

The Boss Mom Podcast
Dana Malstaff
Motherhood and business aren't meant to be done alone. The Boss Mom Podcast isn't just a collection of conversations—it's your decision support, your permission slip, your place to laugh, cry, and connect.
Hosted by Dana Malstaff, founder of Boss Mom LLC, this is your new home base, where you'll find mom-centric business advice, the raw truth about being a mom with big dreams, and a ton of hope and proof that you can reach all of your goals.
No matter what stage of motherhood or business you're in, we're here for all of it. From big decisions to little wins, we've got your back. Think of us as your biggest advocate, helping you build the business and life you love, one episode at a time.
Hosted by Dana Malstaff, founder of Boss Mom LLC, this is your new home base, where you'll find mom-centric business advice, the raw truth about being a mom with big dreams, and a ton of hope and proof that you can reach all of your goals.
No matter what stage of motherhood or business you're in, we're here for all of it. From big decisions to little wins, we've got your back. Think of us as your biggest advocate, helping you build the business and life you love, one episode at a time.
Episodes
Mentioned books

May 13, 2021 • 40min
Positive Parenting Benefits the Whole Family w/Shari Medini
As moms, we know how unpredictable life can be, so it's normal to have some bad days. However, they should always be in the minority, and if they aren't, it may be time to take a look at our parenting strategies. Could our present approach be making us more susceptible to an endless cycle of 'off' days? Where are we going wrong? Can we switch it up so the good days outnumber the bad? In this episode, co-author of Parenting While Working from Home and co-owner of AdoreThemParenting.com, Shari Medini shares how to implement positive parenting. 3 Things You'll Learn in This Episode Why we need to be mindful of what we're taking in Parenting isn't always glamorous, and that's what makes cynically funny blogs so relatable. However, while it's important to validate our experiences, getting too caught up in the negatives will only add to our frustrations, so we have to remind ourselves of the good, too. How to create a more positive dynamic with our kids 'Because I said so' is often a go-to response when our kids question us, but it's not the most conducive to their learning. By explaining to our children why they need to do something, we can open up a conversation, rather than issue commands. Why positive parenting isn't lax parenting Positive parenting isn't about giving our kids free rein to do whatever they want: in fact, it's a way to give them more responsibility, while setting boundaries. This gives them the space to make their own decisions with our guidance, instead of our micromanagement. Guest Bio- Shari Medini is the co-author of Parenting while Working from Home and co-owner of AdoreThemParenting.com, alongside her business partner, Karissa Tunis. With six kids between the two of them and over a decade of work from home experience, both Shari and Karissa love sharing strategies that help fellow parents minimize the overwhelm while trying to juggle it all. To find out more, visit: https://facebook.com/adorethemcommunity https://instagram.com/_adore_them_ https://instagram.com/sharimedini https://twitter.com/_adore_them_ https://twitter.com/sharimedini

May 6, 2021 • 45min
Heal from Your Past and Break the Cycle of Trauma w/Amelia Mora Mars
We often hear that time heals all wounds, but unfortunately, that isn't always the case. Trauma is tricky, and if we aren't dealing with it head on, we run the risk of reliving our darkest days, or worse: passing them on to our kids. How can we get started with the process of healing our scars, so we can prevent them from festering in other areas of our lives? Is there a way to cure our trauma for good, so it stops controlling us? In this episode, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and founder of MomConnections, Amelia Mora Mars shares the steps we can take to stop letting our past control our present and define our future. Three Things You'll Learn in This Episode How to recognize the lies we tell ourselvesMany of us tell ourselves we're too busy to sit with our thoughts and really feel them, but that's just not true. Slowing down to listen to our inner voices is uncomfortable, but it's also completely necessary. Why forgiveness is about us, first and foremostHating a person for their actions towards us may feel like it's hurting them, but it hurts us more. When to shift our focus withinBad experiences throughout our lives can put us into constant survival mode, and that's exhausting. How do we start focusing on what's best for ourselves and our mental health? Guest Bio- Amelia Mora Mars is a Mom to 6 daughters and four sons, a psychotherapist, and a coach to women raised by emotionally unavailable mothers. She empowers women to break the cycle of trauma to heal their hearts, reclaim their lives, and leave a lasting legacy of love for their children and generations to come. To find out more, go to: https://www.instagram.com/momconnections/ https://www.facebook.com/groups/ReMotheringTribe https://www.facebook.com/Momof10Coach And for more on Moms Breaking the Cycle of Trauma, visit:www.momconnections.com

Apr 29, 2021 • 20min
How to Run Flash Sales to Grow Your Business
Running flash sales is a great way to bring in a ton of revenue, so it's something all Boss Moms should consider adding to their business models. Where do we start, and is there a right way to do it? In times like these, when so many people are uncertain about their financial futures, our best bet is to limit our flash sales to lower-priced items. The only question is, how big can our results be from small sales? Can sales on low-priced items translate to something bigger? In this episode, I share why flash sales are the method used by millionaires. Three Things You'll Learn in This Episode Why we should never discount the power of a low-priced productFlash sales on smaller products don't always sound exciting, but the results can be incredible. Charging between $27 and $47 for something small but useful creates an 'easy yes' for customers, and can quickly translate into $10,000 in just one day. How to add an upsell to 'easy yes' products Our customers may be on our websites for a sale, but that doesn't mean they won't be interested in other, similar products. Link relevant items on the checkout page and suggest them as add-ons. How to ensure an 'easy yes' really is easyA lower price point makes it easy for customers to agree to, but a complicated product will keep them thinking twice. Make sure 'easy yes' products offer simple solutions to very specific problems, like gaining 15 more Instagram followers or making 5 additional sales.

Apr 22, 2021 • 55min
How to Rekindle Intimacy and Connect With Your Partner w/Leona Carter
Intimacy is an incredibly important part of any relationship because it helps us relate to our loved ones. However, getting that intimacy right isn't always easy. For many women, intimacy comes with challenges, and many of those stem from not understanding what our loved ones need from us, or what we need from them. Real intimacy takes work, but it's worth it. The only question is, where do we start? How can we get better at connecting with our significant others when it feels like we're just not in sync? Is it possible to completely connect when we have so much going on in our lives already? In this episode, best-selling author, speaker, and intimacy coach, Leona Carter shares how to foster deeper connections with our partners. Three Things You'll Learn in This Episode Why intimacy is something we have to work towards By the time both we and our partners have come home from work, we've spent hours apart, so we shouldn't expect to be in the mood as soon as we walk through the door. Especially as women, we have to feel connected to our partners, so start by having a conversation and connecting. How to get into the right headspace for intimacy It's tough to be present when just a minute ago we were getting the kids to bed or hopping off a business call. Instead of heading right into the bedroom with our partner, it's a good idea to take a moment to re-center and feel like ourselves, outside of being business owners and moms. The importance of communication Most of us are guilty of thinking our partner should know what we want or need, but that just isn't the case. We have to get better at expressing ourselves, and if we're still finding that challenging, seek the help of a coach! Guest Bio- Leona Carter empowers women to build intimacy with their husbands through the power of dating again. She is a speaker, best-selling author, and intimacy coach. Married since 1995, Leona, and her high school sweetheart, Omarr, have six children and one grandson. As Leona says, "My energy gets the party started!" To connect with Leona, go to: LeonaCarter.club https://www.facebook.com/SheBuildsIntimacy https://www.linkedin.com/in/SheBuildsIntimacy/ https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCpxswMwi2miupRfov8kfQ1g https://www.instagram.com/intimacy_with_her_husband/ https://twitter.com/i_n_t_i_m_a_c_y https://api.whatsapp.com/message/74LXMQ5NDKOPM1 And to get a copy of her book, visit: https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B01N1SHSML/ref=dbs_a_w_dp_b01n1shsml More on Leona's 28 Dates Intimacy (Group) Coaching Program: 28 Dates is an intimacy coaching program where you are going to refresh, renew, and reset the course of your marriage through the power of dating your spouse again over the next 28 days. With Rekindle Assignments and weekly, live, group coaching sessions, you will rebuild a stronger foundation of connection, communication, and intimacy with your husband. You can learn more by going to https://www.podiumsandpages.com/groupcoaching or LeonaCarter.club

Apr 15, 2021 • 46min
Understanding Codependency: How to Love without Losing Yourself w/Michelle Farris
Setting boundaries is a huge part of taking control of our lives, but doing that can be ridiculously difficult if we're codependent. The only problem is, many of us don't know if we fall into that category or not. Despite codependence being a buzzword we're hearing a lot at the moment, many of us are still unsure about what exactly codependency is. So, what is it? Could we be codependent without realizing it? Is there anything we can do to break the cycle of people-pleasing for good if we know we're in the habit? In this episode, psychotherapist Michelle Farris shares the tell-tale signs of codependency and what to do about it! Three Things You'll Learn in This Episode What codependency means At its core, codependency is a relationship pattern where we focus on other people's best interests at our own expense. While it's perfectly normal to make sacrifices for loved ones from time to time, with codependency it becomes the rule, rather than the exception. How to tell the difference between being helpful and being codependent There will always be times we don't feel like doing something, but when we really don't want to, we'll feel it in our gut. If we're ignoring our intuition because we're worried about someone else's reaction (and if we're doing it repeatedly) we're not just being helpful, we're breaking our boundaries. Why codependency breeds resentment When we set unrealistic expectations of people-pleasing for ourselves, we start believing the people around us should be acting the same way without ever communicating that to them. This only leads to bitterness in the long term, and it could all be avoided in the first place. Guest Bio- Michelle Farris is a licensed psychotherapist in San Jose California. In her private practice Michelle found her sweet spot in teaching relationship skills that are easy to implement fast. She believes that being a good therapist means doing your own work. Her guilty pleasure is a Venti latte from Starbucks! To connect with Michelle, go to: https://www.counselingrecovery.com/ https://www.facebook.com/counselingrecovery https://www.pinterest.com/mshellmft/ https://www.instagram.com/counseling_recovery/ https://www.twitter.com/mshellmft/ www.linkedin.com/in/michellefarrismft/ https://www.youtube.com/c/MichelleFarrismft To get a copy of the The Codependency Workbook - A Guide to Being Your Best Self, visit: https://www.counselingrecovery.com/online-courses/the-codependency-workbook

Apr 8, 2021 • 43min
How to Build Positivity and Self-Confidence When Affirmations Aren't Enough w/Jacqui Letran
We've spent an entire year in various forms of lockdown, so it's no surprise that discussions about mental health are a top priority for many of us at this moment. As moms, we must check in with ourselves, and we have to ensure our kids are feeling their best, too. Feeling needed, loved, and worthy are essential for survival, but getting to that point isn't always easy. What can we do to start feeling genuine self-love, so we can model that kind of behavior for our children? Outside of reminding our kids that they're worthy, how can we help them start believing that to be true? In this episode, award-winning author and teen confidence expert, Jacqui Letran shares how to build real, unconditional self-love in ourselves and our children. Three Things You'll Learn in This Episode Why we're approaching mental health all wrong Far too often we treat the symptoms of anxiety and depression when we should mitigate them from the start. It's more beneficial to deal with the source, rather than the outcome. When positivity becomes damaging Telling ourselves we're amazing every day may sound like a good idea, but if we don't feel like we're amazing, it could be detrimental. Instead of focusing on the words we say to ourselves, we have to think about how we feel. How to start believing affirmations, one step at a time Ambitious affirmations can get overwhelming fast, so start small. Rather than saying we are brilliant, or even saying we 'feel' brilliant, it's a good idea to start with 'I am willing to be or feel brilliant'. Guest Bio- Jacqui Letran is an Award-Winning Author, Nurse Practitioner, and Teen Confidence Expert with over 20 years of experience guiding youth to optimal physical and mental health. Her multi-award-winning book series, Words of Wisdom for Teens has earned eighteen awards and is regarded as a "must-read" collection of books for teens and young adults struggling with low self-esteem, anxiety, or depression. To connect with Jacqui, visit: https://www.jacquiletran.com/ Instagram.com/JacquiLetran Facebook.com/JacquiLetran Linkedin.com/in/JacquiLetran And to find out more about her Words of Wisdom for Teens book series, go to https://www.amazon.com/Jacqui-Letran/e/B00O752IY0

Apr 1, 2021 • 35min
Holistic Healing: How Ashima Bhaidasna Is Resolving Pain Without Chemicals
Experiencing some kind of pain has become normalized in our society, but it shouldn't be. We shouldn't have to put up with stomach aches, back pain, or headaches for the sake of it, because it's not normal to feel physically uncomfortable. The only problem is, the main alternative to pain is an over-the-counter medication, and no one wants to be popping pills every day. Is there a way to address our ailments without giving into chemical solutions filled with ingredients we can't even read, let alone say out loud? In this episode, the Founder of Ashima Natural Remedies, Ashima Bhaidasna shares how she used extensive research and cultural knowledge passed down to her through generations to create a brand that helps people treat their ailments naturally. 3 Things You'll Learn in This Episode Why natural remedies are a mom's best friend On top of over-the-counter medications having a ton of chemical ingredients we can't even pronounce, many medications cannot be administered to children. That makes natural products a great alternative for our little ones when they're feeling under the weather. How herbal solutions nix guilt Essential oils can make us feel good physically and have an added benefit over painkillers. When we use natural treatments instead of chemical ingredients, we have peace of mind knowing exactly what we're putting on or into our bodies. What makes natural alternatives a great option for busy families Many of us gravitate towards over-the-counter medications for convenience, but natural remedies don't need to be time-consuming. Natural medicine can save us time and stop us from going to the doctor any time we need relief from things like back pain and menstrual cramps. Guest Bio- Ashima Bhaidasna is the Founder of "Ashima Natural Remedies". Why? 40 years of Practical REMEDY experience for Holistic, Healthier & Happy self. Bringing, "Plant-based Clean Natural Alternatives for common issues/discomfort" to Holistically optimize your wellbeing by using Remedies for your Body & Mind. To connect with Ashima, visit: https://www.instagram.com/ashimanaturalremedy https://www.linkedin.com/company/ashima-natural-remedies More about Ashima's small but mighty brand: You'll be happy you found a Conscious Holistic Brand for your Clean Healthy Living. Plant-based Clean Natural Alternatives for common issues/discomfort, like pain, sinus, common cold, colic, premature grey hair, clean mineral sunscreen, and assistance with menstrual cramps. Made using ingredients that Grow on Mother Earth like herbs, spices, plant oils (yeah, the flavors that Indian spices bring with Indian Curries, Chai Masala, Garam Masala which is authentic to Indian roots with hidden health benefits). Ashima decided not to limit these Herbs and Spices to food but to also Heal Body & Mind in the Holistic Journey of Living - NATURALLY. https://ashimanatural.com/shop/ And to get 20% off Ashima Natural Remedies products, use the code 'Boss Mom 20 Off'

Mar 25, 2021 • 14min
The Stages of Clarity
A lot of Boss Moms think they're alone in struggling to get clarity in their businesses, but that couldn't be further from the truth! Grappling with clarity is something most entrepreneurs deal with. What is it that makes clarity so difficult to attain? Is there a way to get clarity, once and for all, or is that entirely unrealistic? If clarity is elusive for business owners across the board, what can we do to get closer to it, one step at a time? In this episode, I share how to rethink clarity in our businesses. 3 Things You'll Learn in This Episode Why clarity doesn't exist in a vacuum Many of us can relate to taking time to find clarity, only to have reality creep in and leave us feeling even more confused than before. That's because clarity needs to coexist with the real world. Why there's no single path to clarity Even the biggest billion-dollar corporation doesn't have constant clarity, and that's because as our audience evolves, we need to adapt. True clarity comes from a constant state of market research. How to stop letting rejection throw us off balance Many of our ideas will never come to life because they're just not feasible, but that's not something to get offended over. There's always a first draft for everything, and with every tweak to our original ideas, we get closer to bigger results.

Mar 18, 2021 • 35min
How to Talk About Last Night's Game When Sports Aren't Your Thing w/Amy Buchan Siegfried
Sports are a big part of many people's lives, so having an idea of what's going on in the sporting world is a great way to foster relationships. The only question is, what if we aren't into it ourselves? For those of us who aren't major sports fanatics, the thought of participating in discussions about last night's game can feel a little daunting. However, we don't need to become experts just to join a conversation. What can we do to empower ourselves to join in with conversations about sports when we're not avid fans? Is there a way to do it without spending hours understanding a game? In this episode, the Founder of Last Night's Game, Amy Buchan Siegfried shares why a little bit of information goes a long way. 3 Things You'll Learn in This Episode Why bite-sized bits of information make a bigger impactNo one wants to spend hours reading up on a sport just to make conversation. Short, sweet, to the point reads give us just what we need without going down a rabbit hole. How having a basic knowledge of sports helps us connect with othersEven if we aren't into sports ourselves, a lot of people are, and that means having a working knowledge of recent sporting events puts us at an advantage. Whether we're jumping into conversations with our loved ones or using our knowledge to build connections with our colleagues and business partners, having even a small understanding is an asset. The importance of keeping learning funNo one is going to learn anything by watching a box score. If we're interested in learning about a sport (or anything, for that matter!) we've got to keep it fun. Guest Bio- After seeing how the ability to talk sports gave her the upper hand as a woman in business, Amy, a third-generation entrepreneur, created Last Night's Game to give her friends the same advantage. Last Night's Game empowers its readers to join the sports conversation, even if they don't know the first thing about sports. Amy is the host of the Sports Curious Podcast. To find out more, visit: lastnightsgame.com https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/sports-curious/id1401017786 https://open.spotify.com/show/7MVOMqDaWrGY3DVWxobDcw?si=qNP2o-FpQ22Vt9ydiqzqkQ&utm_source=copy-link http://instagram.com/lastnightsgame https://m.facebook.com/lastnightsgame http://twitter.com/lastnights_game

Mar 11, 2021 • 38min
Build a Million Dollar Business by Turning Old Ideas into New Visions w/Nicki Radzely
Building a brilliant business doesn't always mean we have to come up with an entirely new idea. Sometimes, all it takes is looking at existing concepts in a new way. Unfortunately, there are times when that can be easier said than done, but even that doesn't mean it's the end of the road for our creativity. All that means is we need to create the right partnerships- but how do we do that? How can we create the type of partnerships that help us see things in new, exciting ways? When will we know if we've found the 'right' business partner? In this episode, Co-Founder of Doddle & Co., Nicky Radzely shares how she and her business partner rethought pacifiers and built a million-dollar business. Three Things You'll Learn in This Episode Where to find inspiration for product designIt's often tempting to look at current trends for ideas, but that only limits us. Scour around, look at design techniques in entirely different industries, and think about what the consumer 3 years into the future wants. The importance of building a family of products that look related The best-known brands are the ones with a cohesive look and feel, so everything in our product lines should feature similar characteristics. We want our consumers to know it's our product without even seeing a brand name. How to develop new products out of old ideasNo product in the world can't be reworked or tweaked to meet the needs of today's consumers. Sometimes, all it takes is meeting someone whose vision is different from our own. Guest Bio- Nicki Radzely is the co-founder of Doddle & Co. Starting with the launch of the patented Pop® pacifier in 2017, Doddle & Co is a radical innovator in the baby market and a million-dollar company. And yes, she created the winning pacifier you saw on Shark Tank! She currently resides with her partner Gregg and their two sons. To find out more, visit: https://doddleandco.com/collections https://www.nordstrom.com/brands/doddle-co--15122 https://www.instagram.com/doddleandcompany/ https://www.facebook.com/doddleandco/ https://www.instagram.com/nickiradzely/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/nickiradzely/


