OB ultrasound transformed her understanding of motherhood, healing, and emotional well-being.

Together, they explore nervous-system regulation, recurring emotional patterns, Human Design, identity after major life changes, and why traditional routines don’t work for every parent.

Shanta’ also introduces the Integrated Living Program, a practical approach to combining Human Design, biological rhythms, movement, nutrition, and energy-aware scheduling. This conversation will help you stop treating yourself like a problem to fix and begin creating a life that supports who you truly are.

Connect with Lauren: linktr.ee/themermaidlight

Explore the Integrated Living Program: www.theMommyPod.net

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FQ86RF9S

Living with ADHD: Getting Clean and Organized is not another rigid “how-to” guide that demands perfection—it’s a compassionate roadmap designed for real people with real ADHD challenges.  Living with ADHD will help you take back control—one small step at a time.

Support the show

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Send us Fan Mail

Disclaimer: Talk of abuse also My Child was home! For years, Cheryl believed her purpose was hidden in her next job title, promotion, or accomplishment. As a nurse practitioner with nearly three decades in healthcare, she dedicated her life to helping others while quietly surviving challenges of her own.

In this heartfelt conversation, Cheryl shares her journey as a single mom of two daughters—including parenting a child born with significant health challenges, surviving two abusive marriages, and ultimately breaking generational cycles of unhealthy relationships.

Together, we discuss what it really means to move from surviving to thriving, why knowing your values changes everything, and how teaching our children healthy boundaries begins with healing ourselves.

If you've ever questioned your worth, felt stuck in survival mode, or wondered if life has something bigger waiting for you, this episode is your reminder that your purpose isn't something you find—it's something you choose to live every day.

In this episode, we discuss:

• How to move from survival mode into purposeful living
• Why so many women lose themselves in titles and expectations
• Breaking the cycle of abusive relationships
• Parenting children through medical challenges
• Raising daughters with confidence and healthy boundaries
• Understanding your values and living in alignment
• Building self-worth after difficult relationships
• Finding clarity, confidence, and purpose

Facebook and Linkden Cheryl Olfert 

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In this uplifting episode of The Mommy Pod, Shanta' Marie Robinson sits down with Naomi Adek (Katheu)—Registered Dietitian, Certified Nutrition-Based Weight Loss Coach, Certified Christian Life Coach, and founder of the BFF Methodology.

As a former single mom, Naomi shares how faith became her anchor while raising children, pursuing her education, and building a career dedicated to helping women reclaim their health. Together, they explore how true wellness goes beyond the number on the scale and starts with renewing your mind, nourishing your body, and leaning on community.

Whether you're overwhelmed by diet culture, struggling to find balance as a busy mom, or looking for a faith-centered approach to wellness, this episode offers practical encouragement and hope.

In This Episode

• Why diets often fail—and what actually creates lasting change
• Naomi's BFF Methodology: Belief, Food, and Fellowship Systems
• Raising healthy families without guilt or perfection
• Faith as an anchor through single motherhood
• Breaking free from shame around food and body image
• Practical nutrition tips for busy moms
• How small, consistent habits create lifelong health

https://www.skool.com/foodfaithfellowship/about

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What happens when life doesn't go according to plan—three times?

In this powerful episode of The Mommy Pod, host Shanta' Marie Robinson sits down with Leah Marie Mazur, divorce recovery coach and founder of Mindfully Ready, for an honest conversation about navigating three divorces, rebuilding confidence, and creating a life rooted in purpose instead of pain.

Leah shares the lessons she wishes she'd known sooner, how she overcame shame and self-doubt, and what it really takes to heal after the end of a marriage. Together, they discuss co-parenting, rediscovering your identity, setting healthy boundaries, dating after divorce, and why healing starts from within.

Whether you're going through a divorce, recovering from a difficult relationship, supporting someone you love, or simply learning to choose yourself again, this episode offers practical encouragement and hope for your next chapter.

Because your story isn't over just because one chapter ends.

Find Leah on all platforms @Mindfullyready 

www.mindfullyready.com

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