The Soul Mammas Podcast

Not everyone has a "traditional" family. Some of us are stepparents, in a longterm partnership with kids, have big age gaps between children, or have children with disabilities, for instance. More often than not we think we go through challenges alone, but if we share our unique stories we realize there are many mamas out there experiencing something similar to us. I was always really private about sharing my story of becoming a stepmom at 25 of two boys full time, one with a disability, but since I began the podcast I realized how important it is to be transparent with our stories. This is why I am sharing mine today. I believe this will resonate with moms from all walks of life; not just stepmoms.

Topics covered:

• Step parenting teenagers
• Having the "birth mom" not in the picture
• Not getting married until 10 years into my relationship
• Becoming a mom figure at a young age
• Having a baby "later in life"
• The dynamics of a new baby on a family with older children

Go to https://www.soulmammas.com to read more on her story, show notes, take-aways and more! Also have you downloaded the new free pdf on 5 Self Care Tips for the New Year!? It's free! Go to the website & pick it up!

Come on over to the Facebook Group & hear happenings from our community and follow me on Instagram where you will also receive episode updates, photos & audio clips!

Have you every struggled with postpartum anxiety or panic attacks but felt scared to share about it? Many mamas experience postpartum distress, but it isn't always talked about. Madeline Given, author of 2 cookbooks, nutritionist, &mom, speaks honestly about her experience with postpartum anxiety & panic attacks. This certified holistic nutritionist specializes in eating to keep inflammation at bay. Today we talk about being more than one "type" of mom, & eating in a healthy way for your own family.

Go to https://www.soulmammas.com to read more on her story, show notes, take-aways and more! Also have you downloaded the new free pdf on 5 Self Care Tips for the New Year!? It's free! Go to the website & pick it up!

Come on over to the Facebook Group & hear happenings from our community and follow me on Instagram where you will also receive episode updates, photos & audio clips!

Sometimes our life's work comes to us when we least expect it. We never really know when a creative side venture, something we do for free, or a service we are providing others might turn into something bigger. That is why, it is so important to follow our "gut instincts" when our inner voice is telling us to follow an inkling. When Melissa Camilleri, former teacher & mom of two boys, started making jewelry for her High School students she didn't know it would turn into a lucrative business beyond her wildest dreams. Now Compliment Inc. is not only a thriving business but impacting women all around the world.

Go to https://www.soulmammas.com to read more on her story, show notes, take-aways and more! Also have you downloaded the new free pdf on 5 Self Care Tips for the New Year!? It's free! Go to the website & pick it up!

Come on over to the Facebook Group & hear happenings from our community and follow me on Instagram where you will also receive episode updates, photos & audio clips!

Not only is traveling or adventuring with kids intimidating early on, it is even more daunting doing it alone. Today's guest, Belinda Baggs, is a professional surfer & soulful mama who has travelled the world with her son Rayson since he was 7 months old. SOLO. This mama believes in living out our own legacy as parents, & not worrying so much what society expects or thinks of us. Belinda speaks of the challenges & successes of living an ocean inspired, soulful life with a wee one in tow as well as being an ambassador for Patagonia Surf in Australia. Today she shares her tips for raising a water baby as well as living in alignment with our ocean environment.

Go to https://www.soulmammas.com to read more on her story, show notes, take-aways and more! Also have you downloaded the new free pdf on 5 Self Care Tips for the New Year!? It's free! Go to the website & pick it up!

Come on over to the Facebook Group & hear happenings from our community and follow me on Instagram where you will also receive episode updates, photos & audio clips!

Admit it, most of us weren't even aware of the significance of pelvic floor health either when we got pregnant or until after we had kids. And if you're like me, you didn't realize the importance of getting the pelvic floor checked out postpartum! To this day I have only been once! Julie Wiebe, a sought after physical therapist of over 20 years, and author, is going to tell us why incontinence, heaviness, leaking, pain and discomfort are NOT normal even though sometimes society has us believing that.

Go to https://www.soulmammas.com to read more on her story, show notes, take-aways and more! Also have you downloaded the new free pdf on 5 Self Care Tips for the New Year!? It's free! Go to the website & pick it up!

Come on over to the Facebook Group & hear happenings from our community and follow me on Instagram where you will also receive episode updates, photos & audio clips!

How can we find joy after deep loss? What about the loss of a child? Kate Merrick believes in the "in between moments that make up our lives" & the power of being truly present. This mama had to face "goodbye love" straight in the eye. Only 5 years ago she lost her daughter Daisy Love to cancer after a five year battle. Today we speak about finding the light through the darkness. She amazingly has gone on to write "And Still She Laughs: Defiant Joy in the Depths of Suffering" & "Here Now: Unearthing Presence & Peace in an Overcorrected World."

Go to https://www.soulmammas.com to read more on her story, show notes, take-aways and more! And please and join the new Facebook Group and follow me on Instagram!

How many of you mamas have experienced something taboo like a miscarriage or loss of any kind, and felt that you couldn't speak about it, or didn't know who to turn to for support? Todays guest, Marianna Sachse, of Jackalo Clothing, is a mama and entrepreneur who experienced an invasive molar pregnancy which quickly turned very serious. Having been overlooked by the doctor's at first, her molar pregnancy spread and she ended up having to go in for nine months of life saving chemotherapy treatments. To add insult to injury, her mom had just been given a dire cancer diagnosis. Today she shares that story as well as her road back to her purpose-starting her own business.

Go to https://www.soulmammas.com to read more on her story, show notes, take-aways and more! And please and join the new Facebook Group and follow me on Instagram!

After faced with one of a mother's worst fears, losing a spouse and father of your child, Irish-born Sherry Mc Conkey, had to courageously move forward alone with her toddler Ayla after the sudden loss of her husband, skiing legend Shane Mc Conkey. With incredible humility and a vivacious personality, this snowboarder, mountain biker, and yogi shares with us how to live our best life, even if we've experienced loss, trauma or grief. As she said in her 2016 TEDx talk: " You have one life. Live it."

Go to https://www.soulmammas.com to read more on her story, show notes, take-aways and more! And please and join the new Facebook Group and follow me on Instagram!

To thank you for your loyal listenership this year I'd like to give you a synopsis of inspirational & life changing tips and take-aways from the show in 2018! In this shortened episode, I also share about my successes and challenges as a podcast host, mom of a toddler and two teenagers; including negotiating being a step-mother, communicating with teenagers, toddler life, and learning to delegate. I talk about just getting started on a new business venture or dream and how much I learned from JUMPING in! I also discuss listening to our inner creative voice and not stifling it-even if we only have a few minutes a day to do something we love. Lastly, I go over a debriefing of guest episodes as well as the top 5 golden nuggets of wisdom from our amazing soul mamma interviewees.

Go to https://www.soulmammas.com to read more on her story, show notes, take-aways and more! And please and join the new Facebook Group and follow me on Instagram!

Do you ever feel like the demands of parenthood have created a distance between you and your spouse? Today's guest and author of "Presence of Mind" Kaita Mrazek, talks about her experience with feeling "checked out"with her spouse & how bringing mindfulness to her marriage helped them to reconnect. This meant prioritizing spending time away together as well as tuning into & recognizing eachother's "bids" for love. Kaita also shares about how powerful presence & non-resistance can be with raising wee ones.

Go to https://www.soulmammas.com to read more on her story, show notes, take-aways and more! And please and join the new Facebook Group and follow me on Instagram!