The Untraditional Podcast

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In this heartfelt conversation, we sit down with Lisa Danahy — yoga therapist, educator, and founder of the nonprofit Create Calm — to talk about what it really means to show up as a mother, a caregiver, and a human being. Lisa shares her personal journey from corporate HR professional to school director to yoga therapist, and how each step brought her closer to a more connected, compassionate way of parenting.

We explore the powerful concept of movement and stillness, why your child's "big" behaviors are often their nervous system doing exactly what it needs to do, and how meeting your kids where they are — energetically and emotionally — can completely transform your relationship with them.

This one is full of wisdom, laughs, and real talk. You're going to want to listen twice.

Topics We Cover

• Lisa's unexpected path from corporate HR at a law firm to running an early childhood school — and why she did it
• How becoming a school director changed her relationship with her two sons
• The idea that we are all "the same size souls" — from newborns to adults
• Understanding movement and stillness as tools for emotional regulation (and why your kid running circles around the table is NOT a problem)
• How to meet your child's energy instead of fighting it
• Yin and yang — masculine and feminine energy in modern parenting
• Why our grandparents were actually great at mindfulness without calling it that
• The evolving roles of mothers and women in today's world
• How to model the humans you want your children to become
• Lisa's book and upcoming workshop for parents, teachers, and therapists

Resources & Links

📖 Lisa's Book

Creating Calm in Your Classroom: A Mindfulness-Based Movement Program for Social-Emotional Learning in Early Childhood Education Packed with 30 yoga-inspired activities to help children (and adults!) raise or lower their energy — practical tools for teachers, parents, and caregivers. 👉 Order on Amazon 👉 Learn more at createcalm.org

🧘 March Workshop — Children's Yoga Foundations Training

Radiant Child® Children's Yoga Foundations Training 📅 March 13–15 | 📍 Alexandria, Virginia

A transformative weekend training for teachers, therapists, parents, and caregivers. You'll leave with the skills to lead children's yoga experiences immediately — covering energy regulation, neurodivergent children, self-care, and more.

Eligible for CEU credits through Yoga Alliance and the International Association for Yoga Therapists (IAYT).

👉 Register & learn more at childrensyoga.com

🌐 Connect with Lisa & Create Calm

• Website: createcalm.org
• Radiant Child Yoga: childrensyoga.com
• Email: [email protected]
• Instagram: @create_calm_yoga
• Facebook: Create Calm / INA Wellness

Loved This Episode?

If this conversation resonated with you, share it with a fellow mom, a teacher, or anyone who could use a little more calm in their life. And if you have a takeaway, a question, or just want to say hi — DM me on Instagram! I would love to hear from you. Don't forget to subscribe and come back for more untraditional conversations about motherhood. 💛

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Episode Summary:

In this episode, the host welcomes Eleanor Moore to the show. Eleanor, a real estate expert in France, shares her experiences of living in France, the differences in raising children there, the importance of self-care for mothers, and balancing work and family life. They also discuss cultural differences, societal expectations, and the challenges and joys of motherhood.

Key Discussion Points:

• Introduction of Eleanor Moore
• Eleanor's background and experience living in France
• The differences between raising children in France vs. America.
• The Importance of "Mommy time."
• Balancing motherhood and career
• Cultural differences and societal expectations regarding motherhood.
• The importance of self-care and balance for mothers
• The pressure and guilt associated with balancing motherhood and personal time.
• The importance of communication and support from partners.
• Societal expectations on women vs. men and equality in parenting.
• The need for mothers to prioritize their own happiness and well-being.
• Finding balance and delegating tasks
• Advice and insights on motherhood
• Eleanor's contact information and real estate business

Notable Quotes:

• "Work is important, but life is more important."
• "Motherhood has to be your motherhood. Whatever you feel your motherhood should be and what will make you feel fulfilled as a woman is your motherhood."
• "Children, all they need is happiness and love."
• "Make the right choice, make the right choice."

Resources Mentioned:

• House Hunter International (TV Show)
• Eleanormore.com (Eleanor's website)

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In this episode, Myriam brings on her husband, Darryl, to discuss motherhood from a husband's perspective. They delve into the challenges and joys of parenthood, taking breaks during motherhood, and how it feels for the partner when the mom goes away. They also discuss their journey to parenthood, blended families, and the importance of communication and support.

Key Topics Covered:

• A husband's perspective on motherhood
• Taking breaks during motherhood
• The challenges and joys of parenthood
• Blended families and co-parenting
• Communication and support in relationships
• Balancing individual needs with family needs
• The importance of enjoying the journey of parenthood

Notable Quotes:

• "Fatherhood is very much a journey. It doesn't just start, it's constant."
• "It's really important that you were okay with leaving and you entrusted me and what that showed me when you're basically saying, listen, I, I've, you've got my trust, but it's also the father responsibility."
• "Remind yourself that it's a privilege to have kids, and you get to influence this kid in a positive way."
• "Just enjoy it because you never know... Just enjoy being this new dad because people concentrate on the lack of sleep and being stressed out."

Resources Mentioned:

• Episode 4 (Myriam's first mommy trip)
• Book on raising Lions from Joe Newman

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Episode Summary:
In this episode of The Untraditional Podcast, host Myriam Banks dives into the five biggest reasons why so many women, especially mothers, struggle to prioritize self-care. Inspired by a conversation with a friend, Miriam breaks down the mental blocks, societal pressures, and personal guilt that keep women from giving themselves the care they deserve.

If you’ve ever felt guilty for taking time for yourself or struggled to make self-care a non-negotiable, this episode is for you!

Key Takeaways:
💡 The fear of judgment—why worrying about what others think is holding you back
⏳ The “I don’t have time” excuse—how to make self-care fit into your busy schedule
👶 "My children need me"—why prioritizing yourself makes you a better mom
💰 Money struggles—how to practice self-care without spending a dime
💔 The hidden truth: feeling unworthy of self-care and how to overcome it

Action Steps:
✔️ Block out 15 minutes a day for yourself (no excuses!)
✔️ Set clear boundaries—tell your kids and family when it’s “Mommy Time”
✔️ Challenge your feelings of guilt—ask yourself, why don’t I feel worthy of self-care?
✔️ Follow me on Instagram and send me a DM with your biggest self-care struggle!

🎧 Listen Now & Subscribe!
Don’t forget to subscribe to The Untraditional Podcast for more empowering episodes on self-care, motherhood, and breaking free from societal expectations.

📲 Follow Myriam on Instagram: @iammyriambanks
📩 Got feedback? Send an email to [email protected]

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🌏 Episode Summary:
In this powerful episode of Untraditional Podcast, we dive into the inspiring journey of April Powell—a single mom who left the U.S. to pursue a life of freedom, travel, and growth in Bali. April shares how she transitioned from life in Georgia to exploring the world, ultimately settling in Bali with her three-year-old daughter. We discuss the challenges and beauty of world schooling, the mental shift that comes with motherhood, and how to financially and emotionally prepare for life abroad.

✨ What You'll Learn in This Episode:

• How April made the leap to live abroad as a single mom
• Practical tips for traveling with children (yes, the "rule of three" works wonders!)
• Financial strategies for saving and planning a move abroad
• The cultural differences that made April realize she needed to leave the U.S.
• Insights into balancing self-care, motherhood, and personal growth while world schooling

📚 Get April's Ebook:
From Dreaming to Doing: Single Mom Strategies for Thrifty World Schooling – Available on Amazon!

📚 April's latest books:
1. https://a.co/d/7w6VSpn
(From Dreaming to Doing: Single Moms’ Strategies for Thrifty World Schooling)
2. https://a.co/d/57cnGwh
(In My Dreams : A March with John Lewis)
3. https://a.co/d/cUfSWe8
(In My Dreams: A Journey to the Motherland)

(Video Children Bedtime Books)
4. https://youtu.be/pmqJm8KKmpg

5.https://youtu.be/iNXjIAisZdo

🔗 Follow the Apriel on Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/lyricandaprielwanderlust/

🌟 Key Quotes from the Episode:
“The world opens up when you stop attaching yourself to things and start preparing for where you want to go.”
“Every step I took was leading me closer to freedom—not just for me, but for my daughter.”
“You don’t need to chase the old version of you after becoming a mother. You’re transforming into someone wiser and more intuitive.”

🎙️ Love this episode? Don’t forget to subscribe and leave a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify! Your feedback helps us bring more amazing guests and inspiring stories.
💬 Share this episode with a mom who needs that extra push to follow her dreams!
🔔 Follow for updates and behind-the-scenes content from our travels and podcast recordings!
🔗 Follow the podcast on Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/untraditional_podcast/

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🎙️ Untraditional Podcast - Episode: Myriam Turns 50! 🎉

In this special milestone episode, host Myriam Banks reflects on turning 50 and shares heartfelt insights on:

🌱 Motherhood in her 40s
💪 Body changes and embracing perimenopause
❤️ The importance of gratitude and self-love
📵 Staying present and savoring moments
🤣 Finding humor in the chaos of parenting

Myriam dives into personal stories of transformation, love, and the challenges of balancing it all with joy and mindfulness. Whether you're navigating your 30s, 40s, or 50s, there's wisdom and inspiration for everyone!

🎧 Tune in now and join the journey!

👉 Follow us on Instagram for updates: @untraditional_podcast

#ShowNotes Highlights:

• Transformation in your 40s: New countries, new roles, and starting a podcast.
• Body positivity: Listening to your body during perimenopause.
• Presence over pings: Staying in the moment without the phone.
• Partnership & humor: Nurturing relationships and laughing through challenges.

• Motherhood at 50
• Perimenopause journey
• Self-love and body positivity
• Parenting reflections
• Women’s wellness and aging
• Gratitude and mindfulness
• Balancing motherhood and relationships

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In this emotional and inspiring episode of The Untraditional Podcast, host Myriam Banks sits down with the incredible Melanie Munez. From overcoming personal challenges to creating a life filled with travel and purpose, Melanie shares her remarkable story of becoming a single mother by choice and navigating motherhood after a cancer diagnosis.

Highlights include:

• Travel as a Legacy: How Melanie uses global adventures to create lasting memories and instill values in her daughter.
• Breaking Taboos: The decision to embrace single motherhood by choice and challenging traditional norms.
• Resilience in the Face of Adversity: Melanie’s brave battle with breast cancer and how it shaped her perspective on life and parenting.
• The Power of Community: Insights into building support systems, both online and offline.
• Launching a Podcast: Melanie’s mission to amplify the voices of Black and Brown families in the travel space with her show, Travel Love Legacy.

Discover the strength, passion, and unyielding love that fuels Melanie’s journey. If you're a parent, traveler, or someone seeking inspiration, this episode is a must-listen!

Follow Melanie Munez

• Podcast: Travel LoveLegacy
• Instagram: @TravellovefLegacy

Additional Resources Mentioned:

• Inspiring family travel bloggers: The Mom Trotter, The Traveling Child

Tune in for an unforgettable conversation filled with heart, humor, and hope. Don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share this episode!

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Join us for an empowering episode of the untraditional podcast as we sit down with the remarkable Della Laira, a single mom and advocate for self-care amidst life's challenges. Della shares her insights and strategies on how she navigates the demands of parenthood while prioritizing her own well-being.

In this candid conversation, Della delves into her journey of parenting boys as a single mother and the importance of carving out time for self-care in the midst of it all. She opens up about her experiences and the unique ways she has found to nurture resilience in both herself and her children.

Moreover, Della sheds light on the concept of unlearning ingrained behaviors from our islander upbringing, challenging traditional notions of parenting and embracing a more holistic approach that promotes emotional well-being for herself and her family.

Tune in to discover invaluable tips, heartfelt anecdotes, and empowering perspectives on self-care and parenting from Della Laira. Don't miss this episode full of wisdom, resilience, and inspiration!

#SelfCare #SingleMomLife #ParentingBoys #Resilience #IslanderUpbringing #Unlearning #Empowerment #Wellbeing #PodcastInterview #Inspiration #Motherhood

Our Doula Episode :
https://www.buzzsprout.com/2007834/episodes/11121589

Connect with Myriam on Instagram 

Myriam's website 

https://linktr.ee/myriambanks

For more such insights about self care and motherhood,
Subscribe/follow The Untraditional Podcast with Myriam Banks.

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In this episode of The Untraditional Podcast, we will take you through raising mixed children, navigating being a black mother raising mixed boys , and having independence as a mom.

Our show today is graced by Christina Elmore, an American actress, known for her role in the TV series The Last Ship as Lieutenant Alisha Granderson, and her roles on Twenties and HBO's Insecure.

Myriam recalls how she and Christina met, and how they and their families built a friendship. They talk about letting fathers have an independent relationship with the child. Mothers need to learn to let their children go. They plunge into the necessity of teaching mixed kids about the world as black moms. They point up celebrating their blackness even if they are married to white men and adapted to other cultures. How is it like experiencing and belonging to different cultures for them and their kids? Christina shares how her own journey to Selfcare 

Key notes

⦁  Myriam and Christina's friendship.

⦁  Raising Mixed kids as black Moms.

⦁  Why Mothers should take out time for themselves?

⦁  Raising kids to be self-dependent and righteous.

Resources:

Find Christina on Instagram 

Connect with Myriam on Instagram 

Myriam's website 

https://linktr.ee/myriambanks

                                                                                                                                                                                           For more such insights about self care and motherhood, subscribe/follow The Untraditional Podcast with Myriam Banks.

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What would I tell myself as a new mom if I had to do it all over again.

#2might be controversial :) 


ROADMAP TO YOUR MOMCATION
CLICK HERE 

Connect with Myriam on Instagram
https://instagram.com/iammyriambanks?utm_medium=copy_link

Myriam's website
https://www.myriambanks.com/

                                                                                                                                                                                        For more such insights about self-care and motherhood, subscribe/follow The Untraditional Podcast with Myriam Banks.