It has been 8 months since I went on a life changing journey of healing my gut. It has not only healed my gut, but has helped my mental health and energy levels. I feel better than I have ever felt. It was never about the weight loss for me. I have received so many questions about my journey so we are diving in with 2 parts!This episode we cover:My symptoms, goals for my healing, my test results and care plan, the role of mental health in this journey.About Claire:Hi! I'm Claire - a mama, dietitian, and yoga instructor. I am passionate about helping others achieve their health + wellness goals through personalized nutrition, and especially have a passion for helping other mamas regain their health along their motherhood journey.Instagram: @claire.s.wellness@nuvitruwellnessWebsite: https://nuvitruwellness.com/austinnutritionist-clairestewart/______________________________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

Grab your tissues. We hear from Brittany, one of my amazing and strong followers, about her son, Cole, who has high risk acute lymphoblastic leukemia and her son, Hudson, who has Chron's Disease.Thank you so much to Brittany for sharing her and her family's story. In the episode, we cover: Brittany, you’re here today to share with us about life as a family with two small kids, one diagnosed with cancer and one with chrons disease back to back. But tell us about how life was for you just before these awful news? Tell us about what led up to these diagnoses, what made you do the testing? You have to often shift between mom and caregiver, tell us about how this works between you and your support system and how has it impacted your mental health? What has helped you get through all of this? How can we best support a friend with a child with cancer? Brittany is a suburban Chicago mom of 2 boys and a childhood cancer advocate.IG: @brittmagnus_Brittmagnus.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! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This episode is for all my anxious girlies. I feel you. Today we cover:  In today’s world it seems like so many women have anxiety, why? What does typical anxiety look like and then what does moderate to severe anxiety look like - the type that you should seek help for? Negative/anxious thoughts that spiral. Why does this happen and how do we work through it? What are some things we can do with our body to ease anxiety?  Gianna LaLota, LMHC is a New York-based therapist. Gianna received her Master’s in Mental Health Counseling from New York University. She currently works at NYC Cognitive Therapy, a midtown-based private practice, where she sees individual clients in addition to leading therapy groups. Gianna specializes in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). She is also a licensed yoga teacher (RYT 500) and incorporates elements of mindfulness into her work with clients. Gianna has a growing online community on Instagram, where she shares about mindful mental health.IG: @mindfultherapynyc______________________________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

Mac is back! Today we covered: What are attachment styles within a romantic relationship and why are they important to note?  Can you give us some examples of how these attachment styles look in real life and which ones do you see most common in either gender? Can you attachment style change?  What are signs of a toxic relationship based on attachment style?  Mac Stanley Cazeau, is NOT just any ordinary therapist; his unorthodox, no-nonsense approach makes for a therapeutic experience like no other!Owner and operator of Therapy Is For Everyone counseling, he’s specialized in couples counseling, focusing in the areas of conflict management, increasing intimacy, navigating affairs, and recovering from narcissists.  His work with couples uncovered his hidden ability to connect with his male clients in a novel way. As a millennial therapist, Mac is not afraid to buck formality and get beyond candid in his work, and this relatable and humorous approach creates a space of comfort and safety for his clientele. His methodology has led to breakthroughs for hundreds of clients, men and women included.Links:IG: https://www.instagram.com/talk2macstanley/Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@Talk2MacWebsite: https://www.therapyisforeveryone.org/______________________________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

What is Trafficking and Why Do I Need to Care About It?This week we tackled a scary, but important topic with Alexandra Stevenson.We covered: 1. Alexandra's story about domestic human trafficking2. Top red flags parents should be aware of around human trafficking3. When a parents suspects human trafficking, what steps do they take to ensure safety for their family?Alexandra Stevenson, a former trafficking victim turned activist, embarked on her anti-trafficking journey at 11. After 10 years and personal hardships, she recognized her experience as human trafficking. With a candid storytelling approach and strong academic background, she bridges communities, educates on tough subjects, and empowers change. She co-founded Uprising in Wyoming and her personal brand, The Laughing Survivor, in British Columbia. Alexandra's strength and resilience inspire others to persevere and foster compassion.Instagram: The Laughing SurvivorWebsite: TheLaughingSurvivor.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! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week is extra sweet. I sat down to talk to Sammie about how we should approach the topic of sweets and treats when it comes to our kids. We covered:How do we talk about sweets and treats to our kids?How do we limit sweets & treats without causing deprivation and or a complex around certain foods?How much access should the kids have to the pantry that also contains sweets & treats? How controlled should this space be?What do I do if my kid only wants to eat sweets and won't eat their meal? IG: @anti.diet.mamaSamantha Gollup is a compassionate and dedicated Registered Dietitian from Madison, Wisconsin. With an extensive background in Surgical Weight Management, she has discovered her true calling within the realm of intuitive eating and founded her private practice, Anti Diet Mama. As the founder of Anti Diet Mama, Sammie is on a mission to empower mamas to heal their relationships with food and their bodies by dismantling the harmful teachings of diet culture.Through Intuitive Eating and Body Image Counseling, Sammie guides mamas to embrace their bodies, cultivate healthful habits, and elevate their overall quality of life while simplifying nutrition. Her personalized approach empowers each mother to break free from the dieting cycle, enabling them to rediscover their authentic selves and raise the next generation without the toxic influence of diet culture. Passionate about helping women find balance amid their busy lives, Sammie encourages mothers to carve out space for self-care and prioritize their own health and well-being so they can model this for their kids. She firmly believes that every woman deserves to nourish both body and soul without guilt or shame.Beyond her professional endeavors, Sammie finds joy in spending cherished moments with her husband and their lively toddlers. Her zest for life extends to exploring various forms of movement, indulging in delectable food with loved ones, and embarking on new adventures through travel. Samantha Gollup's unwavering dedication to promoting body acceptance and intuitive eating has made her a guiding light for countless mothers seeking to transform their relationship with food and themselves. With her warmth, expertise, and wholehearted commitment to empowering others, Sammie is shaping a healthier, more vibrant future for families and communities alike.______________________________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

In today's episode we discuss:1. The break down the basics of hormone health and why we should care about it as women?2. How do we know how are hormone health is and when something is wrong?3. What are some natural ways we can balance our hormones?4. Most common issue seen with women that is directly related to hormone healthWebsite: https://familyfocusfdl.wixsite.com/familyfocuschiroFacebook: www.facebook.com/familyfocuschirowellnessInstagram: @familyfocuschirowellness______________________________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

My therapist and I did a stop light activity on my last day of therapy and It truly is a game changer! Grab a pen and paper and write down all the tips because I think it could help you too! ______________________________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

There is finally a term for what I am, I knew this all along but it feels so validating. Natalie and I chat about being High Sensitive People (HSP) with High sensitive Kiddos!  What’s a highly sensitive person? (How do I know if I am one?) How do I figure out if my kids or partner are HSP? Tips on parenting a a HSP? What are things we can implement in our home to thrive as a HSP family? ______________________________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

Dr. Morgan and I have such a honest conversation about motherhood burnout and identity. We talk about it all, and of course big congratulations to Dr. Morgan and her BOOK: Love Your Kids Without Losing Yourself: 5 Steps to Banish Guilt and Beat Burnout When You Already Have Too Much to DoIn this epsiode: What leads to burnout in motherhood?  Identifying, Preventing and managing burnout in motherhood  Finding your identity in motherhood -normalizing that we aren’t who we used to be? -normalizing changing our beliefs and stance? How do we nurture our relationships in this season of motherhood? Friendships & intimate.  Dr. Morgan Cutlip, PhD in Psychology and highly sought after relationship expert, knows what it feels like to lose yourself in motherhood, and she’s determined to help mothers navigate it better.Throughout her career, she has helped hundreds of thousands of people worldwide learn how to form and maintain healthy relationships.Dr. Morgan has been a featured relationship expert with Good Morning America, Teen Vogue, The New York Times, Women’s Health Magazine, MOPS International, Loveology, and Flo, the #1 app in health and fitness. Her new book, Love Your Kids Without Losing Yourself______________________________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