

The Juggle is Real
Andryanna Gonko
You’re juggling work, family, and everything in between—and it can be a lot. The Juggle is Real is your weekly dose of strategies, mindset shifts, and honest conversations to help you stress less and enjoy more. Host Andryanna Gonko, an educator and mom of three, shares real-life insights, expert advice, and proven tools on topics that matter, so you can create a life that feels lighter and more fulfilling. Because 'balance' isn’t about doing it all—it’s about doing what matters most. Tune in for the fresh takes you didn't know you needed to actually embrace and enjoy this stage of life.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Feb 3, 2026 • 31min
Self-Trust Is the New Self-Love: Body Literacy, Self-Consideration & How to Read Your Signals | E185
In a world where “self-love” has become a cliché, this episode offers a fresh and realistic take: self-trust is the new self-love.Andryanna explores how self-trust is built through small, repeatable actions—not perfection—and how the rising wellness concept of body literacy can help women recognize their nervous system signals before burnout hits.This episode is packed with practical tools for busy moms and women who want to feel steadier, more grounded, and more confident in the way they care for themselves—without adding more pressure or “fixing” energy.In this episode:Why self-trust matters more than “self-love” affirmationsWhat body literacy means and why it’s a major wellness trend right nowHow to stop “abandoning yourself” in daily life through self-considerationThe 5 proofs of self-trust and how to strengthen themHow confidence is built through evidence and follow-through (not motivation alone)A simple 7-day self-trust rebuild plan with doable stepsHow to recognize common signals like irritability, brain fog, tension, and emotional overload—and respond with support instead of self-judgmentIf February is the month of love, this episode invites listeners to build the most important relationship of all—the one they have with themselves.CONNECT WITH ANDRYANNA:Get your copy of The Juggle is Real: Authentic Self-Care Planner Vol. 2 HERE! On InstagramEmail: hello@andryanna.comAnd please visit Andryanna.com for blogs, giveaways, workshops, tools, resources and more.self trust, self love, body literacy, self consideration, how to build self trust, stop abandoning yourself, emotional regulation, nervous system support, confidence building, motivation in winterself trust habits, self compassion tools, overwhelmed moms, mental load, burnout recovery, realistic self care, nervous system healing, daily habits for momspersonal growth for women, motherhood and burnout

Jan 27, 2026 • 39min
How to Get Motivated in January: Clarity, Direction & Small Brave Moves (Gentle January Series Finale)
In this Gentle January series finale, Andryanna shares a refreshing, research-backed approach to motivation that doesn’t rely on hustle or perfection. Instead of forcing clarity before taking action, she introduces a practical method to help you orient yourself, build real momentum, and move forward with intention.This episode is designed to leave you feeling grounded, capable, and ready to take small steps that actually create progress:The difference between achieving vs. orienting (and why orienting comes first)Why clarity often comes after action (not before)A simple 3-step framework for forward motionExamples of gentle, realistic “anchors” for busy moms and familiesHow small “proof of progress” builds confidence and creates motivationA simple way to choose direction even when you don’t feel readyThis episode offers a supportive plan you can start today — without needing to overhaul your life.CONNECT WITH ANDRYANNA:Download your FREE January Gentle Intentions Check-In HERE : An invitation to pause, listen, and support yourself where you are with this worksheet for rest, alignment & a softer start to 2026.Get your copy of The Juggle is Real: Authentic Self-Care Planner Vol. 2 HERE! On InstagramEmail: hello@andryanna.comAnd please visit Andryanna.com for blogs, giveaways, workshops, tools, resources and more.Keywords: how to get motivated in January, January motivation, gentle January, clarity and direction, small brave moves, habit motivation, self-efficacy, behavioral activation, January reset without burnout, mental load for moms, motivation without hustle, January goals alternative, intentional living January, monthly intentions, overwhelm in January

Jan 20, 2026 • 22min
Maintenance Mode: A Gentle January Reset to Reduce Mental Clutter | E183
January often arrives with pressure to reset, get motivated, and “start fresh.” But for many women — especially mothers — the start of the year can feel foggy, heavy, and mentally overwhelming rather than inspiring.In this solo episode, Andryanna introduces the concept of maintenance mode — a supportive, realistic way to approach January that focuses on stability rather than growth — and explores how mental clutter and unfinished tasks quietly drain energy and increase stress.Drawing on research, Andryanna explains why January is a natural time for maintenance, why so many women feel behind despite carrying enormous mental load, and how small moments of completion can calm the nervous system and make life feel lighter.This episode offers practical, gentle strategies to reduce mental overwhelm without turning January into another self-improvement project.What “maintenance mode” really means;Why unfinished tasks stay active in the brain (the Zeigarnik Effect);How small moments of completion reduce stress and calm the nervous system;Why trends like “admin night” work — and how to apply them gently at home;Simple, realistic ways to reduce mental load without overhauling your life;A compassionate reframe for January that prioritizes stability over hustle.This episode is a reassuring reminder that if January feels slower, nothing needs fixing — you may simply be maintaining.CONNECT WITH ANDRYANNA:Download your FREE January Gentle Intentions Check-In HERE : An invitation to pause, listen, and support yourself where you are with this worksheet for rest, alignment & a softer start to 2026.Get your copy of The Juggle is Real: Authentic Self-Care Planner Vol. 2 HERE! On InstagramEmail: hello@andryanna.comAnd please visit Andryanna.com for blogs, giveaways, workshops, tools, resources and more.Key words: maintenance mode January, mental clutter January, gentle January reset, reducing mental load for moms, January overwhelm, unfinished tasks stress, cognitive load women, nervous system regulation January, admin night trend, anti-hustle productivity, winter burnout recovery, self-care without hustle

Jan 13, 2026 • 42min
Feeding Your Family in January: Realistic Meals Without Diets, Detoxes or Perfection with Charmaine Broughton | E182
January often brings a wave of pressure around food — detoxes, restriction, and the idea that we need to “start over” after the holidays. But for busy families, especially in the middle of winter, that approach can feel exhausting, unrealistic, and disconnected from real life.In this episode, Andryanna is joined by Charmaine Broughton — cooking instructor, cookbook author of Delicious & Doable, and host of In Char’s Kitchen — for a refreshing conversation about feeding your family well in January without diets, detoxes, or perfection.Together, they explore how to approach food in a way that feels nourishing, practical, and supportive during the winter months, especially for parents carrying the mental load of feeding everyone.They discuss:Why January food culture often feels disconnected from real family life;How to redefine “eating well” without restriction or all-or-nothing thinking; Practical ways to feed a family using pantry staples;How to reduce pressure and decision fatigue around meals;Lessons from raising kids and feeding a family through different life stages;Simple, gentle shifts parents can make without overhauling everything.This conversation offers reassurance, clarity, and practical support for anyone who wants to nourish their family in January — without burnout, shame, or unrealistic expectations.CONNECT WITH CHARMAINE:Get Char's recipes from the episode HERE!Char's cookbook: Delicious & Doable - Recipes for Real & Everyday LifeWebsiteOn InstagramCONNECT WITH ANDRYANNA:Download your FREE January Gentle Intentions Check-In HERE : An invitation to pause, listen, and support yourself where you are with this worksheet for rest, alignment & a softer start to 2026.Get your copy of The Juggle is Real: Authentic Self-Care Planner Vol. 2 HERE! On InstagramEmail: hello@andryanna.comAnd please visit Andryanna.com for blogs, giveaways, workshops, tools, resources and more.

Jan 6, 2026 • 29min
Let January Be January: A Gentle, Aligned Start to 2026 | E181
January often arrives with pressure to reset, push harder, and reinvent ourselves... even when our bodies are still tired from the holidays and the season itself asks for rest.In this first episode of 2026, Andryanna invites you to take a gentler approach to the new year. She explores why January can feel misaligned for so many — especially women and moms — and how winter biology, nervous system regulation, and seasonal rhythms support a slower, more intentional start.Grounded in research on circadian rhythms, stress response, habit formation, and women’s health, this episode offers permission to ease into the year without guilt, pressure, or hustle. Rather than “New Year, New You,” the focus is on alignment, restoration, and listening to the body.In this episode, Andryanna explores:Why January often feels heavy after a busy holiday seasonHow winter affects energy, motivation, mood, and the nervous systemThe disconnect between the Gregorian calendar and natural rhythmsWhy rest is not a setback, but a biological and emotional needHow motherhood and midlife change seasonal capacityThe difference between care and punishment when setting goalsSimple, realistic ways to support yourself through winterWhy intentions are more sustainable than resolutionsHow to use monthly check-ins instead of all-or-nothing resetsA gentle framework for beginning 2026 grounded and alignedThis episode is a compassionate reminder that if January feels slow, nothing needs fixing — you may simply be wintering.CONNECT WITH ANDRYANNA:Download your FREE January Gentle Intentions Check-In HERE An invitation to pause, listen, and support yourself where you are with this worksheet for rest, alignment & a softer start to 2026.Get your copy of The Juggle is Real: Authentic Self-Care Planner Vol. 2 HERE! On InstagramEmail: hello@andryanna.com* Get your Kids Daily Routines Chart HERE! *Click HERE for your FREE '30 Days For Me' Self-Care Guide and Releasing Guilt & Judgements Worksheet.And please visit Andryanna.com for blogs, giveaways, workshops, tools, resources and more.

Dec 18, 2025 • 39min
What Every Parent Needs to Hear Before Christmas: Our 2025 Expert's Advice on Stress, Connection & Calm | E180
In this special pre-holiday episode, Andryanna curates timely insights from trusted 2025 expert guests, sharing perspective and practical guidance on stress, nervous system regulation, anxiety, screen time, and staying connected during the holidays. The episode is designed to feel supportive, steady, and reassuring — a reminder of what truly matters as the season unfolds.Featured expert voices include:Kathryn Flynn, Registered PsychotherapistDr. Kristine Laderoute, Clinical PsychologistCat & Nat, authors and creators of The Screen Sense GuideDr. Mary Marano, relationship and family expertTogether, their insights help parents approach the holidays with more calm, compassion, and connection — for themselves, their children, and their partners.In this episode, listeners will hear expert guidance on:Why nervous systems are often on overdrive during the holidays — and what helps;How anxiety and judgement can heighten stress for parents and kids;Navigating disrupted routines and emotional overload with compassion;Reducing screen time tension while keeping communication open;Supporting connection with your partner during busy, demanding seasons;Letting go of perfection and lowering the bar where it matters most.The episode closes with a deeply reflective reading, “A Love Letter to Right Now,” offering perspective on presence, gratitude, and the fleeting beauty of everyday family life — especially poignant in the days leading up to Christmas and the holiday break.CONNECT WITH ANDRYANNA:Get your copy of The Juggle is Real: Authentic Self-Care Planner Vol. 2 HERE! On InstagramEmail: hello@andryanna.com* Get your Kids Daily Routines Chart HERE! *Click HERE for your FREE '30 Days For Me' Self-Care Guide and Releasing Guilt & Judgements Worksheet.And please visit Andryanna.com for blogs, giveaways, workshops, tools, resources and more.Guest Episode References (for Further Listening):Episode 151 — May 29, 2025Regulate, Respond, Repair: Parenting Through a Nervous System Lens with Kathryn Flynn Episode 153 — June 12, 2025Anxiety, Assertiveness + the Art of Emotional Recovery with Dr. Kristine LaderouteEpisode 145 — April 17, 2025Cat & Nat on Parenting Teens in a Digital World: What Every Parent Needs to Know Episode 137 — February 20, 2025 Staying Connected : Nurturing the Relationship with Your Partner While Raising a Family with Dr. Mary Marano

Dec 11, 2025 • 31min
Why Your Kids Need a ’90s Christmas: Reclaiming a Slower, More Connected Holiday Season | 179
In this episode, Andryanna explores how parents can bring back the best parts of a ’90s Christmas—slower moments, simple traditions, unstructured play, and genuine connection—to support kids’ developing brains during the busiest season of the year.Grounded in research on attention, delayed gratification, nervous system regulation, and the impact of screen-heavy environments on children, Andryanna offers low-effort, high-reward ideas parents can use to create a calmer, more meaningful holiday season for Gen Z and Alpha teens, tweens and kids. She also explains how adults can model these behaviours, co-regulate with their children, and experience more ease themselves.In this episode, she dive into:Why today’s kids experience more stimulation and less natural downtime;How ’90s-style traditions support focus, emotional regulation, and problem solving;The science behind delayed gratification and why it matters during the holidays;Simple nostalgic activities that build connection without adding stress;How outdoor play, slow games, and boredom strengthen growing brains;Nervous system tools to reduce overstimulation for kids and parents;The role of attunement and co-regulation in creating a calmer family holiday;Practical shifts to make the holidays less rushed and more restorative.A supportive, nostalgic, research-backed episode for parents craving a simpler, slower, more connected holiday season.CONNECT WITH ANDRYANNA:Get your copy of The Juggle is Real: Authentic Self-Care Planner Vol. 2 HERE! On InstagramEmail: hello@andryanna.com* Get your Kids Daily Routines Chart HERE! *Click HERE for your FREE '30 Days For Me' Self-Care Guide and Releasing Guilt & Judgements Worksheet.And please visit Andryanna.com for blogs, giveaways, workshops, tools, resources and more.Key themes include:90s Christmas traditions; slowing down during the holidays; Gen Alpha parenting; kids’ nervous system regulation; holiday overstimulation kids; delayed gratification kids; simple Christmas traditions; slow parenting; holiday mental load moms; co-regulation and attunement; kids screen time holidays; creating Christmas magic; nostalgic Christmas ideas; mindful holiday parenting.

Dec 4, 2025 • 39min
How to Take a Break When You Have Literally Zero Time | E178
In this episode, Andryanna dives into one of the most common struggles moms face in December: how to take a break when you have absolutely zero time.Drawing from research on micro-breaks, decision fatigue, and the mental load of motherhood, she explores practical, realistic ways busy women can reset their energy in seconds—not hours.In this episode, listeners will hear:Why moms feel emotionally + mentally “done” in December;The science behind micro-breaks and how short pauses improve energy;Simple, real-life 10-second resets that fit into an already overflowing day;30–60 second breaks that can be taken without rearranging schedules;How to use “if-then” habits to automate rest during December;Practical micro-boundaries that protect bandwidth during holiday overload;A gentle, realistic plan for making December feel more manageable.It's a validating, practical, and deeply useful episode for anyone carrying the invisible weight of the season.CONNECT WITH ANDRYANNA:Get your copy of The Juggle is Real: Authentic Self-Care Planner Vol. 2 HERE! On InstagramEmail: hello@andryanna.com* Get your Kids Daily Routines Chart HERE! *Click HERE for your FREE '30 Days For Me' Self-Care Guide and Releasing Guilt & Judgements Worksheet.And please visit Andryanna.com for blogs, giveaways, workshops, tools, resources and more.

Nov 27, 2025 • 37min
A Different Way to Think About Debt, Taxes & Your Financial Future with Robinson Smith | E177
In this episode, Robinson Smith, Founder & CEO of Smith Manoeuvre Services Corp and Smith Consulting Group Ltd., joins Andryanna for a conversation on easing mortgage and financial overwhelm for everyday Canadians—especially as holiday spending and gifting expectations ramp up.In this episode, he breaks down:Where financial overwhelm is really coming from for Canadian homeownersHow to reframe your mortgage from burden → long-game wealth toolThe difference between “good debt” vs “bad debt”Why taxes matter so much when it comes to family financesWhy this strategy works without needing extra monthly incomeHow busy parents can realistically implement itSmart holiday budgeting + intentional gifting adviceA clear first step families can take now to feel more confident in the new yearIt's an insightful, practical listen for parents balancing mortgages, bills, and holiday spending pressure—without sacrificing hope for their financial future.CONNECT WITH ROBINSON:WebsiteBook: Master Your Mortgage for Financial FreedomOn InstagramLinkedInCONNECT WITH ANDRYANNA:Get your copy of The Juggle is Real: Authentic Self-Care Planner Vol. 2 HERE! On InstagramEmail: hello@andryanna.com* Get your Kids Daily Routines Chart HERE! *Click HERE for your FREE '30 Days For Me' Self-Care Guide and Releasing Guilt & Judgements Worksheet.And please visit Andryanna.com for blogs, giveaways, workshops, tools, resources and more.Key themes include:homeownership + tax systems in Canada, mortgage mindset reframing, reducing non-deductible debt faster, achievable financial literacy steps for busy parents, smarter holiday budgeting, intentional gifting, and building real wealth without extra cashflow.

Nov 20, 2025 • 27min
Yes to What Matters: How to Say No, Lighten the Load & Enter Holidays with Joy | E176
In this episode, Andryanna dives into the power of saying “no” as we enter the busiest season of the year. Drawing on research about the mental load of motherhood, boundary-setting psychology, and real-life examples, Andryanna unpacks why so many women overcommit and how to reset with intention.Learn how to protect your energy, reduce overwhelm, and say yes to what truly aligns with your values (not with what you think you "should" do). In this episode:• Why women struggle to say no and the impact of the mental load• How to set boundaries with clarity and compassion• A simple “yes/no” audit to prioritize what matters most• Research-backed strategies to prevent holiday overwhelm• Scripts and examples for saying no without guilt• How to delegate, release control, and lighten your schedule• Journaling prompts for reflection and intentionThis episode is designed to help you create more space, ease, and joy heading into the holiday season.CONNECT WITH ANDRYANNA:Get your copy of The Juggle is Real: Authentic Self-Care Planner Vol. 2 HERE! On InstagramEmail: hello@andryanna.com* Get your Kids Daily Routines Chart HERE! *Click HERE for your FREE '30 Days For Me' Self-Care Guide and Releasing Guilt & Judgements Worksheet.And please visit Andryanna.com for blogs, giveaways, workshops, tools, resources and more.Keywords: saying no, boundaries for women, mental load, motherhood stress, holiday overwhelm, burnout prevention, intentional living, reduce mental load, seasonal stress, holiday planning, work-life balance, women’s wellbeing, emotional labour, saying yes to what matters, mindset tools for mothers.


