The WHoly Mom Chat

Balance is not a word that describes daily life for most moms. Balance is a word that brings more stress than relief sometimes. It carries the burden of trying to do all the things perfectly. 

Things like the monogrammed kid outfits, the perfect birthday party, thriving in your career and your mom life where everyone gets what they need, and Mom has time for the elusive "self-care." How can we possibly spend the same time and effort on meal prep, helping with homework, building relationships with our kids and partners, and all the other things moms must do. 

There is no way to perfectly balance all the things we are required to think and do as parents. However, we can be intentional about our choices to find a better balance. We can take back our time, and my new friend, Christy Wright, will help us do just that!

Today on the WHoly Mom Chat, Christy and I discuss finding balance in our lives. Why is it that we feel off-balance? What is stealing our time? What steps can we put into practice to find the path to a balanced life?

Christy Wright is the #1 bestselling author, personal growth expert, and host of The Christy Wright Show. She's also the founder of Business Boutique, which equips women to make money doing what they love. Regardless of where you are today, Christy will help you build confidence in yourself, strengthen your faith, and become the person God created you to be.

 Listen in to learn more: 

• Christy shares her journey and how she began to take back her life as a busy mom of 3 kids under 6. 
• Why do we feel off-balance? 
• Finding motivation and the path to a balanced life. 
• Putting the steps into practice during Christmas celebrations
• Christy has a special message for Moms trying to do it all. 

 
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To get the full version of the show notes - https://wholymom.com/podcast/episode30/

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Every day when we see friends, coworkers, or even strangers, we ask them how they are doing? It comes second nature to us to question others, but have you taken a moment to ask yourself that recently? Instead, we go through our daily list of tasks, take care of everyone else, and never take some time to check in with ourselves. We just keep moving from one thing to the next, hoping it will take us in the right direction. You can't know what you need to change if you don't know all the information, right? 

Today on the WHoly Mom Chat, I'm talking with my friend Leah Coleman on how we can take an inventory of our life to help us uncover the reason for the overwhelming. We also discuss how to reduce comparison from social media and take on too much. 

Listen in as we discuss: 

• Leah shares her personal journey of taking inventory to improve her life 
• The message that she received from God and how it changed her life. 
• Practical advice on how to take inventory in various areas of your life  

To Support My Podcast, use: Paypal Or Venmo: @wholymom

To get the full version of the show notes - https://wholymom.com/podcast/episode29

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 I don’t know about you, but I grew up eagerly awaiting the holiday season — the gifts, the decorations, the delicious food, the time off from school, and the togetherness of family. When I became a mom, sharing these things with my kids was supposed to be just as magical. Yet the reality of the modern holiday season is often the exact opposite of what we imagined it to be. So how do we make it magical and intentional for ourselves as well as our kiddos? 

On this episode of the WHoly Mom Chat, I sit down with Dr. Chinwé Williams, a Board-Certified Counselor (NCC), Certified Professional Counselors Supervisor (CPCS), and a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC). She is the owner of Meaningful Solutions Counseling & Consulting and the co-author of the best-selling book SEEN. 

We chat about how moms can prepare better for the stress of the holiday season. We also talk about why the holidays are stressful, the triggers we need to know, and tips to help make the holidays a wonderful time for our families.

Listen in to learn more:

• Why the holidays are stressful for moms, and the importance of acknowledging the stress. 
• The strategy of being mentally prepared
• Why you need to know your triggers
• How can we as moms and as a family better prepare for the holidays - mentally, emotionally, spiritually, and physically?  
• Remember to enjoy your family, create traditions, be intentional and help others

To get the full version of the show notes - https://wholymom.com/podcast/episode28/ 

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1. Annie’s story of experiencing abuse as a young girl and how she became connected with Save the Storks.
2. What is the Save the Storks project? 
3. The new #MyBabyMyCareer campaign. Share your stories and photos using this hashtag and join us in advocating for change.

Email: [email protected]

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Returning to movement during postpartum time can sometimes feel overwhelming, scary, and difficult. Maybe you stayed active during your pregnancy and no longer have your usual routine and you feel antsy and isolated. 

Maybe you just aren’t into working out? In any case, remember your body needs time to heal and return to movement in a way that honors what you just accomplished.  

You’ve just had a baby! Your postpartum healing journey requires rest, but it also requires restorative movement. 

 In this episode of the WHoly Mom Chat, I chat with Dr. Maria Milhous, a Physical Therapist, to discuss the importance of moving your body for a new mom as she shares her own personal journey of recovery.  

To get the full version of the show notes - https://wholymom.com/podcast/episode26/

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Having kids—the responsibility of rearing good, kind, ethical, responsible human beings—is the biggest job anyone can embark on."

- Maria Shriver

Even in the best of situations, motherhood is hard. You take on the responsibility of raising your kids to become good and decent adults and want to do the best job possible. Many times, you can lose your own self in the needs of your family.  You cannot thrive when you feel like you are not surviving. When you are in a stress response you cannot thrive and live mindfully into your higher values. In this episode of the WHoly Mom chat, I sat down with Danielle Gannon, a mom of 3 kids, and an entrepreneur of 2 businesses to discuss her journey of finding and thriving in motherhood. 

Listen in as we discuss: 

• Danielle shares her personal journey of going through a separation and recognizing the red flags that something had to change. 
• How the unhealthy marriage affected her health and her children. 
• Danielle offers practical advice on how to manage the struggles and ways that she personally handles them. 
• The importance of understanding that you are in control of your own life 

To get the full version of the show notes - https://wholymom.com/podcast/episode25/ 

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Raising kids is one of the toughest and yet most rewarding jobs in the world — and it is also one that might make you feel the most unprepared. We’ve all been there. However, today’s guest will help you be a more intentional parent and raise emotionally intelligent children.  

In this episode of the WHoly Mom chat, I sat down with Susan Holt, a board-certified Family Life Coach to discuss her journey to become a Life Coach, the parenting pyramid, and how to parent effectively with Susan’s CALM method. 

Susan Townsend Holt, M.Ed, is a Board-Certified Family Life Coach, a parent educator with her own coaching business, and also on the faculty of Everyday Parenting Solutions.  She serves on the board of the Family Life Coaching Association and has the additional joy of serving as Director of Family Ministry for Community West Church.  Susan has come alongside adults, children, and teachers in building healthy relationships and managing “big feelings” for 30 years, at home and in the classroom. She is blessed with a husband of 38 years and two strong and beautiful grown daughters.

Listen in as we discuss: 

• Susan shares her experiences growing up and how they led her to become an educator and life coach. 
• What is the Parenting Pyramid?
• How to apply the CALM method in parenting?
• What to do if you have an argument with your spouse in front of your children

 **Special Offer** Susan will offer a FREE HOUR of Family Life Coaching to listeners who mention the wHoly Mom Chat podcast. Her hope is to bring joy back into your parenting and help your children face the challenges of this world with confidence and resilience.  

To get the full version of the show notes - https://wholymom.com/podcast/episode24/   

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Hello, My Lovelies!

 I'm so excited about my guest this week.  In this episode of the WHoly Mom chat, I sat down with Liz Thompson: a foster mom, and food blogger, to discuss her journey of foster parenting during a pandemic, managing parenting as a vegetarian, and practical ways mothers can receive healing. 

Liz Thomson is the food blogger and cookbook author behind I Heart Vegetables, a site dedicated to easy, healthy, vegetarian recipes. She and her husband became foster parents in 2019 and have enjoyed the wild adventure of foster care!

Listen in as we discuss: 

1. Liz shares why she and her husband wanted to be foster parents and what that journey was like during a pandemic. 
2. How does being a foster parent teach you about yourself?
3. What you need to know before you start foster parenting
4. Liz shares her wisdom with us on advice for being a foster parent  

To get the full version of the show notes - https://wholymom.com/podcast/episode23/  

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Did you know that a lack of adequate sleep can also trigger the symptoms of postpartum depression and sometimes even worsen it?

Getting enough sleep is essential for helping us maintain optimal health and well-being. When it comes to our health, sleep is as vital as a healthy diet and regular exercise.  A good night's sleep can reduce fatigue and re-energize us to handle whatever parenting challenge is thrown at us the next day without it becoming too overbearing. 

In this episode of the WHoly Mom Chat, I chat with Brittney Stefanic, a Certified Adult Sleep Specialist and CEO of Sleeper Teachers, to discuss why sleep hygiene is so vital for our kids and ourselves. 

Listen in as we discuss: 

1. Brittney shares her journey as a first-time mom and what led her to become a sleep consultant. 
2. Why is good sleep hygiene so crucial for parents?
3. If you are still tired after changing your sleep routine, you may want to consider talking to your physician to find out the root cause. 
4. Practical, actionable steps you can take to get a better night's sleep. 

To get the full version of the show notes - https://wholymom.com/podcast/episode22/

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The experience of childbirth is an amazing and beautiful one. It can also be quite overwhelming. One thing that can help make it exponentially better is to hire a doula.  Hiring a doula is like having an experienced travel guide while visiting a foreign country. They can help you and your partner during pregnancy, childbirth, and the postpartum period. 

In this episode of the WHoly Mom Chat, I chat with Sarah Thorpe, an experienced nurse, Doula, and Childbirth Educator, to discuss the benefits and advantages of having a doula. I also share my personal experience of having a doula while pregnant with my 2nd child. 

To get the full version of the show notes - https://wholymom.com/podcast/episode21 

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