Shameless Leadership

This is easily the most difficult episode I have recorded.  I knew there was a strong chance that IVF would end without a baby. In fact, I planned for it. I planned to be relieved (I don’t have to be pregnant! I don’t have to nurse! I don’t have to be an exhausted hot mess!) I planned to be excited (Let’s book a European vacation!)  I did not plan to feel really, really sad.  We experienced a lot of sadness when it took so long to get pregnant with Vinnie 5 years ago. It felt constant.  This is different.  It feels final. And so permanent.  There are things to be happy about with this outcome. There are things to be grateful for. But we’re not there yet.  We’ll get there.  But not today. And probably not for awhile. But we will be ok. Here’s the thing… we won the lottery on September 23, 2012. We were given all we could have ever hoped for – a healthy, perfect baby.  That is enough.  Vinnie is more than enough. In every way.  So, from here we row our little family boat forward, one paddle at a time.  There will be some waves and things might feel a little topsy-turvy for awhile, but there will undoubtedly be amazing views, the best destinations, and all the love & laughter we could ever ask for.   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Rebecca Michi, a children's sleep consultant, shares valuable advice on sleep routines, schedules, and how to avoid crying-it-out. She discusses the 2-3-4 Rule for getting kids on schedule and offers tips on getting children to sleep earlier or sleep in later. Rebecca emphasizes the importance of gentle sleep training techniques and the benefits of having a solid plan and consistency. She also talks about the satisfaction of helping sleep-deprived families and transforming their sleep habits.

I recently received an email from Shameless Mom Rachel that brought me to tears. She talked about her experience with Postpartum Depression and suicidal ideation and how The Shameless Mom Academy has been part of her healing. Her words of gratitude were humbling, to say the least.  Rachel’s email inspired me to create this episode on gratitude. I am so grateful Rachel shared her story. Her story will help Shameless Moms, for sure. Our stories connect us to each other and inspire us to reach out of our comfort zones. Our stories are essential for learning and healing and growing. This is why I share so many of my stories.  In addition to my gratitude for Rachel’s story, I want to share 10 ways gratitude can improve your life. If you think gratitude is a little too “woowoo” for you, this list is for you!  Last, but not least, I want to share my friend Scott Colby’s upcoming event, The Ultimate Gratitude Challenge. Scott will be sharing interviews with 35 of his colleagues (myself included) over the course of 35 days. Scott’s interviews are all about how gratitude helped people out of addiction, loss and grief to improve self worth, relationships and overall quality of life. Scott has a fabulous line up of interviewees. This entire summit is online and free.  Links Mentioned:Article: The 31 Benefits of Gratitude You Didn’t Know About: How Gratitude Can Change Your Life Scott Colby’s Ultimate Gratitude ChallengeShameless Mom Interview with Jen Briggs  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In Episode 51, I talked about how to find your passion by: Defining what you love Defining where you thrive Defining what stifles you Defining who you want to be  Be sure to listen to Episode 51, if you haven’t already!  Today I’ll build upon finding you passion by discussing: Transitions between passions and life plans How to create time and space for building your passion How to hustle, smarter Where your support is Be kind to yourself, but also fierce How to find mentors and follow those who have gone before you  The idea of “following your passion” sounds really nice – but actually following your passion takes #ladyballs and a serious plan. This episode will help you put some pieces together so you can move forward, daily; so you can feel confident and excited; so you can finally do that thing you’ve been dying to do. I also share all the amazing, inspirational and informational podcasts I have learned from – that have allowed me to follow my passion of starting and building a podcast.   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Finding your passion is no small thing. After you become a mom, you forget what you enjoy and you lose track of past hobbies. When you make an effort to former passion projects, whether it’s on a professional or personal level, you likely find that the things that totally filled you up and fueled you before kids don’t do that any more. It’s all… just different, somehow…. My work has shifted in many ways since becoming a mom. My hobbies have too. My time is different – and way more valuable. So, I’m really picky about how I spend it. I only want to do the things that add value to my life in some way. It has taken me some time to figure this out and define things.  Today, I’m going to share with you the things I’ve learned in the last 4 years of mothering and working and living a life that fulfills me. Here is the basic framework, be sure to listen in for a much more detailed explanation:  Know what you love  Know where you thrive Know what stifles you Know who you want to be  You can read the full show notes and access all the links and resources at www.shamelessmom.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

For our 50th episode I wanted to do something a little fun and a little special. I actually recorded this in the 30 minutes before my IVF egg retrieval. I’m not sure it reinforced the idea that I truly want to go for #2, haha… My mom has always done a great job of painting motherhood in a beautiful picture:  “Your children will always be your proudest accomplishment.”“There is nothing like a mother’s love.”“I don’t remember you ever waking up at night.”“You are your sister were easy babies.” Moms have a knack for making it look like we just wake up every day and knock everything out of the freakin’ park. As our children age, that is how we remember it too.  “You were the happiest baby in the world.”“The days just flew by.”“Nothing compares to being a mom.” You know what else nothing compares to?  Sipping wine with my husband on a beach without a small child in site. Or spending a day all alone with no one needing a damn thing from me.  As our children age, we idealize the past and it gets better and better. As NewbornLand becomes a distant memory, we find ourselves falling in love with the memories, rather than recalling the reality, which was survival, barely.  This episode is dedicated to the first 50 episodes of the Shameless Mom Academy and the nearly 50,000 downloads of Shameless Moms listening in to learn and laugh together every week. Thank you for the love and support. You make my motherhood journey so much better.   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

I received some amazing feedback from Episode 47: I See Someone Handsome (How To Look In The Mirror).  I wanted to take some time to go through a couple messages specifically, as they were powerful and deeply impacted me.  As a direct result of the feedback I got from Shameless Moms Anne and Meg, I felt compelled to be a little more bold than normal in a recent social media post and in sharing the photo that goes with this episode (the internet has never met my bare belly before!)  I’m so glad Episode 47 was impactful for you, my lovely and super rad listeners. I’m so glad you’re looking in the mirror and seeing things a little differently than just a week ago. I want to inspire you to recognize your radness every damn day. It can take time and practice to change your self talk. It can take a tremendous amount of humility and courage to “fake it till you become it”. But it is entirely possible to change your relationship with YOU by taking Radical Responsibility in your self care and self love habits.  It starts today. It starts with you. It starts with just a little inspiration. I hope this episode, in conjunction with Episode 47, are the inspiration you need to See Someone Handsome.   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Today I am talking with my friend and colleague Shawna Kaminski. Shawna is a fitness professional, former teacher and single mom. She is as focused and determined as they come. She works from a place of passion and she pushes herself out of her comfort zone as often as possible. This has allowed her to reach great heights professionally, while raising two teenagers.  I admire Shawna for her tenacity and determination to RISE when the going gets tough. I’ve watched her push herself and grow like crazy in the last few years. She is a force.  Today, Shawna will share: How changing professions has made her feel like she never has to “work” again How following her passion carried her through her toughest parenting moments What it’s like to build multiple businesses while raising teenagers The benefits of baby steps How she is impacting and improving women's relationships with their bodies as they age You can read the full show notes and access all the links and resources at www.shamelessmom.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The other day, Vinnie stood in front of the mirror brushing his teeth and exclaimed, “I see someone handsome!” When is the last time you looked at yourself in the mirror and shouted with glee? Let’s all get better at looking in the mirror. How you talk to yourself in the mirror reflects how you talk to yourself in all areas of your life (remember, “how you do anything is how your do everything.”) Listen in to hear some shocking statistics on how children view their bodies. Then follow these 7 steps to love your body a little more:   Pull yourself out of the comparison trap Divorce the D word Disengage from people who make you feel LESS, build relationships with those who make you feel MORE ID three likes, with no “buts” Buy clothes you love, that flatter you as you are Own your wins and share them Be vulnerable  Also in this episode: an update on my first 8 days of IVF meds! Links Mentioned:Psych Central article: Why Do Women Hate Their BodiesRockstar social media influences: Molly Galbraith, Erin Brown, Jill ColemanBuzzfeed Article: Getting Rid of Clothes I Hated Help Me Love My Body  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Portia Smith is a writer, influencer and all-around obsessed-aficionado over at Obsessed By Portia. Finding the #MomLife balance is her forte – ensuring style, fitness and happiness are well-maintained. The Obsessed by Portia brand is about channeling your inner #Superwoman – find your passion, be adventurous, and always arrive looking damn good. In this interview, Portia shares: How she got started as a mommy blogger (in secret) Her best tips for following your passion and starting your own gig How to build relationships and connect with your “competitors” Ways to engage your family in your passion The superpower she wants to give you: Sincere Undeniable Confidence, Always    Links Mentioned: www.obsessedbyportia.com Obsessed By Portia on FacebookObsessed By Portia on InstagramObsessed By Portia on Twitter  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices