
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 22, 2022 • 38min
Sensory Needs in Kids: What is it with my kid and his quirks? w/Alisha
"It’s so frustrating that your child always tantrums, seems edgy, or doesn’t listen. Or, maybe they have some weird quirks and habits that you don’t get? But, you can’t shake the feeling that something deeper is going on. It could be related to their sensory processing!" -Your Kids TableOne day I was chatting to my girls on IG about how frustrating it is that my son is always running into things and seems so "wild." Not "so" wild that he can't focus or complete tasks but just enough that I am like "WTF DUDE." Well thanks to the amazing community, several of them being Occupational Therapists - I learned about Sensory Needs in kids and since then our lives have been so much easier. We now GET IT, we get why our son is the way he is and we KNOW how to help him. We all have different sensory needs, EVERY SINGLE CHILD has different preferences. This episode is SO important to me. I want every parent to listen and I promise you, you will take away SO much and it will help you understand your child SO much better. Our very amazing guest Alisha empowers women by equipping them with the knowledge and strategies to help their child with eating and/or sensory challenges thrive. She has been a licensed occupational therapist for 17 years, and has been featured in Parenting Magazine, and the Huff Post. Alisha is the creator of the popular blog Your Kid's Table that reaches millions of parents and professionals every year. She's also a mom to three boys of her own. Alisha's Instagram and websiteFREE 7 day Thriving With Sensory Challenge for all parents and caregivers - through 3/31/22!________________________________________________________________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

Mar 15, 2022 • 48min
How to have a better relationship with your partner w/ Mac
100% should be listening to this with your partner. Most couples that seek counseling typically seek it 6 years too late. Today we chat with Mac a licensed Black Male therapist with a specialization in couples therapy. As a therapist he specialize in improving communication skills, conflict management, friendship, intimacy, admiration and fondness within my couples.In this episode:Mind blowing relationship facts & statisticsDivorce, affairsHealthy communicationHow to get couples therapy help and more!Mac's WebsiteMac's IG @Talk2Mac_TherapistClinical Card Deck to strengthen your relationship CODE: MAMAKNOWS________________________________________________________________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

Mar 14, 2022 • 25min
Confessions: Dumbest argument you've been in w/ Tom
What's the dumbest argument you've gotten into with your partner? Grab some popcorn because today we will read off hilarious arguments. Turns out we've also been in most of the same ones. I suggest listening with your partner around so you guys can laugh together!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

Mar 8, 2022 • 50min
Cancer at age 31 with 2 small kids w/ Lisa Orr
Grab a tissue: today we are hearing from a “normal” woman, she is your friend, co-worker, sister, neighbor and more….She is our very first @balkanina community mama on the podcast sharing her intimate experience with a cancer diagnosis as a young mom at only age 31. Lisa Orr! Lisa was diagnosed with breast cancer at age 31 and is sharing her story with us today. She also shares to her podcast weekly to bring awareness, community and resources to anyone who lives with or knows something with cancer in their life!In this episode:
Lisa's story of diagnosis
Juggling motherhood & cancer
Cancer & community
Take away for all mamas
Elephants & TeaElephants and Tea is a nonprofit media company with the mission to help adolescent and young adult cancer patients, survivors, and caregivers know they are not alone in their fight with cancer. They have the only magazine written for and by the AYA cancer community, telling their story in their own words...and it's FREE! The goal of Elephants and Tea is to help the AYA cancer community experience relief through self expression, inspire others during their cancer journey, and connect them with supportive organizations. The "Don't Call it a Journey" Podcast with Lisa OrrLisa on IG Did you love this episode? BUY ME A COFFEE for support!____________________________Intro Voice: Nina LaurenIGIMDBWant to work with me?Email me: balkaninablog@gmail.comFind me on Instagram@balkanina@mamaknowspodcastFind me on TikTokBalkaninaSubscribe to my NewsletterPrivate Facebook Motherhood 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

Mar 1, 2022 • 37min
Enneagram 101: What motivates you to be better? w/ Ashton
If you could take a test that tells you your personality type and what motivates you to be better not only for YOU but for all your loved ones around you, would you? Well, you can. In this episode I am chatting with Ashton Whitmoyer-Ober of @enneagramashton on Instagram and also author of The Enneagram Made Simple. Ashton is also a public speaker, Community Psychologist, and certified Enneagram educator. With a desire to see relationships strengthened and women empowered, she created Enneagram Ashton in early 2019 and has grown to over half a million followers! In this episode:1. What is Enneagram and how to find your type2. How can knowing your Enneagram improve your relationships3. Enneagram wings & more4. Enneagram in motherhoodDid you love this episode? BUY ME A COFFEE for support! Find Ashton on social:@enneagramashton on IGSchedule an appointment with Ashton HEREGet 30% OFF with code 'MAMAKNOWS' on Ashton's Services! Take a FREE enneagram test HERE or HERE (please note this may not be as accurate as a paid or personalized version)Take the $12 Enneagram test HERE ____________________________Intro Voice: Nina LaurenIGIMDBWant to work with me?Email me: balkaninablog@gmail.comFind me on Instagram@balkanina@mamaknowspodcastFind me on TikTokBalkaninaSubscribe to my NewsletterPrivate Facebook Motherhood 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 22, 2022 • 1h 2min
How the F do I parent my teen?
How was your relationship with your parents when you were a teen? Mine was not so great, that's all I know about that. Teenagers are a special breed and today we are sitting down with Aly Pain, a certified relationship Coach for families specializing in parenting teens! Growing up, Aly was the smart, fun girl on the outside and a frantic, anxious mess on the inside. She spent years healing the pain of dysfunctional family relationships, including eating disorders and a suicide attempt, to break the cycle raising her own sons. Aly's passion is empowering parents to build healthy, respectful relationships with their teens without giving up or giving up, even if they've tried everything and are at their wits end.With over half a million parents investing themselves into Aly's content across social channels such as TikTok, Instagram and Youtube she is helping parents and teens get closer than ever and understand each other more clearly! In this episode:1. Why parenting teens is different.2. How to set boundaries with your teen.3. Consequences, expectations and more.4. Alcohol, drugs, sex.Did you love this episode? BUY ME A COFFEE for support! Find Aly on IG Find Aly on TikTokBecome a Boundaries Boss online program (includes compassionate consequence formula)CODE: BOUNDARIES50 for $50 OFF this course. Teen Resources:TEENS & SOCIAL MEDIATeens & Gaming___________________________Intro Voice: Nina LaurenIGIMDBFind 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 15, 2022 • 22min
Confessions: You wouldn't admit this to anyone w Tom
The one and only, super hilarious Sunday Confessions are now extended on the podcast. Tom and I don't hold back (so ear muffs for the kiddos please). Pop in your headphones or turn up the volume in your van because these confessions are so good, funny, bizarre and girl you will for sure feel less alone.example: "I have a large labia." 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 15, 2022 • 43min
Re-defining Self Identity through healing Childhood Wounds w Lavinia Brown
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:InstagramHer WebsiteUSE CODE BENINA at checkout to get 10% off Course: Finding Freedom How To Stop Feeling So Negative, Heal Your Inner Child And Tame Your Inner Bully - A Self-Study Course for MumsFree e-course Cycle Connection for anyone signing up to my 3-month coaching program - Deep Dive - before 31st March 2022 Resources: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

Feb 14, 2022 • 11min
Why is this Podcast even important?
One thing I have learned in the last few years as a public figure on social media is that we just want to feel relatable. We want to know that we are not alone, we want to know that SHE is a lot like me.My name is Nina and if you don't know me from my social media @balkanina then HELLO - I am just this regular chick who is also a wife, mom, daughter and friend who has built a community of powerful women. I have just about a 2 million reach on social and because of that I am using my voice to propel women forward.In this very first episode of Mama Knows, I share:
Who I am and where I come from.
The role my own mother has played in the making of this
The meaning behind the name "Mama Knows"
Why I think this podcast is important
Did you love this episode? BUY ME A COFFEE for support! _________________________Intro Voice: Nina LaurenIGIMDBWant 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