Thriving In Motherhood Podcast

When life feels overwhelming or you know you’re headed into a hard season the last thing on your mind might be a quarterly review. But I’ve found it’s exactly when I need it most. In this week’s episode of the Thriving in Motherhood Podcast, I’m walking you through how I do a quarterly review when I’m in survival mode—like right now, at the end of my pregnancy, heading into the newborn phase. Spoiler: This is not your typical "set big goals, hustle hard" kind of conversation. Instead, I’m sharing: How I reflect on what actually happened (even when the days blur together) How gratitude, small wins, and honest questions help me shift my mindset What it looks like to plan a quarter focused on surrender, presence, and creating simple joy Why your circumstances don’t have to define the memories you create If you're in a season where energy is low, the future feels uncertain, or you’re holding a lot—this episode is for you. Whether you're using the Thriving in Motherhood Planner or just grabbing a not

Feeling stressed about your child’s writing progress? You’re not alone—and in this episode, I’m joined by the one and only Julie Bogart to talk all things homeschool writing. Julie is the creator of the award-winning Brave Writer program and has helped hundreds of thousands of families find a more peaceful, effective way to teach writing at home. With over 25 years of experience (and five kids of her own!), she brings wisdom, humor, and so much heart to this conversation. We cover how to choose the right writing curriculum, why creative writing matters, and how to stop stressing over whether you’re “doing enough.” Whether you're brand new to homeschooling or just feeling stuck, this episode will give you some fresh perspective and encouragement from one of the best in the field.

Over the years, I’ve built a rhythms that helps me manage the things I want to do, the person I want to become, and the reality of a very digital world.  In this episode, I’m walking you through a 3-part system I use to stay focused and present: The Thriving in Motherhood Planner that helps me move forward in small pockets of time A reflection notebook based on the core of the bullet journaling method (no rulers or fancy spreads required) My Notion-based “second brain” that holds digital tasks, notes inspiration, and big picture thinking This episode gives you an inside look at how I keep things running without burning out and how you can build something similar, on piece at a time. Want to create your own system with real support? The Surviving to Thriving Toolkit is your guide through five intentional phases of growth, complete with tools, strategies, and structure. Join the waitlist here.  

At the start of each year, I don’t just set goals, I also build a personal curriculum. It’s something I first heard from Brendon Burchard years ago, and it’s completely changed how I approach growth in the middle of real life. In this episode, I’m walking you through the exact steps I’m using to design my personal curriculum for 2025. I’m sharing how I choose a few meaningful books, link them to my vision, and apply what I learn in practical, doable ways. Here’s what I cover: How I connect my learning to my bigger vision and goals for the year What it looks like to align reading, reflection, and action in real-time A behind-the-scenes look at how I organize all of this in my second brain system This isn’t about doing more, it’s about growing with intention, in the areas that matter most right to you. Tune in and get inspired to create your own personal curriculum.  

In this episode, I’m joined by time management coach Anna Dearmon Kornick to talk about what really happens when your well-oiled routines stop working. We’re diving into why systems fall apart when life shifts, how to create new rhythms without starting from scratch, and the small habits that make a big difference in your week. From weekly planning that actually fits your season to routines that help you shift from work to home (without bringing your to-do list to the dinner table), this conversation is full of real talk and doable ideas for busy moms. Resources Blueprint to Balance - https://annadkornick.com/blueprint-to-balance Anna's Website: https://annadkornick.com Anna's Social Media: https://www.instagram.com/annadkornick/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/annadearmonkornick/

Do you want to get your kids outside more, but feel intimidated by the work it takes to make it happen? What do you even do once you're out there? In this week’s episode of the Thriving in Motherhood Podcast, I’m talking with Susie Spickle, naturalist, mother of three, and author of Forest Magic for Kids. She shares simple, practical ways to make getting outside a regular, joyful part of your life,no matter what season you're in. Whether you're juggling babies, navigating busy public school schedules, or feeling stuck on where to start, Susie offers encouragement and ideas that truly meet you where you are. Listen in as we talk about: How to spark imaginative outdoor play for every age Why kids don’t need perfect fairy houses or “Pinterest play” What real benefits outdoor time offers How to scaffold outdoor activities based on age (and attention span) Where to look in your own community for low-stakes, high-fun nature support This episode is full of ideas you can try today!

I’m planning out our 2025–2026 homeschool year, and with a 6th grader, 4th grader, 3rd grader, Pre-K/kindergarten child—and a newborn arriving soon—it’s going to be a full season. In this week’s episode of the Thriving in Motherhood Podcast, I’m sharing a full behind-the-scenes look at how we’re approaching curriculum, why we’re sticking with the Alveary, and how I’m planning in a way that actually works for our current season of life. Here’s what I walk through: The daily rhythm we’ve built to support family subjects and one-on-one learning How we rotate through four learning blocks each morning (including chores and piano!) Why the Alveary curriculum clicked for us—especially when it comes to book choices and lesson plan design How I’m using Notion to plan our school year, track progress, and stay flexible when life (and newborns) happen Whether you’re new to homeschooling, adjusting for multiple ages, or just looking for ways to plan with more confidence and clarity—I hope this episode gives you

Ever feel like you kids’ toys are taking over, yet no one’s actually playing with them? In this week’s episode, I sit down with Myriam Sandler - creator of the popular MotherCould community and author of Playful By Design - to unpack the real reasons independent play feels so elusive…and what actually works. From play hotspots to boredom breakthroughs, you’ll walk away with practical, judgement-free strategies to help your kids play more (and fight less), without turning your home into a Pinterest project. We discuss: ●      The real reason your kids might not be playing with their toys (even when the bins are overflowing) ●      Why boredom isn’t a problem - it’s a launchpad for self-led play ●      The hidden mindset trap that keeps moms stuck as entertainers - and how to shift out of it ●      How to move from managing stuff to designing and environment that works with your kids, not against them This conversation will help you rethink what independent play really looks like and give you simple, doabl

Have you ever gotten really excited about decluttering your house, jumped in with both feet, started making progress, and then very quickly found yourself getting frustrated with your kids for undoing your work? Or maybe you cleared a space and felt great about it - until they moved in and started playing there and it drove you crazy? If that sounds familiar, I've been there too, and I want to share with you two ideas today to really encourage you on your decluttering journey. In this episode, I share: The decluttering epiphany I had during this survival season. The four distinct layers of decluttering (I guide you through all of them in the Surviving to Thriving Toolkit) The "two-minute tidy space" concept that's been incredible in our bedrooms Why decluttering is the starting line, not the finish line Decluttering isn't about creating a Pinterest-perfect home - it's about finding YOUR threshold where things flow smoothly, where cleanup feels manageable, and where you can find peace at the end of t

Summer’s coming, which means it’s time to start asking some questions. Not the “what camps should we sign up for?” kind, but the deeper ones that help you create a summer rhythm that actually serves your family (and doesn’t leave you burned out by mid-June.) In this week’s episode, I’m sharing eight questions I’m working through right now as we prepare for summer in our home - questions that help me make intentional choices before things get busy. In this episode I share: How I start thinking about summer (before the calendar fills up) The question that helps me avoid comparison traps How collaborating with your kids helps create a summer that works for everyone And how to work with your current circumstances instead of fighting them Whether you’ve got big changes coming, are craving more simplicity, or just want a rhythm that feels good to everyone, this episode is here to help you start making intentional decisions for the months ahead. And if you want even more support for feeling confident and g

On this week’s episode, I’m talking with anger coach Elizabeth Androeski, an anger coach for Christian moms. She opens up about her journey from being an angry, reactive parent to finding peace in everyday motherhood. Elizabeth shares the practical steps that helped her cope with parenting challenges without responding in anger - changes that completely transformed her family life. In this conversation, we discuss: How Elizabeth transformed from feeling constantly on edge and frustrated with her toddler to becoming a calm, patient mom who can be light-hearted and playful. The two-part approach that made real change possible Her game-changing morning routine that took her stress levels form 8/10 to 1/10 A simple perspective shift that completely changes how you view challenging behavior One of my favorite insights from our talk is that “anger and curiosity cannot coexist.” When we’re curious about what’s happening with our kids instead of trying to control them, we create space for understanding rath

We just back from a six-day road trip with our family of six, and I’m excited to share my latest tips for making travel work with a bunch of kids (especially while 25 weeks pregnant). After years of taking these trips - including our annual month-long summer adventure - we keep finding ways to make things 1% better each time.  In this episode I share: How we solved our food challenges by bringing an Instantpot and griddle to cook simple hotel room meals Why eating at restaurants for lunch instead of dinner completely transformed our evenings The pre-packed toiletry and activity bag system that saved me from hunting down everyone’s toothbrushes How we handled long car rides with zero screens and kept everyone happy Finding the right mix of free museum visits, hotel swimming, and paid activities I’ll also share our biggest challenge – dealing with overtired kids in tight hotel quarters where everyone can hear everything! And the important parenting lesson we learned about solving problems rather tha

I’ve been working with moms for years, helping them plan weeks they can win. One of the biggest challenges I see is what happens when you get to the end of the week with loads of unchecked tasks still on your list. In this episode, I’m sharing a brand new process (complete with a downloadable flowchart!) that I’ve been using for years but finally put down on paper.  This simple framework will help you: Process every unfinished task effectively at the end of the week Stop carrying over the same items week after week Know exactly where each task belongs in your planning system Set yourself up for a clean slate and a winning week ahead Whether you’re using the Thriving In Motherhood Planner or your own systems, these principals will work for you! I walk through what to do with tasks that need to happen daily, weekly, or monthly, plus how to handle ideas that don’t have deadlines but you don’t want to forget. The goal isn’t to do everything – it’s to make intentional choices about what matters most and

Problem solving is one of those skills I’m truly passionate about - for us moms and for our kids. When our children know how to solve problems, they can face whatever challenges come their way with confidence. In today’s episode, I talk with Linsey Jensen about three simple principles that help our kids become better problem solvers. Whether you’re dealing with homework struggles, teaching science concepts, or just trying to get your kids to clean their rooms, these ideas will change how you approach teaching this important skill. Linsey shares: Why making our kids the heroes of their own experiences builds confidence.   How discovery creates deeper learning than following directions   A simple framework for breaking big tasks into manageable steps As a bonus, Linsey shares some of the amazing tools she’s created. If you enjoyed this conversation, I’d love for you to join the Surviving to Thriving Toolkit waitlist! I’ve created this program to help you move through the five steps from survivi

Today I’m sharing a delightful conversation that I had with Erin Loechner author of, “The Opt Out Family.” Erin and I dive into what it really means to create a low-tech family life and explore practical ways to reduce technology’s grip on your home while cultivating richer, more meaningful alternatives that both parents and children genuinely enjoy. This is longer than my usual episodes, but the conversation was just too good to cut anything out!  In this conversation, Erin shares: Her journey from social media influencer to intentionally stepping away from screens Simple ways to bring her family motto to life in your home Practical ideas for discovering what truly delights your children How to earn your children’s trust and respect in a digital world What it looks like to opt INTO wonder, creativity, and human connection I hope this episode gives you plenty to think about as you consider technology’s role in your family life. If reducing technology use in your life is something you’re considerin

The transition from quarter 1 to quarter 2 here from March to April is one of my absolute favorites because we’re not coming off major holidays, our routines are set for the next little while, school schedules are still flowing, and the weather’s warming up! It’s such a perfect time to reset in a couple of different ways. In this episode I’ll walk you through: A complete RESET framework for reviewing your vision for the year How I’m decluttering  my digital life – including my email inbox, phone apps, and Google Drive folders My approach to physical spaces now that I realize my home should work, even when I’m not my best I’m sharing all my real-time discoveries about what’s actually working in my life right now – practical tips you can implement even during busy seasons. You’ll hear exactly how I’m setting up systems that don’t require me to be at full capacity to maintain a peaceful home. This isn’t perfection – it’s about taking these little windows of opportunity to make tiny changes that create bi

Are you feeling overwhelmed by complicated clearing systems and endless to-do lists? In this episode, I’m sharing our family’s journey from complete survival mode (where we abandoned all cleaning systems) to creating simple, sustainable routines that keep our home relatively clean without exhausting my limited pregnancy energy.  I’ll walk you through: How to identify YOUR daily cleaning priorities based on your family’s actual pain points Our “confiscate and clean” strategy that’s transforming our tidying habits Why we’re tackling deep cleaning with music and turning it into a family activity How just 20-30 minutes of focused cleaning each morning is creating dramatic results This isn’t about perfect Pinterest-worthy spaces or following someone else’s complicated checklist. It’s about figuring out what matters most to YOU, making it easy to maintain, and celebrating the progress that comes from consistent simple actions. Whether you’re pregnant like me, in a busy season with young children, or just

Do you ever find yourself responding to your children in ways that don’t align with the parent you want to be? As I navigate through pregnancy with our fifth child while homeschooling through Georgia’s cold winter days, I’ve found myself struggling with patience and tone - especially when cabin fever sets in. In this weeks episode, I open up about: One parenting skill I’m trying to master right now.   How a moment of frustration with one of my kids led to an unexpected heart-to-heart.   The simple, yet profound principles of maintaining respect even when kids make bad choices.   Why this approach encapsulates so much of what I’ve learned from countless parenting books. I’m not sharing this as someone who’s mastered respectful parenting - far from it! This is my real-time journey of growth alongside my children, inspired by divine guidance when I needed it most. For those feeling stuck in reactive patterns or discouraged by family tensions, this episode offers a gentle reminder that parenting

Do you ever feel like your best isn’t cutting it? Like no matter how hard you try, you can’t keep up with what it takes to run your household? I hit this wall recently in my fifth pregnancy. Despite giving it my all, I couldn’t maintain the peace and systems I was used to. But through this struggle, I discovered something important about the standards we set for our homes. In this episode, I’m sharing: Why linking household management to family peace is a flawed mindset How to shift from feeling stuck to finding solutions The reality check about “normal’ capacity versus survival mode Why this challenging season has become an unexpected gift A new way to think about our household standards Whether you’re in a survival season or just feeling overwhelmed by your current systems, this conversation might help you move from despair to hope. If you’re struggling to figure out how to do the things you need and want to do, I have a free training for you. Head to thrivinginmotherhood.com for the Plan a Week

I wanted to give a personal update today - I haven't shared much about what's been happening behind the scenes with the podcast and my own life, and there's a lot to tell. Our fifth baby is on the way (I'm about 17 weeks), and while this pregnancy has brought some unexpected challenges, we're so excited. I've been mostly horizontal these past months, but that hasn't stopped our family from dreaming and doing. The kids have been incredible - helping with everything from digging out tree stumps to managing our new two-tier garden. In this episode, I'm sharing: The projects we tackled this past year (including a rock climbing wall and that garden story!) Our vision for transforming our yard into an edible landscape How homeschooling has clicked in a whole new way What's really happening with the podcast while I'm learning to work from bed Why I'm finding more joy in home life than ever before For those who've been around a while and feel like we're friends (some of us are!), this one's for you. P.S.