The Successful Mama Podcast

57 - cultural canvases: a mother’s tale of dance, art, and identity

In this week's episode, we delve into the colorful life of Rossina Boyer who bridges continents and cultures with her work. Born in Peru, she recounts her father moving to the U.S. when she was just a child, and after eight years of waiting, she and the rest of her family were finally able to join him. In the U.S., she found solace and community through Peruvian dance.
Her childhood and the challenges of immigrating forged her path to becoming a children’s book author, aiming to connect with others who share similar stories. After becoming a mother, art time with her daughter built a newfound passion for painting, eventually transforming it into a thriving career that now shapes her everyday life.
Whether you’re an art aficionado or a mom looking for inspiration on how to reconnect with your passions, this episode promises rich insights into how art and heritage can paint a path to community and self-discovery.
Join us as we explore the powerful ways in which personal history, culture, and the arts can influence parenting and personal growth. It’s a conversation that celebrates resilience and creativity - perfect for anyone looking to add a splash of color to their listening routine.Find show notes at successfulmamapodcast.com.Connect with us on Instagram! @successfulmamapodcast

56 - throwing clay, seeking self: highs and lows in parenting, pottery, marriage, and entrepreneurship

Have you seen a mesmerizing video of an artist sitting in front of a pottery wheel with a ball of clay? To me, it’s virtually impossible to not get sucked in as they mold it into something beautiful. This week’s guest is Jordyn Brummett, and she shares her journey from childhood to motherhood to owning her own pottery studio (The Vessel in Huntsville, AL), and how she herself has been molded along the way.Jordyn talks about losing herself in motherhood and rediscovering that part of who she is that was there all along… an artist with a need to create. In her desire to fund her hobby and build a community, she went from idea to opening a studio in just 8 months. I love her willingness to share the real truth behind highs and lows of her story and the importance of prioritizing her family’s values and needs.You’re going to love this episode and take away so many great reminders, not limited to the necessity for self care, finding balance, and building a stronger marriage after walking through challenges together.Find the show notes at successfulmamapodcast.com.Follow us on Instagram! @successfulmamapodcast

55 - beyond the big moments: finding joy in the journey and beauty in the ordinary

We all could use a refresher from time to time, right? I know that you know the ideas I'm sharing this episode and have likely heard them before, but I needed the reminder this month, and my guess is you might could stand to hear it too.This episode, we take a heartfelt look into the seemingly mundane moments of motherhood that, in truth, form the foundation of our most cherished milestones. It's an invitation to pause and find the extraordinary within the ordinary, to appreciate the beauty in the everyday chaos of parenting.
We delve into the concept of the arrival fallacy, challenging the notion that happiness is always on the horizon, and instead, celebrate finding joy in the present. I hope that no matter the season you’re in, this episode will give you a positive takeaway that you can remind yourself of regularly.Remember, you can always find show notes at successfulmamapodcast.com.Make sure you're following over on Instagram!

54 - here for the food: nurturing a love for local through taste

This week on the podcast brings my friend and fellow food lover, Rachel Brown. You may also know Rachel as the Rocket City Dietitian! One of my favorite things about Rachel is not just that she knows the best places to check out in town, but she's also passionate about supporting local businesses and using her platform to connect them with food enthusiasts like us! I have learned of so many great spots from her and now know that it is best to request a table by the window in order to get the best shot of my food. We dive into how on Earth she managed to restaurant hop as she launched her food-blogging journey with tiny kiddos in tow, as we all know what a nightmare it can be to try to dine out with littles. Rachel also shares her thoughts on getting started on social media and a bit more about her area of expertise as a licensed dietitian who specializes in diabetes education and insulin pump training.For show notes, check out successfulmamapodcast.com. And make sure you're following on Instagram!

53 - saying no to say yes: prioritizing time for dreams of writing

Have you ever thought of being selfish as a positive thing? Our guest this episode is Georgina Cross, a bestselling author who shares how moms need to take back the word “selfish” and shift our perspective a bit. By making her time a priority, channeling her energy wisely, and dedicating herself actually doing the work, she hit her goal of publishing her first book — all while navigating single motherhood. She then went on to publish five more (with another in the works!) and was able to leave her job to write full time. None of this would have been possible without taking those first steps of saying no to other activities and yes to herself. This conversation with Georgina will encourage you, whether you are an aspiring author, you have a hobby that might one day be a career, or you simply love a good story. I walked away from our conversation inspired and with a list of takeaways. (And if you love a good thriller, make sure to pick up a copy of one of Georgina’s books! I really enjoyed Nanny Needed.) Also, make sure you are following along on instagram.com/successfulmamapodcast !

52 - embracing the spectrum: redefining "normal" and finding joy in life with autism

Get ready for a heartfelt conversation with my friend, Julia Pope. Julia opens up about her personal journey as a mother of two boys diagnosed with autism, shedding light on the shifting expectations and the process of navigating through the grief of relinquishing the idea of a 'normal' life.
Throughout our conversation, we delve into the importance of supporting families with children with special needs and how to have conversations about inclusion and neurodiversity with our kids in a way they will understand. Julia's insights and experiences are both eye-opening and inspiring, offering valuable lessons for us all.
I learned so much from Julia's perspective, and I can't wait for you to join us and glean wisdom from her journey. Also, make sure you are following along on instagram.com/successfulmamapodcast !

51- live one year celebration special: Shannon is interviewed by guest host, Erica DeSpain

Get ready for a fun spin on our normal content! We had a little get-together to celebrate the podcast reaching 1 year and 50 episodes. I wanted to do something different, so I asked my friend Erica DeSpain of All Things Madison if she would consider interviewing me...live! I'm so grateful she said yes, because I couldn't have chosen a better guest host! She asked me questions about the podcast and the last year, things about myself, and even questions from you guys! She also caught me off guard with a few great twists she threw in, and we laughed as a train made its own special appearance, partially hijacking our interview. I hope you'll enjoy getting to know a little more about me during this fun one-year special live episode.

50 - reflecting on a year of podcasting and how it applies to motherhood

50 episodes in! An entire year of podcasting. It feels surreal thinking back to that very first interview and feeling giddy with a dash of terrified as I sat down with my first guest. Join me for a solo episode as I reflect back on five takeaways from a year behind the microphone and how we can apply them directly to our motherhood journey.Also, make sure you are following along on instagram.com/successfulmamapodcast as we celebrate this milestone!successfulmamapodcast.com

49 - building tracks, building a career: how a son's love of trains changed everything

Ever wish there was more to do in your town for your kids? That’s exactly what this military mama, then-based in Meridian, Mississippi, was looking for. Lucy Dormont’s son’s love of trains and the fact that their town was originally build on the railroads should have been a perfect match. The only problem? The history was nowhere to be found, other than a “Railroad Museum” sign, hung on a building that actually housed another museum- dedicated to a country singer. And this mama was not okay with that.Listen as Lucy shares her transformation that began as a mama on a mission to make her town a better place to live and shifted into a passion and career. She shares about starting a nonprofit, re-launching the railroad museum, and eventually finding work in the industry and love for the people. We chat about diving in head first and figuring it out as you go, imposter syndrome, and leaning in to connect with our kids’ passions.All aboard! Grab your ticket and get ready to chug along with this week's episode. Also, I apologize for the cheesy train pun.
successfulmamapodcast.com

48 - from denial to devotion: balancing motherhood and career as a therapist

What questions would you ask if you could sit down for a conversation with a therapist? I had so many topics that I wanted to dive into on a professional level- we talked about scrolling habits and the danger of comparison and the difference between happiness and being content.But I truly appreciated Lindsey Sheckles-Prather and her vulnerability as she shared some of her thoughts, feelings, and experiences throughout her motherhood journey. A journey that started when she had no desire to be a mother. And yet, after the initial denial, she stepped fully into this role, embracing the title and challenge, and choosing to push pause on some of her previous goals.Lindsey shares wisdom and truth about the fleeting time we have with our kids. She reminds us that we can continue to seek personal goals to be more than just “[insert kid’s name]’s mom,” while also prioritizing them to be at the center of our world.