Is A Mother
PV & Jamie
We’ve been best friends since college and are using a comparative lens to share how we are coming into our power after 40. We aren’t supposed to compare, right? Well, that is not realistic. We started this podcast when our boys were toddlers. They are growing fast! And we’ve been growing, too. The first few years of motherhood shook our lives and friendship like no other experience has, and by comparing and contrasting our evolution up to that point in our lives, and beyond, we have discovered the strongest threads of sisterhood yet. We don’t have all the answers and we sure have made some missteps. Follow along as we do our best to nurture our friendship and build an inclusive community while making one thousand tiny mama decisions in an unfair world.
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Top 10 Is A Mother Episodes
Goodpods has curated a list of the 10 best Is A Mother episodes, ranked by the number of listens and likes each episode have garnered from our listeners. If you are listening to Is A Mother for the first time, there's no better place to start than with one of these standout episodes. If you are a fan of the show, vote for your favorite Is A Mother episode by adding your comments to the episode page.
Toxic Positivity is a Mother
Is A Mother
06/04/24 • 52 min
Toxic positivity is a Mother! It’s a topic that most of us can probably relate to as Western society has ingrained in us that we should be “likable” and aim to be positive all the time. An important disclaimer: we are by no means anti-positivity. We recognize the importance of creating space for all emotions. Sometimes life is hard, and to overcome challenges we need to acknowledge them, and take appropriate action to work through them, authentically.
In episode 16 of ___ Is a Mother, we discuss why making space for all emotions is important to avoid “toxic positivity”, and paying attention to the language we use when encouraging ourselves, others, and children. Some of the talking points we go over in this episode include:
- The toxic positivity we experienced when trying to get pregnant, and during Jamie’s cancer journey.
- Toxic positivity, although well-intended, can minimize people’s struggles and close the door to connection.
- The toxic positivity we unintentionally pass onto our children by rewarding happy behaviors and failing to consider the implications of affirmations that aren’t rooted in values, feasibility, and action.
- Aligning our authentic selves and our social (influenced) selves can help us live with purpose.
Thank you for listening! If you enjoyed this episode, please share on Instagram and tag us! Follow, rate, and review the podcast, and tell us your key takeaways. If there are topics you would like us to discuss in a future episode, we’re all ears. Thanks for being part of our inner circle and an important part of this community. Go call your best friend!
CONNECT WITH US:
@_IsAMotherpodcast on Instagram
LINKS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:
The Momwell Podcast Ep. 145: How to deal with toxic positivity as a Mom with Whitney Goodman, Marriage and Family Therapist
Toxic Positivity by Dr. Whitney Goodman
Libby - link your local library card membership number!
Self-Care is a Mother
Is A Mother
04/02/24 • 70 min
Self-care is a mother! Consumerism has hijacked the concept of self-care and turned it into a multi-billion(!) dollar industry, marketing ‘quick fixes’ that are in actuality fleeting external care. External self-care can feel good in the moment but needs to be paired with the hard work of internal self-care (e.g., therapy) to truly elevate your well-being.
In episode 13 of___ Is a Mother, we discuss the difference between fake (external) self-care and real (internal) self-care. We take some time to give ourselves kudos for the difficult things we have been tackling to better our overall wellness, and we discuss what we wish we were doing more to support our true self-care. Some of the talking points we go over in this episode include:
- Self-compassion and taking time to celebrate wins big and small is an important form of self-care.
- Setting boundaries around technology, work, and social media can reduce the overwhelm of constant stimulation, distractions, and comparison.
- Being productive is much more important than being busy, no matter what Corporate America has drilled into us.
- Prioritizing quality time with your partner is necessary to nurture your relationship.
- Going back to the basics and prioritizing rest and sleep is paramount to overall wellness.
Thank you for listening! If you enjoyed this episode, please take a screenshot of the episode to post in your stories and tag us! Follow, rate, and review the podcast, and tell us your key takeaways! If there are topics you would like us to discuss in a future episode, please let us know. Thanks for being part of our inner circle and an important part of this community. Go call your best friend!
CONNECT WITH US:
@_IsAMotherPodcast on Instagram
LINKS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:
Real Self-Care by Pooja Lakshmin, MD
Good Inside: Self-Care Is An Inside Job
The 4-Hour Workweek by Timothy Ferriss
Ep 3: Returning to Work After Giving Birth is a Mother
Ep 10: Financial Planning is a Mother with Karen Holloway, Financial Advisor
NPR story: Real self-care takes real systemic change
01/09/24 • 60 min
Labeling kids is a mother! For both children and adults, there can be a stigma around behavioral disorders, mental health issues, learning disabilities, etc., and individuals go undiagnosed and untreated for too long. On the flip side, sometimes children are incorrectly categorized or labeled in an innocent attempt to help, which leads to other concerns.
In episode 09 of ___ Is a Mother, we are joined by psychologist Dr. Nekeshia Hammond to discuss the importance of intervening early when your parenting instinct is telling you something isn’t right, and how you can advocate for your children, as well as your family unit. Some of the talking points we go over in this episode include:
- Signs that a toddler might be struggling and require additional support.
- The pros and cons of “labeling” or diagnosing our children with behavioral disorders and/or learning disabilities.
- Tips for communicating parenting and discipline boundaries, and connection and support needs with family and friends.
- Fielding unsolicited (yet well-intended) parenting advice.
- Creating cultural norms within your family unit by blending aspects from each parent’s upbringing, while adding new parenting styles into the mix.
Thank you for listening! If you enjoyed this episode, please take a screenshot of the episode to post in your stories and tag us! Follow, rate, and review the podcast, and tell us your key takeaways! If there are topics you would like us to discuss in a future episode, please let us know. Thanks for being part of our inner circle and an important part of this community. Go call your best friend!
CONNECT WITH DR. HAMMOND:
ADHD Explained: What Every Parent Needs to Know
OTHER RESOURCES FROM THIS EPISODE:
CONNECT WITH US:
@_IsAMotherpodcast on Instagram
Traveling with a Toddler is a Mother
Is A Mother
12/12/23 • 60 min
Traveling with a toddler is a mother, especially when you’re traveling to stay in someone else's home who may have different cultural norms and parenting styles as you and you’re struggling to find the balance.
In episode 7 of ___ Is a Mother, we recap the trip that led to tension in our friendship based on our parenting and cultural differences and how the conversations we had to address that tension ultimately led to the creation of this podcast. Some of the talking points we go over in this episode include:
- PV’s traumatic experience flying with her toddler who was, unknowingly to them at the time, experiencing a night terror.
- Finding the balance between setting boundaries for your toddler and giving them the space to make and learn from their mistakes.
- The prep and conversations that need to happen before, during, and after traveling to and staying in someone else's home with a toddler.
- Being aware of and sensitive to cultural norms of raising and parenting children while traveling.
- Lessons we’ve learned from traveling with our toddlers.
Remember to give yourself and your toddler some grace. While your toddler is still learning how to navigate life, you’re learning how to navigate parenting in different environments.
Thank you for listening! If you enjoyed this episode, take a screenshot of the episode to post in your stories and tag us! And don’t forget to follow, rate and review the podcast and tell us your key takeaways! If there are topics you would like us to discuss in a future episode, please let us know. Thanks for being part of our inner circle, we’re thrilled to have you part of this community. Go call your best friend!
CONNECT WITH US:
@_IsAMotherpodcast on Instagram
4th Trimester is a Mother
Is A Mother
10/03/23 • 60 min
There is no question that becoming a first-time parent or adding a child to your family can be a difficult adjustment. The 4th trimester is a mother and the only way you’re going to get through it is with support.
In episode 2 of ___ Is a Mother, we’re sharing the unique adjustments that come with becoming a new parent and reminding you to be patient with yourself. When a child is born, so is a mother. Also do your best to make time for yourself and your partner as a couple, even when it feels out of reach. Give yourself grace and remember it is OK to both ask for and receive help.
Some of the talking points we go over in this episode include:
- Finding the balance between letting people in and accepting their support while maintaining boundaries as new parents.
- Building a support group of trusted family and friends to help you navigate the adjustments to parenthood.
- Some books, blogs, journals, and resources we found helpful during our pregnancies and into our 4th trimester.
- Giving yourself grace and debunking society’s expectations of how you should ‘bounce back’ after pregnancy.
Thank you for listening! If you enjoyed this episode, take a screenshot of the episode to post in your stories and tag us! And don’t forget to follow, rate and review the podcast and tell us your key takeaways! If there are topics you would like us to discuss in a future episode, please let us know. Thanks for being part of our inner circle, we’re thrilled to have you part of this community. Go call your best friend!
CONNECT WITH US:
@_IsAMotherpodcast on Instagram
LINKS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:
Cribsheet: A Data-Driven Guide to Better, More Relaxed Parenting, from Birth to Preschool
What to Expect When You’re Expecting by Heidi Murkoff
Grateful For You: A gratitude journal for parents to preserve memories and special moments / korieherold.com, also @korieherold on IG
Motherkind Podcast - Postpartum Doctor: why a hustle mindset will break you in motherhood and what to do instead
Family Culture is a Mother
Is A Mother
03/12/24 • 61 min
Family culture is a mother! And when we say culture we are not talking about race, gender, or ethnicity but rather an agreed-upon set of expectations of the social communities we exist in with our family units at the foundation. As we grow families of our own, it becomes a balancing act of integrating each parent’s respective cultural norms to create your core family’s unique culture.
In episode 12 of ___ Is a Mother, Jamie uses the foundations of the Intercultural Conflict Style (ICS) assessment with PV and Brett (married and co-parenting a 4.5-year-old) to illustrate how it can help us understand our authentic approach to communication and addressing conflict—key elements of any family’s culture. Some of the talking points we go over in this episode include:
- A set of questions to consider to ground into our respective cultural beliefs.
- How someone might perceive themselves vs. how others may perceive them depending on their communication styles.
- The way we naturally react to conflict is rooted in our cultural norms and upbringing.
- Our individual culture and conflict style balances with the style of our partners’ to guide how we parent our children and define our core family’s culture.
- How Jamie uses the ICS assessment to help organizations establish an inclusive culture by understanding everyone’s unique and individual communication and conflict resolution styles.
Thank you for listening! If you enjoyed this episode, please take a screenshot of the episode to post and link in your stories and tag us! Follow, rate, and review the podcast, and tell us your key takeaways. If there are topics you would like us to discuss in a future episode, please let us know. Thanks for being part of our inner circle and an important part of this community. Go call your best friend!
CONNECT WITH US:
@_IsAMotherpodcast on Instagram
LINKS MENTIONED IN / RELEVANT TO THIS EPISODE:
Intercultural Conflict Style Assessment
Dr. Becky’s (parenting coach & clinical psychologist) TED talk on connection, modeling, and repair in parenting
Trauma psychologist Dr. Mariel Buqué’s book Break The Cycle: A Guide to Healing Intergenerational Trauma
Episode 10 Financial Planning is a Mother | www.karenholloway.nm.com
Self-Love is a Mother
Is A Mother
08/06/24 • 19 min
Self-love is a Mother! As mothers, we often lose sight of ourselves, especially once the school year starts and our world revolves around our children’s schedules. But as the saying goes, it’s important to remember to put on your own oxygen mask before helping others. That is exactly what we are doing by collaborating with Calm Mama Wellness Retreats for an upcoming retreat! Come get your Self Love on with us, mamas!
On episode 19 of ___ Is a Mother, we discuss how our summers have been so far and a look inside the upcoming Calm Mama Wellness Retreat we are attending with some of our listeners! Some of the talking points we go over in this episode include:
- The importance of intentional self-care and finding support through a community of like-minded mamas.
- What we are personally looking forward to the most about the Calm Mama Retreat this September.
- A look into some of the activities and workshops the retreat offers (sound bath! vision board! massage! head shots!).
Join us for the Calm Mama Wellness Retreat September 27-29, 2024 in Castro Valley, CA. Use promo code “ISAMOTHER” for a special listener discount of $499 off! Space is limited and there are only a few spots left — grab yours asap.
Thank you for listening! If you enjoyed this episode, please share on Instagram and tag us! Follow, rate, and review the podcast, and tell us your key takeaways. If there are topics you would like us to discuss in a future episode, we’re all ears. Thanks for being part of our inner circle and an important part of this community. Go call your best friend!
CONNECT WITH US:
@_IsAMotherpodcast on Instagram
LINKS MENTIONED
Ep 18: Kindergarten Readiness is a Mother with Leigh Fitzgerald
Breast Cancer is a Mother
Is A Mother
10/29/24 • 36 min
Breast Cancer is a Mother! In honor of breast cancer awareness month, I (Jamie) had the pleasure of sitting down with my mother, a 3x breast cancer survivor herself, as we get vulnerable on how breast cancer has impacted our lives.
In episode 22 of ___ Is a Mother, we discuss how our breast cancer journey affected us as we were going through it, as well as having to watch the other one fight through it. Some of the talking points we go over in this episode include:
- Our individual breast cancer journeys, from how we were diagnosed to our treatment plans and the ongoing measures we take to monitor our health.
- The importance of leaning on your community of family, friends, and your medical team as you navigate this journey.
- Leading with positivity while acknowledging and leaving space for all of the other emotions (fear, anger, uncertainty) that come up.
- Encouraging you to be proactive with your healthcare through regular screenings, self-exams, and genetic testing if possible.
As we close out Breast Cancer Awareness Month, we want to encourage you to be proactive with your health. Get your routine testing done and continue to do self-exams in between. You have nothing to lose but a life if you don’t do it.
Thank you for listening! If you enjoyed this episode, please share on Instagram and tag us! Follow, rate, and review the podcast, and tell us your key takeaways. If there are topics you would like us to discuss in a future episode, we’re all ears. Thanks for being part of our inner circle and an important part of this community. Go call your best friend!
CONNECT WITH US:
@_IsAMotherpodcast on Instagram
LINKS MENTIONED:
Limited Edition Maxine EMOVE Walking Shoes
07/16/24 • 77 min
Kindergarten readiness is a Mother! As parents, we want to do everything in our control to get our kids ready to enter Kindergarten, but what does it mean to be “Kindergarten ready”? Our guest Leigh Fitzgerald is a veteran Kindergarten teacher from San Diego, CA, and she joins us on the podcast to explain that Kindergarten readiness is less about knowing ABCs and 123s, and more about helping your kids be excited to be there and empowering agency.
In episode 18 of ___ Is a Mother, we discuss the social, emotional, and academic skills kids need entering Kindergarten, and what parents can do to support their child (& their teacher) during a successful school year. Some of the talking points we go over in this episode include:
- The social and emotional benefits for children who attend any schooling outside of the home before Kindergarten.
- Because of this, kids are entering Kindergarten with a higher level of skills and development than ever before.
- What Kindergarten readiness really looks like, beyond the ABCs and 123s.
- Technology is revolutionizing the way kids learn, and parents & teachers connect.
- How to effectively communicate with and build relationships with your child’s teacher.
- Ideas to show your child’s teacher how much you appreciate them.
Episode corrections from Leigh:
In California, Transitional Kindergarten (TK) started in 2012 (not 2010, as mentioned). For the 2024-2025 school year, kids who turn 5 between September 2 and June 2 are eligible for Universal TK (UTK) in California. iReady is used in 600 districts in California (not all of them).
Thank you for listening! If you enjoyed this episode, please share on Instagram and tag us! Follow, rate, and review the podcast, and tell us your key takeaways. If there are topics you would like us to discuss in a future episode, we’re all ears. Thanks for being part of our inner circle and an important part of this community. Go call your best friend!
CONNECT WITH US:
@_IsAMotherpodcast on Instagram
LINKS MENTIONED:
Calm Mama Wellness Retreats – Use “ISAMOTHER” discount code for $499 off!
Tracking Milestones is a Mother
Is A Mother
04/23/24 • 62 min
Tracking milestones can be a Mother. And as time starts to feel like it’s going by quicker and quicker, we can forget many of the things we have gone through to get to where we are. Reflecting on our milestones, as women and as parents, is a way to reminisce on the good and celebrate how we overcame challenges, big, small, and everything in between.
In episode 14 of ___ Is a Mother, we discuss parent and child milestones, reflecting on how far we and our little ones have come. And don’t get it twisted – celebrating milestones is important for everyone, not just parents! Some of the talking points we go over in this episode include:
- Reflecting on our parenting milestones and celebrating our growth as mothers.
- Trusting your instincts when it comes to developmental milestones in children.
- Comparing and contrasting our experiences with breastfeeding, sleep training, sickness, and balancing work and family.
- Finding balance between sticking to your self-made “rules” as a parent and savoring in the sweet moments while your child is still little.
Thank you for listening! If you enjoyed this episode, please take a screenshot of the episode to post in your stories and tag us! Follow, rate, and review the podcast, and tell us your key takeaways! If there are topics you would like us to discuss in a future episode, please let us know. Thanks for being part of our inner circle and an important part of this community. Go call your best friend!
CONNECT WITH US:
@_IsAMotherpodcast on Instagram
LINKS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:
Ep 3: Returning to Work After Giving Birth is a Mother
Ep 9: Labeling Kids is a Mother with Dr. Nekeshia Hammond
Securely Attached podcast episode:
Combating milestone anxiety: What to know about child development from pediatrician Dr. Jessica Hochman with Pediatrician Dr. Jessica Hochman
*while I also love the Curious Neuron podcast, this is the episode I meant to reference in the episode
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FAQ
How many episodes does Is A Mother have?
Is A Mother currently has 23 episodes available.
What topics does Is A Mother cover?
The podcast is about Society & Culture, Parenting, Kids & Family, Podcasts and Relationships.
What is the most popular episode on Is A Mother?
The episode title 'Managing Adult Friendships is a Mother' is the most popular.
What is the average episode length on Is A Mother?
The average episode length on Is A Mother is 57 minutes.
How often are episodes of Is A Mother released?
Episodes of Is A Mother are typically released every 21 days.
When was the first episode of Is A Mother?
The first episode of Is A Mother was released on Jul 24, 2023.
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