
3 in 30 Takeaways for Moms
A podcast with 3 actionable takeaways in every 30-minute episode because you are a busy mom with a full schedule and an even fuller brain. Listen in to feel encouraged and inspired, as we learn together how to overcome overwhelm and find more peace and magic in motherhood.Hosted by Rachel Nielson, a mother, teacher, and writer.
Latest episodes

Mar 10, 2025 • 38min
420: How to Best Support a Neurodivergent Child // Kim Gameroz
Are you raising a neurodivergent child? If so, you know the journey can often feel isolating, exhausting, and uncertain. How can you teach them the essential skills they need? How do you build a strong relationship with them? Are there other moms who share your struggles?In this episode, I’m thrilled to share an inspiring conversation with Kim Gameroz, the founder of Teaching Inside Out and a leading expert in helping parents and teachers cultivate social and emotional skills in children. Kim's insights are truly transformative, and I believe you'll find her approach both empowering and practical.In this episode, you'll hear: 💜 Strategies to maintain patience when your neurodivergent child isn’t meeting expectations—along with actionable tips to help them succeed.💜 Suggestions for how to find your support people as you're raising a neurodivergent kid (and why it's so important!) 💜 A simple yet impactful strategy that can create positive change for those around you.I hope you find this episode as helpful as I did! Kim exudes such warmth and connection that is sure to fill you with hope and validation. You've got this!For full show notes, including takeaways, click here. ***Related Episodes:419: 3 Things Moms of Children with Disabilities Want You To Know // Katie Blackburn323: Parenting with ADHD // Alex Gilbert317: Helping Your Children Advocate for Themselves // Dr. Traci BaxleyEpisode Sponsors:Zocdoc: Stop putting off those doctors appointments and go to zocdoc.com/3in30 to find and instantly book a top-rated doctor today. Factor: Eat smart with Factor. Get started at factormeals.com/factorpodcast and use code FACTORPODCAST to get 50% off your first box plus free shipping. KiwiCo: Get up to 50% off your first crate at kiwico.com, promo code 3IN30.Let’s Connect!Join me on Instagram!Get weekly-ish emails with BTS of my lifeFind Your Magic in Motherhood: Free 3-Day Email Course***

Mar 3, 2025 • 38min
419: 3 Things Moms of Children with Disabilities Want You To Know // Katie Blackburn
Katie Blackburn, contributing writer and author, shares her heartfelt experiences as a mom of children with disabilities. She offers thoughtful scripts to help neurotypical kids understand and support their peers. The discussion navigates the fear of saying the wrong thing and emphasizes the power of compassion in fostering connections. Heartwarming anecdotes showcase simple gestures that uplift families in the disability community. This insightful conversation serves as a guide for anyone wanting to provide genuine support.

Feb 24, 2025 • 36min
418: Staying Home for Spring Break? 3 Ways to Make it Memorable (and Manageable!) // 3 in 30 Team
Spring Break is coming up, and if travel isn’t an option this year, don’t worry—you can still make it a fun and memorable week for your kids and yourself at home! In this episode, Abby, Stacey and Steph, three members of the 3 in 30 team, share simple, stress-free strategies to make your staycation special—without feeling like you have to entertain your kids 24/7, including:🌷 Creative, low-prep activities that keep kids engaged without draining your energy.🌷 The one sanity-saving strategy every mom needs to recharge and enjoy the break. 🌷 A simple way to lighten the mental load of planning the week.Plus! We’ve put together a Free Download: 50 Spring Break Staycation Ideas to take the guesswork out of your planning. Grab it here!Spring Break at home doesn’t have to be overwhelming—it can be a time for connection, fun, and even a little rest. We hope this episode helps you do just that!For full show notes, including takeaways, click here. ***Announcements:Click the link to receive a printable with 50 Spring Break Staycation Ideas. Related Episodes:405: 3 Tips to Manage Your Mental Load During the Holidays // 3 in 30 Team402: How to Travel More as a Family without Breaking the Bank // Amber Paul237: Our Best Hacks for Summer! A Crowdsourced Episode from the 3 in 30 CommunityEpisode Sponsors:Hello Fresh: HelloFresh is America's number one meal kit. Get up to 10 free meals and a free high protein item for life at HelloFresh.com/HelloFreshPodcastLet’s Connect!Join me on Instagram!Get weekly-ish emails with BTS of my lifeFind Your Magic in Motherhood: Free 3-Day Email Course***

Feb 17, 2025 • 31min
417: The Sneaky Ways Comparison Creeps Into Conversations (and How to Stop It) // Kathie Gwilliam
Kathie Gwilliam, an author and speaker, shares her insights on the subtle ways comparison infiltrates our conversations. She reveals three common phrases that fuel comparison and offers healthier alternatives. Kathie emphasizes the importance of mindful communication, particularly around children, to foster confidence and self-acceptance. She also discusses how to introduce oneself with assurance and encourages listeners to appreciate their unique journeys without comparison. Her tips aim to cultivate a more positive dialogue, both personally and socially.

Feb 10, 2025 • 40min
416: When Someone You Love Is Struggling with Mental Health // Logan McKenna
Logan McKenna, a general surgeon and adventurer who has conquered the heights of 49 U.S. states, shares heartfelt insights on supporting a partner struggling with mental health. He discusses the nuances of providing emotional support while managing frustration and feelings of helplessness. Logan emphasizes the importance of self-care and finding joy amidst challenges, along with practical tips like personalized therapy and animal therapy. His compassionate approach reminds listeners that understanding and love are crucial in navigating these difficult journeys.

Feb 6, 2025 • 38min
415: How to Get Help for Mental Illness // Sarah McKenna
After my daughter Sally was born, I stopped sleeping. During the day, I had a hard time looking at my baby because I didn’t feel like I could take care of myself, let alone her. Up to this point, I had managed my natural melancholy okay on my own, but after a terrifying panic attack, I reached out for professional help. I attribute my quick decision to get help to my older sister, Sarah, who has fought mental illness since she was a young teenager. This time of year can be especially difficult for many emotionally. That’s why I’m dedicating three episodes to the focus on mental health in motherhood. On Monday, you heard Sarah and I discuss depression in motherhood. Today’s episode is focused on how to get professional help. Next week, you’ll hear from Sarah’s husband, Logan, about how to support a loved one who’s struggling with mental illness. In this second episode of the series, we discuss: - A practical tip to help you stay honest with your doctor & therapist- A few helpful thoughts if you’re scared to try medication. - Two kinds of therapy you might not have thought about before. For full show notes, including takeaways, click here. Whether you are struggling with mental illness or you have a loved one who is, I hope you find this series of episodes helpful. [Free Download ] Guide to Nurturing Yourself when Managing Depression // To support you even further, I’ve created a packet that includes actionable ways to support yourself in depression and how to support a loved one who is struggling, as well as a QR code that links to a private playlist of all of the episodes I’ve released about mental illness. Whatever battles you’re fighting right now, my friend, I want you to know you’re not alone. ***Announcements: To receive the guide I created with actionable ways to support yourself or a loved one with mental illness, click here. Related Episodes:414: Feeling Low Right Now? 3 Tools to Help You Cope // Sarah McKenna319: Three Tools I Use to Manage Anxiety and Depression184: Living Well with Depression & Anxiety // Jenny ShowalterLet’s Connect:Join me on Instagram!Get weekly-ish emails with BTS of my lifeFind Your Magic in Motherhood: Free 3-Day Email Course

Feb 3, 2025 • 36min
414: Feeling Low Right Now? 3 Tools to Help You Cope // Sarah McKenna
This time of year, I struggle more with depression. The winter months can be a really hard time - and I know it’s just not me! That’s why I truly feel like it’s important this time of year to talk about mental illness in motherhood. To give this topic the full focus it deserves, I’m dedicating the next three episodes to focusing on mental health in motherhood. This week, you’ll hear previous episodes I aired with my beloved older sister, Sarah, where we discuss depression in motherhood and how to get help with mental illness. After that, I will air a new episode with Sarah’s husband, Logan, about ways to care for a loved one struggling with mental illness. In this first episode of the series, we discuss:
One way depression manifests itself that you might not recognize (hint: knowing this might help you not feel so guilty when it hits).
A simple tip to help on those days when depression makes it too hard to even eat.
A helpful rule of thumb to use when deciding which self-care strategy you need most.
For full show notes, including takeaways, click here. Whether you are struggling with mental illness or you have a loved one who is, I hope you find this series of episodes helpful. [Free Download ] Guide to Nurturing Yourself when Managing Depression // To support you even further, I’ve created a packet that includes actionable ways to support yourself in depression and how to support a loved one who is struggling, as well as a QR code that links to a private playlist of all of the episodes I’ve released about mental illness. Whatever battles you’re fighting right now, my friend, I want you to know you’re not alone.***Announcements: To receive the packet I created with actionable ways to support yourself or a loved one with mental illness, click here. Related Episodes:319: Three Tools I Use to Manage Anxiety and Depression300: Coping with Illness or Pain as a Mom // Becky and Candace184: Living Well with Depression & Anxiety // Jenny ShowalterEpisode Sponsors:Wild Grain: For a limited time, Wild Grain is offering our listeners $30 off your first box plus free croissants in every box when you start a subscription.Let’s Connect:Join me on Instagram!Get weekly-ish emails with BTS of my lifeFind Your Magic in Motherhood: Free 3-Day Email Course***

Jan 27, 2025 • 36min
413: What to Do When You're Juggling Too Much // Amy Wilson
Feeling maxed out? But also feeling like it’s YOUR fault you feel that way? You’re not alone! If you're caught in a cycle of overcommitment, self-criticism, and the struggle to say "yes" when you really want to say "no," this episode is for you!Join me as I chat with Amy Wilson, who shares invaluable insights for women navigating the challenges of over-commitment.In this episode, you’ll hear: - The best question to ask yourself to create more margin in your life (it's definitely not what you think!)- Why saying "no" is not always the "full sentence" we're led to believe it is (and what needs to come next!)- Tactics to help when saying “no” is met with uncomfortable silence. For full show notes, including takeaways, click here. PLUS, if you need help figuring out WHAT to put down in your life and HOW to articulate it to others, check out my audio course Declutter your Motherhood! This course offers insightful questions to help you pinpoint the sources of your overwhelm, along with compassionate scripts to explain your needs to family and friends. Now until the end of January, use the code NEWYEAR for $50 off! ***Announcement: Sign up for my Declutter your Motherhood Audio course by the end of January to get $50 off - use code NEWYEAR. Related Episodes: 293: Rethinking Housework // KC Davis262: 3 Ways to Recover from Mom Burnout211: Raising Independent Tweens & Teens // Amy & Margaret from What Fresh Hell PodcastSponsors:BetterHelp: 3 in 30 Takeaways for Moms is sponsored by BetterHelp. Go to betterhelp.com/3in30 to get 10% off your first month of online therapy.Let’s Connect:Join me on Instagram!Get weekly-ish emails with BTS of my lifeFind Your Magic in Motherhood: Free 3-Day Email Course***

Jan 20, 2025 • 49min
412: How to Overcome Overwhelm
As we enter this time of year, I find myself reflecting on clutter—both the physical clutter in my home and the mental clutter in my mind. I'm especially focused on those areas that feel disorganized and overwhelming.Can you relate? Last week, I shared an insightful interview with Erica Layne, discussing mindset shifts that can help us declutter our homes in lasting ways.This week, I want to dive into the topic of decluttering our mental spaces. To guide us, I've decided to share a recording of a live online masterclass that I taught last year about overcoming overwhelm. While it’s longer than my usual 30-minute episodes, it does have three takeaways, and I hope you'll find it incredibly valuable. In this episode, you’ll:- Learn about the difference between stress & overwhelm- Hear some strategies you can use if you’re in the midst of overwhelm- Receive some scripts you can use to opt out of commitments that are too much for you Thanks for taking some extra time today, beyond our regular thirty minutes, to learn about overcoming overwhelm! If you are interested in dedicating yourself to a true transformation - going from constant unhealthy overwhelm to more productive stress mixed with a lot more joy and fun - sign up for my Declutter your Motherhood Audio course by the end of January for $50 off with the code NEWYEAR. I'd love to have you with us! For full show notes, including the three takeaways, click here. ***Announcement: Sign up for my Declutter your Motherhood Audio course by the end of January to get $50 off - use code NEWYEAR. Related Episodes: 411: Decluttering That Sticks: 3 Mindset Changes for Lasting Impact // Erica Layne353: How to Declutter Your Busy Schedule // Miranda Anderson337: One Brilliant (and Easy!) Tool that Helps Me Manage My Mental LoadLet’s Connect:Join me on Instagram!Get weekly-ish emails with BTS of my lifeFind Your Magic in Motherhood: Free 3-Day Email Course***

25 snips
Jan 13, 2025 • 39min
411: Decluttering That Sticks: 3 Mindset Changes for Lasting Impact // Erica Layne
In this engaging discussion, Erica Layne, decluttering coach and author of "The Minimalist Way," shares invaluable insights for overwhelmed moms. She emphasizes practical mindset shifts to tackle clutter sustainably, rather than temporarily. Erica explains how sentiments tied to belongings can complicate decluttering, and offers tips for processing emotional attachments. Plus, she reveals how simplifying your space can ultimately create emotional clarity, enhancing your connection with family. Tune in for a transformative approach to a clutter-free life!