Mom Camp: Around the Campfire (Gillian Behnke)

In this week’s episode, I am chatting with I am chatting with Erica Bazzell, all about wellness. It's not just about checking the boxes for nutrition and exercise, we talk about ALL the things that go into what wellness can mean to you, and how you can take very small, simple steps, toward living your best life. Erica shares her eight areas of focus, which initially might sound like a lot. But trust me, we dive into how these areas do not have to feel like more piled on your to-do list. Erica has some great tips for starting small, so that you can truly have wellness without overwhelm.

You can find the full show notes, including Erica's bi and contact info, at www.momcamplife.com/podcast.

Working at home while parenting AND trying to facilitate online learning is a huge juggling act. It's so new for most of us, and I don't know about you, but I basically feel like I'm failing in ALL the areas. In today's episode I chat with Tara Cooper from Dancing with Chopsticks, about her best tips on how to work from home AND school from home in this challenging time. Tara is a long-time homeschooler at the same time as working from home, and is passionate about helping moms calm the chaos and lead our kids through this challenging season. She shares their family practices that prioritize listening over telling, and opening up space for each family member.

Tara has some fabulous advice and a very reassuring outlook, and I so appreciate her coming on the show to share her gifts.

Find the full show notes here.

In this week's episode I am chatting with Dr. LaTarsha Holden, and her story is a serious inspiration. Twelve years ago, LaTarsha and her six children found themselves homeless. Fast forward to today and their life couldn't look any more removed from that place. They are all thriving - not to mention LaTarsha has a Doctorate in Leadership Studies, is the author of thirteen books, and an inspirational speaker.

She shares her story and how she taught her kids the importance of service, and how they had the power to re-write their own story. They had nothing, were living in squatters' housing, and they found ways to practice acts of service each and every day. These lessons, and how LaTarsha found the strength to move beyond her situation and decide that she wanted more, make for one of the most incredible and admirable stories I have heard. This episode is packed with inspiration and wisdom that will show you that anything is possible.

For the full show notes, LaTarsha's bio and contact info, go to www.momcamplife.com/podcast. 

In this week's episode I am chatting with Mandi Duong, owner of Blyssen Beauty. Mandi shares about how she learned the importance of self-care and self-love first through her struggle with infertility, and then again as a new mom. She lost herself in that first year of motherhood, and realized how important it was to take care of herself, which would in turn help her be the amazing mom she wanted to be. 

Mandi shares what she did to detoxify during her fertility journey, and offers a few fascinating tips to consider if you are looking to remove the toxins from your home and skincare products. 

She shares some amazing advice for moms that are struggling to take time for themselves, simple ideas and new ways to frame the idea of self-care for yourself. 

Mandi is a kindred spirit, as we share so many beliefs about self-care, specifically how important it is to prioritize yourself so that you can fill your own bucket. This episode is a great reminder and inspiration to take care of YOU. 

You can find the full show notes, Mandi's bio, and contact info at www.momcamplife.com/podcast. 

Devon Brooks in a incredible entrepreneur, a serious powerhouse, and an awesome mom of two. Not only was she the founder of Blo, the first and largest franchise chain of blow dry bars, but she has now created an entirely new venture in Sphere. We talk a lot in the interview about this new app, which is kind of like the Class Pass of personal and business coaching. In our chat we talk about how coaching can help moms in both career and life, and how connecting with different "guides," as they're called at Sphere, can be like different tools in your personal tool box. So many people enter the coaching experience for business reasons, and it becomes a journey of self development as well.

Devon and I chat about all things mom life, how we can often lose our sense of self when we become a mom, and how it's possible to change perspective on mom guilt and mom doubt. We go pretty deep and it was an open, awesome conversation.

For the full show notes and the link to a free 14-day trial of Sphere, go to www.momcamplife.com/podcast.

Allie Casazza is known as “The Life Minimalist,” and is passionate about helping moms declutter their homes and their lives. She’s a mom of four kids and has figured out rhythms and routines to make like simpler and more flexible. Her family lives a life of simplicity while still living a life of total abundance.

She shares simple ways to think about home maintenance, schedules, and routines. By attaching tasks to “anchor events,” like brushing your teeth, laundry or making coffee, you make your task list more of a habit than a chore.

You’re going to love Allie. She’s totally open, direct and personable. She’s real and honest with what works and what she struggles with. This is an awesome chat and Allie shares so much helpful advice that can be implemented in your life right now.

“What takes up our space takes up our time.” — Allie Casazza

BONUS: How awesome is this?! Allie has created a resource just for our listeners! Go to https://alliecasazza.com/momcamp to get started.

In this week’s episode, I am chatting with Liz Coalts, owner of The Anxious Adult. Liz is passionate about normalizing the conversation around mental health, and about helping smart but overwhelmed people manage their stress. She shares her own struggles with anxiety and depression, and how actually talking about those things was the way she realized that she wasn't alone. Liz shares some simple strategies that can help simplify your life and give you a new perspective on what you have on your plate.

You can find the full show notes, Liz's bio, and contact info at www.momcamplife.com/podcast.

In today's episode I am chatting with Miranda Lee, about micro moments of mindfulness and meditation. Miranda is the author of The Five Minute Meditation Journal, a certified mindful schools meditation educator, and a yoga instructor. Her passion is connecting moms to mindfulness, self compassion, and meditation - but not in the "sit cross-legged for 20 minutes with your eyes closed" way you might think of meditation. Miranda shares some awesome ways that you can bring that same concept into your daily life in micro moments, and has such a wonderful, calming energy. Enjoy!

You can find the full show notes, Miranda's bio, and contact details, at www.momcamplife.com/podcast.

In today's episode I am chatting with Lisa Michaud, a coach, speaker and powerhouse of inspiration. Lisa shares her story of a serious health scare that gave her life-changing clarity. She found her truth, got super clear on what matters most, and made huge changes to her life. She changed her city, lifestyle, and began building her business. We talk about expectations we place on ourselves and the expectations of others, how to let go of them, and how to stay true to yourself and what you know to be true.

We talk about the importance of taking time for yourself to get connected to your own truth. Doing "the work" to get clarity can feel overwhelming, but it doesn't have to be heavy or another item on your to-do list. Just a few minutes a day with your own thoughts to process things, little by little. We also get pretty passionate about the idea of taking care of yourself, and how it's the foundational step before anything else.

Lisa shares her advice for mamas that have a dream sitting on the back burner, who are waiting for "one day"... either because they are scared, or feel like they don't have capacity, or aren't super clear on what or how important that dream actually is. We talk about finding your why and getting clear on the feeling you want to experience by going after your dream. When that why and feeling are crystal clear, you can find time, even five minutes a day, to bring that into your life today. It doesn't have to be "one day" after all.

Don't wait to chase your dreams. Lisa gives us all permission to go after our dreams right now, to start small, but the important thing is to start. This episode is packed with energy and inspiration!

For the full show notes, Lisa's bio and contact info, go to www.momcamplife.com/podcast.

In today's episode I am chatting with Bethany Adkins from The Millennial Mission. We are chatting about what it means to live a life of purpose. Bethany and her husband Corey found themselves heavily in debt (over $250,000), working jobs that made them feel like zombies, and doing everything but stepping into their purpose. Bethany shares their journey of both their failures and victories along the way to eliminating their debt and getting clarity on what they were meant to do.

Bethany is passionate about helping others find a path to follow, and feel the peace that comes on the other side when you DO truly step into who it is you were created to be. She believes that nobody should have to live a life without purpose and nobody should have to figure out how to do this alone. Bethany's message is simple: you have a purpose. You just have to step into it!

You can read the full show notes at www.momcamplife.com/podcast.

In this week's episode I am chatting with my friend Cindy Ryan, the incredible woman behind Blissful Intuitive. Cindy is an intuitive coach, Reiki practitioner and a medium. She shares her story of the transformation her life has taken, from the decision to leave her marriage to embracing her true self. As a child Cindy would sense things, but as she grew older she ignored and repressed what was happening. It was only in the last few years that she truly started listening and embracing what she was experiencing. The story of how she started to hear and understand the messages she was receiving is fascinating and totally captivating.

This might be the coolest episode to date. As someone who has experienced a session with her, I can honestly says Cindy is absolutely the real deal. It was one of the most life-changing experiences of my life, and I am so excited to introduce her to you.  

For the full show notes, Cindy's bio, and contact info, go to www.momcamplife.com/podcast. 

In today’s episode I am chatting with Traci Costa, founder of PK Beans. We are chatting about playful living – and not just for kids. It’s an awesome chat about how important it is for us to keep play alive in our own lives as adults. We get so wound up in the work, the stress, the to do list, we can lose the freedom to just play. Not to mention technology, which can take over, numb us and erase our desire to let go and be playful.

True free play has no outcome, no rules, no instruction, no structure. When was the last time YOU truly played with no boundaries?

To see the full show notes, Traci's bio and contact info, go to www.momcamplife.com/podcast.

In this week's episode I am chatting with Elaine Tan Comeau, mom of three and founder of Easy Daysies. Easy Daysies is a magnetic daily visual schedule for kids, and we used them when our kids were little. They help the kids understand the tasks they need to complete, they can have some independence for setting the order, and they can move tasks from the "to do" column to the "done" columns. I've just ordered some new ones now that the kids are older, as having this type of schedule is still super helpful to keep the chaos under control during the morning and pre-dinner times. It's a game changer.

Elaine shares her story of how she went from school teacher to entrepreneur, having the Dragons on Dragons' Den fighting to make a deal with her to help build the Easy Daysies brand. She has become a sought-after expert on parenting and entrepreneurship.

Elaine is also a stroke survivor, and she shares an incredible story of how, while she was in recovery from a stroke a few years ago, her therapist actually recommended Easy Daysies to her as a way to manage her days! I am a huge fan of this product for what it's done for our family, and of Elaine and what she has built.

You can see the full show notes, read Elaine's bio and get her contact details at www.momcamplife.com/podcast.

In this week’s episode, I am chatting with Kasha Mitton and Maggie Aynsley. They are the founders of The MASH Movement, a platform that raises awareness about Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD). They inspire and mobilize their community with a focus on movement, awareness, service, and health.

Kasha’s son is living with DMD, and she helps us understand disease, where Canada stands in fighting it, and the importance of creating awareness. They explain their mission of being the voice of DMD and supporting patients and families.

Kasha and Maggie are incredible humans, and I am so honoured to be introducing them to you.

You can read the full show notes including timestamped highlights, their bio, and contact details, go to www.momcamplife.com/podcast.

In this week's episode I am chatting with Sam Darling, all about making new friends as an adult. Making friends seemed so simple as children, but as we get older and our circles shift and change, it can be hard to make new real friendships. 

Sam has moved dozens of times in her life and has become an expert at making friends and connecting with people. She shares some great tips for how to meet new people, finding your "entry point" in a group setting, and remembering names and facts about your new connections, 

As life gets busy and our village gets smaller, making and keeping those close friendships can become more of a challenge. This is an awesome episode to help break through the potential nerves and awkwardness of meeting new people, and find those magical people we can call our friends.  

You can find the full show notes for this episode, including Sam's bio and contact info, at www.momcamplife.com/podcast.

In today's episode I am chatting with Natalie Perkins, founder of Bella Ballerina. Natalie created Bella Ballerina as a result of not being able to find a suitable dance studio for her daughter, and the company is now franchised across the United States. From her beginnings with one location to a passion for empowering hundreds of other moms to create their dreams, Natalie's story is so inspiring. She is also a fantastic source of advice and systems when it comes to successfully working from home with kids!

Find the full show notes at www.momcamplife.com/podcast 

In this week’s episode, I am chatting with Gina Bell, empowerment coach, and creator of the Tears and Tulle Movement. Gina shares how a photoshoot moment with a rainbow tulle skirt empowered her in her darkest time, and she wanted to empower others in the same way. She believes that women should allow themselves to express their colour from within, in their dark moments, and not wait for the moment to be perfect.

Gina is driven by her passion for women’s empowerment and has written a book Tears and Tulle, to empower girls and women of all ages to always remember their magic and power. 

Gina even treats us to a reading of her book live on the episode! You can watch her reading, see the full show notes including timestamped highlights and Gina's bio at https://www.momcamplife.com/tearsandtulle

Enjoy!

In this episode I am chatting with Taran Conwell, host of the Undomestic Mom podcast. We've all heard the saying "it takes a village to raise a child," and today we are talking about how you can intentionally build your village. Taran is passionate about the concept of a mother's helper, she explains what this is, how to find one, and she has some great tips for when it comes time to hire someone. We also talk about asking for help, a concept that is often hard for moms to actually put into practice. Asking for help looks different for everyone, depending on the level of help you might need. This episode is all about intentionally building a village of support around you that meets your needs, and the needs of your family. 

You can find the full show notes, Taran's bio, and her contact info at www.momcamplife.com/podcast. 

Moms helping moms. Moms creating community. Moms who met on Instagram and became friends in real life. This is what today's episode is all about. This one is a bit different, because my guests were right in front of me, sitting around our coffee table. I even had a candle burning, so this is as close to "around the campfire" as we've been so far. Christina and Carolyn are sisters and the founders of The MomBabes, a community for moms to feel connected, and to gain the confidence to show up as your best self. It was such a joy to sit down and chat with these mamas that have become my friends after connecting on social media. They're awesome, they're inspiring, and you're going to love them. 

See the full show notes at www.momcamplife.com/podcast

In this week’s episode, I am chatting with Leona Carter, intimacy and relationship coach. She is mother of six, grandmother of one, and the author of nine books, including Maximize T.I.M.E: 44 Strategies to Effectively Manage Your Time from Motherhood to CEO. With six kids Leona had to become a good time manager from day one, not to mention how she became a successful coach and author. She shares some of her best scheduling strategies for how to manage a family, a business, or both. From establishing routines and using visual schedules, to taking the time to teach your kids in order to save yourself time in the long run, Leona is passionate (some might say fierce!) about time management. 

She has a contagious energy and this conversation was full of passion and fun. Enjoy!

For the full show notes including timestamped highlights, go to www.momcamplife.com/podcast. 

In this week’s episode, I am chatting with Kerstin Kirchsteiger. Kerstin is an emotional intelligence coach, family culture expert, and podcast host. She helps people reach their leadership potential through Emotional Intelligence coaching, and we chat about how the same principles she teaches individuals can have a huge impact for families. Kerstin shares how her own life wasn't matching the vision she had for her family, and how she decided to follow her heart, work through the risks, and make that vision a reality. She explains the importance of family meetings as a way to help your kids, and you as the parent, learn new emotional intelligence skills and work together towards common family goals. 

If you want to increase your own self-awareness, and learn how to bring emotional intelligence into your parenting, you don’t want to miss this episode!

You can find the full show notes including timestamped highlights, Kerstin's bio, and contact info at www.momcamplife.com/podcast. 

In today's episode I am chatting with Jessica Robles, of Stories and Films. I love when I "meet" people for the first time and immediately feel a connection. We chat about a ton of different topics - including how she became a first-time mom and caregiver to a special needs baby in the same moment, how she and her husband made a conscious effort to celebrate him every day of his five years on earth, and how she started her media company to tell stories and connect people. We chat about simple ways you can care for yourself, and what "balance" looks like in the midst of a pandemic when work and home life blend.

Jessica is a story teller by trade and by nature. She drops some serious wisdom that rocked me, right near the end of the episode, when she said "This is our one shot at this. This life, right here, right now, this is our one shot. Let's make the best of it. Let's be examples for others. Let's have stories worth telling. Let's have stories worth learning from."

Mic drop.

For the full show notes and how to connect with Jessica, go to www.momcamplife.com/podcast.

My guest today is Louise Green, founder of Big Fit Girl. Louise has made it her life’s work to change the narrative and idealistic standards of fitness culture. We talk about plus-size fitness and the barriers that exist in society, the body positivity movement, and how it’s almost always our mind that holds us back and not our bodies when it comes to fitness and physical activity. Louise shares how she helps women overcome the mental barriers of starting physical activity, including through her new Big Fit Girl app. We talk about motherhood and entrepreneurship, and how (or if) she finds balance. She is an inspiration and she is changing the conversation when it comes to fitness ideals. It’s a fascinating chat and I can’t wait for you to hear it.

Go to www.momcamplife.com/bigfitgirl for the full show notes and Louise's bio.

In this week's episode I am chatting with Dr. Piper Gibson. This conversation is FASCINATING. Piper shares how she went on a journey into the world of holistic health, that changed her family's life completely. She discovered the connections between the gut, the brain, and behaviours, specifically when it comes to tics, ADHD, Tourette's, Anxiety, SPD, and ASD. 

After going from stay-at-home mom to children's holistic health expert, Piper has been able to help many families just like hers to gain control of their child's neurodevelopmental issues using food, functional lab testing, and natural approaches.  

As a mom of a neurodiverse kiddo who has a number of tics and other behavioural stuff, this subject is HUGE.

You can find the full show notes, Piper's bio and contact details at www.momcamplife.com/podcast. 

In today’s episode I am chatting with licensed counsellor and grief healer Katie Rössler. We typically think of grief as connected to loss and death, but our chat is about the collective grief we are all feeling when it comes to the pandemic. We chat about the grieving process and how it connects to the loss we are all experiencing - the loss of our “normal.” 

This is a weird time, and it's important that we acknowledge that some of what we are feeling is actually a form of grief. Katie shares the important things you can do to take care of yourself in the process. 

To see the full show notes, Katie's bio and contact info, go to www.momcamplife.com/podcast. 

Natasha is a busy mom of three, a full-time realtor and an Enneagram-based coach. We chat about what the Enneagram is, how it works and how it can help you improve your life. She found this work after coming through a toxic work situation, where she had lost her sense of self and who she was. Through her own work to understand herself, she discovered her passion for helping other moms understand themselves and those around them.

Natasha's Bio:

I’m a busy, multi-tasking mom who discovered the Enneagram through counseling. When I learned to understand myself through the Enneagram, I felt my world opening up and I became the person I was supposed to be. That’s what I am passionate about now — Helping women become who they are supposed to be through understanding their Enneagram type.

I’m an Enneagram Type 6, the Loyal Guardian. Reliable, hardworking and well-prepared, Sixes are team players, witty, and fiercely loyal, all qualities that hold groups together and benefit the greater good. But we Sixes also come with our unique set of internal struggles! We battle uncertainty, can be hyper-vigilant and often jump to worst-case conclusions. We try our best to prevent any negative outcomes that could threaten our security and relationships.

Web: radiantlyflourish.com

IG: @radiantlyflourish

In this episode of Mom Camp: Around the Campfire, I chat with Dr. Orlena, a former paediatrician and mom-of-four. Orlena now runs a coaching program for moms, teaching them how to build up habits of healthy eating and healthy living for their families.

Orlena is passionate about helping families to live healthy lives. She has a holistic philosophy encompassing healthy eating, exercise, sleep and emotions. Orlena provides a tailored approach to each of her clients to find solutions that work for their family and their lifestyle.

In our wide-ranging chat, we cover picky eating, self-care, building habits and more. This conversation was full of awesome ideas and practical advice for you and your family. Enjoy!

You can find the full show notes, including timestamped highlights, Dr. Orlena's bio and contact details, at www.momcamplife.com/podcast. 

In today's episode I am chatting with Lisa Zawrotny from Positively Productive Systems. Lisa was a caregiver for a mom with Alzheimer’s, and had two babies during that time. She shares how sheer overwhelm...chaos and clutter...nearly took her down. But she not only found my way through, she took what she learned and began to help others. Lisa's family also went through a challenging time financially, where they had to try to sell their home, pick up and leave to live with her in-laws. They moved hours away from what they knew, with no prospects, and basically started life over. She used every skill she had (simplicity, organizing, project management, productivity, gratitude practice, positivity, etc.) to survive this massive life shift and help her children and husband do the same. Lisa shares that they didn’t just survive, but are now thriving.

Lisa now works with moms using her proprietary system, to declutter in whatever way they need - physically, emotionally, mentally, and for their schedule. She has a wonderful perspective on how you can investigate what's causing you struggles, and how you can make simple changes that work for you and your family. She has a ton of helpful tips for how to establish boundaries, how to gently say no to requests for your time and energy, how to negotiate with your kids...there are so many nuggets, this episode is a goldmine for busy mamas.

She teaches us how to Do Less, Live More and Breathe Easier.

In this week's episode I am chatting with licensed therapist and coach Onnie Michalsky, from Moms Without Capes. One of Onnie's huge passion is helping moms improve their sleep. We talk about the thoughts and worries that can start cycling through our minds the minute our heads hit the pillow at night, affecting our sleep health. Onnie shares her steps to calming those worries, explaining how we can make small changes to our days to have huge impacts to our nights, and to our overall wellness. 

Getting a good night's sleep is foundational. It increases energy, helps brain function, improves resilience, increases patience...all things we need as moms! This is an awesome chat, and an important one if you struggle with those nighttime spinning thoughts. 

For the full show notes, Onnie's bio and contact details, go to www.momcamplife.com/podcast. 

In today’s episode I am chatting with author and lecturer Amanda Watson. I seriously loved this conversation. Her book The Juggling Mother: Coming Undone in the Age of Anxiety was recently released, and it is all about the social expectation that women, particularly as they have children, must juggle an unfair share of paid and unpaid work. In Amanda’s words, “I had been researching how working moms are represented in media when I became pregnant and hit the job market. That's when the subject matter hit me on another level. I had to admit that as I wrote critically about how motherhood and work are represented across media, I felt myself secretly want to be her: the beautiful, fit, wealthy, working mom who juggles to perfection. That tension is where this book begins.”

Amanda shares her research on the representation of motherhood, specifically in the context that it relates to her personal experience. We chat about the importance of our kids seeing us take space for ourselves, to pursue our passions and do things that are about us, not just them. We talk about the "shoulds" and where the pressure comes from that mothers feel on a daily basis. Amanda's research and ongoing curiosity made for an awesome conversation with so many ah-ha moments.

This is an important conversation for ALL mothers. 

For the full show notes, Amanda's bio and contact info, got www.momcamplife.com/podcast. 

In this episode I am chatting with Ada Slivinski, founder and principal of the boutique PR firm Jam PR. As a business owner, Ada is passionate about hiring moms. She explains how she built her business as a young mom, and how she has created her business culture to make it welcoming and accessible for moms. We also talk about the super powers that moms bring to the workplace, from scheduling and prioritization, to the ability to juggle multiple projects at once. It can be challenging to return to work after a prolonged absence, and often confidence can take a hit as you begin to apply and interview. Ada shares encouraging words and inspiration to help moms reframe and reconsider all the awesomeness and value they bring. 

You can find the full show notes, Ada's bio, and contact info at www.momcamplife.com/podcast.

How do you chart a course for your own life? Today we have turn by turn directions in the palm of our hands, helping us navigate to a destination. What happens when we begin to travel over the sea? The sea presents a constantly shifting, changing, and unpredictable environment. This is like life. It doesn’t stagnate. In order to arrive safely, successfully, and swiftly we need to chart a course. We need to create an intentional plan to arrive. In today's episode, author Jess Carey shares pragmatic ideas about how we can approach the journey of life and chart a course to success and happiness.

Jessica's bio:

Jessica Carey is the author of Chart a Course - Taking a Journey With God at the Helm, which reached #1 in New Releases for Religious Studies in the first week on Amazon. She and her husband Alex have moved more than eight times across over 11,000 miles in the past decade, including a stint internationally. From acting in New York to running a business overseas, she has consistently stepped into the unknown. Navigating the transitions life presented developed into some practical tactics to continually seek God’s direction.  Jessica is currently a student at Hillsong Leadership College, pursuing a certificate of pastoral ministry. Her life is marked by building family, faith, church, and community. She lives in Phoenix with her two beautiful kids, husband Alex, Goldendoodle Pearl, and bearded dragon Percy. Her food weakness is chips and salsa.

In today's episode I chat with Katherine Wintsch, founder & CEO of The Mom Complex, and author of Slay Like a Mother. The subtitle of the book is "How to destroy what's holding you back so you can live the life you want." It's all about slaying your inner dragons, recognizing that inner monologue that often seems like it's trying to take you down. She talks about the mask we wear when we say everything is "fine," the difference between struggling and suffering, and how to avoid unrealistic expectations. We talk about her concept of the "perfect mom paradox," the comparison game, setting boundaries and being kinder to ourselves. She has incredible insight into the mom experience, the woman experience and the human experience.

In today's episode I am chatting with Jill Wright, from Grow Like a Mother. In her first few years of motherhood Jill was experiencing a lot of challenges, so she dug into a lot of personal growth work. While it helped, she discovered that most of the personal development and self-help thought leaders aren't accessible for moms - either their programs are too expensive or what they teach doesn't work for a mom raising little humans. 

Jill has now developed her own, simplified, and mom-friendly programs for goal setting and time management. She helps moms who have lost themselves in the process of parenting through the pandemic, and teaches them how to claim back their lives - their time, confidence, and joy. 

You can find the full show notes, links to Jill's programs and contact info, and her bio at www.momcamplife.com/growlikeamother. 

In today's episode I am chatting with an amazing human, my friend Jennifer Carlyle. Jenn has been part of Mom Camp since the very beginning, and leads our movement classes at all the Camp weekends. Jenn is committed to helping moms reconnect with themselves, and in this episode she is sharing about one of her favourite tools - POPs. These "pockets of peace" are a quick and easy way to check back in with yourself and grab a moment of peace when you need it. When mom life gets to be a lot and you need a quick reset, POPs are a game-changer. 

Jenn shares about her own story, and what led her to create these strategies, and what she's learned along the way. 

You can find the full show notes, Jenn's bio, and contact details at www.momcamplife.com/podcast. 

In today's episode I am chatting with Elise Knox. We are talking about the magic of parenting teens...or at least how you can make sure you take care of YOU during these years. It's just like the instructions about putting your own oxygen mask on first. Kids are going to have some very big feelings and taking care of you ensures that you are more ready to hold space for them when those feelings show up. Heck, this goes for kids at ANY age! 

Elise has some great advice to share, and it's an awesome conversation. Enjoy! 

You can find the full show notes, Elise's contact info, and bio at www.momcamplife.com/podcast. 

In this week's episode I am chatting with Naomi Tucker from Planners on Purpose. Naomi is a professional meeting and event planner and a mom, and is very familiar with high stress and long days. Even working in an industry that demands adaptability, quick response, and frequent pivoting, nothing can prepare someone for the impact of a global pandemic. Unsure of what would unfold, Naomi has navigated through the unknowns and helped companies to stay connected in a virtual setting. Added pressure that comes with being a leader in that space is the feeling like you can't stop, you can't take a break, or you will lose relevance and opportunity.

With juggling the pressures of work, momming, and virtual school, we chat about when it's okay to drop some of the balls. It's about know which balls to drop, which battles to fight. She has some fantastic advice about little adjustments we can make, shuffling things around, to ensure our families can thrive in these challenging days. It's all about doing what works for you and your family in this season, and releasing the expectations of what we think we "should" be doing and how we should be doing it.

Novelist Nora Roberts once gave some awesome advice that completely connects with today's episode: "The key to juggling is to know that some of the balls you have in the air are made of plastic & some are made of glass. And if you drop a plastic ball, it bounces, no harm done. If you drop a glass ball, it shatters, so you have to know which balls are glass and which are plastic and prioritize catching the glass ones."

To read the full show notes, Naomi's bio and contact info, go to www.momcamplife.com/podcast. 

In this episode I am chatting with Julie Cole, co-founder of Mabel's Labels. Julie recently published her book Like a Mother: Birthing Businesses, Babies and a Life Beyond Labels. As a mom of six, a successful entrepreneur, a mentor in so many things, Julie has an incredible perspective to share. Her book is a blend of personal stories, sage advice, life hacks, and humour. It's awesome.

This is a fantastic chat and Julie is one of those people you could talk to forever, about anything. We talk about her book, the pros and cons of labels (the title type of label, not the awesome physical labels Mabel's Labels make), self-care, parenting autistic kids...we cover a lot. Grab your earbuds and your beverage of choice, and join us for this great conversation.

You can find the full show notes, Julie's bio, and contact info at www.momcamplife.com/podcast. 

In today's episode I am chatting with Nellie Harden. Nellie is a family life and leadership coach, and her primary focus is helping parents of teen and tween daughters. Our chat isn't so much about the kids, but about how we as moms have the confidence to go into that next phase of parenting - the "second half of childhood" - and what that can look like. This can be a huge transition for both child and parent, and Nellie has some super helpful insight and advice to help you move through it.

You can find the full show notes including Nellie's bio and contact info at www.momcamplife.com/podcast.

Gillian is on a mission to help people redefine their relationship with their body and health – it’s about body positivity, and more specifically body appreciation and body respect. She has built a career helping people figure out what health and fitness means to them, and is passionate about helping people feel empowered in their bodies and what they can do.

Gillian shares her story of how she went from a little girl struggling with weight to discovering the athlete within. We talk about how balance is somewhat of an illusion, and how she looks at it as more of a continuum.

She has recently launched two major things into the world – the Super You Studio where she teaches her philosophy on health and fitness and offers guided at home workouts, and her book “The Elephant in the Gym: Your Body Positive Guide to Writing Your Own Health and Fitness Story.”

From unapologetic crotch sweat to building your own blanket fort for energy recovery, we cover it all.

This week I am chatting with Terry Cralle, RN. Terry is a sleep hygiene expert, and we are talking about all things sleep and sleep health. Sleep is foundational when it comes to mental and physical health. We chat about how challenging it can be for moms to get that recommended 7-9 hours a night, and Terry shares some tips for changing your perspective on how you think about sleep. 

Sleep is one of the most basic and important things you can do for yourself, and finding ways to prioritize it in your life is the epitome of self-care. 

You can find the full show notes, including Terry's bio and contact info at www.momcamplife.com/podcast.

In this episode I am chatting with writer Anneliese Lawton. We are chatting about all things motherhood, maternal mental health, and losing yourself in motherhood. Anneliese shares about her book coming out this Fall called Welcome to the Jungle: A Frantic Journey Through Motherhood and Self-discovery. It's an open, raw, honest discussion about what brought her to write the book, and we talk about some of the most challenging times in those early years of becoming a mom. This is an awesome conversation and she is doing some very cool things in the online space for moms, so definitely have a listen! 

You can find the full show notes, Anneliese's bio, and contact info at www.momcamplife.com/podcast.

In this week's episode I am chatting with mom and coach Kristina Campos. She shares her story of how she moved through the devastating break-up of her marriage, into a place where she has discovered (and embraced) who SHE is again. Kristina had lost who she was beyond wife and mother, and this major life change put her on a path of self-discovery and renewal. She learned a lot about not only who Kristina was, but also the type of mom she wanted to be. She now works with moms and families on their own journeys through parenthood, focusing on parents of those always fun stages of tween and teen, providing tips, resources, and support.

You can find the full show notes, Kristina's bio, her contact info AND a great freebie at www.momcamplife.com/podcast.

In today's episode I am chatting with Nicole Smith, founder of Flytographer. I am obsessed with this company and totally inspired by Nicole as a mom and entrepreneur for creating such an incredible service. If you don't know about Flytographer, it's kind of like AirBnB for photo shoots, anywhere you travel. She has created a massive network of photographers in 400 cities around the world, and a seamless central booking system. But it's so much more than that, and Nicole shares what she loves most about the service.

We booked Flytographer for our family trip to Maui and it was awesome (shoutout to Taena!). We came away with the best souvenirs possible, beautifully captured memories. It was easy, quick, and super fun.

Nicole and I chat about how so often moms are the ones behind the camera, and don't show up in the family photos as much as everyone else. Photos can be a legacy for your family and you need to be there too!

You can find the full show notes, Nicole's bio, and contact info at www.momcamplife.com/flytographer.

In today's episode I am chatting with Jenna Hermans, author of Chaos to Calm. Jenna has a background in psychology and human resources, with years of experience in building high functioning teams at work. She has taken this experience into establishing teamwork, efficiency, and effective communication in her home and developed a five pillar framework to help others do the same.

Jenna takes us through these five ways to find calm in the chaos of motherhood and break free from overwhelm, and explains how you can introduce them into your life through simple steps. It's about making a few small changes to create the space and energy you need, to leave your overwhelmed life behind and confidently take care of your family and yourself.

You can find the full show notes, Jenna's bio, and contact info at www.momcamplife.com/jennahermans.

Today I am speaking with Torey Linder, and her story is truly incredible. Torey experienced incredible loss at a young age, which led to her challenges with life as what she describes as a "functioning addict." Her own family didn't know. She held jobs, she got good grades, she was doing "fine"...until she wasn't. Torey shares her story openly and with courage, through her journey to sobriety, through her incarceration, and how it was ultimately her own personal strength that helped her overcome her demons. "This is not going to be my story," she repeatedly told herself. 

Torey lived with post-partum depression following the birth of her daughter two years ago, and she has made it her mission to share about it so that others can recognize the signs and don't feel alone in the experience. Her inner strength and resilience are truly inspiring. 

For the full show notes and Torey's bio, go to www.momcamplife.com/podcast.

It's been a while since I've done a solo episode, but I felt the need to do a quick check-in and talk a bit about how I am processing the year that has just closed. I share how I am looking back, and why. I usually rush right into the new year full of new intentions and big ideas, but this year I am taking more time to close out the year that's just happened before I leap into the next 12 months. 

You can find the episode page at www.momcamplife.com/podcast. Happy New Year! 

In this week's episode I am chatting with Darlynn Childress, a parent coach who specializes in creating a peaceful home. I know voices can get loud in our home, so I found this a very helpful conversation! Darlynn has a framework she uses with parents to help them feel calmer and create a more peaceful environment. It starts by thinking about the triggers that might be a) causing the behaviours from our kids, and b) causing our own responses. We also talk about how to stop the self-judgement that inevitably comes with those responses that we're not super proud of. 

If your house is full of "big emotions" like ours is, this one is a must-listen. 

You can find the full show notes, including Darlynn's and contact info, at www.momcamplife.com/podcast.

In today's episode I am chatting with Lindsay Kay, founder of 100 Days to Slay. This is a 100-day movement challenge, that encourages you to get at least 30 minutes of movement in every day for 100 days. Lindsay is passionate about movement for self-care and mental health, and shares how finding time for you and prioritizing yourself will help make you a better partner/mother/human. She is speaking my language!!

In this chat she explains all about how the challenge works and what it includes. Listen in on our conversation and then join me and sign up for 100 Days to Slay, starting January 1. I am so excited to get started!

You can find the full show notes, Lindsay's bio, and contact info at https://www.momcamplife.com/podcast. 

In this week's episode I am chatting with Mia Moran, coach and creator of The FLOW Planner. She shares about the turning point she experienced, looking at seven coffee cups from one morning and still feeling exhausted. She embarked on a process of making huge changes in her life, and within one week felt like she'd had 10 years of therapy - don't worry, we talk about what she did in that week! It led her to write an awesome book about how to feed your family in a healthy way, but eventually she realized that there was a much bigger picture to the changes she made. She then became obsessed with the idea of time and balancing the areas of food, lifestyle, spirituality, and work to help women reduce overwhelm and increase wellness. She created the 90-day FLOW (food, lifestyle, "om," and work) Planner as a resource to guide people through the process. We totally geek out on planner talk for a minute, because she is speaking my love language.

This episode is so packed with goodness, I just loved our chat. Enjoy!

For the full show notes, Mia's bio and contact information, go to https://www.momcamplife.com/podcast.

In this episode I am chatting with Breanne Felicella of Diary of a People Pleaser. Breanne is an incredible resource for helping people understand what people pleasing looks and feels like, how it can show up in your life, and where it might come from. We talk a lot about how you can start to overcome this behaviour, and how to start setting healthy boundaries in your life - even when it seems hard or scary. Breanne offers insights into navigating the difficult conversations, emphasizing the need for self-reflection and understanding the roots of people-pleasing. This episode is a big one, and I know it will resonate for and help a lot of people.

You can find the full show notes, Breanne's bio, and contact details at www.momcamplife.com/podcast. Enjoy!

In today’s episode I chat with Bre Reid, a mom life coach and founder of Yes You Can, Mama. Bre shares her story of her daughter’s birth at 28 weeks, the 12 weeks of NICU care, and her resulting PPD and PTSD. We talk about the lack of mental health support that is offered and available to new moms, and especially new moms of preemies. You get launched into the world of motherhood with no real training, no experience, ALL the hormones and NONE of the sleep. It’s as though the system is set up to create postpartum challenges, especially in countries with limited maternity leave. Bre’s daughter wasn’t even home from the NICU when she had to return to work. Bre has become passionate about spreading awareness about maternal mental health and the importance of finding the joy in motherhood. We talk about how moms get caught up in the “shoulds,” which can lead to the cycle of overwhelm and exhaustion. She now works with moms to help them push through those shoulds and create a life they love.

For the full show notes, and Bre's bio and contacts, go to www.momcamplife.com/podcast. 

In this week's episode I am chatting with Amanda Laramee, occupational therapist and health coach. We are talking all about how it is important to make space for joy, but to also make space for the struggle. Checking our expectations about how we "should" be feeling, and making space for the hard times. It is okay to feel the feelings, and to move through them as opposed to around them. It can be so hard as we often feel shame, pressure to handle all the things, to be that super mom. Amanda shares her perspective on how we can learn to sit with the feelings we're having, and move to understanding of why we're even feeling those things.

Amanda is also super passionate about listening to our bodies, managing our time and energy while paying attention to our hormones, understanding the ebbs and flows of energy during our monthly cycle.

Amanda's energy is just lovely and what she shares is fascinating, comforting, and empowering. Enjoy!

You can find the full show notes, Amanda's bio and contact info at www.momcamplife.com/podcast. 

In this episode I am chatting with registered clinical counsellor and professor of psychology Natasha Ghosh. Our chat is all about demystifying therapy and how to find the right therapist for you. Natasha compares the process to bra shopping, and has some really helpful tips about how you can ensure you find the right "fit." What to look for, things to think about, and questions you can ask in the first consultation. 

Natasha is so amazing, and she really helps to make the whole process very accessible, and gives you tools to take away the overwhelm of finding the person who can best support you. It's an awesome conversation, and we had a lot of fun chatting about this important topic. 

You can find the full show notes with Natasha's bio and contact info at www.momcamplife.com/podcast.  

I today's episode I am chatting with parenting specialist Rachel Bailey. Rachel has a podcast called Your Parenting Long Game, and she works with families with kids who have big feelings and big emotions. Every household and family looks different, and Rachel supports parents through various challenging situations that  can come up at home. Our chat focuses on how parents can reduce the emotional burden that comes with managing these often very stressful times. This one definitely hits home for me, and I know it will resonate for a lot of people. 

You can find the full show notes, including Rachel's bio and contact info, at www.momcamplife.com/podcast. 

In this episode I am chatting with Jennifer Kolbuc and Kate Le Souef, co-hosts of the podcast Get Outside with Kids. As their show name implies, they are very passionate about sharing tips and tricks on how to get outside with your kids - in any mood, in any weather, whenever you can. They chat about the science behind outside time, the benefits of making it a priority, and how it has impacted their own lives. My favourite part is that they also share the funny fails they've experienced while trying to spend time with their kids outside. It's all about real life and how you can make it part of your routine, even on those days where it feels impossible. (Spoiler alert: sometimes those are they days where outside time can make the biggest difference.)

You can find the full show notes, their bio, and contact details at www.momcamplife.com/podcast. Enjoy!

In today's episode I am chatting with Erin Treloar, founder of Raw Beauty Co, a platform that celebrates real women and their real stories that is dedicated to helping women live from a place of self love. We talk about a LOT. From body acceptance to nutrition and relationship with food, to loss of identity as a mom to filling your bucket...it's all in there and it's awesome.

Erin shares how magazine culture affected her perception her body, how it ultimately led her to hospitalization for her eating disorder, and eventually her road to recovery. We chat about how body shape and appearance do not equate to value, but how women so often still look for ways to control their bodies through food. She shares how she coaches women to identify their relationship with food, to look at food as an experience and not as a way to satisfy deeper emotional cravings.

We chat about the many and varied coping mechanisms we are all using during COVID-19, and how there is no "right" way to do it. From beauty regimes and workouts to colour-coded school charts and all the screen time, everyone is handling things different, and that's okay. As long as we are taking time to fill our buckets and do what we need to do to make sure we are okay.

That same lesson goes for ANY day in life, global pandemic or not. Whether you stay at home with your kids, work from home, or go to work every single day, everyone's journey and choices are different. We talk about the loss of identity that moms can experience, and how we can work to reconnect with ourselves and as for what we need. To stop waiting for permission to do the things that light us up. To ask for the space and support you need.

I loved this chat so much, and there are SO many incredible nuggets of wisdom. Enjoy.

For the full show notes, Erin's bio and ways to connect, go to www.momcamplife.com/podcast. 

What do you do when you realize you are living your life out of alignment? Today I am chatting with Christina Mattison, a military veteran and mom who left her corporate job and dreams of climbing the career ladder for the entrepreneur life as a yoga instructor. She realized that what she had thought for years was her "dream" was actually causing her depression and severe anxiety. Christina is now committed to spending more time with her family, and to helping and healing people through yoga. She now runs her own yoga studio and is passionate about bringing yoga and self-care to professional moms, so that they don't reach the same depths that she did. 

For the full show notes and access to Christina's free Facebook community, go to www.momcamplife.com/podcast.

In this week's episode I am chatting with Sara Olsher of Mighty and Bright. Sara has made it her mission to help families, and specifically children, work through hard seasons. First through her divorce and then through a cancer diagnosis, Sara developed the tools to help her daughter navigate the uncertainty, anxiety, and fear that come with those stressful times. This led to the creation of Mighty and Bright, where families can access books, tools and resources to help other families. 

Sara's drive to make things easier for families is incredible, and I loved her perspective on how best we can support our kids during hard seasons. 

You can see the full show notes, Sara's bio and contact info at https://www.momcamplife.com/podcast. 

In this episode of the Mom Camp: Around the Campfire podcast, I am speaking with Olga Roberts from Collage Beauty about the importance of self-care and the even deeper concept of self-nurturing. Olga shares her entrepreneurial journey from being a flight attendant through to co-founding a skincare line that emphasizes holistic health and wellness. Every step of the way, wellness and sustainability became more of a focus for Olga, and her brand now fully embodies these values. 

During our conversation Olga shares the significance of self-check-ins and rituals as part of her daily routine. We explore what "pro-aging" looks like, as the Collage brand actively celebrates this concept, empowering people to feel their best, inside and out, at every age. 

You can find the full show notes including timestamps, key takeaways, and Olga's bio and contact info at www.momcamplife.com/podcast.

In this week's episode I am chatting with Bevin Farrand. A year and a half ago, Bevin unexpectedly lost her husband, just days after they returned from a whirlwind trip to France. Bevin had been laid off months before and they had gone back and forth for months on whether or not to take the trip. Now, that trip offers some of her best memories. It prompted her to start the "Take the Damn Trip" community, where she inspires others to take the trip, start the business, DO THE THING that they are dreaming about.

We also go on an awesome tangent about why we feel the need to ask for permission from others when thinking about starting something new or going after a dream, and the best ways to ask for support instead of permission.

This is a very inspiring conversation and it will have you thinking about the "take the damn ______" opportunities in your life. You are going to love Bevin.

You can find the full show notes and Bevin's bio and contact info at www.momcamplife.com/podcast. 

In this week’s episode, I am chatting with self-love, self-confidence and empowerment coach Christine Osoria.

Christine was a guest presenter inside the IGNITE community and led a great conversation for our members. In this episode we talk about how often moms can lose a sense of themselves, and their self-confidence. Christine shares her story of how her own confidence and sense of self hit rock bottom, and what she has done to intentionally build herself back up.

This is a great chat, full of tips and habits you can implement to build up your own self-love and self-confidence. Enjoy!

For the full show notes, Christine's bio, and contact info, go to www.momcamplife.com/podcast. 

In this week's episode I am chatting with Tamara Komuniecki, a self-described serial entrepreneur and founder of the "Strong as a mother" movement. She is also the owner of Delish General Store + Jar Bar Refillery, one of my favourite local stop for all kinds of amazing home goodies.

Tamara shares her story of how she created the SAAM brand and movement. She also shares the difficult things that happened to her in her past that, combined with becoming a mom herself, have led her to become the mother that she truly needed. Learning to be a mom while also learning to be a mother to yourself is a powerful and challenging journey, and this is an incredible conversation full of inspiration and empowering moments.

Tamara is a total inspiration as an entrepreneur, as a mom, as a human. She shares so much insight as she takes the challenges of her past and transforms them into learning she can share with others. She is absolutely the embodiment of the "strong as a mother" movement.

You can find the full show notes, Tamara's bio, and her contact info, at www.momcamplife.com/podcast. 

Cate is a transformational life coach, and presenter in Dr. Brené Brown's work The Daring Way™.

In this episode we dive into her work helping moms overcome the need for perfectionism as armour, and how to avoid the comparison trap. So often we get stuck in the scroll hole of Instagram perfection, feeling "less than," and Cate shares how she helps women get over the pressure - from becoming aware of these feelings to identifying your own personal values, to building self compassion and empathy and being kind to yourself.

Cate works with moms on getting over the belief that connects productivity and "busy" as a measure of self worth. "Busy" is so often a badge of honour or status symbol for moms. We talk about how the messages we receive in our culture are perpetuating this belief, and how we can get over this and learn to take the time we need for ourselves.

In this week's episode I am chatting with emotional healer and spiritual growth coach Kailey Veenstra. This is an empowering, enlightening, inspiring, motivation conversation. In other words, it's a BIG one. Kailey is a recovering perfectionist and people pleaser, and she shares about the work she did to overcome these tendencies that weren't serving her. It's all about getting connected to your higher self. She has a gift for explaining things super clearly, making them very easy to understand - although you may want to listen a couple of times to fully digest all the goodness!

You can find the video version, the full show notes, and Kailey's bio and contact info at www.momcamplife.com/podcast. 

In this episode of the Around the Campfire podcast, Aeryon Ashlie shares her inspiring journey from struggling with personal health issues to becoming the CEO and founder of Aeryon Wellness.

She discusses her holistic approach to wellness, emphasizing the importance of mindset, self-care, and empowering women through health education. Aeryon also highlights her innovative product line designed specifically for women's health, including the story behind her popular product 'Up and Away.' (Any guesses what it's for?😉)

In this awesome chat, Aeryon shares her entrepreneurial journey, highlighting the inspiration behind her wellness brand, and the importance of mentorship and ownership in business. She discusses innovative strategies that she has developed, including the QR codes she uses in her products to enhance the customer experience through additional information and resources.

Aeryon shares her best lessons learned in motherhood, advocating for honesty, compassion and understanding in parenting.

I loved this conversation, and feel like I could have chatted with Aeryon forever. She shares so much incredible information that is SO helpful for women in their 40's and beyond. It's all about making sure that we can absolutely rock the next half of our lives by taking simple actions to increase strength, energy, resilience, brain function...who doesn't want MORE of that these days?!

Go to www.momcamplife.com/podcast to see the full show notes and Aeryon's bio and contact info.

Lisa Druxman is a an author, a podcaster, a speaker, a mom, a wife…oh, and founder of a little fitness empire called FIT4MOM. This episode contains SO much incredible wisdom and advice. We talk about how she got started as an entrepreneur, how she managed (or didn’t) as a mama in the early years of building her business, and how she discovered what it means to be an Empowered Mama.

In today's episode I am chatting with coach, podcaster and success strategist LaWann Moses about the big topic of mom guilt (insert ominous bom-bom-bommmmmm music). We talk about how LaWann defines mom guilt, and her answer is surprising! We get into the topic of the unrealistic expectations we place on ourselves as moms, and where that feeling of "should" comes from. (Sidebar: Why did June Cleaver and Mrs. Brady ever become the epitome of the "perfect mom?")

LaWann is the host of the More than a Mother Podcast, and she helps moms to remember what they truly love and enjoy, the things that bring them happiness outside of their families. She believes it is possible to have a great career pursuing your dreams AND be a great mom at the same time. We talk about how it is okay to be a little selfish, to pursue our dreams and to put ourselves back on our own priority lists.

As moms we can be so hard on ourselves, choosing to set aside our dreams and put ourselves on hold in favour of taking care of everyone else around us. LaWann has a ton of fantastic advice for how to shift your mindset about this, and going after your own dreams and being fulfilling outside motherhood can ultimately make you an even better mom.

For the full show notes, and LaWann's bio and contact details, go to www.momcamplife.com/podcast. 

In this episode I am chatting with Lisa Westhorpe, owner of Nurture Occupational Therapy. We talk about what occupational therapy is, and how it can help a wide variety of challenges. She shares how she helps moms to "parent pain-free" - managing and overcoming the aches and pains that new moms experience when moving their bodies in ways they haven't before, and how she provides support for new moms as they adjust to the new physical demands that come along with first-time motherhood. We also talk about how our bodies change in ways we might be fully aware of. So often moms try to jump back into exercise at the six week mark post-childbirth, but Lisa talks about how it's important to consider how your body has shifted and what might have been easy pre-pregnancy is not always the best thing for you. Just think about jumping rope pre and post-childbirth as an example!

Lisa shares the idea of "matrescence," the transition from pre-parent to parenthood. We talk a lot in society about adolescence - a time of huge change, growth, fluctuating hormones, etc - for kids as they grow up. Matrescence is the same thing, but it's rarely acknowledged or understood. It's like we're expected to just jump into motherhood and just "get used to it," but when you liken it to the drastic shifts of adolescence it really paints the picture of the challenges we face in that first year of motherhood. So much focus is put into the birth plan, but rarely do we look forward to a postpartum plan for what support we might need in place in those sleep-deprived months. This is one of the things that Lisa works on with her clients, ensuring that new moms have the support they need in those first few months of adjustment and recovery.

I always say that while it takes a village to raise a child, it also takes a village to raise a mom. This was a fascinating chat about motherhood and how we often negate or downplay the major changes that occur when we become moms - physical, emotional and mental. It needs to be acknowledged just how massive this transition is, and just how much we all need our village.

For the full show notes and Lisa's bio and contact details, go to www.momcamplife.com/podcast.

In today's episode we talk about how you can become best friends with your vagina. Sofia spent a year "at war with her vagina" and most of her 20s in search of the grand orgasm. When she finally started to put together the pieces she realized that her dissatisfaction in the bedroom was linked to the dissatisfaction at work and in her life in general. Ever since then Sofia has been on a mission to deeply to connect to her pleasure and her sexuality for better orgasms and to better connect with her sense of self. She now helps clients do the same with her appropriately named business, The Happy Vagina Project.

Sofia had a baby almost two years ago and that came with a whole new set of changes to her identity and sexuality. We talk about the challenges moms can have making time for sex, and she shares her perspective on how it can work. We talk about the small moments, and how micro intimacy - flirting, emotional connection and mindfulness - all can contribute to a better life and sex life.

This is a good one, and such an important topic that we often don't talk about. Enjoy!

For the full show notes and Sofia's bio, go to www.momcamplife.com/podcast 

In today's episode I am chatting with Dr. Ally Power, Naturopathic doctor and motherhood coach. We are talking about how motherhood doesn't have to equal fatigue and low energy, or forgetting about you as a human. It's about finding ways to to make time for yourself, set boundaries, and prioritize your health. It's not just about health care or medicine, it's also about behavioural changes you can make to go with the health care changes. Ally is an expert in this area and has a lot of great info to share. This is a very informative and helpful conversation for moms at any stage.

You can find the full show notes, Ally's bio and contact info at www.momcamplife.com/podcast.

Over 375,000 Canadian women take maternity leave every year. A recent survey showed less than 1% reported feeling confident returning to work. Further data shows salaries for mothers are on average 12% lower compared to non-mothers. WHAT?! 

Yup, true story. And there is no shortage of data, reports, and discussions on the power gap and penalties put upon working mothers. That has only been heightened during the pandemic, and until now there has been no significant action. 

Enter Jen Murtagh and Sonja Baikogli-Foley, founders of Maturn Canada. Their own lived maternity and career experiences led to the creation of this national program and a huge passion to address the inequality and lack of guidance women experience when taking maternity leave. 

Maturn’s comprehensive program is the first to provide support and tools to working mothers, as well as organizations, to help them successfully navigate the maternity process without enduring systemic penalties or sacrificing career goals. Their aim is to modernize the way women take maternity leave and eliminate the "motherhood penalty" so many women experience.

This is an awesome conversation about how Maturn is committed to turning the motherhood penalty into the motherhood opportunity. 

You can find the full show notes, Jen and Sonja's bios, and Maturn's contact details at www.momcamplife.com/maturn.

Having a mom friend you can really talk honestly with about when things are tough is so important. In today's episode I chat with life and business coach Lindsey Lewis, and I can absolutely say I have found that type of friend in Lindsey. We dug into the trials of early motherhood, the uncertainty and the overwhelm. Lindsey shares how she hit rock bottom and slowly set a path in motion for making her own self-care a priority through thoughtful, intentional steps and a willingness to ask for help. There are lots of laughs and a boatload of honesty. I hope you enjoy this chat as much as I did. 

For the full show notes and Lindsey's bio, go to www.momcamplife.com/podcast. 

In this week’s episode, I am chatting with mom and daughter Lynn Hughan and Carsen Gray. Lynn and Carsen are a mother-daughter duo who were inspired by their life experiences on Haida Gwaii to write a children’s book, Twelve Months of Fun on Haida Gwaii with Mattie and Jojo. The book is based on the lives of Carsen's children, and is filled with the familiar activities and beloved people on Haida Gwaii. They have also incorporated the Haida language into the story, something they are passionate about continuing to learn.

Lynn and Carsen share their experiences growing up and raising kids on Haida Gwaii, and the differences between that environment and city life. Even with those differences, we find so many common experiences in motherhood. We chat about how important it is to find self-care in the small moments, to find joy in the things we pursue.

It was so great to connect with these two mamas, and our conversation was a perfect example of how we are all connected by this motherhood journey, no matter where we call home. 

You can read the full show notes including timestamped highlights, Lynn and Carsen's bios, and contact info at www.momcamplife.com/podcast.  

In this week's episode I am chatting with Larkin MacKenize-Ast, mom of two and chair of the Business Women's Network for Coast Capital Savings. This year Coast Capital is launching the "Keep her on the map" campaign, to shed light on the disproportionate impacts the pandemic has had on women.

Did you know that at the start of the pandemic, women aged 25 to 54 lost more jobs than men and lost six times more work hours each week to family responsibilities? Women, and especially mothers, have really taken the brunt when it comes to the impacts of the pandemic. Lost businesses, lost opportunities, lost hours, lost income. These impacts could set women back half a decade, undoing so much of the work that has been done in the space of gender equity.

But, more than just shedding light, the campaign strives to rally support for female-led businesses and provide resources for all women who have felt the impact of COVID-19. The campaign and its website feature some awesome women-led businesses, and resources for business owners, entrepreneurs, and job seekers.

It's an awesome chat about an important subject, and I'm proud to be partnering with Coast Capital Savings to raise awareness.

For the full show notes, a video about the campaign, Larkin's bio, and more, go to www.momcamplife.com/podcast.

In today's episode I am chatting with Registered Dietitian Jenn Messina about body positive parenting. We chat about what the term "body positive parenting" actually means, and how you can bring it into your home even if you're still working on your own body positivity. Jenn shares that it starts with how we speak to ourselves and the type of language we use. We also talk about intuitive eating actually means and how to support a diet-free home.

There have been a lots of great moves toward body positivity in the media and especially on social media, but still, the media is full of messages and images of a body image that is not necessarily attainable or even reasonable…Jenn shares how we can help our kids build resilience against these messages, and to create their own filters when they see them.

Jenn is awesome and really highlights the importance of body positive parenting and a diet-free home. It was a fascinating chat, and it definitely made me even more conscious of the words we use at home!

To see the full show notes, Jenn's bio and how to connect with her, go to www.momcamplife.com/podcast.

In today's episode of the Mom Camp: Around the Campfire podcast, I am chatting with Ginny Lam, co-founder of Kidtropolis. Ginny shares her experiences growing up in an immigrant Chinese Canadian family, and the impact of the traditional gender roles her mother enforced.

You will hear about Ginny's ongoing legal case, as she fights against gender bias in inheritance rights. Her story is incredibly powerful and inspiring as she works to change cultural gender bias against women. It's a long, complicated, and heavy journey to take on, but Ginny is passionate about creating lasting change for her family and future generations.

Her courage both sets an example and builds a legacy, and I am so grateful to her for sharing her story.

You can find the full show notes, Ginny's bio, and contact details at www.momcamplife.com/podcast.

In this week's episode I am chatting with Kerry Cavers, founder of Moms Against Racism Canada. This is a huge conversation. In fact, I think I say the word huge about 60 times during the course of our talk. Kerry started Moms Against Racism in the wake of the George Floyd murder, and she shares how one small act of creating a Facebook group to help inform friends ballooned into the incredible, and growing, organization it is just two years later. We chat about a bunch of different topics under the umbrella of racism, including what exactly is meant by the term white supremacy, and how under-recognized the systemic nature of racism can be.

Kerry helps shed light on some of the misconceptions, and also on areas of our lives that we might not even realize have come from a white supremacy structure. Things as simple as our basic vocabulary, and terms that have their roots in racism.

Kerry shares how we can start dismantling any unconscious or subconscious racists beliefs we may have, and how we can start being actively antiracist. She teaches this work in an incredibly compassionate and open way, and understands that not everyone is starting from the same place. I know I am still learning, and it's definitely an ever-evolving journey. The important thing is to start.

This is such an important conversation.

You can find the full show notes, Kerry's bio, and her contact info at www.momcamplife.com/momsagainstracism. 

In today’s episode I am chatting with Naty Howard. We're talking about rituals, and how they can help you belong to yourself and feel good in your own body again. Naty shares her story of how after a LOT of research and testing, she discovered that she had heavy metal toxicity in her body. She tells how she took control of her own personal healing journey and made important changes in her life to realize wellness. This started with rituals. Rituals can be the support system that lifts you up and gives you a solid foundation of wellness. She shares the key rituals she recommends for her clients as they begin their own healing journeys. They include meditation or breath practice, the healing power of nutrition, and a practice of connecting inward and introspection.

Naty is passionate about helping people ultimately become their own healers and reconnect with their purpose, and she recently published her book Your Mighty Inner Healer to help people do just that. Her energy is incredibly calming and energizing at the same time - have a listen, you'll understand what I mean.

To see the full show notes, Naty's bio and her contact info, go to www.momcamplife.com/podcast. 

In today's episode I am chatting with coach Christelle Pillot, founder of the Freedom Catcher Academy. Christelle's specialty is working with moms to recapture their freedom and remember who they are, alongside being a mother. She helps women navigate career changes, life changes, and find ways to reconnect to what brings them joy and ignites their passion. I love the work she is doing, and she really inspires brave conversations. This is a great chat and Christelle will definitely give you a lot to think about. 

You can find the full show notes, Christelle's bio, all her contact info, and a link to her free program at https://www.momcamplife.com/christellepillot. 

In this week’s episode I am chatting with Adrienne Barton from The Art of Blended Chaos. We are talking about all things step families, or blended families. Adrienne shares her story of becoming a blended family and the challenges she encountered, as well as the things she has learned along the way. She has incredible perspective about navigating transitions and establishing new traditions, as well as great advice about making them as seamless as possible. It’s a great conversation about circumstances that can come with a lot of potential challenges, and how to navigate them and build positive, productive relationships along the way. To see the full show notes, Adrienne's bio, and her contact info, go to www.momcamplife.com/podcast. 

In this week's episode I am chatting with Roxanne Merket, a life and business coach for moms. Her specialty is working with moms who have lost themselves a bit, they've forgotten who they are other than "mom." Our chat is all about how mom life and entrepreneur life can intersect and work together in a balanced, positive and productive way. This is an awesome episode if you are running a business, a side hustle, or if you're thinking about starting something new. Roxanne's energy is contagious, she is hilarious and this conversation was just a blast. Enjoy!

For the full show notes, Roxanne's bio, and her contact info, visit www.momcamplife.com/podcast. 

In this week’s episode, I am chatting with Heather Chauvin. She’s the host of the Mom is in Control podcast, a mom of 3 boys, a parenting and business coach, and the author of Dying to Be a Good Mother. Heather spent her early years in motherhood trying to measure up to expectations of what she thought it meant to be a “good mother.” Complete self-sacrifice, endless hustle, ignoring the warning signs, it was only after being diagnosed with stage 4 cancer that everything shifted. She left behind the numbing behaviours and constant pressure, and truly started to embrace and live her life.

Heather shares why you need to stop striving to be busy and using busy as a measure of your worth and instead focus on what makes you feel good as a woman and a mom. She believes that parenting is a relationship between the parent and the child and that you don’t need to strive to be perfect.

This is an awesome conversation. Heather brings so much insight and wisdom, this episode will definitely inspire and motive you. Enjoy!

You can find the full show notes including timestamped highlights, Heather's bio, and contact info at www.momcamplife.com/heatherchauvin. 

In this week’s episode, I am chatting with Dr. Whitney Casares. She’s a private-practice pediatrician, an American Academy of Pediatrics published author, and a mom to two young girls. Whitney wrote her book The Working Mom Blueprint after experiencing earlier struggles of being a working mom and witnessing the same in moms in her circle and in her practice.

Dr. Whitney explains how societal burdens and the messaging around what it means to be a “successful mom” leads to guilt, especially for working moms. She believes that you can only show up as the best version of yourself to your kids when you give and care for yourself first.

Working mom or SAHM, this is an excellent conversation and Dr. Whitney has SO much wisdom to share. Enjoy!

For the full show notes including timestamped highlights, Whitney's bio and contact info, go to www.momcamplife.com/podcast.

In this week's episode I am chatting with Nicole Seawell, a life strategist. It was such a fascinating conversation, and she explains how she helps her clients actually develop a strategic plan for their life. She uses the Enneagram and a method called the Science of Timing, which is a very cool concept that identifies your personal timing for when each of your strengths are at their best. She then customizes and curates a plan for each individual, using all the data she gathers using these tools. It's all about setting yourself on a path towards your own best life. It's a totally inspiring conversation and I left our chat totally fired up. Enjoy!

For the full show notes, Nicole's bio, and her contact info, got to www.momcamplife.com/podcast.

In this week’s episode, I am chatting with Lori Beth Auldridge, a work-at-home mama of 3, wife, homeschooler, business owner, and the host of Elevating Motherhood podcast. Lori Beth lives a life of design on the island of Maui with her husband and three soon-to-be-four children. She shares in detail the five red flags that define toxic motherhood messaging, and how we can tweak our mindsets to improve our lives.

Lori Beth believes that motherhood is about making the best decision about what works for you and your family in each season, without following the ‘shoulds’. If you want to reframe how you think about motherhood and eliminate negative labels, and release the expectations, this is an episode you don’t want to miss!

For the full show notes including timestamped highlights, Lori Beth's bio, and contact details, go to www.momcamplife.com/podcast.

In this week's episode I am chatting with Katie Connolly, owner of Glowithin. Katie shares all about her work in craniosacral + somatoemotional release healing, explaining what it is, how it can benefit moms, how she works with her clients. She works with parents educators, and kids, helping them to balance their nervous systems. We talk about how to notice within yourself when your nervous system is out of balance, and how to recognize your own patterns. 

This is a fascinating chat. Katie has a gift for explaining the connections between emotions and our physical bodies, and offers different ways we can release the tensions we might be feeling. These tools are invaluable as a busy mom facing all the challenges that come with #momlife. 

You can find the full show notes, Katie's bio, and contact info at www.momcamplife.com/podcast. 

In this episode I am chatting with Certified Professional Coach Ashley Kim about the subject of rage. Ashley works primarily with moms, helping them to address rage and reframing the emotion and associated guilt into something more aspirational - a call to adventure. Ashley explains what she means by that phrase, and how you can use those moments of rage as signals to teach you about your innermost thoughts. It's a great chat and definitely offers a lot to think about! 

You can find the full show notes, Ashley's bio, and contact info at www.momcamplife.com/podcast. 

In this episode, I am chatting with Bella and Alex, hosts of the Let's Not Sugarcoat It podcast. They share how they met, the evolution of their podcast, and their passion for having raw, unfiltered conversations.

Our conversation covers a variety of topics that are central to the motherhood experience, and the importance of vulnerability, and authenticity. Bella and Alex share their own experiences and lessons learned as moms, and emphasize the need for moms to give themselves grace and support each other without judgment. PREACH!

You can find the full show notes, and their bios and contact details at www.momcamplife.com/podcast.

How are mealtimes in your house? For so many families mealtime can be a major source of stress, whether it's the act of cooking (this one's mine) or the struggle to get kids to eat what's being served. So many parents feel that this is just a "normal" part of motherhood. In today's episode I chat with Ahuva Magder, a registered dietitian who works with parents to change their mindset around what's possible for their mealtime. She works with them to create successful mealtimes, so that they can go back to enjoying their day with their family. The feeling of not being a "good mom" is universal and mealtime is just one place that pressure on mothers plays out. I'm sure this episode will resonate with you, whether you are dealing with cooking anxiety, picky eaters, or other stresses that manifest during mealtime.

See the full show notes, Ahuva's bio and a link to her free Facebook community at www.momcamplife.com/podcast. 

In this week's episode I am chatting with Christine Pittman of COOKtheSTORY. We are chatting about meal planning and meal prep, and as the author of over 40 cookbooks, she is definitely an expert in these areas. Christine started blogging recipes and cooking tips over 10 years ago, and she has a gift for simplifying instructions and making awesome dishes totally manageable. As a less-than-confident cook, I am ALL about simple and manageable. We chat about how to make meal planning work for your family, and I get her insights into which counter-top cooking appliance is her favourite - Instapot, Air Fryer, or slow cooker. I can honestly say, she inspired me to cook more often. And that is saying a LOT, lol. Enjoy!

You can find the full show notes, Christine's bio, and her contact info at www.momcaplife.com/podcast. 

In this week's episode I am chatting with therapist Allison Lieberman. Her specialty is postpartum mental health, and the focus of our chat is postpartum anxiety. PPA is seriously under-diagnosed - Allie does an awesome job of explaining why this is, and explaining the symptoms that come along with this condition. She shares her story of what led her to specialize in this area, and her own experience with postpartum anxiety. We also get into the subject of intrusive thoughts, which I feel needs to be spoken about more, as they're one of those things that can make you feel isolated and like there is something "wrong."

Allie is an incredible source of knowledge and support, helping to clarify that postpartum anxiety is normal, very common, and what you can do if you recognize some of these symptoms in yourself. This is an important conversation, and the more attention we can bring to this subject, the more support moms will be able to access.

You can find the full show notes, Allie's bio, and contact details at www.momcamplife.com/podcast. 

In this week's episode I am chatting with Dr. Lynyetta Willis. Straight up - this is a powerful episode. It is all about breaking the patterns we have learned since childhood, and identifying the triggers that can set us off. 

Lynyetta has developed the term "stable misery," that place where we can stay in less-than-awesome (or even unhappy) circumstances because they are familiar and feel "stable." These patterns are hard-wired in our brains (yay, it's not our fault!), and Lynyetta shares how we can in fact transform your triggers. 

She also shares a powerful and painful experience from her 20s that led her to dive into this work, and how she took action to change the patterns she was caught in. She became passionate about changing the legacy she wanted to leave. 

Lynyetta shares tangible, actionable steps and tools we can use immediately in our parenting. She is awesome. Her way of explaining what we're feeling, and how to get unstuck, is inspiring and motivating, without getting trapped in the struggles. It sounds like a heavy topic, but this episode is totally uplifting and joyful. 

There is so much goodness in this episode. So many lessons. So many ah-ha moments. 

For the full show notes, Lynyetta's bio and her contact info, go to www.momcamplife.com/podcasts. 

In today's episode I am chatting with Kate Bouchard, founder of Loba. Loba is an incredible pill and supplement organizer that not only organizes your pills in a beautiful container, but also turns what can feel like clutter and an obligation into a special ritual as part of your self-care practice. Kate shares the story of how her own journey through hormonal health challenges led to the development and creation of the Loba. We talk about Kate's entrepreneur journey and her passion for helping busy women simplify their routines. It's all about making habits simple, easy to remember, and more of a ritual that you look forward to than a hassle that you're likely to put off or skip all together.

Side note: Since the recording of this episode I now have a Loba, and it is amazing. It really has transformed this habit for me, and between my phone reminders and my kids saying "Mom, your box is glowing, time to take your pills!", it is definitely keeps me on track!

You can find the full show notes, Kate's bio, and contact info at www.momcamplife.com/loba.

In today's episode, I am chatting with Heather Odendaal, founder and CEO of WNorth, a conference and membership community for working women. Heather shares the origins of WNorth, and how the organization serves working women.

Heather shares the challenges and experiences she has faced as a working mom and entrepreneur, and emphasizes the importance of creating a safe space for women in business. She is passionate about the power of community in supporting and inspiring each other.

If you haven't connected with WNorth yet, it is a very cool organization and community for any woman in business.

You can find all the show notes, plus Heather's bio and contact details, at www.momcamplife.com/podcast.

Welcome to the very first episode of the Around the Campfire podcast! In this episode Gillian introduces herself, Mom Camp, and what this podcast is all about. Get comfy and enjoy the origin story of Around the Campfire. 

In today's episode I am chatting with Jamie Watkins. Often called the “Happiness Coach,” Jamie is the founder of My Peace of Happy, coach, author, keynote speaker, and mental wellness advocate. In our conversation she shares her inspiring story of what she has come through to live a life focused on creating happiness.

Jamie is truly incredible and just such a joy, with so much awesomeness to share. You're going to love her!

You can find the full show notes, Jamie's contact info, and her bio at www.momcamplife.com/podcast.

In this week's episode I am chatting with Lisa Canning. Lisa is a coach and author of The Possibility Mom: How to be a great mom and pursue your dreams at the same time. Lisa shares how a "minivan meltdown" completely changed her life, leading her to personal development, coaching, training, and a ton of personal work. She had long-held "habit of proving," the habit of seeking affirmation for doing well, which had ultimately led her to continuously taking on more than she could manage. Lisa learned to release these beliefs and she now coaches moms on how to redesign their lives - she shares how you can redesign your thoughts, your perspectives, and ultimately, your life. 

It's an awesome conversation and there are SO many nuggets that will help you reconsider some of your own long-held beliefs and thought patterns. This episode will help you see possibilities for your own life! 

You can find the full show notes, Lisa's bio, and her contact info at www.momcamplife.com/possibilitymom. 

Ann is a parenting coach with four kids aged 5-15 herself, so she's in the thick of every stage of parenting. Ann coaches women through various stages of motherhood—from conception to the transition into their new motherhood role, to behavioural challenges, to starting a business with kids in tow. She’s a no-nonsense, straight-shooting, coach. We talk a lot about why parents can lose their temper with their kids, and how to stop. I won't lie - I felt pretty vulnerable about sharing examples from my own life about challenges we have at home, and she gently called me out on some stuff.

We talk about the difference between anger and discipline. We talk about allowing our kids to make choices and handle the consequences. We talk about how to handle situations where your co-parent doesn't always parent or communicate the way you do. We talk about a LOT.

Ann has some incredible advice for parents of all stages and can put almost any situation into perspective, with great examples of how to communicate in a loving and logical way with kids at all stages.

For the full show notes and Ann's bio and links, go to www.momcamplife.com/podcast.

Leisse Wilcox is a force of nature, but in the most calming, loving way possible. She is a self-described emotional alchemist, coach, and professional human.

In this episode we dive in to how the concept of emotional alchemy has helped her, as well as her clients. We chat about finding yourself again in the midst of working mom life, when your identity can get wrapped up in who you are at work and at home. Humans are ever-evolving, and Leisse helps clarify how these feelings of stress, anxiety, or even just melancholy and "meh" are just phases of life and we can move through them.

This conversation goes deep and it goes down a few rabbit holes. Leisse is so incredible that I wanted to ask her ALL the things, and I did.