Episode Overview

In this episode of Busy Mom Talk, I sit down with Meenakshi, an Ottawa mom of three who is balancing full-time work, motherhood, and content creation. This conversation feels like one of those honest, needed chats about what motherhood actually looks like behind the scenes. We get into the mental load, the pressure to keep everything together, and how overwhelming it can feel trying to be everything to everyone.

Meenakshi shares her journey into motherhood and how starting her blog became an outlet during a time where so many emotions were hard to process. We talk about what it really feels like returning to work after maternity leave, especially with multiple kids, and how that transition is often way harder than people talk about.

We also dive into the cultural side of motherhood. The expectations that are passed down, the pressure to do things a certain way, and how our generation is starting to question all of it. This part of the conversation really opens up the idea that motherhood doesn’t have to look one specific way, and that it’s okay to do things differently if it feels right for your family.

We talk about social media and how it can both connect and overwhelm moms at the same time. The comparison, the pressure, and the unrealistic standards that can creep in. We also touch on gentle parenting and what it looks like to raise kids with intention while still navigating real life stress.

Overall, this episode is about giving yourself permission to not have it all figured out. To take care of yourself too. And to build a version of motherhood that actually works for you, not just what’s expected.

Key Topics Covered

• Balancing work, motherhood, and personal identity

• The mental load and invisible responsibilities moms carry

• Returning to work after maternity leave

• Cultural expectations and generational differences in parenting

• Breaking traditional norms and parenting in a way that feels right

• The impact of social media on motherhood

• Gentle parenting and intentional parenting approaches

• The importance of community and support systems

• Prioritizing self-care without guilt

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Overview View

In this episode, I sit down with Eli Weinstein, therapist, speaker, and author of From I Do to We Do, to have a real, honest conversation about what happens to relationships after kids enter the picture.

We dive into the shift from being partners to becoming parents—and how easy it is to lose connection in the middle of the chaos. Eli brings such a refreshing male therapist perspective, breaking down what men are actually feeling but often don’t say out loud, especially when it comes to mental health, pressure, and parenting roles.

We talk about communication in a way that actually feels doable, not textbook. From practical tools like the “import and export” list, to understanding emotional needs on both sides, this episode is full of real-life strategies you can actually use in your relationship right now. Eli’s approach is grounded in real experiences and therapy-backed tools that help couples stay connected, resolve conflict, and build a stronger foundation... without feeling like you have to choose between being a great parent and a great partner.

We also get into the deeper conversations around male mental health, the invisible load in parenting, and how to move from “me vs you” to truly functioning as a team. If you’ve ever looked at your partner and thought, “How did we get here?”... this episode is going to hit home in the best way.

Episode Highlights

• The shift from “I do” to “we do” after kids—and why so many couples struggle here
• A male therapist’s perspective on relationships, fatherhood, and emotional pressure
• The “import & export” tool and how it can completely change communication
• Why most couples aren’t actually communicating… they’re reacting
• The truth about male mental health and why it’s often overlooked
• How to stop keeping score in your relationship
• Moving from “me vs you” → “us vs the chaos”
• Small daily habits that rebuild connection (even when you’re exhausted)
• Navigating parenting roles, expectations, and resentment before it builds

Follow along @BusyMomTalk on IG & purchase Eli's book here: https://a.co/d/064dzShI!

Episode Overview

This week it’s just me. No guest, no fluff. Just a conversation I’ve been putting off for a long time.

I’m finally sharing my birth story… and honestly, it didn’t go how I thought it would at all. What should have been something straightforward turned into multiple misdiagnoses. I was told I had an ovarian torsion, then later was wrongly diagnosed with an STI, which almost completely turned my life upside down. That alone was a lot to process… and I hadn’t even given birth yet.

After I delivered, things got even more intense. I was dealing with a retained placenta and ended up having a postpartum hemorrhage. It was scary, confusing, and not something anyone really prepares you for. I’m sharing it because I wish someone had been more honest with me about what can actually happen. There were moments where I knew something felt off, but I didn’t fully understand what I was experiencing or how serious it was.

So I also want to say this, because I didn’t know at the time…

Red Flags for PPH OR Retained Placenta:

If you’re soaking through a pad really quickly or passing large clots, that’s not something to brush off. If you feel dizzy, weak, like you might faint, or your heart is racing out of nowhere… that matters. If your stomach or pelvic pain feels intense, constant, or just not right, listen to that.

And with retained placenta, it’s not always obvious. Ongoing heavy bleeding, a feeling like something is still there, cramping that doesn’t ease up, even fever or just feeling unwell… those are all things to take seriously.

I wish I knew that sooner.

In this episode I just talk through everything. What happened, how it felt, what I was told, and what I wish I knew at the time. If you’re a mom, especially if you’re pregnant or postpartum, I really hope this helps you feel a little more aware and a lot less alone.

And if something ever feels off in your body… trust that feeling and push for answers. You deserve to be heard.

Overview

• In this week’s episode of Busy Mom Talk, I sit down with Shannon Kelly, co-owner of an Ottawa salon, mom, and entrepreneur who built her business and her family during one of the most uncertain times in recent history.
• Shannon shares what it was really like starting a business during COVID, being pregnant in a pandemic, and navigating both marriage and entrepreneurship at the same time. This episode is honest, relatable, and a powerful reminder that sometimes life does not follow the timeline we imagined but it can still unfold beautifully.

Starting a Business in the Middle of a Pandemic

• Shannon and her husband had planned to open their salon before COVID ever hit. When the world shut down, so did their original timeline. Instead of forcing the business launch, they pivoted. They used their savings to get married and start their family.
• What could have felt like a setback became a season of recalibration. Shannon talks about the emotional and financial balancing act of saving for a dream while navigating uncertainty. Her story is a reminder that adaptability is sometimes the greatest entrepreneurial skill of all.

Working With Your Spouse: The Real Dynamics

• One of the most relatable parts of this episode is Shannon’s honesty about working with her husband. She shares the initial hesitation she felt and how vulnerable she was in admitting her fears.
• With support and guidance from her mom, Shannon leaned into communication and partnership. What started as awkward quickly became natural. She speaks openly about defining roles, respecting each other’s strengths, and building something meaningful together.
• For couples who are building businesses or navigating big dreams side by side, this conversation will resonate deeply.

Breaking Gender Norms in the Beauty Industry

• Shannon reflects on entering an industry where many salon owners were traditionally men. While she trained under a strong female leader early in her career, she quickly noticed the imbalance in ownership.
• Over time, her confidence grew. What she once never imagined for herself became a calling. Shannon now leads with intention, creating the kind of supportive, nurturing space she once sought out herself.
• Her journey speaks to the larger shift happening in female entrepreneurship and what it looks like to step into leadership even when you did not originally see yourself there.

Pregnancy, Birth, and Motherhood in a Pandemic

• The episode takes a deeply personal turn when Shannon shares her experience of being pregnant during COVID. She talks about being sick throughout her pregnancy, attending appointments alone while her husband waited in the car, and giving birth under strict hospital restrictions.
• Despite the isolation and unexpected challenges, Shannon reflects on finding strength in the quiet. There were no extra visitors. No outside noise. Just her and the moment.
• Her story will resonate with moms who had babies during that time and anyone who had to adjust expectations in ways they never imagined.

Episode Overview

In this episode of Busy Mom Talk, Kianna sits down with Dr. Olivia Richman, a family health physician and founder of Docfluencer MDO, to discuss the realities of women’s healthcare, physician burnout, and the need for meaningful advocacy in medicine.

Dr. Richman shares how gaps in education around women’s health shaped her career path and inspired her to build a platform that brings healthcare professionals together for education and collaboration. The conversation explores why focused advocacy efforts create stronger impact, how systemic barriers affect both patients and providers, and why underserved communities continue to face unequal access to care.

They also dive into the pressures physicians face behind the scenes, including overwhelming workloads, limited time with patients, and the emotional toll of navigating complex healthcare systems. Dr. Richman highlights the importance of community collaboration, resilience, and honest conversations in driving change within modern medicine.

This episode offers an inside look at women’s health, healthcare advocacy, and what it truly means to support both patients and providers in today’s medical landscape.

Key Takeaways

• Women’s reproductive and preventative health is often under-taught, leaving major gaps in patient education and care.
• Healthcare influencers can play a powerful role in improving public understanding when education is evidence-based and ethical.
• Focused, mission-driven advocacy campaigns are more effective than trying to address too many issues at once.
• Systemic barriers, including insurance processes and administrative demands, frequently delay or limit patient care.
• Physician burnout is driven by heavy workloads, emotional labour, and lack of institutional support.
• Meaningful patient care depends on trust and connection, yet time constraints often interfere with these relationships.
• Failure and setbacks in medical training can become catalysts for growth, resilience, and leadership.
• Collaboration across healthcare professionals and communities is essential to create real, lasting change.
• Education and advocacy work best when rooted in lived experience and professional expertise.
• Sustainable healthcare reform requires both grassroots voices and organized professional networks.

Don't forget to follow along on instagram @busymomtalk !

Episode Overview

In this episode of Busy Mom Talk, I sit down with Melyse for an honest conversation about burnout, what it really looks like, and how it can quietly build up until you feel like you are running on empty. Melyse shares the signs she experienced firsthand, including emotional exhaustion, feeling disconnected from her work, and losing that sense of accomplishment that once motivated her.

We talk about the reality of leaving a stable corporate job when you are already overwhelmed, and how scary that transition can feel, especially when finances and responsibility are weighing on you. Melyse opens up about how she shifted into a more fulfilling, multi layered career path and why building a portfolio career can create flexibility, freedom, and multiple income streams.

This episode is a reminder that healing does not always start with big changes. Sometimes it starts with acknowledging that you are struggling, giving yourself permission to rest, and finding community support that actually understands what caregivers carry every day. If you have been feeling burnt out, stuck, or like you have lost yourself in survival mode, this conversation will help you feel seen and give you practical mindset shifts to start moving forward again.

Key Takeaways from This Episode

• Burnout can show up as emotional exhaustion, cynicism, and feeling like nothing you do is enough
• Recognizing the signs early is a major step toward recovery Leaving stability for something new can be scary, but it can also be life changing
• A portfolio career can create flexibility and more financial security over time
• Community support matters more than most people realize Small lifestyle adjustments can ease financial stress during transition seasons
• Rest is not laziness, it is part of healing Reframing your relationship with work can help you feel fulfilled again
• Coaching can help you navigate burnout and rebuild confidence Naming what you are carrying is often the first step to getting betterIf you have been running on empty, I hope this episode reminds you that you are allowed to pause, reset, and choose yourself again. Thank you for being here, and for trusting this space.Follow me on Instagram and Facebook: @busymomtalk And follow Melyse for more on healing, growth, and finding your way forward: @vibewithmelyse

Episode Summary

In this episode, Kianna sits down with mom therapist and coach Kristin Cogan to talk about the real mental load of motherhood, why so many moms wait to ask for help, and how trauma can show up in parenting triggers. Kristin shares practical, realistic tools for “emotional hygiene,” nervous system regulation, and repair after conflict with your kids, plus a powerful framework she calls the Ripple Effect Method (physical, social, emotional, spiritual). They also explore inner child work, birth trauma triggers, and therapy modalities like EMDR and brainspotting.

Key Topics Covered

• Why motherhood feels so judged (and why community changes everything)
• When moms tend to seek help: “drowning” vs “preventative” support
• Repairing after yelling: what to say to toddlers/preschoolers
• Emotional hygiene: caring for your mental health like you care for your body
• Kristin’s “Ripple Effect Method”: physical, social, emotional, spiritual pillars
• Introvert vs extrovert needs and “people in doses”
• Glimmers, window of tolerance, and regulating your nervous system
• Inner child work and re-parenting yourself while parenting your child
• Birth trauma and why kids’ crying can feel like your body is on fire
• EMDR vs brainspotting (what they are + how they help)
• “Date your therapist” and why fit matters
• Why therapy can be lifelong support, not a one-time fix

Guest Info

Kristin Cogan

• Therapist & Coach for Moms (specializing in trauma and nervous system regulation)
• Book in with Kirstin Here: https://calendly.com/imperfectlywonderful/15-minute-phone-consultation?utm_source=ig&utm_medium=social&utm_content=link_in_bio&fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQMMjU2MjgxMDQwNTU4AAGnG0oF_p2HY_pzGKweKd8I4WFjpHgTzElfNq7beZvizGP3aaCkY9C4ij_VOn8_aem_Sdva_swtwbZ6cvssIp978Q
• Instagram: @ImperfectlyWonderfulMotherhood

Episode Overview

In this episode of Busy Mom Talk, host discusses the complexities of motherhood with guest Krissy Bold, a podcast host and mom advocate. They explore the challenges of maintaining identity as a mother, the realities of parenting, and the importance of community and friendships among moms. Krissy shares her journey of starting a podcast, the struggles of monetizing content, and the significance of setting achievable goals through 10-day challenges. The conversation emphasizes the need for self-care, personal growth, and the freedom to pivot in life.

Key Take Aways

• Motherhood can lead to a loss of personal identity.
• It's important to express the challenges of being a mom.
• Friendships can change significantly after becoming a parent.
• Playdates often don't provide the connection we expect.
• Starting a podcast can be a fulfilling but challenging journey.
• Monetizing a podcast is often more difficult than anticipated.
• Setting small, achievable goals can lead to personal growth.
• The 10-day challenge is a practical way to explore new habits.
• Self-care is essential for maintaining happiness as a mom.
• It's okay to pivot and change your path in life.