This is Common - Life Beyond the Baby

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You're not unhappy. You're not in crisis. You're just... stuck. Stuck in a job, a relationship, a season of motherhood, or a life that looks good on paper but feels off.

Here's the truth most of us miss: we're not stuck because we don't know what to do. We're stuck because we're waiting to feel ready, waiting for certainty, waiting for the path to magically light up. And while we wait, months turn into years.

In this episode, I'm sharing five things you can actually do to get unstuck — not five things to think about, five tools to use. We'll name what's really stuck, face what you've been avoiding, find the smallest possible next step, stop waiting to feel ready, and build a "proof list" of the hard things you've already survived.

Whether you're driving, folding laundry, or hiding in the bathroom for one quiet minute, you'll walk away with a real plan. Because getting unstuck was never one giant leap. It's one small decision, repeated.

Your next chapter is waiting for you to take the first step.

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Parenting teens today feels completely different than it did even ten years ago — and honestly? A lot of us are figuring it out in real time.

In this episode of This Is Common – Life Beyond the Baby, we’re talking about the emotional reality of raising teenagers in a world of social media, smartphones, AI, vaping, anxiety, constant comparison, online pressure, and nonstop stimulation.

Because modern parenting isn’t just about keeping our kids physically safe anymore — it’s about protecting their mental health, emotional well-being, attention span, self-esteem, and nervous system too.

In this raw, honest, and practical episode, we discuss:

•  parenting teens in the digital age 
•  social media and teen mental health 
•  screen time and overstimulation 
•  why teens seem emotionally overwhelmed 
•  how phones and social media impact the teenage brain 
•  setting healthy boundaries without becoming controlling 
•  building trust and communication with your teen 
•  practical parenting tools that actually help 
•  how to stay connected to your teenager in a distracted world 

We also dive into the pressure parents feel to let kids have “what everyone else has,” the fear of saying no, and why so many moms feel exhausted trying to raise emotionally healthy kids in an online world we barely understand ourselves.

If you’re raising teens, preteens, or tweens and wondering:

•  “Am I being too strict?” 
•  “How do I protect my child without isolating them?” 
•  “Why does parenting feel harder now?” 
•  “How do I get my teen to actually talk to me?” 

This episode will leave you feeling validated, informed, and more confident in your parenting decisions.

Because your kids don’t need perfect parents.
 They need connected ones.

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Motherhood is already a full-time job… so what happens when you add a business on top of it?

In this episode, I’m joined by Lori Ervin, who has built multiple six-figure businesses online and now helps women grow their brands in a way that actually fits into their life. 

We’re not sugarcoating anything. We’re talking about what it actually looks like to build and run a business while raising kids — the messy schedules, the guilt, the pressure, and the constant feeling of being pulled in a million directions.

Lori shares real, practical advice for moms who want to start something of their own (or are already in it and barely holding on). From managing your time when there is none, to letting go of perfection, to figuring out what actually matters — this is the kind of conversation moms need but don’t hear enough.

If you’ve ever thought:
 “How the hell am I supposed to do both?”

This one’s for you.

You can find Lori at www.loriervin.com and over on instagram @theloriervin 

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I don’t feel like myself lately — and I can’t tell if it’s burnout, ADHD, hormones… or all of the above.

I used to be on top of everything. Now I forget why I walked into a room, start things I don’t finish, and feel behind even when I technically have time. It’s not just being tired — it feels like my brain just isn’t working the way it used to.

In this episode, I’m talking through what this actually feels like, why so many moms are experiencing it, and how burnout, undiagnosed ADHD, and perimenopause can all show up in really similar ways.

This isn’t a “here’s how to fix it” episode — it’s an honest conversation about that in-between stage where you’re functioning… but not quite like yourself.

If you’ve been thinking “what is wrong with me lately?” — you’re not the only one.

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We’re back with Megan Schrumm! In our last conversation, we unpacked hot flashes, brain fog, and the physical symptoms of perimenopause. Today, we’re diving into something just as real — and often harder to talk about — the emotional mess of this stage.

If you’ve ever gone from zero to snapping in 2.4 seconds… felt waves of rage you barely recognize… or caught yourself thinking, “I don’t even feel like myself anymore” — this episode is for you.

We break down:

• Why mood swings hit so hard during perimenopause
• The hormonal rollercoaster of estrogen and progesterone (and how it impacts your brain)
• Why disrupted sleep and blood sugar crashes make everything worse
• The identity shift so many women experience in midlife
• How grief, capacity overload, and years of “giving, giving, giving” compound it all

Megan explains what’s actually happening inside your body — and more importantly, what you can do about it.

We talk practical, doable strategies like:

• Stabilizing blood sugar with simple food swaps
• Prioritizing sleep to increase emotional capacity
• “Habit stacking” small nervous system resets into your day
• Setting boundaries without guilt
• Protecting relationships while protecting yourself

This isn’t about becoming a brand-new person. It’s about understanding why you feel different — and learning how to support yourself through it.

If perimenopause has you feeling snippy, exhausted, anxious, or disconnected from the woman you used to be, this episode will remind you: you’re not broken. Your hormones are shifting — and you deserve support through it.

Tune in for validation, science-backed insight, and small, empowering changes that can make a big difference.

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Teens, social media, and the pressure to be the “cool mom”… let’s talk about it.

In this honest and relatable episode, we dive into the emotional tug-of-war so many parents face: wanting your child to “have what everyone else has” while also protecting their mental health, safety, and developing brain.

Because let’s be real — social media isn’t just harmless fun anymore.
 It’s comparison, validation, anxiety, overstimulation, and exposure to a world kids may not be ready for.

In this episode, we unpack:

• The pressure parents feel to say yes
 • “Cool mom” syndrome and fear of your child feeling left out
 • The real impact of social media on kids and teens
 • Anxiety, self-esteem, and online comparison
 • How to set boundaries without guilt
 • Age-appropriate safety considerations
 • Practical ways to talk to your kids about social media
 • How to balance independence with protection

We also touch on the social media restrictions and phone policies emerging in countries like Australia and France — and why many parents are starting to question whether stronger limits might actually help families.

If you’ve ever wondered:
 “Am I being too strict?”
 “Should I let them have it?”
 “How do I keep them safe without isolating them?”

This episode will leave you feeling validated, informed, and equipped with grounded, realistic strategies to navigate social media in your home.

Because protecting your child doesn’t make you uncool —
 it makes you intentional.

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In this episode, we dive into the wild, emotional, totally unpredictable world of parenting preteens. Between the eye rolls, the tears, the mood swings, and the Oscar-worthy dramatics, it’s easy to wonder if you’re doing something wrong — or if your kid has been temporarily replaced by a tiny tornado.

Spoiler: It’s normal. All of it.

We talk about what’s really going on behind those hormonal shifts, how to understand your preteen’s reactions (or overreactions), and most importantly, how you can stay grounded when everything around you feels chaotic. You’ll walk away with practical tools to stay calm, respond instead of react, and build connection during the years when connection feels toughest.

If you're navigating preteen drama and trying not to lose your cool in the process, this episode will make you feel seen, supported, and a little less alone in the madness.

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If you struggle with catastrophic thinking, overthinking, or your brain constantly jumping to the worst-case scenario, this episode will feel like someone finally turned the lights on.

In today’s episode, we break down why anxiety lies to you, why your mind creates disaster scenarios that aren’t real, and how to stop an anxiety spiral before it takes over your entire day.

Perfect for moms dealing with mom anxiety, mental load burnout, intrusive thoughts, perimenopause symptoms, or just the emotional chaos of life right now.

You’ll learn:
 • Why your anxious brain creates worst-case outcomes
 • What catastrophic thinking actually is
• How to regulate your nervous system during a spiral
• Simple daily tools that reduce anxiety and calm your mind

This episode combines honest storytelling with real, practical mental health tools you can use immediately to feel calmer, more grounded, and more in control of your thoughts.

If you want real help with anxiety, overthinking, intrusive thoughts, or just want to understand your brain better… this is your episode.

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I blew up my entire life - then rebuilt it one tear at a time.

I didn’t plan to start over. But staying would’ve meant losing myself completely.

In this episode, I’m opening up about the real, raw, not-so-Instagrammable side of divorce — the shame, the unraveling, the grief, and the guilt that came with walking away from the life I thought I was supposed to have.

This isn’t just about divorce.
 It’s about what happens when the version of motherhood you’re living no longer fits the woman you’re becoming.

If you’ve ever looked around and thought “This isn’t working” — this episode is your permission slip to choose peace, even when it’s messy.

You’re not failing.
You’re just finally listening to yourself.
And around here? That’s as common as it gets.

🎧 Hit play.
 💬 Share it with the mom who needs this in her ears.
📲 Follow @thecommonmoms

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Welcome to Cougar Puberty — because what else do you call the hormonal rollercoaster of perimenopause no one warned us about?

In this episode, I sit down with Meghan Schrumm — a Certified Holistic Nutritionist, Registered Social Worker, and mom of three — to talk about the “WTF is happening to my body?” stage of life: perimenopause.

We’re getting real about:

• The weirdest, sneakiest symptoms (it’s not just hot flashes)
• That terrifying moment your brain goes completely blank mid-sentence
• Why it’s not in your head (but it’s definitely messing with your head)
• And how to start actually feeling like yourself again

This isn’t your typical wellness chat. It’s raw, hilarious, and exactly the convo you wish was happening in the school pickup line.

So if you’ve been googling things like “why do I rage cry at 3:17 p.m. every day?” — pull up a chair. We’re talking about it.

—

Learn more about Meghan: https://meghanschrumm.com

🎧 Listen now & share with your group chat — because chances are, they're feeling it too.

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