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    The Motherhood Village Podcast

    Welcome to The Motherhood Village podcast! The host Nicole Cumberbatch is a Mother, Corporate Career VP turned Mompreneur, Published Author, and Speaker. After Nicole's son was born in 2017, she struggled with her career identity, postpartum anxiety, and balancing life with a newborn. She felt there was a need to have open and honest conversations about motherhood and the challenges mother’s face; so, she created her podcast, in 2019, and it's been a labor of love, for Nicole, to bring these powerful conversations to the podcast world! The mission of The Motherhood Village podcast is to educate and empower mothers with informative and impactful conversations. Nicole believes that it takes a village to raise a child, but most importantly it takes a village to uplift a mother. Consider this podcast as part of your motherhood village. All mothers know what's best for their families, but there is something special about hearing stories you can relate to and connecting with people that you can learn from. Nicole wants to hear from her listeners so please send any questions or comments to themotherhoodvillage1@gmail.com. And you may learn more about The Motherhood Village at www.themotherhoodvillage.com.
    enNicole Cumberbatch183 Episodes

    Episodes (183)

    183: Women’s Health and Pelvic Floor Therapy with Dr. Kat Vigo, founder of Painless Pregnancy

    183: Women’s Health and Pelvic Floor Therapy with Dr. Kat Vigo, founder of Painless Pregnancy

    Eaton Financial Group's  motto is to live wellwork hard and give generously. The firm specializes in helping women who handle household financial planning by acting in a fiduciary capacity – meaning your best interests are their first priority. For a relaxed and no-obligation cup of coffee and transparent information about creating a financial portfolio – live or virtually – visit eatonfinancialgroup.com to set an appointment. Tell them The Motherhood Village sent you! Join our FREE virtual Financial Lunch and Learn March 8th! 

    Learn more about joining The Motherhood Village community as a member! 

    Brief summary of show:

    In this episode of the Motherhood Village podcast, I speak with special guest Kathleen 'Kat' Vigo, founder of Painless Pregnancy, discussing her transition to obstetric physical therapy following the birth of her first child in 2012. 

    She gets into the anatomical mechanics of birth, highlighting the importance of pelvic floor conditioning and its relation to urinary incontinence and urge, especially as it pertains to childbirth. Kat also discusses postpartum sexual health, and how hormonal changes and physical trauma can disrupt sexual function.

    She encourages listeners to stay connected to their bodies and advocates for pelvic floor training exercises, both pre and post-partum, to bolster sexual and overall health.

    We talk about:

    • 0:00 Introduction and Guest Background
    • 2:31 Kat’s Personal Experience with Pregnancy and Birth
    • 7:10 The Importance of Pelvic Floor Health
    • 13:18 How Physical Therapy Can Support Pregnancy and Birth
    • 20:04 Understanding the Process of Childbirth
    • 20:56 Personal Experience and Changes After Childbirth
    • 22:09 Understanding the Pelvic Floor and Its Importance
    • 23:12 Effects of Pregnancy and Childbirth on the Pelvic Floor
    • 26:02 Exercises to Strengthen the Pelvic Floor
    • 29:37 The Connection Between the Core and the Pelvic Floor
    • 32:07 Impact of Childbirth on Women's Sexual Health
    • 37:45 Connecting with Your Body Post-Childbirth

    Resources

    Connect with Kat

    Connect with Nicole 

     

    182: Twinkle Toes Nanny Agency: Bridging the Gap Between Childcare and Parenting

    182: Twinkle Toes Nanny Agency: Bridging the Gap Between Childcare and Parenting

    Eaton Financial Group's  motto is to live wellwork hard and give generously. The firm specializes in helping women who handle household financial planning by acting in a fiduciary capacity – meaning your best interests are their first priority. For a relaxed and no-obligation cup of coffee and transparent information about creating a financial portfolio – live or virtually – visit eatonfinancialgroup.com to set an appointment. Tell them The Motherhood Village sent you! Join our FREE virtual Financial Lunch and Learn March 8th! 

    Brief summary of show:

    In this episode of the Motherhood Village podcast, I speak with special guests Kristy, the founder of Twinkle Toes™ Nanny Agency, and the owner of the Gainesville and Tampa, Florida locations. She founded Twinkle Toes when she was having trouble finding a nanny service for her own children, and Nicole, the owner of Twinkle Toes Nanny Agency West Broward. She worked as a nanny for the Tampa location and moved back home after school and decided to take the risk of opening a south Florida location. 

    The episode explores their journey from being nannies to becoming successful entrepreneurs. Founded by Kristy to solve the problem of finding quality local nanny services for her own children, Twinkle Toes has grown into an expansive network with 22 locations. It provides a unique framework that ensures security and work-life balance for the nannies, and reliability for the families. Aside from discussing their entrepreneurial journey, this podcast also shares the importance of cultivating community relationships in achieving business growth and personal fulfillment.

    We talk about:

    • 0:00 Introduction and Guest Background
    • 0:59 Favorite books to recommend
    • 3:27 What inspired Kristy to open Twinkle Toes and what is their mission
    • 10:04 Lessons from owning a business for the last 13 years 
    • 18:52 What makes Twinkle Toes special and stand out
    • 24:59 How Twinkle Toes helps the nannies thrive in their roles, the ongoing support they offer and the process to book a nanny
    • 27:30 Turning the business into a franchise and how the owners are vetted
    • 31:08 How the experience changed them from being a nanny to owning a franchise
    • 37:00 How Nannies & Families can connect with Nicole and Kristy
    • 41:02 Final thoughts to the podcast community

    Resources

    Connect with Twinkle Toes

    Connect with Nicole 

     

    181: The Power of Estate Planning with Lauren Klein

    181: The Power of Estate Planning with Lauren Klein

    Eaton Financial Group's  motto is to live wellwork hard and give generously. The firm specializes in helping women who handle household financial planning by acting in a fiduciary capacity – meaning your best interests are their first priority. For a relaxed and no-obligation cup of coffee and transparent information about creating a financial portfolio – live or virtually – visit eatonfinancialgroup.com to set an appointment. Tell them The Motherhood Village sent you! Join our FREE virtual Financial Lunch and Learn March 8th! 

    In this episode of the Motherhood Village podcast, I speak with special guest Lauren Klein, an estate planning attorney, entrepreneur, and mother. 

    Lauren discusses her journey of overcoming adversity amidst the COVID-19 pandemic and transforming her life and career. She also provides an insightful view on the process and importance of estate planning. 

    We talk about everything from the significance of naming guardians for minor children, to making health care decisions during incapacity, the misconceptions of having an estate plan and the difference between an asset and a will. Lauren also expresses her passion for the 'Wealthy Lawyer Squad', her initiative aimed at supporting other lawyers, especially women, in navigating their careers. The conversation emphasizes the importance of financial literacy for future generations and the role of estate planning in demonstrating the empowering aspect of money management.

    We talk about:

    • 0:00 Introduction and Guest Background
    • 0:45 Her favorite book to recommend
    • 2:21 Shifting from Corporate Lawyer to going out on her own 
    • 06:39 What is an estate plan and why it’s important
    • 13:04 The difference between a will, power of attorney, estate plan
    • 20:42 The impact of COVID on estate planning & business
    • 23:43 If there is one actionable takeaway from this conversation what should it be
    • 25:43 Getting things in place for caretakers of your children
    • 28:02 The Wealthy Lawyer Squad - mission + services
    • 31:41 How she juggles mom life, servicing her clients & owning a business

    Resources

    Connect with Lauren

    Connect with Nicole 

     

     

    180: Becoming Iconic with Jennifer Szpigiel

    180: Becoming Iconic with Jennifer Szpigiel

    Eaton Financial Group's  motto is to live wellwork hard and give generously. The firm specializes in helping women who handle household financial planning by acting in a fiduciary capacity – meaning your best interests are their first priority. For a relaxed and no-obligation cup of coffee and transparent information about creating a financial portfolio – live or virtually – visit eatonfinancialgroup.com to set an appointment. Tell them The Motherhood Village sent you! Join our FREE virtual Financial Lunch and Learn March 8th! 

    Brief summary of show:

    In this episode of the Motherhood Village podcast, I speak with special guest Jennifer Szpigiel of 'Becoming Iconic.'

    Jen shares her journey from corporate life to entrepreneurship which was fueled by her pursuit of personal power and fulfillment. She talks about the importance of constantly growing and bettering oneself. 

    Jen also discusses her experiences as a mom of four and successfully running multiple seven-figure businesses globally. She mentions one of her favorite books, 'The 5am club' by Robin Sharma, which helped her shape her morning routine and gather thoughts for her day. 

    Jen encourages listeners to implement audacious action and trust in their life, hinting that failure should not be viewed as a dead-end but rather as an opportunity for growth and learning. The conversation concludes with Jen explaining the motive behind 'Becoming Iconic' and the different ways people can work with her.


    We talk about:

    • 0:00 Introduction and Guest Background
    • 0:38 Her favorite book to recommend
    • 1:48 What inspired her to start your business 
    • 7:16 Embracing imposter syndrome to help move yourself forward and grow her business
    • 11:13 Key milestones and challenges that you've had to overcome
    • 16:30 What have you found that helps to juggle everything
    • 22:54 About her podcast
    • 26:47 What does becoming iconic really mean 
    • 32:16 How to work with her & final thoughts

    Resources

    Connect with Jennifer

    Connect with Nicole 

    179: Driving Diversity: The Story of Robbie the Dyslexic Taxi with Lynn Greenberg

    179: Driving Diversity: The Story of Robbie the Dyslexic Taxi with Lynn Greenberg

    Eaton Financial Group's  motto is to live wellwork hard and give generously. The firm specializes in assisting women who handle household financial planning by acting in a fiduciary capacity – meaning your best interests are their first priority. For a relaxed and no-obligation cup of coffee and transparent information about creating a financial portfolio – live or virtually – visit eatonfinancialgroup.com to set an appointment. Tell them The Motherhood Village sent you! Join our FREE virtual Financial Lunch and Learn March 8th! 

    Brief summary of show:

    In this episode of the Motherhood Village podcast, I speak with special guest Lynn Greenberg, a retired attorney and author who discusses her co-authored children's book, 'Robbie the Dyslexic Taxi.' 

    The book was inspired by Lynn's son's battle with dyslexia and their journey to understanding and managing the learning disability. Lynn and her son created Robbie as a neurodiverse character that children can relate to, seeking to foster understanding and acceptance among young readers. She also discusses the importance of advocating for your child's unique learning needs, obtaining further education on learning disabilities, and finding supportive communities. 

    Lynn reveals her future plans to extend the series, creating more stories featuring neurodiverse characters. The book can be obtained via Amazon and bookshop.org; meanwhile, Lynn and her son can be reached through their website and social media accounts under Creative Cab Company.

    We talk about:

    • 0:00 Introduction and Guest Background
    • 2:16 Her favorite book to recommend
    • 03:43 Her son's journey with dyslexia and the inspiration for the book they co-wrote
    • 11:22 Tuning out the noise to get to the root of what's going on
    • 14:17 How does a character like Robbie contribute to the understanding and acceptance of neurodiversity
    • 17:16 Bringing light to inclusivity of all different types of learners
    • 21:18 Why she chose this story for her book
    • 23:58 Any tips for parents who might be in the middle of this

    Resources

    Connect with Lynn

    Connect with Nicole 

     

    178: Navigating the Depths of Maternal Mental Health with MamaPsychologist, Chelsea Bodie

    178: Navigating the Depths of Maternal Mental Health with MamaPsychologist, Chelsea Bodie

    Eaton Financial Group's  motto is to live wellwork hard and give generously. The firm specializes in assisting women who handle household financial planning by acting in a fiduciary capacity – meaning your best interests are their first priority. For a relaxed and no-obligation cup of coffee and transparent information about creating a financial portfolio – live or virtually – visit eatonfinancialgroup.com to set an appointment. Tell them The Motherhood Village sent you! Join our FREE virtual Financial Lunch and Learn March 8th! 

    Brief summary of show:

    In this episode of the Motherhood Village podcast, I speak with special guest Chelsea Bodie, one half of the amazing MamaPsychologists. Chelsea and her best friend, Caitlin Slavens, are accomplished psychologists, and renowned authors based in Alberta, Canada. Their Amazon bestseller, "Not Your Mother's Postpartum Book," reflects their expertise in maternal mental health and parenting. Covering an array of essential topics, from screen time management to addressing postpartum anxiety, they've become trusted voices in the parenting field.

    Their impact extends beyond the written word, with a 560,000+ Instagram following and appearances in podcasts such as The Peds Doc Talk's podcast, newspapers, and WFL8 News, just to name a few. They created workshops that cover pressing issues such as mom rage, parenting highly sensitive children, birth trauma, and more. 

    Chelsea shares insightful information about maternal mental health issues including postpartum depression, anxiety, intrusive thoughts, and the unique needs of highly sensitive children. She also speaks about the popular 'tricky people' concept that focuses on identifying behaviors rather than just strangers as potential threats to kids. Moreover, Chelsea shares coping strategies for motherhood, explaining the importance of sensory breaks, preparation, and emotional validation. The episode also covers the inspiration behind her acclaimed book, 'Not Your Mother's Postpartum Book'.


    We talk about:

    • 0:00 Introduction and Guest Background
    • 1:24 Chelsea’s book recommendation
    • 1:54 The story behind MamaPsychologists
    • 3:56 Transitioning from being a psychologist in maternal mental health to being in the thick of it with her own experiences
    • 5:12 Why it’s important to address issues of maternal mental health
    • 7:00 Signs or symptoms of postpartum rage, anxiety, depression + advice if you’re struggling
    • 15:20 How these anxieties resurface with age
    • 18:07 Highly sensitive children and fostering relationships together
    • 20:27 Coping strategies for highly sensitive parents
    • 23:26 Advice for parents trying to parent in a different way than how they were raised
    • 26:13 Tricky person vs stranger danger
    • 27:51 Inspiration behind her book and key takeaways
    • 32:28 Imparting words for listeners

    Resources

    Connect with Chelsea: MamaPsychologists

    Connect with Nicole and Join The Motherhood Village Community

     

    177: Empowering Children with Learning Differences to Read: A Conversation with The Learning Lab founder, Aly Young

    177: Empowering Children with Learning Differences to Read: A Conversation with The Learning Lab founder, Aly Young

    Thank you to Eaton Financial Group  for supporting this episode and podcast! Their motto is to live wellwork hard and give generously. The firm specializes in assisting women who handle household financial planning by acting in a fiduciary capacity – meaning your best interests are their first priority. For a relaxed and no-obligation cup of coffee and transparent information about creating a financial portfolio – live or virtually – visit eatonfinancialgroup.com to set an appointment. Tell them The Motherhood Village sent you!

    Brief summary of show:

    In this episode of The Motherhood Village podcast, I speak with special guest Alyson Young, owner of the Learning Lab, and a dedicated advocate for struggling learners. 

    From being a teacher and reading specialist for Broward County Public Schools for 10 years, she saw first hand the challenges faced by students with learning differences such as ADHD or dyslexia, and the inadequacy of traditional approaches. Her ultimate goal is to comprehensively transform the lives of these children through education that extends beyond just academics, all the way to encompass social and emotional growth. 

    She believes in early intervention, teaching children their strengths and how to navigate their unique learning journey. They believe in open communication and empowering children about their learning differences. Aly advises parents to listen to their guts, advocate for their children, and not be afraid to seek help and evaluations.


    We talk about:

    • 0:00 Introduction and Guest Background
    • 1:06 A book or resource she recommends listeners to read
    • 3:27 The importance of early identification of learning differences
    • 8:36 Inspiration in creating The Learning Lab
    • 15:01 The mission behind The Learning Lab
    • 21:12 What questions to ask while touring schools
    • 25:45 How parents can advocate for their child/ren and tips to foster a learning environment at home
    • 30:41 How the Learning Lab affects social and emotional development
    • 33:02 Strengths Based Learning vs Shaming 
    • 36:09 Thoughts on rewards based systems
    • 43:17 Imparting words for listeners

    Resources

    Connect with Alyson

    Connect with Nicole 

     

    176: School Safety Advocacy with Make Our Schools Safe founder, Lori Alhadeff

    176: School Safety Advocacy with Make Our Schools Safe founder, Lori Alhadeff

    Thank you to Eaton Financial Group  for supporting this episode and podcast! Their motto is to live wellwork hard and give generously. The firm specializes in assisting women who handle household financial planning by acting in a fiduciary capacity – meaning your best interests are their first priority. For a relaxed and no-obligation cup of coffee and transparent information about creating a financial portfolio – live or virtually – visit eatonfinancialgroup.com to set an appointment. Tell them The Motherhood Village sent you!

    Brief summary of show:

    In this episode of the Motherhood Village podcast, I speak with special guest Lori Alhadeff, the founder of Make Our Schools Safe, a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization. Lori, who lost her daughter Alyssa in the tragic school shooting at Stoneman Douglas High School in 2018, founded the organization to improve safety in schools. 

    The organization focuses on initiatives such as passing Alyssa's law nationwide, establishing student clubs, and raising funds for safety projects. Until now, Alyssa’s law, which involves implementing a panic button system in schools for quicker response during emergencies, has passed in five states. 

    Lori's advocacy towards safer schools also led her to serve on the Broward County School Board. Aside from her advocacy, she also honors Alyssa's memory through scholarships. Lori encourages listeners to get involved with Make Our Schools Safe through their website and social media channels.


    We talk about:

    • 0:00 Introduction and Guest Background
    • 1:06 Lori’s favorite book to recommend
    • 1:45 Why she felt compelled to start her work with Make Our Schools Safe
    • 3:35 What is Alyssa's law
    • 5:19 M.O.S.S. Clubs & school safety measures
    • 7:13 How can people support the initiative
    • 8:47 How she keeps Ayssa's memory alive through scholarships & various initiatives
    • 11:39 Being hopeful for our children's future in school
    • 13:06 What's next for M.O.S.S.

    Resources

    • Simon Sinek books

    Connect with Lori

    Connect with Nicole 

    175: Maternal Mental Health and Affordable, Accessible Support with Dr. Andrea Niles

    175: Maternal Mental Health and Affordable, Accessible Support with Dr. Andrea Niles

    Thank you to Eaton Financial Group  for supporting this episode and podcast! Their motto is to live wellwork hard and give generously. The firm specializes in assisting women who handle household financial planning by acting in a fiduciary capacity – meaning your best interests are their first priority. For a relaxed and no-obligation cup of coffee and transparent information about creating a financial portfolio – live or virtually – visit eatonfinancialgroup.com to set an appointment. Tell them The Motherhood Village sent you!

    Summary of show:

    In this episode of the Motherhood Village podcast, I speak with special guest Dr. Andrea Niles - a clinical psychologist and founder of Prospera Mental Health and Wellness.  She has studied anxiety and depression treatments and maternal mental health for 17 years and is passionate about making high quality mental health care widely accessible and affordable to everyone. Prospera is a mental health platform designed specifically for moms. Through weekly 1-on-1 sessions with perinatal certified mental health coaches and a library of digital tools specifically designed for moms, they help with postpartum depression, postpartum anxiety, postpartum rage, birth trauma, postpartum intrusive thoughts, and more.

    She delves into the importance of making high-quality mental health care readily accessible and affordable, and why she is deeply passionate about this particular niche in mental health. 

    The conversation encompasses common mental health challenges women face during pregnancy and postpartum, including birth trauma and postpartum rage. We also cover Dr. Niles' personal journey practicing maternal mental health before and after becoming a mother herself. Towards the end, we talk about available resources for moms and how important Prospera is to support mothers' mental health.

    We talk about:

    • 0:00 Introduction and Guest Background
    • 0:33 Book recommendation
    • 1:16 Why she is so passionate about mental health for moms and reducing the barriers
    • 2:59 How was it to practice maternal mental health before and after having kids
    • 5:10 Birth Trauma - definition and ways to identify and get support 
    • 7:14 Postpartum rage & Transitions in Motherhood  
    • 12:07 How Prospera helps moms
    • 15:00 Accessibility of Prospera (cost and how to sign up for it)
    • 15:59 What she does to release or recharge to fill her own cup 

    Resources

    Connect with Dr. Andrea

    Connect with Nicole 

    174: Building an Empire While Being a Present Mom with Holly Daniels Christensen

    174: Building an Empire While Being a Present Mom with Holly Daniels Christensen

    Thank you to Eaton Financial Group  for supporting this episode and podcast! Their motto is to live wellwork hard and give generously. The firm specializes in assisting women who handle household financial planning by acting in a fiduciary capacity – meaning your best interests are their first priority. For a relaxed and no-obligation cup of coffee and transparent information about creating a financial portfolio – live or virtually – visit eatonfinancialgroup.com to set an appointment. Tell them The Motherhood Village sent you!

    Brief summary of show:

    In this episode of the Motherhood Village podcast, I speak with Holly Daniels Christensen, mother of two and the founder and CEO of Dune Jewelry Co., to discuss her journey in building her successful experiential jewelry brand. 

    She talks about her difficult childhood and how it prepared her for the hard work required in running a business and raising a family at the same time. Holly emphasizes the importance of celebrating little wins, remaining passionate about one's work and living purposefully. 

    She also provides advice to listeners on maximizing one's numerous roles, highlighting how women can multitask effectively. Apart from her business, she discusses the challenges of raising tween girls and letting go of expectations. Holly ends the conversation by encouraging women to lift each other up and reinforcing that there’s enough room for everyone to succeed. 

    Use the exclusive code, "Motherhood15," to enjoy a 15% discount on your next order at dunejewelry.com.

    We talk about:

    • 0:00 Introduction and Guest Background
    • 1:31 Book recommendation
    • 3:27 How her childhood shaped her into the person she is today
    • 7:55 Inspiration for creating her brand, Dune
    • 11:24 The different jewelry & items you can purchase & create on her website
    • 14:03 Her jewelry making process
    • 19:05 Balancing being a mom and CEO, and pivoting between the two roles
    • 24:30 Tips for moms to live a more courageous, passionate, and purposeful life
    • 27:48 Breaking out of the habit of being "smaller" and celebrating your wins! 

    Resources

    Connect with Holly and Dune Jewelry

    Connect with Nicole 

     

    173: Feeding Your Baby ByHeart with Co-Founder, Mia Funt

    173: Feeding Your Baby ByHeart with Co-Founder, Mia Funt

    Thank you to Eaton Financial Group  for supporting this episode and podcast! Their motto is to live wellwork hard and give generously. The firm specializes in assisting women who handle household financial planning by acting in a fiduciary capacity – meaning your best interests are their first priority. For a relaxed and no-obligation cup of coffee and transparent information about creating a financial portfolio – live or virtually – visit eatonfinancialgroup.com to set an appointment. Tell them The Motherhood Village sent you!

    Brief summary of show:

    In this episode of the Motherhood Village podcast, I speak with Mia Funt, co-founder and president of ByHeart, a next-generation baby nutrition company dedicated to empowering parents everywhere with feeding choices that build a healthier foundation for their babies’ lives to follow. ByHeart products are crafted with farm-to-formula quality, leading nutrition science, and ingredient transparency to sit at the forefront of immune, cognitive, digestive and microbiome health.

    Mia shares about the launch of their first formula in March 2022, which was the first new U.S. infant formula manufacturer registered with the FDA in over 15 years. ByHeart's formula is an easy-to-digest recipe with all-in-one benefits and certified ingredients. 

    Beyond being the only U.S. brand to own manufacturing, it also runs clinical trials to prove the benefits of their products. Mia discusses the challenges of formula availability, the importance of providing access, and the company's commitment to donating formula to families in need. Overall, ByHeart aims to support parents in feeling confident about and prepared for feeding their babies effectively. 

    We talk about:

    • 0:00 Introduction and Guest Background
    • 1:00 Mia’s best resource for moms
    • 3:31 What inspired her transition into the formula market and how her company is changing it
    • 8:18 The challenges they faced and overcame to get their formula manufactured and on store shelves
    • 13:00 Different kinds and types of formula
    • 18:30 How she envisions the market changing and where ByHeart fits into it
    • 24:34 Where the name of the company came from 
    • 27:33 Outsources to free up time as a busy mom
    • 30:28 Navigating scaling a business and making a positive impact

    Resources

    Connect with Mia

    Connect with Nicole 

    172: Navigating Maternal Mental Health, Birth Trauma, and Narcissistic Abuse with Jennifer Benoit"

    172: Navigating Maternal Mental Health, Birth Trauma, and Narcissistic Abuse with Jennifer Benoit"

    Thank you to Eaton Financial Group  for supporting this episode and podcast! Their motto is to live wellwork hard and give generously. The firm specializes in assisting women who handle household financial planning by acting in a fiduciary capacity – meaning your best interests are their first priority. For a relaxed and no-obligation cup of coffee and transparent information about creating a financial portfolio – live or virtually – visit eatonfinancialgroup.com to set an appointment. Tell them The Motherhood Village sent you! 

    In this episode of the Motherhood Village podcast, I speak with licensed clinical social worker, Jennifer Benoit. Jennifer shares her insight on maternal mental health concerns and the under-discussed issue of birth trauma, describing its range from subtle microaggressions to diagnosable PTSD. 

    We discuss communication strategies, highlighting the importance of self-awareness and addressing underlying issues before seeking healthy communication. The conversation pivots towards understanding and healing from narcissistic abuse, where Jennifer presents common signs to identify possible narcissism. Finally, Jennifer uses her professional and personal experiences to emphasize the potential of motherhood as a means to personal growth and healing.

    We talk about:

    • 0:00 Introduction and Guest Background
    • 0:42 What is birth trauma
    • 4:17 Signs and symptoms of birth trauma and is it preventable
    • 7:44 The importance of education and advocacy
    • 11:09 Coping strategies for moms
    • 16:25 Trauma that can carry through the process of giving birth
    • 19:39 The importance of communication
    • 26:48 What is narcissistic abuse
    • 32:25 How to not raise a narcissist
    • 40:13 Why she does this work
    • 45:03 Final thoughts to the podcast community

    Connect with Jennifer

    Connect with Nicole and Learn more about The Motherhood Village Community

    171: From Morning Announcements to Emmy-Winning News Anchor: A Journey of Journalism and Motherhood with Sheli Muniz

    171: From Morning Announcements to Emmy-Winning News Anchor: A Journey of Journalism and Motherhood with Sheli Muniz

    This episode is supported by Eaton Financial Group: their motto is to live wellwork hard and give generously. Under the leadership of Doug Eaton - the firm specializes in assisting women who handle household financial planning by acting in a fiduciary capacity – meaning your best interests are their first priority. For a relaxed and no-obligation cup of coffee and transparent information about creating a financial portfolio – live or virtually – visit eatonfinancialgroup.com to set an appointment. Tell them The Motherhood Village sent you! 

    In this episode of the Motherhood Village podcast, I interview Sheli Muniz, an Emmy award-winning news anchor for NBC6 News. 

    Sheli discusses her journey from delivering morning announcements in elementary school to anchoring major news in South Florida. Discussing the demands of the news industry and being a mom, Shelly talks about the importance of having a support system, setting boundaries, and prioritizing oneself. 

    Drawing from her own experiences covering impactful events like the Parkland tragedy, she underscores the value of journalistic duty even in the face of personal emotional toll. While acknowledging the rapid changes happening in the industry due to social media, Sheli reaffirms the commitment to delivering factual and unbiased news to her viewers. 

    We talk about:

    • 0:00 Introduction and Guest Background
    • 0:44 How she got started in her career as a journalist and why she is passionate about telling stories
    • 2:48 What she learned since becoming a mom, and how she prioritizes things differently
    • 5:42 Getting clear about setting boundaries and what you are able to do for yourself
    • 7:18 How she takes care of herself to be able to cover the hard stories
    • 11:54 Staying true to her values when delivering news stories
    • 15:53 Systems she uses to “balance” work and home life
    • 18:41 What she hopes her children will gain from watching her work as a journalist
    • 22:59 Final thoughts
    • 25:00 How the positive, good stories offsets the tough stories we hear 

    Connect with Sheli

    Connect with Nicole 

    170: Keeping Your Kids Safe Online: A Conversation with Titania Jordan, CMO and CPO of Bark Technologies

    170: Keeping Your Kids Safe Online: A Conversation with Titania Jordan, CMO and CPO of Bark Technologies

    Powered by Eaton Financial Group: their motto is to live wellwork hard and give generously. Under the leadership of Doug Eaton - the firm specializes in assisting women who handle household financial planning by acting in a fiduciary capacity – meaning your best interests are their first priority. For a relaxed and no-obligation cup of coffee and transparent information about creating a financial portfolio – live or virtually – visit eatonfinancialgroup.com to set an appointment. Tell them The Motherhood Village sent you! 

    In this episode of the Motherhood Village podcast, I interview Titania Jordan, the Chief Marketing and Parent Officer of Bark Technologies. 

    The discussion covers a wide range of digital parenting concerns, such as maintaining safety online, addressing inappropriate content, and managing digital screen time. Titania provides practical advice on how parents can navigate these challenges, drawing from her personal experiences as a mother and her experience in working with Bark. 

    She emphasizes the importance of parents being aware of their children's online activities and establishing open lines of communication to address potential issues. Also discussed is the value of Bark Technologies in helping parents monitor and control their children's online activities to promote safety.

    Interested in using this for your family? Use Code MOTHERHOOD24 to unlock 3 months FREE for the Bark App. (Code expires 12/31/24). Use the link below - does not include the Bark phone. 

    https://www.bark.us/?ref=MOTHERHOOD24

    Titania and I discuss:

    • 0:00 Introduction and Guest Background
    • 1:15 Getting to Know Tatiana Jordan
    • 1:37 Her Favorite Book Recommend
    • 2:27 Introduction to Bark Technologies - Who They Are and What They Do
    • 5:16 Why she Joined Bark and their Mission
    • 7:55 The Challenges of Digital Parenting
    • 10:03 The Dangers Children Encounter Online
    • 14:39 How to Start Conversations About Online Safety with Our Children
    • 18:05 The Role of Bark in Parenting in a Digital World
    • 24:56 Managing Mental Wellness in the Digital World
    • 25:20 Tatiana's Personal Experience and Lessons
    • 28:19 What She Does for Her Own Mental Wellbeing
    • 30:04 Balancing Privacy and Safety in Digital Parenting

    Resources mentioned in this episode:

    Connect with Titania and Bark Technologies

    Connect with Nicole 

    169: Coping Strategies for Working Mothers with Licensed Family Therapist Rebecca Gleed

    169: Coping Strategies for Working Mothers with Licensed Family Therapist Rebecca Gleed

    Powered by Eaton Financial Group: their motto is to live wellwork hard and give generously. Under the leadership of Doug Eaton - the firm specializes in assisting women who handle household financial planning by acting in a fiduciary capacity – meaning your best interests are their first priority. For a relaxed and no-obligation cup of coffee and a second opinion – live or virtually – visit eatonfinancialgroup.com to set an appointment.

    In this episode of the Motherhood Village podcast, my guest Rebecca Gleed, a licensed family therapist, perinatal mental health professional and author of 'Employed Motherhood' discusses coping strategies for working mothers. Her mission is to support and empower working mothers, with tools and insight for challenges, opportunities and changing dynamics in our post-pandemic world.

    She shares insights based on her training and personal experiences and offers advice on navigating motherhood and work-life balance. She covers a range of topics from relationship complexities to child separation anxiety. Becky talks about the concept of 'micro-transactions' in our daily lives and suggests methods to manage it using cognitive behavioral therapy. She advises on handling anxiety and details the difference between high-functioning anxiety and productivity. 

    She also discusses the importance of honesty in conversations with children, and encourages early interventions when addressing mental health concerns. Becky emphasizes the importance of community, sharing that 'we are in this together'.

    We talk about:

    • [0:00] Introduction and Guest Background
    • [1:15] Favorite book to recommend
    • [6:20] The implications for working mothers in the rise of remote work
    • [10:40] The inspiration and journey that prompted her to write her book 
    • [13:25] Three takeaways from her book
    • [17:45] Microtransactions in our lives and methods to manage them
    • [20:10] Strategies to combat separation anxiety in ourselves and children
    • [30:55] How to address "what if" questions and anxiety in our kids
    • [38:35] Final thoughts to th podcast community 

    Resources mentioned in this episode:

    Connect with Rebecca

    Connect with Nicole 

    168: Finance and Mental Health - with Your Financial Therapist, Erika Wasserman

    168: Finance and Mental Health - with Your Financial Therapist, Erika Wasserman

    Powered by Eaton Financial Group: their motto is to live wellwork hard and give generously. Under the leadership of Doug Eaton - the firm specializes in assisting women who handle household financial planning by acting in a fiduciary capacity – meaning your best interests are their first priority. For a relaxed and no-obligation cup of coffee and a second opinion – live or virtually – visit eatonfinancialgroup.com to set an appointment.

    In this episode of the Motherhood Village Podcast, Erika Wasserman, a financial therapist, joins me to talk about the vital link between emotions and money. 

    Erika shares her personal journey from growing up in a financially literate household, studying finance, and then pivoting from a corporate role into financial therapy.

    She discusses how she helps clients, whether individuals, couples, or businesses, navigate their financial wellness from a mental health perspective. Erika shares tips on how to have a healthy relationship with money, how to teach kids about money, and how to plan and budget for holiday shopping. 

    We talk about:

    • [0:00] Introduction and Guest Background
    • [1:50] Her favorite book to recommend
    • [5:35] What the word money means to us  - the difference between wealthy & rich
    • [11:50] The 'aha' moment behind wanting to help people have a better relationship with money
    • [16:10] What a financial therapist does
    • [20:00] Misconceptions about her work and what she does
    • [22:35] How to start modeling positive behavior with money
    • [26:50] How to talk to your kids about saving, budgeting & financial planning
    • [33:10] Eliminating financial overwhelm from the busy holiday season - Mom Hacks
    • [42:40] What she does for self care
    • [44:10] Additional financial resources you can tap into
    • [45:25] Final thoughts to the podcast community

    Resources mentioned in this episode:

    Connect with Erika

    Connect with Nicole 

    167: Holistic Wellness, Global Travel, and Motherhood: A Conversation with Kelly Tolliday

    167: Holistic Wellness, Global Travel, and Motherhood: A Conversation with Kelly Tolliday

    Powered by Eaton Financial Group: their motto is to live wellwork hard and give generously. Under the leadership of Doug Eaton - the firm specializes in assisting women who handle household financial planning by acting in a fiduciary capacity – meaning your best interests are their first priority. For a relaxed and no-obligation cup of coffee and a second opinion – live or virtually – visit eatonfinancialgroup.com to set an appointment.

    This week’s episode of The Motherhood Village podcast features holistic health coach and travel enthusiast, Kelly Tolliday. Kelly shares her personal journey from competitive swimmer to yoga and mindfulness coach, and her passion for global travel. She talks about ways parents can maintain emotional regulation through breathwork, and the importance of incorporating mindfulness into our daily routines especially as mothers. 

    We also discussed how travel can serve as a life-enriching and character-building experience for our kids, and the impact it has on shaping the world around them, as well as insightful travel ‘mom hacks’ to make traveling a little bit easier with little ones.  

    The discussion extends to Kelly’s approach in designing her Rising Nature Retreats - a comprehensive wellness travel experience. 

    We talk about:

    • [0:30] Introduction and Guest Background
    • [1:39] Favorite Books and Their Impact
    • [5:04] Her Journey into Yoga and Wellness at the Age of 15
    • [8:45] The Role of Yoga in Motherhood
    • [13:58] The Power of Breathwork in Creating Mindful Moments
    • [27:04] The Love for Travel and Its Influence
    • [39:01] The Importance of Yoga in Travel
    • [44:55] Helping Our Kids Learn Through Travel, and Easing Anxiety
    • [47:06] Rising Nature Retreats
    • [56:35] Travel Hacks for Moms Listening

    Resources mentioned in this episode:

    Connect with Kelly

    Connect with Nicole 

     

    166: Orlando Live Show with Raven Cruz: Motivational Speaker & Fitness & Wellness Influencer

    166: Orlando Live Show with Raven Cruz: Motivational Speaker & Fitness & Wellness Influencer

    In this episode, you will hear Raven’s talk from the first Motherhood Village live show in Orlando, FL. We first talk about her journey through motherhood, generational differences in parenting, and setting boundaries and limits with your kids and family members.

    We then pivot into talking about entrepreneurship and how that’s changed for her since becoming a mom, as well as navigating her place in the influencer industry. Raven and I also discuss finding motivation when you’re feeling stuck, how to scale your business, the overwhelm of social media and more!

     Lastly, you'll hear Raven's inspiring keynote speech.

    Timetamps below:

    • [0:00] Intro
    • [1:30] What Raven thought motherhood would be like and how it’s changed
    • [3:40] Who has been an integral part of her motherhood village
    • [5:15] The differences in parenting dynamics today vs “back then”
    • [6:35] Generational differences when setting boundaries and limits with family
    • [9:50] How things shifted for her in the wellness/influencer space once she had a child
    • [16:40] How she motivates moms to be their best through her online and in-private workout sessions
    • [18:55] How having to "always be on" affects your mental health
    • [24:20] Handling leaving your children with your partner
    • [25:55] Advice for entrepreneurs or solopreneurs looking to scale their business
    • [31:40] The overwhelm of social media 
    • [36:10] Raven’s speech

    Connect with Raven

    Connect with Nicole 

    165: Reclaiming Time and Prioritizing Self-Care with Moms Hierarchy of Needs founder Leslie Forde

    165: Reclaiming Time and Prioritizing Self-Care with Moms Hierarchy of Needs founder Leslie Forde

    Powered by Eaton Financial Group: their motto is to live wellwork hard and give generously. Under the leadership of Doug Eaton - the firm specializes in assisting women who handle household financial planning by acting in a fiduciary capacity – meaning your best interests are their first priority. For a relaxed and no-obligation cup of coffee and a second opinion – live or virtually – visit eatonfinancialgroup.com to set an appointment.

    This week's episode features Leslie Forde. Leslie is the CEO and Founder of Mom's Hierarchy of Needs®. The business provides evidence-based tools for Moms to reclaim time from the never-done list for well-being and helps Employers retain caregivers. Over 3,500 parents have participated since March 2020 in the Mom's Hierarchy of Needs research study. The longest-running of its kind about the pandemic's ongoing impact on work/life, care, and wellness needs for parents. 
     
    Leslie shares her personal journey and research on the challenges faced by working moms and offers practical strategies for managing self-care. We also discuss the need for organizations to create supportive environments and provide resources for working parents.

    Tune in to learn the importance of prioritizing self-care and mental health while navigating the demands of work and parenting.

    We talk about:

    • [0:00] Intro
    • [1:40] The Importance of Self-Care and Setting Boundaries
    • [2:20] Leslie’s favorite book
    • [3:30] The Origin Story of Mom's Hierarchy of Needs
    • [8:10] Practical Self-Care Strategies for Busy Parents
    • [14:35] The Mom's Hierarchy of Needs Pyramid
    • [19:00] Resources for working mother's who join her community
    • [24:15] Her work with organizations - building employee friendly programs. 
    • [36:10] The Future of Work-Life Balance 
    • [41:30] Ways to connect and work with Leslie

    Resources Mentioned:

    Connect with Leslie

    Connect with Nicole 

     

    164: Navigating Peaceful Parenting: Myths, Methods, and Managing Skeptics with Jessica Hausknecht

    164: Navigating Peaceful Parenting: Myths, Methods, and Managing Skeptics with Jessica Hausknecht

    Powered by Eaton Financial Group: where their motto is to live wellwork hard and give generously. Under the leadership of Doug Eaton - the firm specializes in assisting women who handle household financial planning, by acting in a fiduciary capacity – meaning your best interests are their first priority.  For a relaxed and no obligation cup of coffee and second opinion – live or virtually – visit eatonfinancialgroup.com to set an appointment.

    In this week's insightful episode, we dive headfirst into the world of peaceful parenting alongside Jessica Hausknecht, the founder of the Find My ZenFam movement.

    Together, we deunk the common misconceptions surrounding peaceful parenting, revealing the true essence of this transformative approach to parenting. Our discussion delves deep into the methods and science behind peaceful parenting, shedding light on why it proves to be so effective in fostering healthier family dynamics.

    Throughout the episode, Jessica provides invaluable advice on helping children decipher their emotions, especially during BIG emotions and unwanted tantrums. When those moments of desperation strike, she offers practical strategies for implementing peaceful parenting even in the most challenging situations. We explore the intriguing realm of attachment science and its alignment with peaceful parenting principles, understanding how it can enrich the parent-child relationship. Jessica also guides listeners on how they can work directly with her to gain personalized support on their peaceful parenting journey. Lastly, we address a common hurdle faced by many parents: handling unsupportive family and friends who may question this unconventional parenting style. Our conversation provides insights on navigating these conversations while remaining steadfast in your commitment to peaceful parenting. 

    We talk about:

    • [0:00] Intro
    • [1:45] Her favorite parenting book to recommend. 
    • [4:30] The misconceptions around peaceful parenting.
    • [7:30] How and why peaceful parenting works 
    • [10:20] Helping our children decipher their emotions.
    • [13:55] How to implement these strategies when you're at your wits end.
    • [18:30] Studying attachment science.
    • [22:05] How you can work with her - the services shes provides families.
    • [24:20] Handling unsupportive family or friends when it comes to this parenting style - setting healthy boundaries and becoming more confident. 

    Resources mentioned in this episode:

    Connect with Jessica

    Connect with Nicole