The Successful Mama Podcast

35 - checking in with yourself, a life update, and asking for what you need

You don't want to miss this announcement! Give this episode a quick listen to find out what's ahead for the next few weeks.I give an update on life lately, as well as discuss some tactics for asking what you need and doing a regular check in. As moms, self care feels impossible sometimes, but this episode, we talk a bit more about why it matters and how it is completely up to you to take some of these steps.So go ahead and press play, and make sure to share that you're listening over on Instagram... don't forget to tag @successfulmamapodcast!successfulmamapodcast.com
 

34 -the deep down things: finding your voice through seasons of mothering

When I launched this podcast, I always knew that I’d one day interview my sister-in-law, Amber C. Haines. Not just because I’ve watched her for years load up her minivan with four boys and trek states over from Arkansas to Alabama to eat cornbread and greens around the table with her siblings. Not just because she writes beautiful accounts of her life and helps my logical brain to give way, and I can breathe in and feel her words. Not just because I’ve seen her grow and change through the trials and seasons.
Amber is getting ready to release her new book, The Deep Down Things, and this conversation aligns perfectly with her latest work. We talk about finding your voice through the seasons of mothering, the raw moments that shape us, and the wisdom she's gathered along the way.
I could honestly go on and on. I love and respect this woman so much, if you haven’t gathered that. I wanted her on the podcast because I know you’ll love her too. And not just for that kind, southern charm. But for her realness, her willingness to share those raw moments we all connect with, and the insight she offers from her journey.
Parts of this conversation have played over and over in my mind since we recorded, and I think you’ll take away something great too. Push play, and I think you’ll leave this episode understanding just why I always knew I’d have Amber as a guest on the podcast.

33 - balanced bodies, joyful lives: exploring holistic healing

I really enjoyed learning from our guest this week. Emily Willis, a nurse practitioner who blends traditional Western practices with holistic healing, shared her story of motherhood and the journey through her career that landed her where she is today. Emily talks about navigating divorce and the light that was on the other side of it for her. She has remarried and shared a bit more about her blended family (including shared custody of something other than her kids! You’ll have to listen to the end.). And diving into her business and the healing practices she offers to clients was so interesting. Ever heard the word “yoni”? You will in this episode! We talk about flower essences, herbs, and… yoni steams and crystals. Grab your coffee, and get ready for some topics we haven’t discussed on any other episode!successfulmamapodcast.com

32 - from policies to philanthropy: insurance, a family village, and giving back to community

I love hearing stories where women take a step back from their original plan and pivot, and this week’s guest did just that. Lauren Battle went to school to study accounting, but she ended up following in her mom’s footsteps and taking over her insurance business. Lauren didn’t have a ton of experience stepping into this role, but she told the nay-sayers to watch her make it work, and she did just that.Lauren and I chatted about the importance of giving back and the role it has played in her life through different organizations and events she has helped plan. We also discuss the seasons of motherhood and how volunteering may look differently in each one.While she seems to have her life together, Lauren also assured me that some days feel overwhelming and like she is failing in different areas. She stressed the importance of having a village to help along the way and especially being grateful for her family and the role they play in her life.A few things you don’t want to miss? Lauren bidding on her now-husband and how she is putting on her dancing shoes multiple times per week.www.successfulmamapodcast.com

31 - more than mama: line dancing and finding hobbies that fill you

Ever wonder about hobbies and mom life? Should you make time for one? Do they matter? Do you even know what you like anymore?!This episode, Tabitha Carnes and I sit down and chat hobbies and finding a part of yourself outside of kids and career. She stresses how important it is to find this piece of yourself, even if it is just playing and creating something at home while your kids take a nap. This conversation will get you thinking about your own hobbies and maybe even encourage you to step outside of your comfort zone into something new.www.shannoncarothers.com/podcast/episode31

30 - rise & shine: crafting a mom-friendly morning routine

Let's talk about morning routines. Experts often suggest routines that are very detailed and time consuming. If we are being real, moms don't generally have the privilege to have such a structured morning. But should we ditch the morning routine altogether? I don't think so. We just need to make it intentional and doable.
 

29 - a moms passion project - battling perfectionism, getting uncomfortable, and creating sustainable habits

This week, we are changing things up a bit. I was recently interviewed by my friend Natalee Jean for her podcast, A Moms Passion Project. We decided it would be fun to share the interview on both of our podcasts, so rather than me interviewing someone else, this time it is Natalee interviewing me.I love her goal of helping other moms find something that they are passionate about… something that fills them. I think her show’s description explains it perfectly: ”Helping moms achieve their lost childhood dreams one passion project at a time. You've had the jobs, you've birthed the babies. Now you want to pursue different passions of your own. This is the place to find other like-minded moms, additional resources to get you going in the right direction, and encouragement to not give up.”I have known Natalee for a few years now, and I can honestly say that I have been encouraged and inspired watching her journey through motherhood and with her own passion projects. I truly can’t wait to turn the tables and have her as a guest so you can hear her story. But for now, I hope you love our conversation as we talk through my passion project - this podcast and my coaching business. Natalee asks great questions that dive deeper into the story and the thoughts behind some of my actions. We talk about perfectionism, how the hardest thing to do is start, and setting the example for our kids by stepping into our own passion projects and dreams. We also chat on some of the recurring messages and themes from guests on the Successful Mama Podcast.successfulmamapodcast.com

28 - maximizing potential: ADD, dyslexia, launching an ortho practice, and acting as president of junior league hsv

Despite her struggles through school and hearing numerous times that she wasn’t applying herself, Jessica Johnson views her diagnosis of ADD and dyslexia as an ability, rather than a disability. She uses her gift to look at the world a bit differently, and boy, has it served her well. She and her husband launched his orthodontics practice in 2012, and we discuss the highs and lows of starting a business “on love and student loans.” Jessica now serves as the President of Junior League of Huntsville, and we discuss the different seasons of motherhood as a member of this organization that promotes women’s leadership and community impact. Jessica also shares about her kiddos, their dyslexia diagnosis, and how blessed they are to have abundant resources that meet them where they are.This week’s episode will challenge you to look back at how far you’ve come and to do the best you can with what you have. I know you’ll love Jessica and all she shares with us.
 
successfulmamapodcast.com

27 - through the lens of change: betting on dreams, pivoting with a surprise little one, and shifting seasons

Hey, Mama! I want you to meet Tiffany Crenshaw. She is a beautiful mama of three and the owner of Animal House Photography. (See what I did with the title? the "lens" of change? Because she's a photographer... clever, right? Ha!) I could've sat and talked with her all day... I did, actually and totally regretted not recording it all, because while everything we recorded was SO perfectly fitting for this podcast, there was so much we discussed that you would've loved. Now enough about what we didn't record. Let's talk about what we did capture. (See what I did again? Capture. Okay, I'll stop. Have I mentioned I love cheesy puns and dad jokes?)This week, we talk about the family move to a new city at the beginning of March in 2020, just a few days before the entire world shut down. Tiffany shares a fun story about an impulse buy that led to a flourishing business. We also chat about the family's journey through the beginning stages of foster care and adoption, only to find out that she was pregnant with a sweet little one. The themes of our conversation can be applied to so many different stages and happenings of motherhood, so I know you will take away something good from this episode.successfulmamapodcast.com

26 - offering support: life as a doula, the power of your testimony, and chronic migraine

This week’s guest is Tracy Abney, a mama of 4 who went from wanting to teach little ones to teaching women about supporting each other through one of the most transformative days of their lives- the birth of a child. Tracy started the journey toward becoming a doula herself after giving birth and wishing she’d received more support…someone who could be there just for her. Since she’s always had a love of teaching, her natural next step was to train others to do the same and eventually open her own doula agency. Tracy has faced ups and downs along the way, and we discuss needing to reevaluate goals, living with chronic migraine, and using your story to pour into others. This conversation was full of laughter (just wait until the end… I got so tickled), as well as real-life insight that you won’t want to miss.successfulmamapodcast.com