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Managing technology use and abuse is one of the toughest things that today’s parents have to navigate. In this mini episode, psychotherapist, Mercedes Samudio, shares some powerful insights into how to navigate yours and your child’s relationship with the devices in your home. She explains how the past year has changed her perspective on technology usage and tells us what she often advises parents: it’s about being intentional and not mindless about usage. Mercedes suggests using your child’s preferred technology platforms to connect and spend time together, and describes how to set guidelines and offer your child alternatives. She urges listeners that being mindful about technology needs to be for the whole family, not just the kids, and recommends that you set benchmarks according to how your family uses technology, not how a coach says you should. We hope you join us for some powerful insights today!

Key Points From This Episode:

• How the past year has changed Mercedes’ perspective on technology usage.
• What she often tells parents: it’s about being intentional and not mindless about usage.
• Using your child’s preferred technology platforms to connect and spend time together.
• How to set guidelines in the family, observe how your child uses tech, and offer alternatives.
• Why being mindful about technology needs to be for the whole family, not just the kids.
• How you should set benchmarks according to how your family uses technology and not how a coach says you should. 

Tweetables:

“What I often tell parents is this: it’s about being intentional about the time you spend [on technology]. If you do spend time watching Netflix or playing video games, are you being intentional or is it just mindless? Everyone needs outlets to veg out.” — Mercedes Samudio [0:00:46]

“If I know my child loves video games, can we intentionally spend time together playing video games? If I know my child loves TikTok, can we set aside some time for them to share with you their new videos that they found or some of the videos they’re doing?” — Mercedes Samudio [0:01:10]

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

 Mercedes Samudio on LinkedIn

Mercedes Samudio on Instagram

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Mom, Slow Down!

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Leveling the playing field with anti-racist practices is an essential element of modern parenting. Today’s guest, Mercedes Samudio, believes that teaching your children about different cultures should be as normal as teaching them the other basics of life. She is an advocate for admitting what you don’t know and then doing the research to educate yourself and your child. She also emphasizes the importance of modeling diversity in your own life in order to pass this principle along to your child. Mercedes reassures us that the goal is not to be perfect, but to be a full human and to show your child how to be a full human too. We hope you join us!

Key Points From This Episode:

• Why it is important to acknowledge what you know and don’t know.
• How she asks clients what they know about themselves in order to share with their family.
• Why you should take advantage of online resources to research and educate yourself.
• What she tells parents she works with: as you teach your child the basics of life, teach them the basics of body parts, cultures, and more.
• How you should be honest with your children about what you don’t know. 
• Modeling diversity in your own life before you teach your child about differences. 
• Realizing what you are not modeling is an opportunity for you to change.
• Why it’s not about being perfect, but being mindful about your own life.
• Why the goal is to be a full human and to show your child how to be a full human as well.

Tweetables:

“Just like with everything else I talk to parents about, you teach your child about their nose and their mouth, teach them about their body parts. You teach your children how to be polite and how to have manners, teach them about other cultures!” — Mercedes Samudio [0:01:16]

“When your child has questions, think, ‘do I know the answer?’ before you give it to them and say, ‘I don’t know a lot about that, but let me get some information. Maybe we can talk about it this weekend.’” — Mercedes Samudio [0:02:05]

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

 Mercedes Samudio on LinkedIn

Mercedes Samudio on Instagram

Shame Proof Parenting

Shame Proof Parenting

Mom, Slow Down!

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Teaching Girls Skills for Success with Amy Klein

As moms, we are limited in what we can teach our daughters. No matter how hard we try, we will never be able to offer them advice on every aspect of their lives, and this is totally normal. This is why your children need to be exposed to many mentors and experts so they can learn a range of different skills to ensure they are set up for success at whatever they try their hand in. Amy Klein’s life mission is to change the face of women leadership, one young lady at a time, through The Courageous Brand, an educational company that looks to instill courage and confidence in women and girls. Coming from a successful career in sales and leadership, the absence of women in leadership positions inspired Amy to work towards creating foundational change. In this episode, Amy talks about the impetus for co-founding The Courageous Brand. We talk about the importance of courage and hear how to build confidence. Our conversation also touches on the Entregirl Leadership Academy, what girls will learn if they participate, and how the program leverages experts to help girls build robust knowledge and skills.  

Key Points From This Episode:

• Get to know today’s guest, Amy Klein.
• The impetus for founding The Courageous Brand, and the gap Amy and her partner were looking to fill.
• Some of the different offerings The Courageous Brand has.
• What gave Amy and Kelly the confidence and courage to step out in the way that they have.
• Confidence comes through practice, so it’s important to have the courage to take the first step.
• We do not have to pretend like we can do it all without any help.
• The value of having a mentor as a young girl.
• Skills that the Entregirl Leadership Academy instills in participants.
• The importance of exposing your children to skills outside of their bubble.
• An example of a lesson Amy learned from an expert they brought into the Academy.
• The structure of the Entregirl Academy and how to join.
• Amy shares some standout success stories.

Tweetables:

“If you have an idea or this belief or this passion and you want to make it happen, it comes down to having the courage to do it first. Don't feel like you need to be confident because I think confidence comes with practice.” — Amy Klein [0:06:54]

“Our big thing is having a mentor to help guide you and almost expedite some of those misses that are going to happen no matter what, but they can be there so you don’t feel isolated.” — Amy Klein [0:09:12]

“The three pillars of the Entregirls Academy are courage, confidence, and entrepreneurial skills. And those skills are the things that will make them successful, whether they want to be Simone Biles in the Olympics or they want to be the CEO of their house or they want to start a podcast or they want to start their own business or climb the corporate ladder.” — Amy Klein [0:12:43]

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

The Courageous Brand

‎Courageous Conversations

Entregirl Leadership Academy

The Zen Mommy

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Psychotherapist and parent coach, Mercedes Samudio believes that there should be a framework for parents to refer to while they navigate raising children, which is why she has gone ahead and developed a resource to do just that. During this mini conversation, she tells us about The Parental Identity Development model she has created that asks the question ‘how do you know what kind of parent you want to be?’ through the lens of watching your child grow. She believes that parent shaming occurs because we don’t understand what it means to be a parent, and wants mental health professionals to be a part of the task force that does not continue to perpetuate parental shame. Tune in today to learn more!

Key Points From This Episode:

• The Parental Identity Development model Mercedes has created.
• How it starts with pregnancy and nesting, all the way up until your child becomes a parent.
• Why, as your child becomes a parent, you should be sharing experiences and not fighting.
• Why she created the Parental Identity Development model: there is no manual and there should be one!
• How an identity shift occurs with the introduction of each new child. 
• How mental health professionals can stop the cycle of perpetuating parental shame.
• The biased measuring sticks that we use to judge parents due to a lack of understanding.
• The lack of theoretical models to support parents through identity development.
• Why it is important for a parent to feel competent when they leave a therapist’s office.
• How Mercedes aims to support parents in developing a healthy identity so that they no where to go to when there is no professional support available.

Tweetables:

“If all things go according to plan and you are moving through your identity in a healthy way, by the time your child is of parenting age, [you] should be sharing experiences and not fighting each other.” — Mercedes Samudio [0:00:28]

“There actually isn’t a manual for parenting. The whole reason [that] I created the Parental Identity Development model is [because] there is no manual for parenting, and there should be one.” — Mercedes Samudio [0:00:50]

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

 Mercedes Samudio on LinkedIn

Mercedes Samudio on Instagram

Shame Proof Parenting

Shame Proof Parenting

Mom, Slow Down!

The Zen Mommy

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Root Cause of Infertility and Hormonal Hell with Dr. Christina Burns

 Committed, compassionate, and highly skilled in multiple disciplines, today’s guest, Dr. Christina Burns, is the founder of Naturna, an integrative health centre dedicated to the fusion of Eastern medicine and Western science. We open our episode by asking Dr. Burns to weigh in on whether or not infertility is on the rise, and she gives us her thoughts on IVF and pregnancy success in women over 35. Next, she weighs in on how constant stimulation impacts your nervous system and reproductive hormones and gives us her definition of what integrative health means. We touch on the areas where Western medicine falls short and Dr. Burns introduces listeners to the Eastern philosophy of the physician as a teacher, with the onus of becoming well falling on the patient. Her clients are often looking to get pregnant, with others going through peri-menopause and other versions of what she calls ‘hormonal hell’. She unpacks what she offers them, before telling us how COVID-19 has impacted her practice and sharing her views on the vaccine. She believes it is powerful to seek out knowledge in preparation for a fertility journey and urges listeners not to neglect the subtle interplay of different factors in your life. We hope you join us to hear from this inspiring expert today!

Key Points From This Episode:

• Dr. Burns weighs in on whether or not infertility is on the rise.
• Why she believes that IVF has a place, but people seek it out too soon.
• Statistics around IVF and pregnancy success in women over 35.
• Environmental factors such as exposure to toxins and their effect on women’s fertility.
• The effect of constant stimulation on your nervous system and reproductive hormones.
• Her definition of integrative health: improving the paradigm of healthcare by integrating the different strengths of Eastern and Western medicine.
• Where Western medicine falls short: lifestyle solutions like food, sleep, and stress.
• The Eastern philosophy of physician as teacher with empowerment through knowledge.
• How integrative medicine draws on Western, Eastern, naturopathic, and functional medicine.
• The clients that usually approach Dr. Burns: those who have exhausted their options.
• Why relying on a cycle tracking app is not reliable, and how there are other ways to do this.
• Peri-menopause and how this often affects high-functioning women.
• The ‘hormonal hell’ that many patients go through that leads them to approach Dr. Burns.
• How she hasn’t seen her practice change that much since the pandemic. 
• The growing interest in natural medicine following the advent of COVID-19.
• Her views on vaccination: people should have a personal choice based on their health.
• Why you should separate being vaccinated from your fertility efforts.
• The power of seeking out knowledge in your preparation to start a fertility journey.
• How Dr. Burns deals with stress: acupuncture, herbs, diet, rest, meditation, and vitamins.

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

 Dr. Christina Burns on Instagram
Naturna Institute on Instagram 

Naturna Institute

Fertility in Focus Podcast

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Today’s guest, Dr. Christina Burns, is the founder of Naturna, an integrative health centre dedicated to the fusion of Eastern medicine and Western science. On this mini episode, we discuss why Dr. Burns believes that taking charge of your fertility journey involves the subtle interplay of factors like diet and stress before bringing out the big guns of traditional fertility treatment. Join us to hear more!

Key Points From This Episode:

• Why it’s always appropriate to seek out knowledge, but it could be too early to find someone to manage your case.
• How to look at adjusting your lifestyle, starting with seeking out a nutritionist.
• The softer, gentler approach that involves taking responsibility for your habits.
• Why Dr. Burns believes in lesser intervention.
• The power of learning your body.
• Needing more information as a great reason to seek out support from a doctor.
• What her advice to patients boils down to: don’t neglect the subtle interplay of things in your life and seek out the knowledge you need to take action.
• Why taking charge means addressing diet and stress before taking on the big guns. 

Tweetables:

“First line is a softer, more gentle approach in taking responsibility for your own habits that could be either enhancing your fertility or getting in the way of your fertility.” — Dr. Christina Burns [0:00:36]

“Don’t neglect the subtle interplay of things in your life that could be influencing your fertility. Seek out the knowledge you need to take action.” — Dr. Christina Burns [0:01:30]

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

 Dr. Christina Burns on Instagram
Naturna Institute on Instagram 

Naturna Institute

Fertility in Focus Podcast

The Zen Mommy

Jessica Nicole

Mom, Slow Down!

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How the COVID-19 Vaccine Impacts Reproduction with Christina Burns

Today’s guest, Dr. Christina Burns, is the founder of Naturna, an integrative health centre dedicated to the fusion of Eastern medicine and Western science. On this mini episode, we discuss the impact of the COVID-19 vaccine on fertility and the reproductive system as a whole. Within the context of New York, Christina discusses her belief that people should have a personal choice on vaccination based on their own medical history and gives a few examples of patients who have experienced unfavorable fallout on their reproductive activity after receiving the vaccine. We touch on the murky waters of not being able to prove that the vaccine is the root cause of the miscarriages that some of her patients have experienced, and talk about how the vaccine is taxing on the body by causing inflammation. Dr. Burns urges patients to pursue their fertility efforts away from the vaccine, and closes with the truth bomb that there really is no right answer on how to navigate vaccination and fertility. Listen in today!

Key Points From This Episode:

• How New Yorkers were hit by COVID-19 and have strong opinions on vaccinating.
• Why Christina believes that people should have a personal choice on vaccination. 
• Her post-menopausal patient that wouldn’t stop bleeding after her vaccine.
• The proven effects of the vaccine on the reproductive system of both men and women.
• The small contingent of women that believe the vaccine made them miscarry and how this can’t be proved either way.
• How the vaccine is taxing on the body by causing inflammation.
• Why Dr. Burns urges patients to pursue their fertility efforts away from the vaccination. 
• How there is no right answer.

Tweetables:

“I serve primarily a New York population, and New Yorkers were hit so badly by COVID-19 that there is a very strong opinion in New York about vaccinating.” — Dr. Christina Burns [0:00:01]
 
“There are vaccine reactions. I personally believe that people should have a personal choice according to what’s going on with their health and their family.” — Dr. Christina Burns [0:00:35]
 
“I’ve had a number of menstruating women start having irregular cycles, bleeding several times a month, or losing their period altogether. We know that [the vaccine] is definitely affecting the reproductive system of both men and women.” — Dr. Christina Burns [0:01:18]

“The vaccine is also taxing, it causes inflammation in the body, and inflammation is at the root of a variety of different disorders.” — Dr. Christina Burns [0:02:40]

 “What I usually say to women who are wanting to do the vaccine, understandably, is please do it away from your fertility efforts. Give it at least a month, maybe two, for the body to calm down. Do some acupuncture, make sure you’re eating an anti-inflammatory diet.” — Dr. Christina Burns [0:03:38]

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

 Dr. Christina Burns on Instagram
Naturna Institute on Instagram 

Naturna Institute

Fertility in Focus Podcast

The Zen Mommy

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Becoming a mom is a life-changing event for our bodies, our minds, and our identities. This concept forms the heart of Amber Trueblood’s wonderful book Stretch Marks: A Self-Development Tool for Mothers Who are Being Stretched in Every Direction. Amber is a licensed therapist, author, podcaster, and mother to four sons. As an avid reader and learner, she curates courses, workshops, and simple self-care tools for women. In our conversation with Amber, we delve into her work on helping moms find calm, peace, and fulfillment by silencing self-judgment, identifying unreasonable expectations, and banishing baloney beliefs. We discuss some of the expectations that might be causing you frustration, as well as how to identify and address them. Amber unpacks some of the challenges parents might currently be facing, like getting kids to bed at a reasonable hour and establishing a morning routine. We also discuss teaching kids independence from an early age and interrogate how moms can sometimes become addicted to their family being dependent on them. 

Key Points From This Episode:

• Why Amber used the term ‘stretch marks’ as the title for her book.
• The drastic changes that happen in your mind and body when you become a mother.
• Why guilt and expectations are the two major hurdles standing in the way of moms finding joy and success.
• Why the first step is identifying your expectations of yourself.
• Why expectations are often the primary source of frustration and guilt.
• How to determine whether your expectations are helping or hurting you and your family.
• Identifying how letting go of an expectation can help your family.
• How you can become addicted to your family relying on you for everything.
• How families learn the habit of automatically consulting the mom when they can’t find something.
• Why this pattern forms and how it impacts different family members.
• How this dependence can affect kids later in life.
• How to disrupt this pattern by telling them where the item is that they are looking for.
• How morning routines set you up for the rest of your day.
• Tips for helping yourself and your family with their morning routines.
• Why getting enough sleep as a parent is crucial.
• How to slowly shift bedtimes back to an earlier time.
• Why removing devices from the bedroom at night is integral to a good night's sleep.
• How to replace digital activities with activities like yoga or reading that deregulate the nervous system.
• How to delegate more responsibilities while also giving the support they need.
• Why it’s important to realize how delegating benefits both you and your child.
• Ask yourself what qualities you’d like to see in your children as they age.
• How meditation helped Amber bridge the gap between her heart and brain.
• Some of the biggest things Amber learned about parenting misconceptions.
• The neurological effects of meditation and how Amber practices self-care.

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

Amber Trueblood

Amber Trueblood on Instagram

Stretch Marks: A Self-Development Tool for Mothers Who are Being Stretched in Every Direction

The Stretch Marks Podcast

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Nighttime and Morning Routines with Amber Trueblood

During the summer months, it’s natural for bedtimes to creep continually later into the evening. This can make mornings particularly challenging when kids return to school. In this mini conversation with Amber, we discuss morning routines and why getting a good night’s sleep is integral to better mornings. She shares her tips for returning to an earlier bedtime and explains how devices can wreak havoc with your children’s sleep. Tune in today for more on this universal topic!

Key Points From This Episode:

• How morning routines set you up for the rest of your day.
• Tips for helping yourself and your family with their morning routines.
• Why getting enough sleep as a parent is crucial.
• How bedtimes shift to a later time slot during the summer.
• How to slowly shift bedtimes back to an earlier time.
• Why removing devices from the bedroom at night is integral to a good night's sleep.

Tweetables:

“I think for me, right now, school mornings are intertwined with anxiety, like when it doesn't go well it's intertwined with anxiety,” — Amber Trueblood [0:00:45]

“Protecting your sleep, for me, is the first step in having a good morning.” — Amber Trueblood [0:01:41]

“If they're literally bouncing off the walls, it might be an overtired. You remember when we were kids and you get so sleepy, you get like punch drunk, like cracking up, like giggling, laughing so hard at sleepovers because you're just so exhausted.” — Amber Trueblood [0:03:05]

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

Amber Trueblood

Amber Trueblood on Instagram

The Zen Mommy

Jessica Nicole

Mom, Slow Down!

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So often moms end up being the ones responsible for finding any missing items in the house, but why is that? And is it doing a disservice to yourself and your family? In this mini conversation, we discuss why family’s fall into this pattern, how it impacts your time and why it’s ineffective. Tune in to hear more!

Key Points From This Episode:

• How families learn the habit of automatically consulting mom when they can’t find something.
• Why this pattern forms and how it impacts different family members.
• How this dependence can affect kids later in life.

Tweetables:

“They figured out, because I taught them, that the quickest way to find something is to ask mom.” — Jessica Nicole [0:00:11]

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

Amber Trueblood

Amber Trueblood on Instagram

The Zen Mommy

Jessica Nicole

Mom, Slow Down!

Support the show

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