We Call B.S.

It continues to be a tad bit ironic that in an age where we are actually capable of connecting the most, we are feeling the loneliest. There’s been this sustained sense of overwhelm and we’re left feeling uninspired and stuck. As moms, we also feel a unique shame and pressure that we don’t have it all together. In this season, fear has taught us to censor ourselves because no one can handle another conflict. And while kindness and tolerance are important values in community, so are honesty and vulnerability. 

So here’s the mental health and self-care reminder you’ll need to survive the rest of 2020: stop waiting for someone or something else to save you. Be your own best advocate. What do you need? Go do the thing. Find your people, however challenging it may be and discover how you need to connect so that we can rise out of this...together. 

In this episode, we’ll explore: 

• Why this feeling of lack and overwhelm continues to be so pervasive
• How it’s easy to censor our thoughts and feelings in this climate
• The little and big ways we are showing up to care for ourselves
• Why these seasons can push us to remember what we value and love most about ourselves
• How showing up in discomfort can be the best way out of the loneliness

“How bad does it have to be before you start creating that change? ” 

-Sinead Quinn

Resources and Links Mentioned in this episode: 

The Official Podcast Instagram

Sinead’s Instagram

Brittany’s Instagram

Could you use some good news? How about a story of transformation and hope when it comes to your health? Today’s guest has a story that will stir something refreshing in you at a time we know you need it most. Brooke Walsh is a cancer survivor who suffered one of the most aggressive types of brain cancer, glioblastoma. In this episode, she shares her tenacity in following her gut even after many scans and tests indicated nothing was wrong with her. With a husband and two small children to raise, Brooke decided it was not her time. Even if it meant she was bound to a wheel-chair, she was going to witness her kids grow up. 

We had the privilege of hearing Brooke speak in person at a conference we attended in Australia earlier this year. Her story impacted us both so much that we knew we had to share her message with our listeners. Even if you have never battled cancer before, you will be inspired by the story of Brooke’s resolution to live her life out loud, as she insisted on healing and rejected the influence of the “odds” being low. 

In this episode, we’ll explore: 

• How Brooke responded to the news of her diagnosis
• How the practice of gratitude was and continues to be a key element to Brooke’s healing
• Why it’s critical for you to educate yourself about your own health and wellness, including what you put on and in your body
• Why hope is useless without action
• How Brooke continues to walk out her healing

“If you can feel gratitude, then you will probably feel hope too. It’s going to bring the other positive emotions with it. ” 

-Brooke Walsh

Resources and Links Mentioned in this episode: 

The Official Podcast Instagram 

Sinead’s Instagram 

Brittany’s Instagram 

Connect with Brooke Walsh

Instagram 

Facebook  

Read Her Story in the Huffington Post  

If you have been a little shut down, volatile, or binging on anything lately, you are not alone. We’re fighting against germs, injustice, and a lack of resources. We thought we’d see more relief by now, but the hits just keep coming. Today’s guest, Alexis Rose is a trauma specialist who facilitates generational transformation for BIPOC & their family systems. Even though she outsmarts us in just about every way, she talks to us about trauma in a way we can all understand. Each of us is processing individual and collective trauma at this moment. If you’re exhausted and tired of being triggered, this episode can help you recalibrate. 

Dr. Alexis Rose shares how she chooses to engage in social media and how she knows when it’s unproductive. She challenges us to identify the exact moment we are getting stuck in the noise around us. What are those emotions? What are those reactions? It’s time to stop and listen to your body so you can release that trauma and begin to heal. We’ve got a ways to go still. So listen to identify today what you can do to get unstuck and move into the action you want to take. 

In this episode, we’ll explore: 

• Why you need to start treating this season like a marathon instead of a sprint
• How you can identify the moment you are getting paralyzed by your emotions
• Why we can’t just throw love and light at a collective trauma 
• How being in touch with your body can bring about healing

“If we want to respond from a place of love, then we first have to treat the wound. ” 

-Dr. Alexis Rose

Resources and Links Mentioned in this episode: 

The Official Podcast Instagram 

Sinead’s Instagram

Brittany’s Instagram 

Connect with Dr. Alexis Rose 

Instagram 

Facebook 

18 summers. That’s all we get to work with as parents and then we have to launch these humans into the world and hope and pray they contribute something valuable to the world. We do need to give ourselves grace on the days when we’re just trying to survive, but we also can’t expect much if we are not parenting with intention. So if you’re tired of just throwing spaghetti on the wall, hoping that something sticks when it comes to raising kids, you’ll want to listen to some practical, grace-filled wisdom from author, speaker, and parent, Amy Carney. 

Amy was an exhausted mama of 5 who was tired of just surviving, even before the days of quarantine. She realized that something had to change if she was going to look back on her parenting days without regret. Amy shares some perfect places to start which include writing a parenting purpose statement and making the most of mealtime with her conversation starters. If you have a big family and don’t know where to start, Amy suggests just starting with the oldest. Then just start being intentional with 30 minutes of the day or one hour a week. This is an unbelievably challenging time to parent, but it’s also an opportunity you don’t want to miss. 

In this episode, we’ll explore

• Why it’s important to think about your family as a small business
• The importance of the habit of gathering
• Why it’s necessary to set parenting goals
• Why the middle of quarantine is actually the perfect time to parent on purpose
• What you can do to make the most of summer on lockdown

“This season is going to be a part of our family story, so what scenes do we want to write right now? ” 

-Amy Carney

Resources and Links Mentioned in this episode: 

The Official Podcast Instagram

Sinead’s Instagram

Brittany’s Instagram

Amy’s Website

Amy’s Instagram 

Grab the book: Parenting on Purpose >https://amzn.to/36Hrt1q

Grab the Conversation Starters>> https://bit.ly/30conversationstarters

We’ve honestly tried. We didn’t want to talk about the effects of this pandemic and quarantine anymore, but we're still not okay. What we are gathering from conversations we've had recently is that mental health is not being talked about enough right now. 

We call B.S. on the idea that we should be better by now. 

Rather than try to engage a discussion on what we should or should not be doing as restrictions begin to lift, we want to address the issue of mental health. People are tired, angry, sad, and anxious. This moment in time has exposed us in a way that we may never have been before. Though many of our typical distractions are not available, we can still watch too much T.V, eat too much junk, and buy things we don’t need. And when we don’t take a moment to check-in, there are consequences, either for us personally or for people we care about. We are not exactly thriving right now, but we have made some breakthroughs and learned a lot about ourselves. If you’re feeling tired, stuck, trapped, or uninspired, we are sharing some super practical ways we are coping on the hard days. 

These include: 

1. Get yourself a Brittany (you know, your person)! 
2. Take a deep breath and inhale some oils! https://www.youngliving.com/vo/#/enroll/start
3. Join Sinead in the 40 Day Guide for the Emotionally Stable Hot Mess Mom https://sineadquinn.lpages.co/40dayguideeshmm/
4. Find even more support through TeleTherapy or other Help Lines:

https://lp.talkspace.com/

https://www.verywellmind.com/best-online-therapy-4691206

https://safehelpline.org/

https://www.nami.org/help

In this episode, we’ll explore: 

• Why your emotions might be spilling over on the daily...or the hour
• The difference between having time and making time for things that refuel us most
• How you’re not alone if you’re still riding the roller coaster of emotions

"One thing that quarantine has done is shine a bright light on all the things we've been trying to avoid. ” 

-Sinead Quinn

Resources and Links Mentioned in this episode: 

The Official Podcast Instagram

Sinead’s Instagram

Brittany’s Instagram

Please note that this episode was recorded prior to the murder of George Floyd and the subsequent protests and civil rights movement that are now active. We know that you will glean so much from this interview with yoga expert, Tracee Stanley. We are grateful for her influence in transforming so much of Sinead's journey and for her willingness to contribute to the conversation in this community. 

Any sleep-deprived mamas out there? We see you all bleary-eyed and exhausted. Are you finding yourself totally out of alignment with what you were meant to be doing? Maybe you’ve had a  moment when you realize your vision board and your day to day have nothing to do with one another? If you’ve ever wondered what it would take to start making shifts away from this normal, you will love listening to our guest today, Tracee Stanley. Tracee is a Yoga Nidra, Tantra, and meditation guide. She’s taught these practices on retreats for names like Maryanne Williamson and Oprah. Yoga Nidra, along with some powerful exercises in mind-mapping allowed her to step into the life she was always meant to live. 

Yoga Nidra is much more than a good power nap. By definition, Yoga Nidra is the divine sleep that enables you to wake up to your life. The practice perpetually challenges you to relax and surrender. When you experience continual deep rest, you are able to make decisions with clarity and intention. Yoga Nidra is also accessible to anyone in that this is a guided practice, not something you have to figure out all on your own. But you won’t easily find space and time to practice a ritual like yoga or anything else that helps you become your best self. You have to make time for it and ask those around you to support you on this journey. Will you have the guts to ask? We think your future self will thank you. 

In this episode, we’ll explore: 

• Why you may benefit from mind-mapping if you’re feeling stuck
• How to slow down so you can speed up
• Why Yoga Nidra is such a transformative practice
• How it can be easy to not notice sleep deprivation
• Why you must ask specifically for what you need when it comes to self-care and how you can return the favor

“For me, the whole point of teaching is for people to experience their true nature. ” 

-Tracee Stanley

Resources and Links Mentioned in this episode: 

Radiant Rest-Tracee's book available on pre-order!

The Body Keeps the Score: Brain, Mind, and Body in the Healing of Trauma - 

Accessing the Healing Power of the Vagus Nerve: Self-Help Exercises for Anxiety, Depression, Trauma, and Autism

Connect with Tracee Stanley: 

Instagram 

Facebook 

Website

The Official Podcast Instagram

Sinead’s Instagram

Brittany’s Instagram

Please note: today's discussion is centered around an abuse survival story. 

When it comes to dealing with different kinds of grief, whose grief is the worst? Losing a child? A spouse? A parent? The truth-it’s always our own. And yet, the more we connect instead of compare, the more we will find healing. Author and actress Amy Chesler is with us today to share her own healing journey as she dealt with the tragedy that her brother killed her mother. That kind of pain sounds unfathomable, but through time and writing, Amy has discovered the power of her voice. When she has chosen to speak out about her pain, it has enabled others to find their voices as well. As she has connected to others in her story-telling, the loss of her mom is in some way redeemed. 

You’ll get a good laugh learning about what it was like for Amy to work with Arnold Schwarzenegger or the time Amy got Corey Feldman to go on a date with her mom. Learn how Amy has taken her grief and used it as a platform to call B.S. on the criminal justice system and why she will always refuse to stay quiet when it comes to abuse. Stay connected to Amy on social media to be the first to know when her true crime memoir is available. 

In this episode, we’ll explore: 

• How there is power and healing through expressing the written word
• Why the less we talk the more power we give to abusers
• When death means something different
• Why support doesn’t always have to say yes
• How your perspective in loss and grieving is everything
• Win or learn-you’ll never loose

“Once you decide authenticity is your message, it doesn’t matter what the noise is around you.  ” 

-Amy Chesler

Resources and Links Mentioned in this episode: 

Amy’s Website

Amy’s Instagram

Domestic Abuse Website

Or Call 1-800-799-7233 or Text: LOVEIS to 22522

The Official Podcast Instagram

Sinead’s Instagram

Brittany’s Instagram

We recently went live on Instagram calling B.S. and answering the question: In a world measured by productivity, how can I feel like I’m doing enough? 

Though we certainly don’t have all the answers, this conversation led to some really powerful takeaways that we think you might be able to savor right now. It’s nothing new to be reminded that comparison will suck the life out of you 10/10 times. Our goals have got to be our own and if they are goals we intend on reaching, then we better break them down into daily actionable tasks. We talk about the fact that productivity and success can be elusive and temporary in their payoff. Chasing the high of the next big break often means we’re sacrificing something in the present. 

So what’s the answer? There is none. But it seems like a better approach is to start from taking an inventory of your strengths. Consider what you were meant to do and the legacy you want to leave. Then work backward. And if all else fails, just figure out one way you can make today better than yesterday... and you’re on your way. 

In this episode, we’ll explore: 

• How productivity can be a mirage of our worth
• The difference between setting goals and setting expectations
• Why you’re not lazy, you’re just scared
• How refusing to try is an exercise in control
• Why you need to do an inventory of your gifts and strengths
• Why you need to lean into the parts that suck

“Sometimes we are focusing so heavily on one area to be our goal to get our high and be the measure of what we want to be. We need to ask ourselves why are we chasing that? Where are we lacking and what are we trying to fill in? ” 

-Sinead Quinn

Resources and Links Mentioned in this episode: 

The Official Podcast Instagram

Sinead’s Instagram

Brittany’s Instagram

Isn’t it kind of the dream to one day be able to be friends with your kids when they are older? You may have heard someone say that you can’t be a good parent and be friends with your kid. With the help of guest Michelle Irene, we call B.S on just that. 

But this doesn’t just magically happen. It takes time, sacrifice, and intentional (but not perfect) parenting. Today Michelle shares honestly with us all the tips and tools she and her husband put into place while raising their kids. Michelle’s no Pinterest perfect mama, but her relationships with her kids speak for themselves, which is why we wanted her to share some nuggets of parenting wisdom on the show. 

In this episode we’ll explore:

• Why it’s worth it to honor our kids’ feelings and allow them to drive the conversation. 
• Why sharing your own failures can make for powerful conversations
• How to keep lines of communication open
• How to help kids lean into their gifts and talents
• What it looks like to reinvent yourself in every stage of motherhood
• When expectations can be dangerous
• Why we must remind our kids that they always have a choice 

If you have a tendency to be hard on yourself as a mother, listen today to remember why you do what you do. You’re doing amazing and it’s never too late to be intentional. 

“We have children in hopes that they're going to be better than you and cheer them on so that they have the opportunity to be the best person they can be.” 

-Michelle Irene

Resources and Links Mentioned in this episode: 

The Official Podcast Instagram

Sinead’s Instagram

Brittany’s Instagram

Michelle's Website

At the time of this recording, we are making history as we endure the pandemic of 2020. We’ve lost access to family, community, jobs, school, and honestly any sense of normalcy. And we lost all of this so quickly. We are swearing we will never take a hug or a date night or a school drop off for granted ever again. But we also don’t really have any reason to believe we can predict when this will all be over. It seems that the only thing we do have control over is how we show up for the present moment. So how do we do that? That’s exactly what we’re discussing today with spiritual success coach, Andee Love. 

In today’s episode, we consider all the different ways there are to respond to our current crisis. We even dive into what it might feel like the day we are told we can re-enter society and normalcy. As Andee reflects on the client work she has done in the last few weeks, she shares some super helpful tips for ways to ground ourselves in the middle of this chaos. There is no “right” way to navigate this moment, but we will miss out on the gift of this pause if we don’t take time to work through the emotions. We invite you to do this work with us as you listen.

In this episode we’ll explore:

• How everyone responds to stress in different ways
• What one thing we have control over and how to harness this power
• How this moment will impact forever us as we move forward

“I think we’re at a time right now where the oxygen masks have dropped and everyone’s watching to see who’s gonna put theirs on first.” 

-Andee Love

Resources and Links Mentioned in this episode: 

The Official Podcast Instagram

Sinead’s Instagram

Brittany’s Instagram

Andee Love’s Website