
Mama Knows
I'll go first: Motherhood is a dang rollercoaster and sometimes I feel like I'm just hanging on. My name is Nina and I am the host of Mama Knows. I truly believe that every mama *knows.* Have you ever held your crying child and just said or thought "I know honey." YOU, mama, know what is best for your family and sometimes it's different than what the other mama knows. This podcast is an ongoing, honest conversation around motherhood, mental health, parenting and relationships...the good, bad and funny. Join in weekly for tips, strategies, tools and conversation that will leave you feeling less alone!
Latest episodes

Mar 7, 2023 • 34min
Breaking down the Hunger Scale w/Samantha @antidietmama
Diet culture sucks! Are you sick of feeling like you are always on a diet or restricting your food? This episode is for you and me! Samantha Gollup talks about how to heal our relationship with food and how to have a healthy balanced view of nutrition through Intuitive Eating. Samantha Gollup is a Registered Dietitian from Madison, Wisconsin. She began her career in Surgical Weight Management for several years and through that has found her niche in the intuitive eating world at her private practice, Anti Diet Mama. Sammie is passionate about helping mamas to heal their relationships with food and body by dismantling what we've learned from diet culture and finding space in their busy lives to take care of their own health in a balanced way. Through Intuitive Eating Counseling, she helps mamas to honor their bodies, create healthful habits, and improve overall quality of life, all while simplifying nutrition. Sammie aims to help each mama break the dieting cycle so she can become her authentic self and raise the next generation without the toxic influence of diet culture. When Sammie isn't working, she's spending time with her husband and her busy toddlers. She loves moving her body in many different ways, self care, eating delicious food with her friends and family, and traveling.Instagram: @antidietmamaWebsiteHunger Scale Resource ________________________________________________________________Did you love this episode? BUY ME A COFFEE for support!Find me on Instagram@balkanina@mamaknowspodcastFind me on TikTokBalkaninaSubscribe to my NewsletterPrivate Facebook Motherhood-Podcast CommunityMama Knows FBDisclaimer: This podcast does not provide any medical advice, it is for informational purposes only!______________________________Did you love this episode? BUY ME A COFFEE for support!Find me on Instagram@balkanina@mamaknowspodcastFind me on TikTokBalkaninaSubscribe to my NewsletterPrivate Facebook Motherhood-Podcast CommunityMama Knows FBDisclaimer: This podcast does not provide any medical advice, it is for informational purposes only! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Feb 28, 2023 • 39min
Sibling Rivalry & Agression W/ Michelle Kenney @Peaceandparenting
This episode couldn't have come at a better time. If you are like me and dealing with sibling rivalry between your kids, you are at a loss for what to do. Join today's talk with Michelle of @Peaceandparenting to figure out what causes siblings to be rivals, when to intervene and when to let them figure it out, and tips on how to raise friendly siblings.Find out how to come to parenting through the lens of connection as a way to navigate and unravel sticky parenting situations. Michelle is a mother of two girls as well as a former teacher and counselor turned Certified Parenting Instructor. After years of consequences, bribes, and star charts, she finally reshaped the relationship she shares with her daughters and credits peaceful parenting for changing her life. Michelle considers herself a recovering yeller, perfectionist, and control freak who has found a more calm and connected way to parent. Using the ideas of Brain Science as her guide and working on childhood hurts as her deeper work, she helps other parents do what she has been able to do for herself over the last decade.email: michelle@peaceandparentingla.comwebsite: peaceandparentingla.comInstagram: peaceandparenting________________________________________________________________Did you love this episode? BUY ME A COFFEE for support!Find me on Instagram@balkanina@mamaknowspodcastFind me on TikTokBalkaninaSubscribe to my NewsletterPrivate Facebook Motherhood-Podcast CommunityMama Knows FBDisclaimer: This podcast does not provide any medical advice, it is for informational purposes only!______________________________Did you love this episode? BUY ME A COFFEE for support!Find me on Instagram@balkanina@mamaknowspodcastFind me on TikTokBalkaninaSubscribe to my NewsletterPrivate Facebook Motherhood-Podcast CommunityMama Knows FBDisclaimer: This podcast does not provide any medical advice, it is for informational purposes only! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Feb 21, 2023 • 43min
How to stop yelling at my kids w/ Mary Van Geffen
Do you yell at your kids? This week I talked with Mary Van Geffen about being a yeller, how to recover after yelling at my kids, and even how to stay calm in the chaos. If you tend to yell, listen to this episode! Mary Van Geffen is an international parenting coach and parent educator for overwhelmed moms of strong-willed & Spicy Children™.She teaches monthly workshops to help moms gain confidence to choose gentle, respectful parenting especially if they weren’t raised that way.Mary has a ministry on Instagram where she posts an inspiring parenting tip every single day. Just reading her social media will help you delight in your child and remember that you are enough. Mary believes that when a mom realizes how hard she is on herself and cracks the door open for some self-compassion, her entire family is bathed in light!Mary is a certified Simplicity Parenting Counselor® and Professional Co-Active Coach®. Her greatest achievement, however, is cultivating a calm, kind, and firm relationship with her spirited go-getter daughter (17), polar-opposite introverted son (15) and un-Enneagramable hubby.Website: www.maryvangeffen.com for classes Calm: https://www.maryvangeffen.com/calmFirm: https://maryvangeffen.com/firmKind: https://maryvangeffen.com/kindInstagram: @maryvangeffen________________________________________________________________Did you love this episode? BUY ME A COFFEE for support!Find me on Instagram@balkanina@mamaknowspodcastFind me on TikTokBalkaninaSubscribe to my NewsletterPrivate Facebook Motherhood-Podcast CommunityMama Knows FBDisclaimer: This podcast does not provide any medical advice, it is for informational purposes only!______________________________Did you love this episode? BUY ME A COFFEE for support!Find me on Instagram@balkanina@mamaknowspodcastFind me on TikTokBalkaninaSubscribe to my NewsletterPrivate Facebook Motherhood-Podcast CommunityMama Knows FBDisclaimer: This podcast does not provide any medical advice, it is for informational purposes only! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Feb 14, 2023 • 36min
Listener's most loved: The 5 Love Languages & How to Navigate them w/Dr. Tracy D
In honor of Valentine's day: Do you know your love language? What about your spouse?If you and your partner DO NOT KNOW then GET ON IT and find out for FREE here: https://5lovelanguages.com/Dr. Tracy Dalgleish is a psychologist and couples therapist in Ottawa. For over 15 years, Dr. Tracy has provided direct clinical services as well as researching, writing, and speaking about relationships. Dr. Tracy focuses on helping mothers improve their relationships and reconnect with their partners. In addition to wellness seminars, Dr. Tracy makes clinical knowledge and research accessible to people through her contributions to popular media sites, including Motherly, Huffington Post, and Bustle, her podcast, "I'm Not Your Shrink" and online webinars accessible to people all over the world. A mom of two young children and owner of Ottawa’s mental health clinic, Integrated Wellness, she knows what it means to balance the full load.Follow Dr Tracy HERE (@DrTracyD)Website HERE________________________________________________________________Did you love this episode? BUY ME A COFFEE for support!Find me on Instagram@balkanina@mamaknowspodcastFind me on TikTokBalkaninaSubscribe to my NewsletterPrivate Facebook Motherhood-Podcast CommunityMama Knows FBDisclaimer: This podcast does not provide any medical advice, it is for informational purposes only!______________________________Did you love this episode? BUY ME A COFFEE for support!Find me on Instagram@balkanina@mamaknowspodcastFind me on TikTokBalkaninaSubscribe to my NewsletterPrivate Facebook Motherhood-Podcast CommunityMama Knows FBDisclaimer: This podcast does not provide any medical advice, it is for informational purposes only! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Feb 7, 2023 • 39min
Infertility, Endometriosis and Traumatic Birth experience w/Melissa Randazzo
**Trigger Warning** On today's episode, we are talking about infertility, endometriosis, hemorrhaging and traumatic birth experiences. My friend Melissa Randazzo opens up about her several year journey with all of the things I just listed. She is inviting us into her personal life and making us feel less alone. I'm so grateful for her. Melissa founded True Warrior Jewelry after teaching herself how to make jewelry to help her cope through a traumatic fertility journey and the premature birth of her son.She is a social worker, mom of two, wife and small business owner who wants to spread awareness to other women who may be going through something similar to her.Melissa’s fertility journey started after she lost both of her fallopian tubes due to a doctor not taking her pain seriously. She wants other women to learn to trust their instincts and to advocate for themselves.Her jewelry company, True Warrior Jewelry, empowers others to face their current journey with courage, power and protection.IG: @true_warrior_jewelrywww.truewarriorjewelry.com________________________________________________________________Did you love this episode? BUY ME A COFFEE for support!Find me on Instagram@balkanina@mamaknowspodcastFind me on TikTokBalkaninaSubscribe to my NewsletterPrivate Facebook Motherhood-Podcast CommunityMama Knows FBDisclaimer: This podcast does not provide any medical advice, it is for informational purposes only!______________________________Did you love this episode? BUY ME A COFFEE for support!Find me on Instagram@balkanina@mamaknowspodcastFind me on TikTokBalkaninaSubscribe to my NewsletterPrivate Facebook Motherhood-Podcast CommunityMama Knows FBDisclaimer: This podcast does not provide any medical advice, it is for informational purposes only! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jan 31, 2023 • 51min
Are video games safe for my kid? W/ Ash Brandin
Ash Brandin, EdS, is a middle school teacher living in Colorado. Since 2016, Ash has spoken across the country about how classrooms and academic spaces can mimic game structures to make learning compelling, motivating, and engaging. Ash believes video games, specifically entertainment games, can help us create better teaching, more engaging learning, and motivated life-long learners. In 2021, Ash pivoted their gaming and educational content onto Instagram. Their account- TheGamerEducator- they help guide families to have a relationship with screens and video games that benefits everyone in a family. In addition to teaching and gaming, Ash loves baking, hiking, and going to car shows with their child. Website: TheGamerEducator.com Instagram: @TheGamerEducator________________________________________________________________Did you love this episode? BUY ME A COFFEE for support!Find me on Instagram@balkanina@mamaknowspodcastFind me on TikTokBalkaninaSubscribe to my NewsletterPrivate Facebook Motherhood-Podcast CommunityMama Knows FBDisclaimer: This podcast does not provide any medical advice, it is for informational purposes only!______________________________Did you love this episode? BUY ME A COFFEE for support!Find me on Instagram@balkanina@mamaknowspodcastFind me on TikTokBalkaninaSubscribe to my NewsletterPrivate Facebook Motherhood-Podcast CommunityMama Knows FBDisclaimer: This podcast does not provide any medical advice, it is for informational purposes only! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jan 24, 2023 • 28min
Relationship Ruts w/ John De Oca
We all go through it - relationship ruts. Are you in one now? Listen to this if you are trying to get past your rut or trying to prevent one from happening!John Ryan De Oca is a relationship expert and board-certified Nurse Practitioner and Nurse Coach residing in Hudson County, NJ. He offers more than 10 years of experience in the healthcare industry with his ultimate passion being in relationships. Instagram @therelationshipprescriberWebsite https://www.therelationshipprescriber.com/________________________________________________________________Did you love this episode? BUY ME A COFFEE for support!Find me on Instagram@balkanina@mamaknowspodcastFind me on TikTokBalkaninaSubscribe to my NewsletterPrivate Facebook Motherhood-Podcast CommunityMama Knows FBDisclaimer: This podcast does not provide any medical advice, it is for informational purposes only!______________________________Did you love this episode? BUY ME A COFFEE for support!Find me on Instagram@balkanina@mamaknowspodcastFind me on TikTokBalkaninaSubscribe to my NewsletterPrivate Facebook Motherhood-Podcast CommunityMama Knows FBDisclaimer: This podcast does not provide any medical advice, it is for informational purposes only! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jan 17, 2023 • 40min
I am having a baby with Down Syndrome w/Abby Green
Abby and I are talking the moment when she found out that she was carrying a baby with Down's syndrome. I cried a lot, and I guarantee you'll cry, too. Not only does Abby share her very personal journey with us, she also teaches us a lot. In this interview, she teaches us about how to teach our children to learn and talk about kids and humans with special needs. Abby Rose Green is a mindset and business coach, podcaster, Down syndrome inclusion advocate, and speaker. She co-owns HERself podcast and Pursuing HER Purpose to help women move their life and business forward without losing themselves, their values, or their relationships along the way. Instagram @abbyrosegreen @herselfpodcastWebsite https://www.herselfpodcast.com/________________________________________________________________Did you love this episode? BUY ME A COFFEE for support!Find me on Instagram@balkanina@mamaknowspodcastFind me on TikTokBalkaninaSubscribe to my NewsletterPrivate Facebook Motherhood-Podcast CommunityMama Knows FBDisclaimer: This podcast does not provide any medical advice, it is for informational purposes only!______________________________Did you love this episode? BUY ME A COFFEE for support!Find me on Instagram@balkanina@mamaknowspodcastFind me on TikTokBalkaninaSubscribe to my NewsletterPrivate Facebook Motherhood-Podcast CommunityMama Knows FBDisclaimer: This podcast does not provide any medical advice, it is for informational purposes only! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jan 10, 2023 • 36min
Should I be arguing in front of my kids? w/ Ruth Han
Do you argue in front of your kids? As much as we want to have calm discussions with our partner, fighting in front of your kids is eventually inevitable. Is arguing in front of your kids always bad? How do you recover? In today's episode Ruth Han helps navigate through this tough topic.Ruth is a retired homeschooling stay-at-home mom and psychotherapist in the state of Pennsylvania. After launching her children, she has turned her focus on helping moms and dads create the families that they’ve always wanted and learn how to navigate the struggles that life inevitably brings.She is passionate about helping families learn how to work through conflict, come out stronger, and break generational curses. Website- ruthhan.comInstagram, YT, TT- ruthhantherapy ________________________________________________________________Did you love this episode? BUY ME A COFFEE for support!Find me on Instagram@balkanina@mamaknowspodcastFind me on TikTokBalkaninaSubscribe to my NewsletterPrivate Facebook Motherhood-Podcast CommunityMama Knows FBDisclaimer: This podcast does not provide any medical advice, it is for informational purposes only!______________________________Did you love this episode? BUY ME A COFFEE for support!Find me on Instagram@balkanina@mamaknowspodcastFind me on TikTokBalkaninaSubscribe to my NewsletterPrivate Facebook Motherhood-Podcast CommunityMama Knows FBDisclaimer: This podcast does not provide any medical advice, it is for informational purposes only! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jan 3, 2023 • 43min
Top Episode of 2022: Re-defining Self Identity through healing Childhood Wounds W/Lavinia Brown
The most listened episode of 2022! Lavinia Brown (MA Oxon) is a one-to-one psychodynamic coach, company gender-equality and inclusion consultant, author and speaker. As a multi-passionate, life-long learner, she has enjoyed a portfolio career since graduating from Oxford University, that includes over 20 years as an employee of and service provider to the fine wine, corporate events, boutique hotels, merchant banking, auctioneering, luxury goods, marketing and energy drinks sectors.Her purpose is to support mothers to stop feeling anxious, depressed and angry through understanding and healing their past, clearing inherited emotional baggage, overcoming unconscious patterns and asserting healthy boundaries so that they can own their authentic feminine power without feeling ‘too much’, selfish or guilty.In this episode we talk about:
What is inner child healing and who needs it?
What is considered a childhood trauma
How to heal your inner child & resources
________________________________________________________________________________Did you love this episode? BUY ME A COFFEE for support! Find Lavinia here:InstagramWebsite Course: Finding Freedom How To Stop Feeling So Negative, Heal Your Inner Child And Tame Your Inner Bully - A Self-Study Course for MumsResources:TED talk on ACE Report________________________________________________________________________________Want to work with me?Email me: balkaninablog@gmail.comFind me on Instagram@balkanina@mamaknowspodcastFind me on TikTokBalkaninaSubscribe to my NewsletterPrivate Facebook Motherhood-Podcast CommunityMama Knows FBDisclaimer: This podcast does not provide any medical advice, it is for informational purposes only!______________________________Did you love this episode? BUY ME A COFFEE for support!Find me on Instagram@balkanina@mamaknowspodcastFind me on TikTokBalkaninaSubscribe to my NewsletterPrivate Facebook Motherhood-Podcast CommunityMama Knows FBDisclaimer: This podcast does not provide any medical advice, it is for informational purposes only! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices