The Successful Mama Podcast

93 - grieving in real life: a personal update and honest moments from our family

This week’s episode is a little different. It’s not a how-to or a step-by-step—it’s me, sharing where we are right now. Life has been heavy lately, and grief has made its way into our world in a very real way. I’m opening up about what this season looks like for our family, how I’ve been processing things personally, and how we’ve been talking through it with our kids.
If you’re walking through your own hard season of grief—or just need a reminder that you’re not alone—I hope this episode meets you right where you are.
Next week, I’ll be taking the week off to be with family, but I’ll be back on April 22 with part three of the Growth in the Chaos series.Make sure you're following over on Instagram! @successfulmamapodcast 
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92 - april fools! welcome to the successful kid podcast

April Fools! Today, the Successful Mama Podcast is getting a fun little twist—welcome to the Successful Kid Podcast! My oldest son, Asher, has officially taken over as host and is interviewing his friend, Sebastian, with a mix of silly and thoughtful questions (including a lot of video game talk—but don’t worry, there's conversation for everyone). And my youngest son, Grey? He’s jumped in behind the scenes and taken over the intro music for the show!
Grab your kids if they're nearby—because they (and you!) are going to love this fun, light-hearted episode full of laughs, surprises, and sweet reminders from a younger point of view. And make sure to stick around to the very end! The boys asked me to add bloopers, and they don't disappoint. 🤣
P.S. Don’t worry—we’ll be back next week with our regular episodes of the Successful Mama Podcast!

91 - breaking the overwhelm cycle: growth in the chaos, part 2

Motherhood is chaotic—but that doesn’t mean you can’t grow in the middle of it. In the Growth in the Chaos series, we’re breaking down how to navigate the unpredictable, exhausting seasons of motherhood while still making progress toward the life you want.
In Part 2, we’re tackling the mental load of motherhood and why it often feels like no matter how much you do, there’s always more waiting for you. The truth is, your brain is wired to focus on what’s left undone, making it feel impossible to keep up.
But here’s the good news: you don’t have to fight against your brain—you can work with it.
🎧 In this episode, we’re covering:✔️ Why your brain naturally fixates on unfinished tasks✔️ How decision fatigue is draining your energy (and what to do about it)✔️ Simple mindset shifts to stop feeling like you’re always behind
This episode is packed with practical strategies to help you shift your perspective, lighten your mental load, and stop feeling like you’re stuck in survival mode.Don't forget to follow us on social - @successfulmamapodcast

90 - stop waiting for the perfect time - growth in the chaos, part 1

📌 Growth in the Chaos is your go-to guide for thriving in motherhood. Whether you’re new here or a longtime listener, this series is designed to help you take small, meaningful steps toward growth—without waiting for the perfect time.
We’ve all done it—told ourselves, “Once things slow down, then I’ll start working on myself.” But let’s be honest… life never magically clears space for us. Motherhood isn’t a perfectly scripted TV show where everything falls into place. It’s unpredictable, messy, and full of responsibilities. And if we keep waiting for the right time to focus on our own growth, we’ll be waiting forever.
This episode kicks off the Growth in the Chaos series, where we’re breaking down the real, practical ways to build small, meaningful habits—right in the middle of motherhood. Because growth isn’t about waiting for the perfect moment. It’s about starting where you are, with what you have, and making small, consistent changes that actually fit your life.
In this episode, we’ll talk about:✔️ Why the perfect time is a myth (and what to do instead).✔️ How to build growth into the nooks and crannies of your day.✔️ Simple, as-you-go habits that make a real impact over time.
This series is your step-by-step guide to creating lasting change in motherhood—no unrealistic expectations, no guilt, just real progress that works for you.
Hit play now and let’s get started!Don't forget to follow us on social - @successfulmamapodcast

89 - surviving hard seasons: what actually matters and how to make life easier

Motherhood is full of seasons—some beautiful, some exhausting. If you’ve ever felt completely overwhelmed, like you’re barely keeping your head above water, this episode is for you.
Whether it’s sickness in your home, a new baby, work stress, or just a season that feels too much, it’s easy to feel like you’re failing. But the truth? You’re not failing—you’re surviving. And that’s enough.
In this episode, I’m sharing:✔️ Why hard seasons feel heavier & longer than they really are (and what your brain has to do with it!)✔️ The simple two-question “Survival Filter” that helps you let go of the extras & focus on what matters.✔️ Practical ways to adjust expectations, simplify your days, & drop the guilt.✔️ Encouragement for the mom who feels like she’s drowning right now.
This isn’t about doing more—it’s about making life easier when you need it most. So take a deep breath, grab a cup of coffee, and let’s talk about how to get through this season without losing yourself in the process.
Press play now!
And make sure you're following on social - @successfulmamapodcast

88 - bite the blue apple: raising resilient kids and embracing the unknown

What if the thing you’ve been avoiding is exactly what you need to grow? In this episode of the Successful Mama Podcast, we sit down with Robin Dauma, a former educator turned entrepreneur and mom of four grown children who shares powerful insights about parenting, resilience, and taking bold steps—like biting the blue apple. 🍏💙
We explore the importance of letting your kids take on challenges, even when it’s hard, because that’s where growth happens. You’ll hear how seeds of effort are constantly being planted, often in ways you don’t see until they bloom into something bigger. And the core of this conversation is about taking risks and embracing the unknown—whether that’s for yourself or for your kids. After all, you’ll never know what a blue apple tastes like unless you take that first bite.
This episode is filled with wisdom, honest reflections, and practical takeaways for moms who want to help their kids—and themselves—build resilience and embrace the unexpected.
Tune in for a conversation that just might inspire you to bite your own blue apple.Make sure you're following along on social! @successfulmamapodcast

87 - fries, fun, and motherhood: a special birthday french fry crawl

In this special episode, I’m taking you along on a French Fry Crawl with three amazing returning guests: Rachel Brown, Lauren Hooper, and Katiya McKinney. What’s a French Fry Crawl, you ask? Think bar crawl—but with fries, laughs, and meaningful conversations about motherhood.
We hit a few local spots to try some of the best fries around and talked about everything from finding balance to motherhood theme songs. There were plenty of laughs, honest moments, and takeaways I think you’ll really enjoy.
So, grab your favorite snack, and come along for the ride as we dive into fries, fun, and some good old-fashioned real talk about life as moms.
🎧 Oh, and if you want to learn more about my guests, you can check out Lauren’s episode (#12), Rachel’s episode (#54), and Katia’s episode (#68) in the archives!

86 - from loss to light: how Ryker's Rainbow is bringing hope to grieving families

In this heartfelt episode of the Successful Mama Podcast, I sit down with Lacey Schoff, the founder of Ryker’s Rainbow, to talk about the motherhood story she never expected to be her own. She shares the raw reality of experiencing infant loss and how she turned unimaginable grief into a powerful mission to support others.
Lacey opens up about the deep emotions she faced after losing her son, Ryker, and how she and her husband navigated their grief together. She shares the support they received, the struggles they encountered, and how they saw an opportunity to serve other families walking a similar path—leading to something much bigger than they ever imagined.
We dive into the truth about loss, healing, and how hope can emerge from the hardest seasons of life.
Whether you've experienced loss yourself, know someone who has, or simply want to hear a story of resilience and purpose, this episode is for you.P.s. It's my birthday! In honor of my birthday, I'd love for you to consider supporting Ryker's Rainbow to help serve and support families experiencing the loss of a pregnancy, newborn or infant. You can donate over on Instagram under my fundraiser (@successfulmamapodcast) or you can give directly on their website at rykersrainbow.org.

85 - truth or dare: staying intentional and keeping your goals front and center

We’re two weeks into the new year, and whether you’ve already set specific goals, skipped resolutions altogether, or feel like you’re losing focus, this episode is for you.
I’m sharing:
My word of the year (Dare) and how it’s guiding my decisions
Why having a word of the year can be a powerful tool (hint: science backs this up!)
Simple ways to keep your goals, intentions, or focus front and center—no matter what method you’re using
It’s not January 1st anymore, but the year is still fresh. Let’s talk about staying intentional and daring to take meaningful steps forward. Plus, I’ve got a surprise announcement that you don’t want to miss!Don't forget to follow along on social! @successfulmamapodcast

84 - sidewalk joy and dinoramas: finding what fills you and sharing it with others

This week, I sit down with Rachael Harms Mahlandt, a mom of two from Portland, Oregon, who is on a mission to bring joy and whimsy back into adulthood. Through her creative outlets—like mini pottery, photography, and her unique dinoramas (yes, you read that right—dino-ramas with dinosaurs!)—she has found ways to connect with her community and share the joy that fills her life.
We talk about how she turned her love for the little things into a source of connection for others, creating sidewalk joy and moments of wonder for her neighbors. She opens up about reclaiming fun and freedom as an adult—whether it’s crafting tiny worlds to share or finding ways to make everyday life a little brighter—and why it’s so important to hold on to the things that make you happy.
This conversation is full of reminders about what matters most, from finding joy in your own life to showing your kids that creativity and wonder don’t have to stop when you grow up. If you’ve ever wanted to add a little more magic to your days, this episode is for you.Don't forget to follow over on social! @successfulmamapodcast