The Calm Mom - Burnout, Anxiety, Nervous System, Mindset, Self-Care, Parenting, Work-Life Balance cover image

The Calm Mom - Burnout, Anxiety, Nervous System, Mindset, Self-Care, Parenting, Work-Life Balance

Latest episodes

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Mar 21, 2025 • 13min

339 - Morning Meditation: Grounded, Grateful, and Energized

Ever wake up and feel like your brain is already going a mile a minute—kids, work, schedules, the endless to-do list? This guided meditation invites you to start your morning differently—to wake up grounded, grateful, and energized.In just a few minutes, you’ll:Anchor into a deep sense of calm and presenceCultivate gratitude to shift your mindset before the day even beginsBoost your energy with a simple, intentional practice that supports your nervous systemYou can listen before you even get out of bed, while sipping your coffee, as you get ready, or on your morning commute. Wherever you fit it in, let this be a moment of calm before the day picks up speed.🌿 PRO TIP: Save this episode and come back to it every morning for the next week. Notice how it shifts your energy, your focus, and how you move through the day. Now, take a deep breath… and let’s begin.Related Episodes:Previous EpisodeCranky in the Morning? 3 Things I Do When I Wake Up Feeling Irritable5 Morning Mistakes that Wreck Your Nervous System and Cause BurnoutA Powerful Nighttime Routine to Optimize Your Health— >>> 💌 DOWNLOAD THE NERVOUS SYSTEM RESET GUIDE 💌 <<<
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Mar 18, 2025 • 32min

338 - The Real Reason You Procrastinate, People-Please, and Chase Perfection (It’s Not What You Think)

You know that sinking feeling when you’re about to start something important—but instead, you scroll, organize a drawer, or suddenly need to deep-clean your entire kitchen?Or when you say yes to something you definitely don’t want to do, just to avoid disappointing someone?Or when you rewrite an email seven times before sending it, making sure there’s no room for anyone to judge you?But here’s the truth: These aren’t personality traits. They’re actually stress responses.Perfectionism, people-pleasing, and procrastination aren’t random habits—they’re deeply wired patterns your nervous system created to keep you safe. At some point, your brain learned that being perfect, avoiding failure, or making everyone happy helped you avoid rejection, criticism, or disappointment. And now? These patterns are running on autopilot.But here’s the good news: You can rewire them.In this episode, we’re breaking down: Why these patterns feel impossible to shake (spoiler: it’s not a willpower issue) How your nervous system keeps you stuck in stress loops—and what to do about it The first steps to rewiring these patterns so you can move through life with more ease, confidence, and peaceBecause you’re not stuck this way. And the sooner you stop seeing these patterns as your personality and start seeing them as something you can rewire, the sooner you’ll finally feel free.Let’s get into it. 🎧👇Related Links:Previous EpisodeBreak Free from Perfectionism & Procrastination and Build Habits That StickThe Spiritual Solution to People PleasingHow to Break the People-Pleasing CycleAre You a Perfectionist? 3 Reasons Perfectionists Have High AnxietyIs it Perfectionism or Excellence? How to Tell the Difference and What to Do About It— >>> 💌 DOWNLOAD THE NERVOUS SYSTEM RESET GUIDE 💌 <<<
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Mar 14, 2025 • 42min

337 - Is Your Past Running the Show? How Unresolved Trauma Shapes Your Parenting with Dr. Chinwé Williams

Ever catch yourself reacting to your kids in a way that shocks you? Maybe you hear your own mother’s voice coming out of your mouth, or you feel like you’re constantly walking the tightrope between patience and losing it.You’re not crazy. You’re not failing. And you’re definitely not alone.The truth is, unresolved experiences from your past don’t just disappear—they live in your body, shaping the way you respond to stress, relationships, and, yes, parenting. And until you recognize what’s happening under the surface, you’ll keep repeating the same patterns, no matter how much you “know better.”That’s why I’m sitting down with Dr. Chinwé Williams, a trauma therapist, EMDR specialist, and bestselling author, to unpack how past experiences influence our nervous system, emotions, and the way we show up as parents.If you’ve ever felt like you’re carrying invisible weight, or you find yourself snapping, shutting down, or over-controlling (even when you don’t want to), this conversation is going to be a game-changerWe unpack what trauma really is, how it manifests in our bodies, and how it influences the way we show up as mothers, partners, and professionals. 3 Things You’ll Learn in This Episode:What Trauma Really Is – It’s not just the “big” stuff. Chronic stress, emotional neglect, or even parents’ high expectations can shape your nervous system.How Your Past Shows Up in Parenting – Unresolved trauma can resurface in emotional triggers, parenting patterns, and unexpected reactions to your child’s behavior.Ways to Regulate Your Nervous System – Learn simple, effective strategies to calm your body and model emotional resilience for your children.You can break the cycle. You can rewrite the script. And it starts here.Hit play, and let’s talk about it. 🎧💛🔗 Connect with Dr. Chinwé:Website: drchinwewilliams.comInstagram: @dr.chinwewilliamsRelated Episodes:Previous EpisodeOvercoming Trauma and Discovering Your Courage for ChangeSurprising Ways We’ve All Experienced Childhood Trauma – 3 Categories of Trauma and Toxic StressHow Helicopter Parenting is Impacting Your KidsCo-Parenting? 4 Steps to Move out of Toxic Communication, Conflict, & Chaos5 Surprising Ways Anxiety Can Show Up in Parenting— >>> 💌 DOWNLOAD THE NERVOUS SYSTEM RESET GUIDE 💌 <<<
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Mar 11, 2025 • 20min

336 - The Productivity Trap: This Is Why Being Busy Isn’t Moving You Forward

Do you ever feel like you’re constantly busy but never truly productive? Your to-do list is endless, you’re always running from one task to the next, and yet, at the end of the day, it feels like you haven’t really moved the needle on what actually matters. If that sounds familiar, you’re not alone.In today’s episode, we’re breaking down why busyness isn’t the same as productivity—and why understanding this is crucial to creating a stress-free, fulfilling life. The truth is, constantly being in “go mode” keeps your nervous system stuck in a state of reactivity, making it harder to focus, prioritize, and accomplish meaningful work. If you’ve ever felt like you’re doing more but achieving less, it’s time to shift from just checking boxes to true, intentional productivity.Listen in to learn:Why stress hijacks your brain and keeps you trapped in the cycle of busynessThe difference between reactive busyness and true, fulfilling productivityHow regulating your nervous system can help you work smarter—not harder—so you can finally feel calm, focused, and in control of your time.Related Links:Previous EpisodeCure Your Busy Brain: The Protocol to Calm an Anxious MindUnlock Inner Peace: 5 Strategies for Busy MomsBreaking Busy: 5 Reasons Why You Might Struggle with RestTime with God as Busy Mom: How Prioritizing a Spiritual Practice Helps Calm the ChaosGet Organized! How Busy Moms Reduce Clutter & Manage Their Time— >>> 💌 DOWNLOAD THE NERVOUS SYSTEM RESET GUIDE 💌 <<<
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Mar 7, 2025 • 26min

335 - Do You Have These 3 Signs of Mom Burnout? Here’s How to Reclaim Your Energy

You love your kids more than life itself… so why does everything they do feel like nails on a chalkboard lately?Why are you so exhausted before the day even starts?Why does it feel like you’re carrying the entire weight of your family’s existence while no one else seems to notice?If that sounds familiar, you’re not just tired—you might be in mom burnout. It’s full-blown nervous system dysregulation—your brain and body stuck in overdrive, running on stress hormones, and leaving you physically, mentally, and emotionally fried.But here’s the good news: burnout isn’t permanent. And you don’t have to “push through” or wait for some magical day when life slows down. You can start healing now.Listen in to learn:✅ The 3 biggest signs of mom burnout (that you might be brushing off as “normal”)✅ How chronic stress is rewiring your nervous system—and what that means for your patience, energy, and memory✅ Small, realistic steps you can take today to start healing and regulating your nervous systemIf you’ve been telling yourself, “This is just my life now,” I promise you—it doesn’t have to be this way forever. Let’s dive in and start making real changes.Related Links:Previous EpisodeGet Organized! How Busy Moms Reduce Clutter & Manage Their TimeSober Curious? Sneaky Ways Mommy Wine Culture is Impacting Your Nervous SystemWorking Mom’s Survival Guide: 8 Lessons for Work-Life BalancePut Your Lists Away! Effective Time Management, Organization and Productivity for MomsRecognizing Burnout: 6 Critical Symptoms You Might Be Overlooking— >>> 💌 DOWNLOAD THE NERVOUS SYSTEM RESET GUIDE 💌 <<<
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Mar 4, 2025 • 23min

334 - 3 Reasons Perfectionism Is Keeping You Overwhelmed (and How to Break Free)

Do you wear perfectionism like a badge of honor?Maybe you tell yourself that it’s the reason you’re successful—the thing that keeps you disciplined, polished, and ahead of the game. That being meticulous is what sets you apart.But let’s be real—what has perfectionism also given you? Overthinking? Anxiety? A chronic sense that no matter what you accomplish, it’s never quite enough?Perfectionism isn’t actually a flex—it’s a stress response. And if you’ve been wearing it like a badge of honor, it might be the very thing keeping you stuck.In this episode, we’ll break down:🔥 How perfectionism keeps you playing small, not helping you grow🧠 How your nervous system reinforces perfectionism(spoiler: you can rewire it)💡 The sneaky ways perfectionism blocks learning, growth, & creativity🔑 Simple, body-based strategies to break the cycle and ewire your brain for resilience, confidence, and easeHow about we stop letting perfectionism call the shots? Listen in, and let’s start unlearning the patterns that are keeping you overwhelmed, overworked, and over it. 💛— >>> 💌 DOWNLOAD THE NERVOUS SYSTEM RESET GUIDE 💌 <<<
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Feb 28, 2025 • 44min

333 - 4 Key Factors That Determine How You Handle Hardship with Dr. Neeta Bhushan

For us high-achievers, we often think of resilience as pushing through, powering on, and handling it all. But what if true resilience isn’t about white-knuckling your way through hardship—but about allowing yourself to soften, heal, and bounce forward instead of just back?In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Neeta Bhushan, author of That Sucked, Now What?, to talk about what it really takes to move through life’s hardest moments. Dr. Neeta’s story is one of profound loss—losing her mother, father, and brother before she turned 19—and the journey she took to rebuild herself while navigating perfectionism, high-achiever pressure, and cultural expectations.But this isn’t just about survival. It’s about rewriting the way we think about resilience, breaking generational cycles, and learning how to meet life’s challenges without burning ourselves out in the process. We talk about redefining strength, breaking generational patterns, and the tension between raising resilient kids while also protecting them from pain.🔥 Three Things You’ll Learn in This Episode:The Truth About Resilience—Why it’s not about toughening up, but about allowing yourself to feel, soften, and receive support.The Bounce Factor—The four key factors that determine how well you recover from hardship (and how to build more resilience starting today).Parenting & Resilience—How to foster grit and independence in your kids without tough love or suppressing their emotions.If you’ve been navigating grief, burnout, or just trying to figure out how to keep going when life feels heavy—this episode is for you. Connect with Dr. Neeta:Dr. Neeta's InstagramWatch Dr. Neeta on YoutubeDr. Neeta's Book -That Sucked. Now What?— >>> 💌 DOWNLOAD THE NERVOUS SYSTEM RESET GUIDE 💌 <<<
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Feb 25, 2025 • 23min

332 - 4 Signs You’re Addicted to Cortisol (and How to Fix It)

Are you addicted to stress?Ever feel like you’re powered by adrenaline until you hit a wall—drained, anxious, and totally off? It might be more than just a busy day. Your body can actually get addicted to stress. Cortisol, the hormone fueling your fight-or-flight response, can keep you stuck in overdrive, even when you’re juggling a million things.In today’s episode, I’m uncovering 4 signs you might be addicted to cortisol and sharing simple, actionable shifts to help reset your nervous system. If you’re ready to break free from that chronic stress cycle and reclaim your energy, hit play now!Listen in to learn:✅ Why high cortisol feels productive but leads to burnout✅ 4 everyday habits that signal cortisol addiction✅ How to reset your stress response and reclaim your energyI break down why cortisol addiction happens, and share powerful tips to support your circadian rhythm, fuel your body right, and set the boundaries your nervous system needs to shift out of fight-or-flight mode.Ready to stop running on stress and start thriving with real, lasting energy? Let’s get into it!— >>> 💌 DOWNLOAD THE NERVOUS SYSTEM RESET GUIDE 💌 <<<
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Feb 21, 2025 • 30min

331 - Transform Your Evening Routine: The 9pm Rule & 4 Nighttime Habits

Do your evenings look anything like this? Finally get the kids to bed and then…📱 Scrolling endlessly while the clock ticks past bedtime…😩 Mentally running through tomorrow’s to-do list…🍷 Reaching for that glass of wine, hoping it’ll take the edge off…And yet, when you finally get in bed, your brain won’t shut off.In today’s episode, I’m sharing my 9PM Rule—a simple, science-backed evening routine designed to help you shift from stress to deep, restorative calm. These four steps (plus a bonus!) are small but powerful tweaks that train your body to feel safe enough to fully unwind. No drastic life overhauls—just intentional habits that signal to your nervous system: We’re done for the day. It’s time to rest.Listen in to learn:Why your nervous system struggles to wind down at night (and how to fix it)The 4-part 9PM Rule that shifts you out of stress mode before bedA simple nighttime drink swap that helps you sleep deeper and wake up refreshedTry these steps for one week and see how your nights—and mornings—transform. — >>> 💌 DOWNLOAD THE NERVOUS SYSTEM RESET GUIDE 💌 <<<
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Feb 18, 2025 • 20min

330 - 3 Somatic Practices for Anxiety: Why They Work & How to Do Them

Have you ever told yourself “just calm down” knowing full well that saying it isn’t going to do much to help?Newsflash: Anxiety isn’t a mind game—it’s a full-body takeover. If you’ve tried to outsmart it with logic, you already know that simply “thinking” your way out of anxiety never works. Your nervous system craves real, body-based signals of safety.In today’s episode, I’m serving up 3 powerful somatic practices that kick anxiety to the curb—fast. No marathon meditation sessions here, just quick, effective moves that work with your body, not against it.Listen in to learn:✅ Why anxiety lives in your body (and why mindset shifts alone don’t cut it)✅ 3 simple somatic practices to shift the state of your nervous system in real time✅ How to use movement, breath, and tapping to signal safety and reduce anxiety in real-timeReady to turn your anxious moments into opportunities for calm? Hit play and let’s do this!— >>> 💌 DOWNLOAD THE NERVOUS SYSTEM RESET GUIDE 💌 <<<

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