Are you feeling overwhelmed as a mom right now? How could anyone not be feeling this way, because whether you are a mother or not, we’re all being pulled in a lot of different directions these days. That’s why I wanted to bring a special guest, Dr. Jessica Bennett on the podcast today to talk distance learning, to getting hot meals on the table (and everything in between)!

Dr. Bennett is the founder of Mindful Literacy Practice. She is a Special Education Teacher in a public school system, who specializes in teaching reading to children who have Dyslexia, ADHD, NVLD, and D/deafness. She has taught in a large urban district; a state run school for the Deaf; and a small suburban district.  She has conducted research in a large urban district and charter schools.  Through a role with Battelle for Kids, she had the opportunity to author and lead trainings for teachers and districts all over Ohio on behalf of The Ohio Department of Education, as well as coach teachers on formative instructional practices in a variety of rural districts. Dr. Bennett is a published researcher in half a dozen peer-reviewed journals and is an experienced presenter, and as you’ll hear in this episode, yoga has been a life-line to her own physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being for over 20 years.

With what is happening in the world today, I really wanted to offer a space for people who are feeling overwhelmed to know that it is completely normal to be feeling this way. This episode goes in a lot of different directions, and I think it’s an important conversation to have right now (with many “mic drop” moments)! As well, I’m especially excited to let you know that you can go to Dr. Bennett’s website, https://mindfulliteracypractice.org/ and use the special coupon code “WELCOMEHOME20” to receive a 20% discount on her services.

Get full show notes and more information at: https://jillkalmaninteriors.com/podcast

Are you one of those people that just hates to cook? Maybe you think you can’t cook, or you just don’t want to be bothered with doing it? Then this episode is for you, as my guest and I will be breaking it down and showing you why cooking is way easier than you ever thought possible!  Plus cooking can be a whole lot of fun, and really enjoyable for not only the person doing the cooking, but the family who is enjoying the meal creations.

Today I have with me Natasha Bull of Salt & Lavender, and if you haven’t seen her Instagram yet you’re going to want to follow her! Natasha has a huge following on the platform and she is an amazing Canadian-based recipe developer and food photographer. Natasha is passionate about creating easy-to-follow recipes that anyone can use to make a quick and delicious meal, and she has created hundreds of them since Salt & Lavender’s inception in late 2015.

Part of the reason why I have Natasha on the show today is to take away the mystery of cooking, especially if you’re moving from the city the suburbs where more cooking may be taking place. Natasha’s recipes are not only tasty, but they’ve been inspiring me in coming up with new meals for my family. I hope this conversation helps you too, and the big takeaway really is that cooking doesn’t have to be difficult and often it’s the simplest foods that tastes the best!

Get full show notes and more information at: https://jillkalmaninteriors.com/podcast

If you’re moving from the city to the suburbs, you probably will have a much bigger kitchen than you had before. That doesn’t necessarily mean it’s more efficient though, and there’s so much to consider when it comes to kitchen design and layout. This is why I’m so excited to be speaking with our expert guest Ria Rueda today, and she has so much good advice and insight to share about kitchens, cooking, what’s new in appliances and so much more.

Ria is a lifestyle public relations executive and is currently the Brand Ambassador of The Monogram Design Center at Aitoro Appliance in Norwalk, CT (and you’re going to hear all about the wonderful features and benefits of the Monogram line of appliances in this episode). She has extensive experience in the industry, handling launches and promotions of some of the world’s most respected luxury and consumer product brands. Ria began her career working in several top LA-based lifestyle PR agencies, and she later transitioned to an in-house position with Mattel, managing campaigns for products such as Barbie. She relocated to Connecticut in 2003 and is a foodie at heart, motivated by a passion for local cuisine and a compulsion to keep up with local food trends.

Even if you don’t live in our local area, I think you’ll get a lot of useful information from what Ria shares today, and the big takeaway I got was that a bigger space isn’t necessarily a better space when it comes to kitchens. The possibilities for this room are endless, and with people being home more during this global pandemic and most likely spending more time in the kitchen, I’m looking forward to talking more about cooking next week. I hope to see you back here again to join me!

Get full show notes and more information at: https://jillkalmaninteriors.com/podcast

So what’s your “type?” Have you ever wondered, or maybe you think you know, but you really aren’t sure? There’s an incredible tool that can help you with this called the Enneagram, and after today’s episode with my guest Vrin Rao, I think that you’re going to want to explore this topic a little bit further!

Vrin is a New York City based coach who specializes in working with females, those who identify with the female energy, and those who want to understand and incorporate the female energy in a thoughtful, intentional way.

She incorporates powerful practices such as the framework of the Enneagram, self-awareness techniques, mindfulness and meditation in her sessions.

Vrin is a life-long practitioner of nada yoga (the yoga of sound), japa yoga (the yoga of meditative mantra recitation) and kirtan yoga. She is also well-versed in tantra, chakra meditation, swara yoga (the science of the breath) and yoga nidra (psychic sleep).

She has been a student of yoga philosophy (specifically the Bhagavad Gita) for over 30 years and has taught, mentored and guided newcomers and long-time practitioners in its application around the world.

Before speaking with Vrin I really had no idea that there was a coach who specializes in using the Enneagram to help people, and as you’ll hear in this episode, it’s definitely something that I’m interested in exploring further. If you would like to learn more about the Enneagram, and in the process more about yourself, I’d encourage you to visit Vrin’s website or book a 1:1 Enneagram Consultation with her at https://www.illuminate.nyc/enneagram. I hope you enjoy the information in this episode and get as much from it as I did!

Get full show notes and more information at: https://jillkalmaninteriors.com/podcast

Are you a city mouse or a country mouse? Regardless of which type of person you are, I have a philosophy that moving from any city to the suburbs is not just about buying a new house and decorating it, but it’s so much deeper than that. It’s a complete lifestyle change, and in today’s episode I’ll be talking about not only how to survive the big move to the suburbs, but how to adjust and thrive in your new life in the suburbs.

If you go to my website, https://jillkalmaninteriors.com/, or Instagram, https://www.instagram.com/jillkalmaninteriors/, you can find more great resources to help you move, or plan to move. I have a FREE Mini Moving Guide and Welcome Home Planner for you, as well as my new Welcome Home Organizer for $29, along with so much more!

Get full show notes and more information at: https://jillkalmaninteriors.com/podcast

Did you know that if something isn’t working for you, it’s usually because of your thinking? This can also be true if the thing that isn’t working is your house, or parts of your house. In this solo episode I’m giving permission to think totally different about your home and the spaces within it, and my hope is that this episode can help release you from those mental blocks that are stopping you from really live the best life you can in your new home.

Not only will you hear examples of how my clients have been able to do this by shifting their perspectives when it comes to decorating their homes, but you’re also going to hear some small changes I’ve made in my own home that has made all the difference for me and my family. Remember, if the most beautiful design doesn’t work for you, then it’s not a great design!

Get full show notes and more information at: https://jillkalmaninteriors.com/podcast

Are you moving from the city to the suburbs, and feeling a little overwhelmed about leaving the hustle, bustle, and bright lights for something slower and quieter? Or maybe you’re already settling into life in the suburbs, and are having some trouble adjusting to the move? You’re not alone, and today’s guest Alexis Gold is going to share her very candid (and sometimes funny experiences) doing this exact thing!

Alexis just started a new column on an Instagram account I follow, @suburbs101, and her essays just grab you from the beginning. There she talks all about her transition from working on Wall Street to moving to the suburbs and being a full-time mom to her three children.

So if you’re wondering what it’s really like to go from a fast-paced life in the city to life in the suburbs, you’re going to get a firsthand account in this episode from someone who knows what it’s all about. Enjoy!

Get full show notes and more information at: https://jillkalmaninteriors.com/podcast

I’m so excited to for this episode, because is something that the audience of the podcast has been asking to hear more about. Window treatments are currently a hot topic in home design, and I’ve got the national window treatment company, The Shade Store (which you most likely have heard of!) here today to discuss them.

Adam Skalman is the VP of Sales Development and Training for The Shade Store, a company that provides designers and consumers with a single resource for custom window treatments. Adam is a 15-year veteran of the industry, including over a decade of time with The Shade Store. The company has a motto that says “Custom Made Simple” – and they really live up to this!

I know window treatments can seem difficult, and they can also be a significant investment, which is why I wanted to discuss them with Adam today. He gives so much great advice in this episode, including why you’ll want to consider function first before anything when it comes to window treatments. If you’re located in the United States you most likely have a location of The Shade Store near you, so drop in to see them to discuss your window treatment needs. If you do, let both Adam and I know how you make out!

Get full show notes and more information at: https://jillkalmaninteriors.com/podcast

As the quote goes, “the creative adult is the child who survived.” Today we’re talking all about creative space in your home, with architect and author Donald Rattner. Even if you don’t consider yourself “a creative”, he’ll reveal how creativity is within each and every one of us.

Donald M. Rattner helps individuals and organizations optimize creative performance by applying scientific research to the shaping of space. His third and most recent book is My Creative Space: How to Design Your Home to Stimulate Ideas and Spark Innovation, 48 Science-based Techniques, which received a Gold Award from the Nonfiction Authors Association, a Silver Medal in the Nautilus Book Awards and was a semi-finalist in the Chanticleer Awards. He has also written for numerous print and online channels, including Work Design Magazine, Better Humans, The Startup, and The Writer's Cooperative. Educator and practitioner as well as author, Donald has taught at the University of Illinois, New York Academy of Art, New York University, and Parsons School of Design. Speaking venues include the Creative Problem Solving Institute, Creative Mornings, Neocon, Metrocon, Florida Creativity Alliance, public libraries, bookstores, and conferences. His work has been featured on CNN, in such publications as The New York Times, Town & Country, and Houzz, and on numerous podcasts. Donald holds a Bachelor's from Columbia and a Masters of Architecture from Princeton.

If you’ve ever wondered how you can tap into your inner creativity to design your home, all while seeing multiple benefits such as increased productivity, then this episode is for you!

Get full show notes and more information at: https://jillkalmaninteriors.com/podcast

How does your garden grow? On today’s episode we’re going to talk about all things home gardening and the amazing benefits it can provide you and your family. A lot of what is discussed here are probably things you’ve never even thought of, because home gardening is not just about food, but it’s so much more.

You’re going to meet John and Taffy of Homefront Farmers in Redding, Connecticut. Homefront Farmers is passionate about helping bring all the benefits of an edible organic garden to your yard. They started designing, building and maintaining custom at-home gardens in 2011 with the goal of helping people produce their own food organically. So many busy homeowners like you relish yard-to-table freshness and the pleasure of having the pick of the crop at your fingertips, but don’t have the time or the expertise to make your dream a reality. Homefront Farmers designs are beautiful, functional raised bed layouts that are built to last, season after season, year after year.

With COVID-19, the gardening trend has had a bit of an uptick recently, and you’ll hear the reasons why John and Taffy say this is happening. If you are someone who is moving from the city to the suburbs, you’ll now have the land where you can finally grow your own garden, and a lot of people like me who have been putting off the idea will decide to finally do it. With the help that Homefront Farmers can provide at every step of the way, it really isn’t that difficult to reap the benefits of a home garden, and there are so many positives that can come from making the decision to implement one. Amazing learning opportunities for your children and a chance for true connection at the dinner table (among many other things) are at your fingertips with a home garden. So if you’ve ever thought about growing your own garden, you are going to get so much good information from John and Taffy today!

Get full show notes and more information at: https://jillkalmaninteriors.com/podcast