Trust Me Mom

Join Ekaterina and licensed professional counselor Alexandra (Alex) Dimoff as they explore the complexities of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) and screen addictions in children. Discover how family history and environmental factors contribute to OCD, and learn about effective interventions and therapies.0:00 – Why video games are so addictive0:40 – Introduction to guest Alex Dimoff (licensed counselor)1:16 – Alex’s journey into becoming a therapist2:00 – What is OCD? Definition and symptoms3:15 – How OCD develops: predisposition vs. triggers4:03 – Is screen addiction the same as OCD?5:22 – Treatment approaches: therapy vs. medication6:17 – Real client case study (hair pulling & skin picking)9:11 – Importance of parent participation in therapy10:06 – Coaching parents to change habits11:13 – Managing electronics: passwords & device control11:56 – Why screen addiction happens15:03 – Peer competition, skins & bragging rights in games15:49 – Strategies for parents to manage gaming addiction18:09 – Using timers, warnings, and smooth transitions18:15 – Handling aggression & consequences19:44 – What if a child breaks things at home?21:00 – Do kids outgrow screen addictions?22:46 – When to seek therapy & what to expect24:46 – How long therapy typically lasts26:02 – New obsessions replacing old ones27:12 – Can OCD last a lifetime? Extreme cases28:40 – Life events triggering relapse29:00 – Final advice for parents29:39 – Where to find Alex Dimoff

#OCD #MentalHealth #Parenting #Therapy #OCDinkids

Guest Information: Alex Dimoff is a licensed professional counselor specializing in OCD and screen addictions, https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists/alexandra-dimoff-mars-pa/1215088

Step into the enchanting world of fairy tales with Professor Anne Duggan as we unravel the forgotten magic of The White Cat — a story that blends the charm of Puss in Boots with the romance of Rapunzel.In this captivating conversation, we explore:- How The White Cat mirrors historical power dynamics between men and women- The extraordinary life of Madame D’Aulnoy — and how her experiences shaped her storytelling- The deep symbolism of sacrifice and the hidden meanings behind witchcraft in fairy tales- Surprising truths about the power women could wield in 17th-century society- How fairy tales served as a therapeutic outlet for their authors- The fascinating cultural connections between fairy tales from different regions- Modern adaptations that give children empowering role modelsWe also look at how The White Cat has been retold through the centuries, keeping its core themes alive while adapting to new audiences and cultures.If you love folklore, history, and the hidden layers of storytelling, this episode will change how you see fairy tales.00:35 Introducing the guest1:45 The White Cat fairy tale7:41 How the White Cat became a Rapunzel story 11:18 Why did female characters take on men's work?15:29 Anne explains the power dynamics of women in hierarchical societies and how inheritance laws shaped fairy tales18:33 Russian and Arabic fairy tales similar to the White Cat22:04 Rumpelstiltskin and the White Cat story parallels - why magical helpers are asking for a child 27:00 Why young women were forced to marry old men, the personal story of Madame D’Aulnoy 29:05 Were cats the pets of witches or the companions of aristocrats?30:38 Fairies and the Fate33:47 Why noble women had more power over most men38:18 The Financial Struggles and Survival of Female Authors47:00 How women wrote fairy tales as acts of empowerment, envisioning joy and hope in the midst of their own struggles48:23 Rare editions of the White Cat - Anne shows her collection #FairyTales #TheWhiteCat #History #Folklore #MadameDAulnoy #Rapunzel #PussInBoots #parenting

When you picture a marketing executive, you might not imagine a Zumba instructor, a stay-at-home mom, or someone who once questioned whether she'd ever have a career again. But Kate Speer is all of those things, and more. In a conversation with Trust Me Mom host Ekaterina Konovalova, Kate shares her winding, deeply relatable journey of balancing motherhood and ambition, and how she ultimately launched her career to new heights, after having four kids.

00:32- Ekaterina introduces the podcast and guest, Kate Speer.01:15 - Kate's career journey overview. 05:30 - How Kate stayed active while raising four children.10:45 - Motherhood penalty discussion, overcoming resentment, and the Zumba studio era.16:46 - How networking helped Kate advance her career.25:40 - How to overcome the imposter syndrome and career setbacks.#workingmomsnetworking #CareerGrowth #WorkingMoms #LifeAfterLayoff #VisibilityMatters #PersonalBrand #MomLife #LeadershipJourney #LinkedInTips #motheroffour #marketingexecutive

From influencing audiences to influencing kids: Nicole (Nikki) Ramirez, a marketing executive and personal branding coach, shares her unique perspective on how marketing strategies can be seamlessly applied to parenting. Discover how Nikki's viral post about rebranding food for her toddler sparked a conversation across the internet, and learn how negotiation, storytelling, and audience understanding are as crucial in parenting as they are in marketing. Join Ekaterina and Nikki as they explore the parallels between motherhood and marketing, and how each can enhance the other.1:05 Who is Nikki 2:15 How motherhood changed Nikki 2:57 How Nikki went viral with her parenting post5:06 Marketing tips and skills that parents can apply in parenting6:54 Advice for working moms who are drowning in work and family life. 'Diversify your happiness'8:32 Advocacy for moms, Chamber of Mothers, phased approach to come back from maternity leave10:35 Childcare cost - when the whole paycheck goes into childcare12:00 What happens when a mom gives herself completely to the family - motherhood penalty13:36 Blissful ignorance of younger women - would 50% of population have kids if they knew how hard it will be?14:57 Why moms are too tired to plan social events and keep up with friends16:23 Support from the husband17:40 Message for moms - keep your identity, find who you are without giving yourself awayNikki's viral post: “Motherhood is just marketing,” shared Nikki on LinkedIn. “My toddler hates fish but loves chicken. So last night, for dinner, I told him the salmon was ‘Beach Chicken.’ He cheered, ‘Yay! Beach Chicken!’ — and ate the whole thing.” “It’s not lying; it’s rebranding,” she explained. “Know your customer.”#parentingtips #beachchicken #salmonbeachchicken #nikkiramirez #nicoleramirez #marketingmoms #howtotalktotoddler #workingmoms #worklifebalance

Have you heard of weaponized incompetence, domestic inequity, the nag paradox, and other hot-button topics that resonate with many working moms? In this episode, Laura Danger  @thatdarnchat  and Ekaterina Konovalova discuss how to create a more equitable partnership in the modern household, along with practical strategies and tips that partners can implement to build a more fulfilling life.Laura shared her personal journey into advocacy and the impact of COVID on family roles. The conversation also touches on the societal undervaluation of domestic work, the challenges faced by families with special needs children, and the need for supportive networks. Laura emphasizes the importance of setting a positive example for future generations and provides insights into her book and podcast, which aim to foster discussions around these critical issues.00:36 Laura's story 05:43 Understanding Weaponized Incompetence14:02 Exploring the Nag Paradox17:12 Effective Communication in Domestic Labor24:47 How to Respond to "You Should Feel Grateful for Your Blessings;" Valuing Domestic Work and Caregiving32:00 Navigating Challenges in Special Needs Parenting33:50 Coping with Anxiety and Support Systems40:00 Why Corporate Culture Expects Top Performance Despite Natural Cycles of Human Life, Including Childbirth, Caregiving, Mental Health, and More.43:30 What Example Laura Sets for Her Children 45:46 Conclusion and Resources

To learn more about Laura, check her website https://www.lauradanger.com/ and podcast Time to Lean with a co-host Crystal Britthttps://open.spotify.com/show/0H91aWw73WpC30BDDSoxCo?si=cb6dbb0f38524495&nd=1&dlsi=ef922d6280064566

#MotherhoodPenalty #CorporateCulture #WorkLifeBalance #MentalHealthAtWork #LauraDanger #TrustMeMom #WorkingMoms #InvisibleLabor #CaregivingCrisis #HumanFirstWorkplace #TheNagParadox #WeaponizedIncompetence

Ekaterina Konovalova, the founder of Trust Me Mom, and Anne Duggan, Professor of French, Classical & Modern Languages, Literatures, and Cultures at Wayne State University, delve into the origins and evolution of classic fairy tales that we learn in childhood, exploring how these stories have transformed over time. They discuss the darker, more violent roots of tales like Cinderella, Rapunzel, Sleeping Beauty, Red Riding Hood and the Beauty and the Beast, the societal contexts in which they were created, and the impact of Disney on modern interpretations. The discussion highlights the agency of female characters in original tales and the importance of adapting these stories for contemporary audiences, encouraging a dialogue about their meanings and implications.00:16 Exploring Fairy Tales: Origins and Evolution07:30 The Dark Humor of Fairy Tales and Cinderella's Original Story13:10 Original Rapunzel story20:55 How Fairy Tales for Children Became More Tame28:08 Beauty and the Beast34:28 Lessons from the Beast: Morals in Fairy Tales35:06 The Complexity of Fairy Tale Characters36:05 Revising Tragic Tales to Happy Endings37:01 Cultural Adaptations of Fairy Tales39:12 Influence of Greco-Roman Mythology39:51 Warrior Women in Fairy Tales47:26 The Emergence of Amazonian Narratives50:58 The Relevance of Fairy Tales Today54:28 Analyzing Passive Heroines in Fairy Tales01:00:13 The Popularity of Fairy Tales Through Time#fairytales #classicfairytales #disneyfairytales #fairytaleorigins #realfairytale

In this conversation, Chad Thompson shares his personal journey as a parent of a child diagnosed with type 1 diabetes. He discusses the challenges and adjustments his family faced, the importance of community support, and the role of structure in managing diabetes. Chad reflects on the transition from multiple daily injections to using an insulin pump, the impact of diabetes on social situations, and the ongoing learning process involved in parenting a child with a chronic illness. Through his story, he emphasizes resilience, adaptability, and the advancements in diabetes care that have improved the quality of life for families. The conversation also highlights the role of technology in diabetes management and the lessons learned about compassion and understanding through adversity.

In this conversation, Paige Connell shares her personal journey with the mental load of parenting, discussing the challenges faced by working mothers and the dynamics of sharing responsibilities with partners. She emphasizes the importance of understanding the mental load, effective communication, and the impact of income disparities on parenting roles. Paige also addresses the default parent dynamic and the nagging paradox, providing insights and practical tips for achieving balance in relationships. In this conversation, Paige Connell discusses the challenges women face in balancing work and family responsibilities, particularly the unequal division of labor at home and the impact of societal expectations on women's careers. She highlights the motherhood penalty in the workplace, the importance of equitable partnerships in caregiving, and the need for better workplace policies regarding parental leave and PTO. Paige also offers practical tips for women to manage the mental load and navigate conversations with their partners about shared responsibilities.

In this conversation, Ekaterina and Caitlin Johnson discuss the journey of adoption through the foster care system, focusing on the challenges and rewards of parenting children with trauma backgrounds. Caitlin shares her personal experiences, the importance of education and self-awareness in fostering, and the strategies she employs to support her children. They also touch on the significance of community support and the optimism for the future of her children as they navigate adolescence.00:21 Introduction to adoption and Caitlin's journey03:16 Understanding the foster care system05:50 Self-awareness in parenting, understand your limitations before adopting10:03 Do kids call you "mom?"10:52 Navigating parenting challenges with teens13:20 Managing emotional reactions in children17:52 Finding support and resources19:45 Balancing family and self-care22:32 The rewards of adoption and future

optimism#adoptionfamilylife #fostermother #fostercareparent #fostercareadoption #fostercaresupport #adoption #adoptionsupport #ParentingKidsWithTrauma #traumainformedcare

In this conversation, Cristina Ramirez discusses the urgent mental health crisis facing children today and how her program and platform, DashStrom, aims to empower kids through physical fitness and mindset training. She shares her personal journey from being a troubled teenager to a dedicated mother and entrepreneur, emphasizing the importance of resilience and self-esteem in children. The program focuses on creating a fun and engaging environment where kids can learn valuable life skills while staying active. Cristina also highlights the inclusivity of the program, inviting parents and community members to get involved as coaches or supporters. Ultimately, the conversation underscores the need for proactive measures to address youth mental health and the transformative power of empowerment through fitness.00:00 The Crisis of Youth Mental Health02:54 Cristina's Journey to Empowerment06:06 The DashStrom Program Explained08:55 Inclusivity and Community Impact11:46 Mindset Over Sports: A New Approach15:05 Empowered by Discomfort: A Personal Story17:48 Vision for the Future of DashStrom21:03 Getting Involved with DashStrom#kidsmentalhealth #kidfitness #fitnessforkids #childrenempowerment #mentalhealthresources