HERself

Our friend, Elisabeth Emmerich, is on the show today. She is a mom of three, a licensed therapist, and a registered play therapist. We found this conversation exceedingly interesting because Elisabeth really shares ways we can support our children’s mental health. And by no surprise, we learned that our mental health is directly connected to our children’s mental health.

It can be tough to tell when the right time is to seek out extra help for your kiddo. Elisabeth shares some signs to watch out for and explains when and why children are coming to her for therapy. We also know that resiliency in kids continues to be a popular topic. Elisabeth speaks on how we can foster this in our children and whether or not she thinks gentle parenting is hindering our kids from becoming as resilient as they could be.

Maybe you’re not quite ready to put your child in therapy but you like the sounds of this play based therapy. Elisabeth shares some ideas of what you can do at home that would have a similar effect. It’s simple things like playing games with your kids, setting up predictable routines for them, and even helping them regulate their nervous systems but getting some exercise.

Follow Elisabeth on Instagram

Elisabeth’s Website

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Let’s connect!

HERSELF SHOP: https://herself-podcast-favorites.myshopify.com

HERSELF PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/herselfpodcast

HERSELF INSTAGRAM: http://instagram.com/herselfpodcast

MEET AMY: http://instagram.com/ameskiefer

MEET ABBY: http://instagram.com/abbyrosegreen

This episode was produced and edited by @pivotballchange.

We are sitting down with Christine Yu this week and she is talking with us about the science behind women’s health and how it relates to each of us as moms who want to be healthy examples for our children. Christine is the author of Up to Speed: The GroundBreaking Science of Women Athletes and she has a masters degree from Harvard University.

Christine is also a mom and she shares real life examples of the changes that her body has gone through and the mindset shifts she has had to make when it comes to the type of exercise she can do as she ages. She educates us on the role that hormones play in the way they affect the amount of fatigue we can feel when exercising. Christine also explains why there is so much more research out there when it comes to men’s fitness compared to women’s and the direction that women’s research is going.

We know that it is so important for our children to find a physical activity that they connect with when they are young. Christine talks about the importance of this, especially for young girls, and gives recommendations on what we can do as parents to foster this healthy relationship between our children and exercise. Even if you don’t have children yourself, you’ll be able to put yourself back in your shoes when you were a child and relate to so much of what we talk about throughout this episode.

Follow Christine on Instagram

Christine’s Substack

Up to Speed: The Groundbreaking Science of Women Athletes

Sponsor: 10% off at BETTERHELP: http://betterhelp.com/herself

Sponsor: Visit SitkaSeafoodMarket.com code ‘HERSELF’ for $35 off your first order

Links & Resources:

Enroll in the HERself Self-Care Course

Let’s connect!

HERSELF SHOP: https://herself-podcast-favorites.myshopify.com

HERSELF PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/herselfpodcast

HERSELF INSTAGRAM: http://instagram.com/herselfpodcast

MEET AMY: http://instagram.com/ameskiefer

MEET ABBY: http://instagram.com/abbyrosegreen

This episode was produced and edited by @pivotballchange.

We want to wish all of you a very Merry Christmas to those who celebrate. As we head into the New Year, this Greatest Hits episode with Kristin Neff is such an important one. That mean inner critic that we all have can speak really loudly at times. Sometimes we even start to believe that voice. During this episode Kristin encourages us to think past that mean voice and instead to think about what we are truly saying.

We all know we should speak to ourselves kindly. But when we make a mistake, say the wrong thing, our kids are acting up, it’s easy to place blame and judgment on ourselves. Kristin is a pioneer in the self compassion space and has a wealth of knowledge on the “in the moment” things we can do to raise ourselves up and show kindness over anything else.

Let’s connect!

HERSELF SHOP: https://herself-podcast-favorites.myshopify.com

HERSELF PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/herselfpodcast

HERSELF INSTAGRAM: http://instagram.com/herselfpodcast

MEET AMY: http://instagram.com/ameskiefer

MEET ABBY: http://instagram.com/abbyrosegreen

This episode was produced and edited by @pivotballchange.

Today’s topic idea came from a friend of ours. She explained that her partner is going through a rough stretch at work and it’s trickling into their home life. She was wondering how she can help him and how she can make sure this issue is not taken out on their kids. We decided to dedicate an entire episode to what happens if one of the two of you has a tough stretch of life.

We give real life examples from both ourselves and our partners. Both of us have been there. We know what it’s like to go through tough seasons as individuals and what it’s like to have a partner go through a rough patch. We help break it down into three parts; finding the root cause, pulling the other person out of their rut, and how to stop their bad mood from bringing you down.

A common theme that comes up throughout this episode is the importance of self-awareness. We get it that it’s not your responsibility to make sure your partner is happy all the time. It is up to them to recognize what their triggers are and to communicate with you what will help them during this tough time. And the way to help your partner out in times of need is going to be different for everyone.

You and your partner are two different people. When they are going through a rough patch it’s just not easy. We have to normalize that as humans we are going to go through hard things. It’s important to ask ourselves how can we help each other, how can we best support each other, and be there for one another? How can we take some things off their plate while also knowing that we exist outside of them too?

Sponsor: 10% off at BETTERHELP: http://betterhelp.com/herself

Sponsor: Year’s Supply of Vitamin D3K2 and Five Free Travel Packs from AG1 with Your First Purchase: www.drinkag1.com/herself

Links & Resources:

Enroll in the HERself Self-Care Course

Let’s connect!

HERSELF SHOP: https://herself-podcast-favorites.myshopify.com

HERSELF PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/herselfpodcast

HERSELF INSTAGRAM: http://instagram.com/herselfpodcast

MEET AMY: http://instagram.com/ameskiefer

MEET ABBY: http://instagram.com/abbyrosegreen

This episode was produced and edited by @pivotballchange.

This is a special episode that was originally recorded for the other podcast that Amy & I host; Pursuing HER Purpose. I (Abby) get behind the microphone with our other co-found of that business, Kat Herro, and together we share what it’s like to have a traveling spouse. May you are the traveling one or may it’s your partner, either way this episode is going to fill you with so much insight into what this lifestyle is all about.

We go through how often Kat and I’s partners are gone, what they do ahead of time to set the family up for success, and what the expectations are for both themselves and their partners when they are gone. Kat and Abby share what systems work best for them when their spouses are out of town including having something fun planned in advance, having groceries delivered, and even making bath time a longer than usual activity with the kids.

Having a partner who travels for work can be taxing in more ways than one. But we want you to know that you’re not alone. It’s easy to slip into that angsty comparison place. We hope this episode not only gives you ideas for how to make the time your partner is away easier but also something that you can actually look forward to.

Sponsor: 10% off at BETTERHELP: http://betterhelp.com/herself

Sponsor: 30% off Blissy Pillowcases: https://blissy.com/pages/herself code: HERSELF

Links & Resources:

Enroll in the HERself Self-Care Course

Follow Pursuing HER Purpose on Instagram; @pursuingherpurpose

www.pursuingherpurpose.com

Let’s connect!

HERSELF SHOP: https://herself-podcast-favorites.myshopify.com

HERSELF PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/herselfpodcast

HERSELF INSTAGRAM: http://instagram.com/herselfpodcast

MEET AMY: http://instagram.com/ameskiefer

MEET ABBY: http://instagram.com/abbyrosegreen

This episode was produced and edited by @pivotballchange.

Jamila Souffrant, from Journey to Launch, is on the podcast today. We’ve had financial experts on the show before and we know these types of episodes always hit! But we feel that you’ll especially vibe with Jamila. She is a mom of three, a money coach, a podcast host, and a certified financial education instructor. Her own journey with money and how she too is learning along the way is so relatable.

There are different ways to approach your finances. Jamila explains that during different stages of life you may approach money differently. You could be an aggressive investor at one point versus extremely frugal at another. She explains things like what the FIRE acronym stands for and what her “guacamole lifestyles” mean in her new book; Your Journey to Financial Freedom.

We know that finances can feel like an all or nothing approach. Jamila gives a fresh take on how you can look at a side hustle and how to get on the same page as your partner when it comes to still valuing each other's independent financial goals. Another thing our generation tends to think is that our parents didn’t teach us enough about money. If you want to start having money talks with your children, Jamila gives some advice on where to start.

We loved so many of Jamila’s answers during this interview. You’ll be able to take her real life examples, implement them right away, and not feel overwhelmed while doing so.

Sponsor: 20% off at Vuori Clothing: https://vuoriclothing.com/herself

Sponsor: Visit SitkaSeafoodMarket.com to Save 20% on All Holiday Specialty One-Time boxes. Enjoy either Day Boat scallops, Dungeness crab or the Salmon Variety Box. Sale ends December 9.

Links & Resources:

Enroll in the HERself Self-Care Course

Jamila’s Podcast; Journey to Launch

Order Your Copy of Jamila’s New Book, Your Journey to Financial Freedom

Follow Jamila on Instagram; @jamiliasouffrant

Let’s connect!

HERSELF SHOP: https://herself-podcast-favorites.myshopify.com

HERSELF PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/herselfpodcast

HERSELF INSTAGRAM: http://instagram.com/herselfpodcast

MEET AMY: http://instagram.com/ameskiefer

MEET ABBY: http://instagram.com/abbyrosegreen

This episode was produced and edited by @pivotballchange.

We have Dr. Sumi Raghavan on the show today. If you’ve heard of Dr. Becky Kennedy, who has been on the show before, Dr. Sumi consults for her parenting company. She also collaborates with other psychologists who support women and mothers.

Throughout this interview Dr. Sumi does such a great job of empowering our listeners to feel confident and break free from mom guilt. She lets us know that if a system isn’t working for us, it’s not our fault. Instead, she gives us techniques we can use to move forward through community and finding support from the people around us.

Dr. Sumi answers our questions on how we can create more space for rest and how we can help ourselves understand that rest is necessary. We live in a culture that loves to value being over-productive. Dr. Sumi explains how we can move away from this lifestyle. She also shares her concept of “anti-work Wednesday”; what it is and why she created it.

Sponsor: Visit SitkaSeafoodMarket.com to Save 20% on the Sitka Seafood Intro Box! Get this 3 week trial for only $63. Sale ends December 9.

Sponsor: 10% off at BETTERHELP: http://betterhelp.com/herself

Sponsor: Year’s Supply of Vitamin D3K2 and Five Free Travel Packs from AG1 with Your First Purchase: www.drinkag1.com/herself

Links & Resources:

Enroll in the HERself Self-Care Course

Follow Dr. Sumi on Instagram

Dr. Sumi’s Website

Let’s connect!

HERSELF SHOP: https://herself-podcast-favorites.myshopify.com

HERSELF PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/herselfpodcast

HERSELF INSTAGRAM: http://instagram.com/herselfpodcast

MEET AMY: http://instagram.com/ameskiefer

MEET ABBY: http://instagram.com/abbyrosegreen

This episode was produced and edited by @pivotballchange.

We are sharing the microphone with a married couple who also happen to be couples counselors specifically for parents. Erin and Stephen Mitchell join us today to talk about the tough decisions we have to make as parents, starting with do we want to have more kids? They go into their own story on this very subject and share the struggles they had to overcome to come to a final decision. Not only do they bring the humanity behind therapy, but also with Stephen’s PhD in medical family therapy and Erin’s masters in counseling and psychology, they’re able to bring in so much more.

We know that the decision of how many children to have shows up constantly for this community. Some couples can fight on this topic for months and months, some even years. Erin and Stephen share what you should be asking yourselves, as individuals, if this is a topic of tension in your household. And what about if you’re grid locked - one person is a no and the other is a yes. They share how you can move forward in this situation.

Finances are another topic of discussion that cause stress for couples. Do you feel like you can never get on the same page as your partner when it comes to money? And what about a career change? How do you decide as a couple if this is the next right move for your family? Erin and Stephen bring forth the idea of asking what the truth behind the story we are telling ourselves is with these issues. They also share how to help your partner feel seen and heard when their opinion differs from your own.

We both had so much to reflect on after this conversation. Erin and Stephen still have issues, even though they are experts in this area. We all have things that we can continue to work on inside our relationships. And, when we throw kids in the mix, it only elevates the demands and responsibilities we feel when making tough decisions. We hope this episode allows you and your partner to revisit some of the stories underneath the surface and that together, as a couple, you can understand each other just a little bit better and decision fatigue can be less of a burden.

Sponsor: 10% off at BETTERHELP: http://betterhelp.com/herself

Sponsor: 20% off at Vuori Clothing: https://vuoriclothing.com/herself

Links & Resources:

Enroll in the HERself Self-Care Course

Follow Erin & Stephen on Instagram

Erin & Stephen’s Website

Erin & Stephen’s Podcast

Let’s connect!

HERSELF SHOP: https://herself-podcast-favorites.myshopify.com

HERSELF PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/herselfpodcast

HERSELF INSTAGRAM: http://instagram.com/herselfpodcast

MEET AMY: http://instagram.com/ameskiefer

MEET ABBY

Many of us are craving our own holiday traditions yet we are trying to please our parents at the same time. When is it our turn to enjoy the holidays? We can’t be expending all our energy into others and expect there to be time to dedicate to our own families. Today we hope you leave this episode feeling inspired, with some new strategies to try this holiday season, and definitely with some solidarity.

We understand that juggling the holidays is complicated. It’s so easy to say, “set a boundary. Say no.” But when other people’s feelings are at risk, it’s just simply not that easy. We share where we draw the line and say no. Being flexible when you can is key but also know what you’re going to hold near and dear to your immediate family.

We reached out to our community and asked you what was the most stressful for you during the holidays. We go through your hot takes on topics such as gifts, kids being crabby, sleeping arrangements, perfectionism, and the mom’s mental load this time of year.

To make this holiday season a little bit more about you and less about everyone else you might have to have that hard conversation with your loved one or your in-laws. If anything, we suggest making your partner take some things off your plate! Keep it simple, delegate, and get ahead of what you can.

Sponsor: 30% off Blissy Pillowcases: https://blissy.com/pages/herself code: HERSELF

Links & Resources:

Enroll in the HERself Self-Care Course

Let’s connect!

HERSELF SHOP: https://herself-podcast-favorites.myshopify.com

HERSELF PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/herselfpodcast

HERSELF INSTAGRAM: http://instagram.com/herselfpodcast

MEET AMY: http://instagram.com/ameskiefer

MEET ABBY: http://instagram.com/abbyrosegreen

This episode was produced and edited by @pivotballchange.

This episode is all about step families, blended families and how to deal with exes. Even if that’s not your current situation, opening your eyes to the challenges that stepparents face is really important. And that’s exactly what today’s guest, Jamie Scrimgeor, helps us do.

Jamie has a background in psychology and social service work. She is now a certified life coach who specializes in step family dynamics. Jamie also hosts her own podcast, is a content and community creator, she’s a wife, a mom to three stepchildren and one of her own.

In our conversation with Jamie she shares what she would like those of us who aren’t stepmoms to understand about those who are. She also shares what the most common challenges are that come up for stepmoms. We know that blending a family with stepchildren and an “ours” baby can bring up a lot of emotion. Jamie shares her own personal story with this and why it’s the best thing that has happened to her family.

One topic that isn’t often talked about is the mental load of a stepmom. Jamie shares her insights on what contributes to stepmom mental load most often and also shares her reframes to help you release the guilt, shame, and judgment of others when it comes to divorce.

Links & Resources:

Enroll in the HERself Self-Care Course

Jamie’s Website

Jamie’s Podcast

Jamie’s Membership

Let’s connect!

HERSELF SHOP: https://herself-podcast-favorites.myshopify.com

HERSELF PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/herselfpodcast

HERSELF INSTAGRAM: http://instagram.com/herselfpodcast

MEET AMY: http://instagram.com/ameskiefer

MEET ABBY: http://instagram.com/abbyrosegreen

This episode was produced and edited by @pivotballchange.