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.

Body Image is a Mother

Is A Mother

11/28/23 • 55 min

Body image is a mother! No matter what your shape or size or features, society presents unrealistic and unattainable goals for how we “should” look. These unhealthy images are compounded by external opinions, comments, and comparisons in life, at work, and on social media. In reality, feeling our best, healthiest selves has less to do with how our bodies look and more with the people we surround ourselves with and the life experiences we have.

In episode 06 of ___ Is a Mother, we discuss how our relationship with our bodies has evolved throughout the course of our lives and how we have learned to give ourselves grace and appreciate and love our whole selves.

Some of the talking points we go over in this episode include:

Update on Jamie’s double mastectomy and trying for baby #2.
Separating mental and physical perceptions of our bodies.
The relationship between weight and health (hint: it’s not linear).
Cultural differences of a healthy body image.
How health and fitness goals change as we age (strength >>> cardio over 40).
Thoughts on aging gracefully and naturally.
Uninvited commentary on what your body should look like.
Times we feel our best selves (spoiler alert: it has nothing to do with how our bodies look).
The impact social media has on us as grown adults let alone impressional young people.

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

Work with Jamie!

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

Work with Jamie!

LINKS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:

(Un)Well Documentary

Real Self-Care by Pooja Lakshmin, MD

Good Inside: Self-Care Is An Inside Job

SB CBD Sleep Gummies

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

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

Work with Jamie!

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!

Finding Your Own North Star by Martha Beck

Labeling Kids is a Mother with Dr. Nekeshia Hammond

Is A Mother

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.

CONNECT WITH DR. HAMMOND:

Website

ADHD Explained: What Every Parent Needs to Know

Instagram

OTHER RESOURCES FROM THIS EPISODE:

Fire Child Water Child

CONNECT WITH US:

@_IsAMotherpodcast on Instagram

Work with Jamie!

2023 is a Mother

Is A Mother

12/26/23 • 55 min

Since the pandemic, we, like many people, have found ourselves saying that each year is the worst to date. And DANG! We can confidently say that 2023 was the mother of all mothers. This past year has by far been the most challenging year for both of our families in many ways.

In episode 08 of ___ Is a Mother, we take time to reflect on the past year: the good, the bad, and the ugly, while finding the silver linings during even the toughest periods. Here are some teasers:

The most ridiculous and adventurous things we experienced in 2023.
Choices we wish we would have made differently.
Things we hope to leave behind as we enter the new year.
Ways we have grown and come into a deeper sense of self-awareness as women, moms, and people.
Cherished moments from the year that prove to us that even when times are hard, there is so much love, joy, and beauty too.

Thank you so much for being part of our journey and allowing us to be a part of yours. We’re excited to enter the new year with ya!

Thank you for listening! What are your 2023 reflections? If you enjoyed this episode, please share it in your stories and tag us! And/or send it directly to a friend who can relate. Please 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, 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

Work with Jamie!

LINKS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:

Rest is Resistence by Tricia Hersey

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

Work with Jamie!

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

Work with Jamie!

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.

CONNECT WITH US:

@_IsAMotherpodcast on Instagram

Work with Jamie!

LINKS MENTIONED

Ep 18: Kindergarten Readiness is a Mother with Leigh Fitzgerald

Ep 9: Labeling Kids is a Mother with Dr. Nekeshia Hammond

Ep 17: AI is a Mother with Stephanie LeBlanc-Godfrey

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.

CONNECT WITH US:

@_IsAMotherpodcast on Instagram

YouTube

Work with Jamie!

LINKS MENTIONED:

Limited Edition Maxine EMOVE Walking Shoes

BRCA Strong Nonprofit

FORCE (Facing Our Risk of Cancer Empowered)

American Cancer Society

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.

CONNECT WITH US:

@_IsAMotherpodcast on Instagram

Work with Jamie!

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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