What do you get when you raise a girl in the Arizona desert with 5 siblings, a strong matriarchal mom, a soft-spoken feminist dad, and an innate desire to LIVE BIG? You get Katie Krimitsos - an ever-curious woman who continues her evolution as a loving being of light - who is having fun being a mom, wife, creator, and friend in this life. Whose softness and wisdom have often come as the result of painful experiences. Whose ego is always trying to get the best of her. Who's deeply in love with a Greek man she's definitely known in another life. Who's lived through 12-step programs, athletics, and half a dozen businesses. Who creates meditations for women as songs to light their souls and wants to save all the animals of the world. She believes life keeps on getting better the older she gets. And so far, she's right. ;)This is Katie’s third time on the show. I keep inviting her back because she is always a good time and always full of so much insight that moms can immediately put into action in quick & simple ways that have big impact. Listen in to hear Katie share: How she listened to her own fears and worries as well as the world’s fear and worries in order to create meditations for women during the pandemic How listening to her intuition has led her to success over and over again - and how anyone can do this Specific steps you can take to develop a stronger sense of self-trust How to build your “self-trust wings” in motherhood A breakdown of what meditative practices can look like and how to integrate meditative practices that you actually enjoy, while learning to listen inward  The power of the pause in meditation and the space it opens up The value of guided meditation, especially for those who struggle to sit in silence How to use (simple and brief) meditative practices to separate yourself from the noise of the world How to lean into self-trust to do things differently and give yourself permission to live an unscripted life  Links mentioned: Katie’s Gratitude Giveaway: Leave a review for The Women’s Meditation Network to enter Katie’s Gratitude Giveaway Connect with Katie and the Women’s Meditation Network: womensmeditationnetwork.com Follow The Women’s Meditation Network on IG Follow Katie on IG  Sponsor info and promo codes: Please find our sponsor information here: shamelessmom.com/sponsor/ Interested in becoming a sponsor of the Shameless Mom Academy? Email our sales team at sales@adalystmedia.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Work-life balance is a social construct. It is an idea and philosophy that is sold to women as something to be desired, something to be attained, and something to aspire to.  The myth that work-life balance can actually exist is a crappy bill of goods sold to us by the Patriarchy.  As feminism has evolved over the last few decades, we have been told, “YAY! Women can have it all.” But we have been given no resources and no support. There has been no systemic restructuring (philosophical or logistical) to shift our expected full-time household and parental contributions as we take on other societal roles. We have been conditioned that because we can have it all, we should go after it all. And then once we go after it all and fill every millimeter and pore of our metaphorical plates, we should also keep it all balanced in some picture-perfect mathematical ratio - as if our lives are as simple as some sort of formula or squeaky clean quadratic equation.  We are told if we have better balance, we wouldn’t be so stressed out all the time.  We are told if we have better balance, we will be better moms and our kids will be more likely to thrive.  We are told we are lucky to live in an era where we can work full time (if not more) and also parent full time - cramming 48 hours of work into every 24-hour day.  Because we are told this myth is possible, we are left to feel inadequate, guilty, and resentful when we cannot figure out how to make it work.  When we are working, we feel guilty that we aren’t parenting. When we are parenting, we feel guilty that we aren’t working.  When men set aspirational goals around work-life balance and do things like, say, coach their kids' soccer team, we say, “Wow, he’s such an involved father.”  When is the last time you heard someone say, “Wow, she’s such an involved mom.”We just are. Involved, engaged, ON… 24/7.  If you feel like you don’t have a work-life balance, it’s because there is no such thing.  So, how will you make peace with this crappy bill of goods we have been sold?Sponsor info and promo codes: Please find our sponsor information here: shamelessmom.com/sponsor/ Interested in becoming a sponsor of the Shameless Mom Academy? Email our sales team at sales@adalystmedia.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

CEO of Sales Maven, Nikki Rausch has the unique ability to transform the misunderstood process of “selling”. With 25+ years of selling experience, entrepreneurs and small business owners now hire Nikki to show them how to sell successfully and authentically. Nikki has written 3 books, all available on Amazon. And she has a podcast called Sales Maven which you can find on your favorite podcast platform.Nikki and I have been in a few professional circles together over the last few years - podcasting, Seattle women entrepreneurs, online marketers… I’m always so impressed by how she shows up and her deep knowledge around selling in high integrity ways. She came in and did a training on selling with my business coaching clients last year and it was FAB. I asked her if she would be a guest on the SMA, with the caveat that I didn’t want to limit the conversation to selling because I know that’s not relevant to all of you. She suggested we talk about some of her other areas of expertise, like How to Stop Overcommitting. This was obviously a fast & easy HARD YES for me! I loved this conversation and can’t wait for you to listen in. Listen in to hear Nikki share: What are the most common reasons women overcommit What is at risk when you overcommit 4 questions you suggest people ask themselves before committing What you can say to buy yourself time to think about what you’re being asked for instead of giving a quick response that you might regret later How to use silence in conversations as a way to build credibility How you can get out of commitments with grace and integrity  Links mentioned: Free ebook: Closing The Sale: yoursalesmaven.com/shameless Connect with Nikki: yoursalesmaven.com/ Podcast: Sales Maven  Nikki on FB  Nikki on IG Nikki on LinkedIn  Sponsor info and promo codes: Please find our sponsor information here: shamelessmom.com/sponsor/ Interested in becoming a sponsor of the Shameless Mom Academy? Email our sales team at sales@adalystmedia.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

700 EPISODES!!! YAY, US! 700 times I’ve hit record.  700 times you’ve shown up to listen. UNREAL.  I wanted to do something fun for you for this 700th episode. So, I decided to take you behind the scenes to answer some of the most common questions I get about the show. Is it all about motherhood, diapers, and temper tantrums? Do you ever run out of content? Do you get sick of recording? Do you ever have difficult guests? (pssst… YES.) How do you show up so consistently? Is it exhausting? What does your recording schedule look like? What’s the future of the show?   I had so much fun answering these questions, spilling some tea (see #4), and letting you see what it’s like creating this show behind the scenes. Have fun listening in!  And thank you, THANK YOU for listening in. Whether this is your first episode or your 700th, I appreciate you being here. I do this for YOU. It is a true honor.  Lastly, if you want more of the SMA, let me know! I’m considering adding some additional episodes in 2023 (woo-hoooo!!) But, I want to know that you actually want more. If you want MORE, please leave a review and let me know what you love and what you want more of over at shamelessmom.com/review. Link mentioned:Want more episodes of the SMA each week?? Leave me a review and let me know: shamelessmom.com/review Sponsor info and promo codes: Please find our sponsor information here: shamelessmom.com/sponsor/ Interested in becoming a sponsor of the Shameless Mom Academy? Email our sales team at sales@adalystmedia.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Britt Frank is a licensed psychotherapist, trauma specialist, and author of The Science of Stuck. She holds a BA from Duke University and an MSW from the University of Kansas, where she later became an award-winning adjunct instructor. Britt is a Somatic Experiencing Practitioner and Level 3 training in Internal Family Systems.I was introduced to Britt via a past SMA guest, Andrea Owen. Andrea suspected Britt and I would hit it off and she was spot on. Britt’s work involves all the mental health stuff I love to geek out on. We dig into a lot around trauma and dysfunction and dysregulation in this conversation. I think you will find Britt’s work to be as fascinating as I did! And you MUST read her book, The Science of Stuck - a brilliant compilation of stories, science, and strategies to help you heal your mind.Listen in to hear Britt share: How her “normal” upbringing made her dismiss her childhood trauma How function and dysfunction can coexist in our lives for years, if not decades - and the costs to our lives over time How dissociating into academics became her coping mechanism and why dissociation into high achieving is common for trauma survivors The necessity of suffering in order to process grief and trauma and get to a place of peace and joy Why celebrating tiny wins is a powerful brain hack that positively our nervous system  The impact of the global trauma over the last few years, including why our trauma responses might be coming down the road and could show up as PTSD if we aren’t aware of the trauma we have endured Why trauma is inevitable and PTSD is preventable How to set our children up to process their inevitable trauma The #1 thing a parent can do for their children’s mental health Links mentioned: Connect with Britt: Scienceofstuck.com Book: The Science of Stuck Book: Trauma Proofing Your Kids Britt on IG  Sponsor info and promo codes: Please find our sponsor information here: shamelessmom.com/sponsor/ Interested in becoming a sponsor of the Shameless Mom Academy? Email our sales team at sales@adalystmedia.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Last weekend, we hosted our Fall Retreat for our membership community. The theme of this retreat was Tap Into Your Intuition. One of the activities we did early in the retreat was build-out our Self Trust Resumes. We had members take a look at their past skills & strengths (those that are innate and those they have trained). Members were invited to take a close look at how their education, professional experience, and personal experiences have formed who they are and who they are becoming.  When we are looking toward goals and dreams, it’s easy to forget all the ways we have already qualified ourselves, making us perfectly poised to go after whatever it is we want right now.  When I was in London 2 weeks ago training a communications team of a Fortune 10 company, we invited folks to share stories from their past as proof of leadership abilities today. It was absolutely incredible to hear what folks came up with.  Your past qualifies you to own your future.  When we push pause and create space to look back for a moment, we can find such clear and striking evidence of what we are capable of moving forward. But, when we are in the hustle and bustle of daily life, we quickly forget this. We are so busy getting through the chaos of the day or the season that we can’t see what we’re capable of in the future.  I want to invite you to push pause. Think of a goal you are working toward right now - whether it feels like a long term dream or an immediate fixation. Now, look back over the course of your life and find a few pieces of evidence that prove you are capable of going after big things, you are good at figuring out new things, and you are brave when embarking on an uncertain journey.  You have undoubtedly proven these things to yourself repeatedly over the course of your life. Once you start owning them, you will see how incredibly qualified you are to go after whatever it is you want right now. Link mentioned:Get on the waitlist to join the Academy: shamelessmom.com/waitlist Sponsor info and promo codes: Please find our sponsor information here: shamelessmom.com/sponsor/ Interested in becoming a sponsor of the Shameless Mom Academy? Email our sales team at sales@adalystmedia.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Amber Hawley is a licensed therapist and lifestyle strategist who works with entrepreneurial individuals and couples with the emotional side of business. She is the owner of a therapy practice in Silicon Valley, and the host of The Easily Distracted Entrepreneur and Couples Fix podcasts. She is also a wife, a Shameless Mom of three kids, and a Marvel movie super fan. Amber originally worked in the tech industry but her love for people led her to pursue a career where meaningful relationships are at the center of everything she does. A lot of Amber’s work is centered around neurodiversity, as she brings her experience of having ADHD, as well as parenting children with ADHD to much of what she does.As soon as Amber and I got started in this conversation, I knew we would need more time. I wanted to make sure to dig into ADHD as it relates to women, as well as ADHD as it relates to kids. Amber was so kind to agree to turn this into a two-part conversation. This is Part 2 of our conversation - all about kids and ADHD. In Part 1 (Episode 696), we talked all about women and ADHD.  Whether or not you are parenting a child with ADHD, your kid is in school with kids who have ADHD. This conversation can help you as a parent to your own kids, but also as a parent who supports other kids in your community.Listen in to hear Amber share: 3 Types of ADHD in kids and how they manifest differently How her 2 children with ADHD exhibit very different symptoms The importance of acknowledging ADHD as a dopamine deficiency in the brain The connection between anxiety and ADHD When to seek a professional assessment for your child’s mental health How a diagnosis can be helpful, even a powerful tool, especially if your child has a strong tendency to mask their symptoms The layers of making decisions around medicating your child who has ADHD and different kinds of medications that can support children who have ADHD How all parents and kids can be supportive of neurodivergent kids in the community Some of the superpowers and superstrengths of kids with ADHD Links Mentioned: Connect with Amber: https://amberhawley.com/ Podcast: The Easily Distracted Entrepreneur Amber’s work with couples Dr Amen’s ADD 7 Types Quiz Amber on FB Amber on IG Amber on LinkedIn Sponsor info and promo codes: Please find our sponsor information here: shamelessmom.com/sponsor/ Interested in becoming a sponsor of the Shameless Mom Academy? Email our sales team at sales@adalystmedia.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Amber Hawley is a licensed therapist and lifestyle strategist who works with entrepreneurial individuals and couples with the emotional side of business. She is the owner of a therapy practice in Silicon Valley, and the host of The Easily Distracted Entrepreneur and Couples Fix podcasts.  She is also a wife, a Shameless Mom of three kids, and a Marvel movie super fan. Amber originally worked in the tech industry but her love for people led her to pursue a career where meaningful relationships are at the center of everything she does.  A lot of Amber’s work is centered around neurodiversity, as she brings her experience of having ADHD, as well as parenting children with ADHD to much of what she does.As soon as Amber and I got started in this conversation, I knew we would need more time.  I wanted to make sure to dig into ADHD as it relates to women, as well as ADHD as it relates to kids.  Amber was so kind to agree to turn this into a two-part conversation.  In Part 1 (Episode 696), we will talk about women and ADHD.  In Part 2 (Episode 697), we will talk about ADHD as it relates to kids. Buckle up, friends.  You are about to jump into the brains of two women with ADHD.  We are loud & proud (and maybe a little chaotic - in the best way!)  and can’t wait to share this convo with you.Listen in to hear Amber share: The multiple types of ADHD, and how women tend to experience ADHD What is a hyperfocus hangover and why rest & recovery matters so much Women’s symptoms of ADHD that don’t look stereotypical or like what you might expect The benefits of getting an ADHD diagnosis Strategies to help moms with productivity and focus Links mentioned: Connect with Amber: https://amberhawley.com/ Podcast: The Easily Distracted Entrepreneur Amber’s work with couples: couplesfix.com Dr. Amen’s ADD 7 Types Quiz Amber on FB Amber on IG Amber on LinkedIn Sponsor info and promo codes: Please find our sponsor information here: shamelessmom.com/sponsor/ Interested in becoming a sponsor of the Shameless Mom Academy? Email our sales team at sales@adalystmedia.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Kat Vellos is a trusted expert on the power of cultivating healthy teams and meaningful friendships in adulthood. Formerly a UX designer at Slack, Pandora, and multiple startups, her work today focuses on helping people design belonging into their lives and workplaces. She is the author of We Should Get Together: The Secret to Cultivating Better Friendships. Her work has been featured in The New York Times, TED Talks, Forbes, Real Simple, Communication Arts, SF Design Week, Lesbians Who Tech, and many more.The hard truth is that it’s hard to make new friends as an adult. Sometimes it’s even hard keeping the friends we have. Friendship is just not as easy as it was when we had time to play with each other at recess everyday in our school days. But hope is not lost. Friendships are essential for our health and well being and there are some simple things you can do to establish and grow incredible friendships right now! Listen in to hear Kat share: The difference between meeting people and actually making friends The 4 reasons it gets harder to make friends as we age The specific challenges for moms in making friends How our relationships evolve (for better or worse) as our various identities evolve The significance of reciprocity in healthy adult friendships The important role of curiosity in friendship How to maintain strong friendships even when you’re on separate life paths Steps to take to invest in a new friendship Specific steps we can take to invest in the relationships we want to grow and preserve Links mentioned: Connect with Kat: weshouldgettogether.com Get Kat’s Book: We Should Get Together: The Secret to Cultivating Better Friendships Kat on IG Kat on Twitter Sponsor info and promo codes: Please find our sponsor information here: shamelessmom.com/sponsor/ Interested in becoming a sponsor of the Shameless Mom Academy? Email our sales team at sales@adalystmedia.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

I had a 4am realization last week. 4am realizations are the best… My realization had to do with “the space between”. I realized that so much of my discomfort of the last few years has come from having to live in “the space between”.  The space where one thing has ended, but the next thing hasn’t started yet. The space between realizing something has changed permanently and you cannot go back to what was and what lies ahead is scary.  The space between who you used to be and who you are becoming. The space between what you once thought to be true and uncomfortable new truths.The space between playing small and playing big. The space between standing in your truth and waiting to see who will stand beside you. The space between holding your breath and finally speaking up. Perhaps some of these spaces between are familiar to you too?In this episode, I share the agitation and impatience that tends to show up for me when I’m in the space between. Then, I walk you through 5 ways to navigate the space between.  The space between is uncomfortable, for sure. But it’s a necessary piece (errr, gift?) of growth. If you’re in the space between right now in one (or multiple) areas of your life, you are not alone. I’m in it with you, friend.Link mentioned:Leave a review for the SMA: shamelessmom.com/review Sponsor info and promo codes: Please find our sponsor information here: shamelessmom.com/sponsor/ Interested in becoming a sponsor of the Shameless Mom Academy? Email our sales team at sales@adalystmedia.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices