Shameless Leadership

I made a major life decision and transition a few weeks ago and I can’t wait to share it with you today, as it very much impacts our future together in the Shameless Mom Academy!Today I talk you through how I made the big, terrifying, overwhelming, and very responsible decision to sell my gym, Sync Fitness.I share why you should not wait until your fully ready for change before you make big moves.I walk you through how you can prove your strength, power, and resiliency to yourself so you can feel inspired to take on new challenges.I teach you the value of leaning into all things exciting and scary – and why these are very specifically the thing you must lean into!Warning: this episode may just inspire you to go take a flying leap! JThank you to our sponsors: Weebly: Build a beautiful website and a successful online business with Weebly. Go to Weebly to get 15% off your first purchase. Bluum: Join a monthly subscription box for pregnancy through preschool. Bluum boxes are curated for your child’s age and stage and continue to grow with your child as they get older. Go to Bluum and use the code SHAMLELESS at checkout to get a free box with any 6 or 12-month subscription. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

I recently got an email from Shameless Mama Megan about her experience taking a stand against sexual abuse against children that is happening in the LDS church.Megan shares how she stood up for herself and her beliefs even though her entire family did not have her back. She stood up through tears and discomfort. She used her voice even when it was shaky. She didn’t back down, even when that would have been the easiest way out.Megan’s story is a powerful example of how practicing using your voice can change your life. Megan identifies herself as an introvert and a typically quiet person. But now she is also a marcher, a truth teller, an advocate, and a podcast celeb (after thousands of people hear her story here!) Thank you for letting me share your story, Megan. Your voice matters. Your voice is NEEDED. Keep speaking, sister. It only gets more powerful, life-changing, and life-giving from here.Listen in to hear Megan’s full story that is guaranteed to light a fire in you this week. Then, will take you through 4 ways to build your own stage, just like Megan did. I will also give you 10 warnings around what to expect when you build your stage, so you aren’t surprised when your knees shake – and you can look forward to the exhilaration that comes with owning your voice.Links Mentioned: Protect LDS Children Facebook page SMA Ep 69: How to Be A Nasty Woman Thank you to our sponsors: Butcherbox: For grass fed beef, organic chicken and heritage breed pork delivered to your door go to Butcher Box and use the code SHAMELESS at checkout to get FREE bacon and $20 off your first box. Weebly: Build a beautiful website and a successful online business with Weebly. Go to Weebly to get 15% off your first purchase. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Sarah K Peck is a writer, startup advisor, and yoga teacher based in New York City. She’s the founder and executive director of Startup Pregnant, a media company documenting the stories of women’s leadership across work and family. She hosts the weekly Startup Pregnant podcast, and she and her husband are the instigators behind More Women’s Voices, a website that promotes women speakers and entrepreneurs.She’s a 20-time All-American swimmer who successfully swam the Escape from Alcatraz nine separate times, once wearing only a swim cap and goggles to raise $33k for charity: water. To date, she’s written for more than 75 different web publications and has delivered speeches and workshops at Penn, UVA, Berkeley, Harvard, Year of the X, Craft & Commerce, WDS, and more. She’s currently writing a memoir of her experience working in the tech startup world while she was pregnant with her first kid.Sarah is full of energy and passion around her messaging for moms and entrepreneurs. She is also very realistic and reasonable. She has simplified her life to make her dreams and desires very clear. By living with less, she has been able to create more for herself and her family on every level. Listen in to hear Sarah share: Why she left a startup to start her own startup early in motherhood How she created time and money for herself to afford starting her own business (and some super simple budgeting tips!) How to do less in order to accomplish more Why you need to write your personal philosophy and how to make it actionable and not too “fluffy” Links Mentioned: Connect with Sarah: Sarah K Peck Startup Pregnant: Startup Pregnant Startup Pregnant on Twitter Startup Pregnant on Facebook Startup Pregnant on Instagram Thank you to our sponsors: Songfinch: Create a personalized song for a special person or occasion using the Songfinch platform of over 300 professional musicians. To get 10% off your Personalized Song From Scratch, go to Songfinch and use the code SHAMELESS at checkout. Canvas People: To get a FREE 11x14 canvas print (just pay shipping) of any of your photos, text SHAMELESS to 99000. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Who else is dying for the season of sun, cherry blossoms, and grilling to GET STARTED ALREADY?!?This is the perfect time to check in with yourself on how you want to Renew, Review, and Rejoice this spring.In this episode I’ll talk you through: How you can renew the habits that best fuel you (that may have fallen by the wayside over the winter) How to access what you want more of and less of this spring and how to take radical responsibility to get it all How to rejoice in the little things that light you up and find magic moments as the season's change I’ll share specific examples from my life pertaining from all of the above. Feel free to copy/model/borrow/steal it all!Happy Spring Shameless friends! XoxoThank you to our sponsors: Efy Tal: For beautiful jewelry, you will never want to take off, go to Efy Tal and use the code SHAMELESS at checkout to save 25% of your entire order. Weebly: Build a beautiful website and a successful online business with Weebly. Go to Weebly to get 15% off your first purchase.   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Sara LeHoullier has always been a busy-bee. With a BA in English Literature and a Master's in Sustainable Development, she jumped from teaching English as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Madagascar to managing donor-funded projects with a large NGO, then dove into consulting with Microsoft before striking out on her own. She currently designs Squarespace websites and writes copy for passionate entrepreneurs and small businesses — she’s also the co-founder of Shop the Change, a web app designed to help consumers make value-based shopping decisions and support the brands working to make the world a better place. Her most challenging (and rewarding) position yet is being a stepmom. She’s deeply interested in social change, sustainable business, and creating space for conversations that improve the way we work and live on this planet. This was such a fun interview. You will hear Sara’s magnetic energy from the very beginning of the interview. I loved hearing Sara’s story and I really appreciate how she opened up about some of the less talked about aspects of stepmotherhood. I know you’ll learn some valuable lessons from Sara’s journey.Listen in to hear Sara share: Her unexpected journey into motherhood The challenges of building an identity as a stepmom How she worked through the isolation of being a new mother figure and stepmom How her entrepreneurial journey paralleled her motherhood journey Where she is now – attracting all the right people at the right time Links Mentioned: Busybee: thebusybee.me Busybee on Facebook Shop the Change: shopthechange.com Shop the Change on Facebook Hotline: The Boys Town Hotline Book: The Soul of an Octopus Thank you to our sponsors: Songfinch: Create a personalized song for a special person or occasion using the Songfinch platform of over 300 professional musicians. To get 10% off your Personalized Song From Scratch, go to Songfinch and use the code SHAMELESS at checkout. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

There are a handful of phrases that can buy you A LOT of freedom. These are small statements you can use to convey big messages that will get you out of over-explaining yourself, stretching the truth to get your way, or rationalizing way more than you need to in any given conversation or situation. For example, when we over-explain a “NO”, for example, we often say way too much, minimize our power, and give away way too much of ourselves. These 7 Phrases of Freedom will give you back your time, energy, and sanity: Not right now. Let me get back to you. Can you send me an email about that? Thank you. I appreciate you. That has not been my experience. Use them liberally, starting now!Thank you to our sponsors: Weebly: Build a beautiful website and a successful online business with Weebly. Go to Weebly to get 15% off your first purchase. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Natali Morris is a broadcaster, writer, speaker, and the Co-Founder and CFO of Morris Invest. Previously, Natali was a news anchor and technology reporter for NBC, CBS, CNET, and The Today Show. Her mission is to empower couples and families to take control of their money, stop living paycheck to paycheck, and start building real long-term wealth.After leaving a full-time job and six figure paycheck as a news anchor on NBC in order to raise a family, Natali ended up with an unexpected feeling when it came to money: powerlessness. Instead of shrinking back, she decided to run headfirst into her "powerlessness" and started operating her family's wealth like a business.As of October 2017, Natali, her husband, and their three children (ages 1, 5, and 7) have achieved complete financial freedom due to the creative money and business decisions they’ve made, and she launched NataliMorris.com as a way to share surprising lessons learned on their journey.Listen in to hear Natali share: Why she had to get our of TV and move on to something more powerful and meaningful What are performing assets and why are they necessary to building wealth How to create a family mission statement based on your personal family values Why you should treat your marriage partnership like a business and how to do it How to be more innovative and creative around wealth building Links Mentioned: Find Natali on Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn Book: Entrusted: Building a Legacy That Lasts by Andrew Howell Book: Rich Dad, Poor Dad by Robert Kiyosaki Connect with Natali: Natali Morris OR Morris Invest Podcast: Investing in Real Estate with Clayton Morris Thank you to our sponsors: Canvas People: To get a FREE 11x14 canvas print (just pay shipping) of any of your photos, text SHAMELESS to 99000. Weebly: Build a beautiful website and a successful online business with Weebly. Go to Weebly to get 15% off your first purchase. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

“Hi! I'm a devout listener of your podcast, and really appreciate everything you do to make that possible! I've gained a lot of emotional intelligence and lost a lot of guilt over small things!I'm a 24-year working mama in school with 2 little ones, and on Thursday I'm getting a breast augmentation and lift!!! I'm extremely excited but have not told anyone I work with or really anyone except my 3 closest people.I decided to go through with this and not let fear of other's judgment affect my decisions! However, I'm still nervous people (especially my in-laws) are going to think I'm "loaded" even though I have always been excellent at budgeting and finances, and work for everything I have. I'm really hoping you can give me some advice on 2 things. Is it a good idea or is it even possible to keep this private? 2. How do I deal with people's responses if they do find out? I've already come up with a few "mantras" for myself: "You are not a bad mother for getting this done", "You are not robbing money that could have been better spent on your children", "My husband supports this decision, and I am not wasting our money". But I just do not want to deal with the consequences of everyone knowing and having negative reactions. Thanks again for producing amazing content, that literally changes peoples’ lives!”I had sooooo much to say about this (of course!) Listen in to hear my reply.Links Mentioned:Shameless Mom Academy Ep 161: Boob Job Thank you to our sponsors: Third Love: To find the perfect fitting bra and get 15% off your first purchase got to Third Love Lola: Get 100% organic tampons delivered right to your door for 40% off. Go to Lola and use the code SHAMELESS40 at checkout. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Ali is a tireless advocate for children and families, focusing on kinship, foster and adoptive families. She launched, funded and currently serves as the Executive Director of Foster Kinship, non-profit organization devoted to the support of kinship families. She founded Foster Kinship to provide much-needed resources and peer-to-peer support for the dedicated individuals working tirelessly to raise their relative’s children, keeping these children both connected to family and safe from harm.A licensed foster and adoptive parent herself, Ali is a frequent contributor to the local, state and national conversation on kinship and foster care.  Ali is completing a Ph.D. in Public Affairs at UNLV and holds a Master’s Degree in Organizational Systems Renewal (OSR) from Seattle University, specializing in family systems and systemic trauma and healing, organizational consulting and group facilitation. Ali currently resides in Las Vegas with her husband and 5-year-old son.Ali always knew she wanted to mother through adoption. She also felt a tremendous professional pull toward serving children and families who have experienced trauma. Ali has so beautifully pursued her personal and professional dreams in order to impact the lives of over 4,000 children in the last 6 years, while building a family with her husband and son, Anthony.Listen in to hear Ali share: What is kinship care and why does it need more dramatically more support and resources How to find resources and connections for kinship care in your area 10 questions that ID if a child is at risk for mental health/physical challenges later in life Considerations to make if you’re thinking of starting a non-profit The beauty of imperfect action and why you shouldn’t wait until you know it all to get build something you’re passionate about The power of the highs and lows of fostering and adoption Links Mentioned:Learn more about Foster Kinship: www.FosterKinship.org Foster Kinship on FacebookAli on TwitterTool: Adverse Childhood Experience QuestionnaireThank you to our sponsors: Splitting Up Together: Check out this fresh and relatable comedy about a modern approach to divorce, dating, raising a family staring Jenna Fisher. Premieres Tuesday, March 27th at 9:30/8:30c on ABC Freshly: For fresh, fully cooked meals delivered right to your door. Save $25 off your first order of 6 meals at Freshly Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We recently made some decisions around education and religion that gave me the opportunity to dig into some discomfort. I thought it was worth sharing here, as I learn more and more that things are not always black and white (Dammit! It’s soooo much easier when they are!)Sharing here allowed me to process what this journey has been like for me. I think you might find it helpful if you’ve ever had to make uncomfortable decisions around religion.Annnnd…. I would love to hear your stories discomfort and religion. Email me at sara@shamelessmom.com if you have a story to share.Thank you to our sponsors: Splitting Up Together: Check out this fresh and relatable comedy about a modern approach to divorce, dating, raising a family staring Jenna Fisher. Premieres Tuesday, March 27th at 9:30/8:30c on ABC KIND: For healthy, delicious snack bars go to Kind to get 10 KIND Bars for free – just pay shipping! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices