Motherhood is one of the most meaningful roles a woman can have — but it can also be incredibly overwhelming.

In this episode of The Quiet Strength Podcast, Elizabeth sits down with life coach Gwendy Hardcastle to have an honest conversation about burnout, the mental load many moms carry, and why so many mothers today feel constantly exhausted.

Together they talk about the hidden pressures of motherhood, how comparison and unrealistic expectations contribute to overwhelm, and why many moms struggle to ask for help. Gwendy also shares practical wisdom and encouragement for moms who feel stretched thin and offers simple steps to begin creating space, support, and healthier boundaries.

If you’ve ever felt like you’re carrying too much, this episode is a reminder that you are not alone — and that motherhood is a powerful calling that deserves grace, support, and encouragement.

Breastfeeding can be harder than anyone prepares you for — especially when you’re exhausted, overwhelmed, and unsure what’s normal. In this conversation, International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) Stephanie Nicholson shares practical guidance, reassurance, and the kind of support every mom deserves. If breastfeeding feels harder than you expected, this episode will answer your biggest questions and remind you that you’re not alone.

Resources 👇

The Brewer Diet

http://drbrewerpregnancydiet.com/id96.html

Weston A. Price Foundation

https://a.co/d/0dc0YOio

Trim Healthy Mama

https://a.co/d/01s2DGba

Above Rubies Magazine

https://www.aboverubies.org/

Follow Stephanie 👇

Instagram

https://www.instagram.com/mothering_arts

Facebook

https://www.facebook.com/motheringarts

Book a Consultation 👇

Book online: https://motheringarts.org/

Book by Phone: 254-265-1409

What if many of the symptoms women struggle with — fatigue, mood swings, hormone imbalance, anxiety, and inflammation — could be traced back to the gut?

In this episode of The Quiet Strength Podcast, Elizabeth Poe sits down with Dr. Kristy Van Kirk, a board-certified OB-GYN turned integrative health physician, to unpack why gut health is truly the foundation of overall wellness. Together, they explore the gut-brain connection, the real root causes of chronic constipation and diarrhea, how stress disrupts digestion, and why quick fixes often keep women stuck in frustrating cycles.

If you’re ready to better understand your body and take simple, sustainable steps toward feeling your best, this conversation will leave you informed, encouraged, and empowered.

Follow Dr. Kristy Van Kirk on instagram | https://www.instagram.com/doctor.kristy?igsh=emU0aHZvand1MGhm

https://www.instagram.com/reel/CqQTGMTDIRn/?igsh=MXNzOXdoMXMwYzQzOQ==

Parenting has a way of revealing what’s really going on in our hearts — especially on hard mornings with kids.

In this episode, I share a personal confession about how much my mood, routine, and impatience can shape the atmosphere of our home. When my carefully planned mornings fall apart, I’ve learned that my patience often goes with them — and my children feel it.

Through reflection, Scripture, and the gentle conviction of the Lord, I talk about the importance of self-examination in parenting, the power of encouragement, and how our children often mirror what they see in us. We explore why routines are good, but cannot become rulers — and why humility, repentance, and grace matter more than perfectly smooth mornings.

This episode is an invitation to slow down, look inward, and remember that while we parent imperfectly, God is faithfully at work — shaping our hearts as much as our children’s.

Many women are told that severe mood changes before their period are “just PMS”—but for some, it’s much more than that. In this episode, we break down the difference between PMS (Premenstrual Syndrome) and PMDD (Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder), including symptoms, severity, and how these conditions impact mental health and daily functioning.

I’m joined by Tristen Wilson, a psychology major at Sam Houston State University, to discuss how hormonal changes affect mood, why PMDD is often misunderstood or misdiagnosed, and what treatment and support options are available. Our goal is to bring clarity, validation, and education to women who may feel dismissed or confused by their symptoms—and to remind you that help is available and you’re not overreacting.

https://sermons.northwoodspca.org/?powerpress_pinw=4843-podcast

Postpartum depression affects more mothers than we talk about—and too often, it goes unrecognized. This podcast breaks down the difference between normal postpartum emotional changes and clinical postpartum depression, helping listeners identify symptoms, understand risk factors, and learn about effective treatment options.

In this episode, I’m joined by Tristen Wilson, a psychology major at Sam Houston State University, who brings educational insight into maternal mental health and the emotional shifts that can occur after childbirth. Together, we aim to empower mothers with knowledge, reduce stigma, and encourage early support so no woman feels alone in her postpartum journey.

In this powerful part two conversation on loss, grief, and hope in Christ, I’m joined by my dear friend Shaina Fertig, who vulnerably shares her story of experiencing two miscarriages—Gideon and Gabriel. Shaina opens up about the deep sorrow of pregnancy loss, the ways she and her husband grieved together, and how her faith carried her through seasons of sadness, wrestling, and unanswered questions.

This episode isn’t shared from a place of having it all figured out, but from a place of honesty, faith, and hope—testifying to God’s faithfulness even in the midst of heartbreak. Together, we talk about what grief really looks like, how faith shapes the grieving process, what helped (and what hurt), and what hope means after loss.

If you’ve walked through infertility, miscarriage, or silent grief, you are not alone. Please listen at your own pace and extend yourself grace as you do.

📚 Held by Abbey Wedgeworth — https://www.christianbook.com/biblical-reflections-comfort-care-sorrow-miscarriage/abbey-wedgeworth/9781784984779/pd/984779

This episode is for the woman carrying silent grief. If you’re walking through infertility, pregnancy loss, or the loss of fertility, you are not alone—and your grief is seen.In this conversation, we talk honestly about mourning, disappointment, and the ache of unmet longing, while also exploring what Scripture teaches us about hope that can coexist with sorrow. This is not about forced positivity or pretending everything is okay, but about bringing our pain to Christ—the One who sustains us, hears our prayers, and remains our portion even when life looks nothing like we imagined.

Listener discretion advised for sensitive topics related to pregnancy loss and infertility.

If talking about periods with your daughter feels awkward, overwhelming, or intimidating, this episode is for you! We’re reframing the menstrual cycle as something purposeful and beautiful, not something to fear or hide.

You’ll learn what’s normal for teen cycles, how to help your daughter track her rhythm, red flags to watch for, and how lifestyle choices shape hormones.

Get ready to feel more confident, more equipped, and more connected as you guide your girl through this season of change.

If you haven’t listened to Episode 2, jump on over and give it a listen! It’ll give you the foundation you need to understand this episode better.

In this episode, we’re taking a closer look at endometriosis—what it is, why it’s so often misunderstood, and how it affects women in very different ways. We’ll talk through common symptoms, why diagnosis can take so long, and the medical and holistic treatment options women often explore. My goal is to help you better understand this condition so you can either seek the right support for yourself or better understand what someone struggling with it is going through. I hope you’re reminded that God is near, faithful, and our strength in every hardship.