The Successful Mama Podcast

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

25 - leading by example: the impact of habits on those around us

Do you ever wonder how you can even consider finding time to work on your own habits when you are constantly taking care of everyone else? Or maybe you've wondered how to change the habits of those closest to you. Either way, this episode takes a closer look at modeling behavior and how our actions impact those around us, whether we realize it or not. Also, I share the story of my broken tailbone and personal experiences from the past week.

24 - hormones and women’s health: rethinking how we seek care

Have you ever asked your doctor about something that felt off, particularly with your hormones, and the response was simply that it is normal? Or that you should just take birth control? Our guest this week is Adrienne Garbarino, a mama and nurse practitioner who is on a mission to help women get the care they need and to encourage them that if something feels off, it probably is. Our conversation walks through Adrienne's decision to become a mom and rethinking her career goals in order to prioritize time with her son. This eventually led her to starting her own business, focusing on women's health and giving them the ability to seek the care they need in the nooks and crannies of their days through telehealth. Obviously we focus on Adrienne's story, but this week we pay a little more attention to her business as it is likely very relevant to you. What are some ways you can reconnect to your body and what do that have to do with your hormones?What should you do if your body just isn't feeling like it should postpartum?What are some actionable steps you can take to prioritize your health, even as a busy mom?Adrienne answers these questions and more in this enlightening conversation. You will definitely want to listen to this one all the way to the end.successfulmamapodcast.com*Don't forget to share this episode and tag @successfulmamapodcast and @cove4women*A little more on Adrienne:Adrienne Garbarino is a mom of one 3 year old little boy, a wife, a family nurse practitioner, and new business owner. She’s always had a passion for taking care of women, starting her nursing career as a labor and delivery nurse over 12 years ago. As she’s transitioned to motherhood, finding work life balance and control over her own schedule has become increasingly important.
She’s a Huntsville native. In fact she was a leading lady in Sparkman High School’s founding musical theater program.  She moved away when she was 18 to go to Auburn University and then to Atlanta. She came back home with her husband and 3 year old son once Huntsville became “cool”. 
Adrienne started Cove Telehealth for Women after experiencing frustrations with the traditional medical system both as a practitioner and a patient. She realizes that women need a comfortable and safe medical environment to be listened to and understood, where their practitioner will partner with them to help them identify and correct the root of their health concerns, not just cover them up with more prescriptions. 

23 - embracing tradition and teaching kindness: more than “just” a stay-at-home mom

Lindsay Sowell is so much more than “just” a stay-at-home mom. She and her husband Will embrace traditional roles in their marriage, with him “bringing home the bacon” and her “frying it up” and caring for the kiddos. We chat about the societal shift away from these traditional roles and how that is affecting the way she is raising her boys. Lindsay’s motherhood journey includes having her first two boys super close together, an unexpected gender reveal, and her husband surprising her by buying her… a house! This episode will take you through a mixture of ups and downs and remind you of the importance of communication and teaching your littles to be kind.successfulmamapodcast.com

22 - part 2 - walking through infertility, loss, and a rainbow on the other side

Trigger warning: this episode contains discussion of infertility, miscarriage, and infant loss. Listener discretion is advised. Alyson Moody is a wife, mama, and math teacher. This week on part 2, Alyson starts her story with weeks of bedrest at the hospital when the world was turned upside down in 2020, talking about her highs and lows during this time. She talks about the affects of the solitude on her emotionally, only to be followed by the worst news she could imagine. She and her husband grieved the loss of their baby boys, and Alyson discusses ways that others gave her support that she needed during this unimaginable time frame. We talk about that sweet little rainbow that followed with zero need for fertility treatment. This episode will make you hug your babies a little tighter and gain a better understanding of how to love those who are hurting the most.Successful Mama Podcast Website

21 - part 1 - walking through infertility, loss, and a rainbow on the other side

Trigger warning: this episode contains discussion of infertility, miscarriage, and infant loss. Listener discretion is advised. Alyson Moody is a wife, mama, and math teacher. After a smooth first pregnancy, Alyson and her husband never anticipated all that the following years had in store for their family. She describes herself as naïve in those early days after her first miscarriage. Because there is nothing wrong. There is no diagnosis. Listen as she shares her story on her walk through infertility treatment and the struggles and victories along the way. Tune in next week for part 2 of this 2-part series.

20 - the little things: recognizing the value of the ordinary

Do you ever feel like your days are the same, without much big happening? What if I told you that those ordinary, little moments are the ones that matter most? This episode, we take a look at why the little things in life are really the big ones, and how they are, in fact, the building blocks for all of our relationships, success, and achievements. Motherhood can feel like our days are on constant repeat, with little variation or excitement. But what if I told you that finding joy in the ordinary could lead you to living a more fulfilled life, that ripples into the lives of those around you? Grab your coffee and settle in, and let's have a chat on the little things.www.successfulmamapodcast.comfollow along on Instagram

19- beautiful chaos: juggling business, a nonprofit, and a new baby

Let’s raise $7.5 million. That’s what then, 24-year-old Erica Hardesty decided to do on her mission to help youth aging out of the foster care system. But how? One idea to help raise funds was to start a flower truck, which led to a flower shop and an event space. Oh. And also, throw pregnancy and a new baby in the mix, and you have Erica’s story! We walk through the events that led up to this 27-year-old’s now chaotic, yet charming life full of flowers and a bubbly 9-month-old baby girl. As you listen, you’ll recognize the importance of those little moments that seem insignificant and be reminded of the value of finding your own unique version of what it means to be successful. I have no doubt you’ll fall in love with Erica as we chat about motherhood, flowers, and dreaming of Paris.successfulmamapodcast.com

18 - creating connection: bonding over 1-1 time and finding purpose as an empty nester

What on earth do we do when our kid leaves us to go away to college? That's what Sarah Crabtree had to figure out last year when her only son, Preston, left home to begin his Freshman year at Auburn University. This episode, we walk from early motherhood all the way to the first year as an empty nester. Sarah shares some of her favorite memories, as well as some of the most trying times she experienced in motherhood. Whether you have a not-so-little kiddo getting ready to leave for college or you're staring at your 3-year-old dreading the years that will pass until they leave one day, this episode will make you laugh, give you some good advice, and remind you to cherish those years, as they do fly by.

*BONUS* try not to laugh: a conversation on habits with Jamie Long

Podcast editing is a beautiful thing. It allows me to cut out the places where we mess up and the moments when the dogs bark unexpectedly. I also want to keep each episode around an hour long, so editing allows me to shorten them to fit that time frame. Unfortunately, sometimes this means having to cut out good conversation, and this week, I decided this clip was one that you might need to hear, even if it didn't make it into the original episode.Let me know what you think!
follow along on instagram: @successfulmamapodcastshownotes for all episodes: successfulmamapodcast.com