Is anyone else obsessed with podcasts?! I totally am. I listen to them getting ready, in the car, making dinner, etc. Podcasts or music is pretty much on at all times. One day I have a dream to have my own podcast, that would be so amazing. So here I am putting it out into the universe to help manifest it! One day I will have my own podcast! 😉💪🏻🙌🏻
Today I’m sharing three of my favorite podcasts and (plus 2 bonus podcasts) that I think you should be listening to right now.
1. Jody Moore - Better than Happy- Jody is amazing and her podcasts are full of things I need to hear! She has helped me develop better habits and better self talk. She honestly wants to help everyone become their best selves. I binge listened to Jody and then have gone back to re-listen. I love that she gets right to the point and I am left inspired every time I listen. @jodymoorecoaching
♥️Fave episode: 131: Your Future Self
2. Awesome With Alison- Alison exudes energy, light, and positivity. Her podcast with her husband Eric is so well rounded. I laugh, have “ah-ha” moments, and have teared up. She was hit by a “freaking car” 😉 a few months ago and it has been so inspiring listening to her journey as she heals. While she openly shares her story, she helps me heal from my own “hit by a car” experiences. I have so much enthusiasm like I can conquer the world like a boss after listening to Alison and Eric. @thealisonshow
♥️Fave episode: 35: How to OWN your life more fully! (Also look for her gratitude practices, episodes 23 & 24 they are life changing!)
3. Therapy Thoughts with Tiffany Roe - This podcast is pretty new but I have been following @mindfulcounseling on IG forever. I love Tiffany. Her podcast are little mini therapy sessions and she has amazing affirmation challenges. Tiffany is so refreshing and has really great strategies and techniques to help you be strong mentally. ♥️Fave episode: 4: Self-Care **EVERYONE go listen to this ASAP**
And 2 bonuses of my newest favorite podcasts that I recently found...
4. Extraordinary Moms @jessicadahlquist3 .
5. 3 in 30 Takeaways for Moms @3in30podcast
Do you listen to podcasts? Please share all of your favorites with me!
Miscarriage 101
I hope to educate others and take the stigma away from types of pregnancy loss and infertility. We educate ourselves about other health issues, diabetes, how to manage a cold, ear infections, etc. So why not miscarriage? I knew nothing about it until after I was experiencing one.
The more you know the more empowered you are about your health. Knowledge helps us be more understanding to what others are going through.
A miscarriage is the spontaneous loss of a woman's pregnancy before the 20th week. It can be VERY painful, traumatic, and is very emotional.
About 15 to 20 percent of all pregnancies end in miscarriage. The first time I miscarried I was SHOCKED at this statistic. I had no idea how common it was. After my miscarriage I had so many friends reach out and say, “me too.”
Miscarriages usually happen early, over 80% of miscarriages happen in the first 3 months of pregnancy.
After a miscarriage, there are often feelings of helplessness, shame, guilt, and self-blame. I have really isolated myself after my pregnancy losses. It is lonely & the emotions are sometimes too much. Miscarriages happen randomly, no one really knows why they happen. All of those feelings are normal, but you are absolutely NOT to blame for your miscarriage. You did nothing wrong.
All of the emotions related to miscarriage can be intensified by the rapid change in your hormones.
You may need medical help during the miscarriage. Your OB-GYN should be aware of what you are experiencing & then can help you with the correct treatment.
Consult your doctor if you are experience bleeding. My miscarriages have always had heavy bleeding like the worst period of my life. Some bleeding can be totally normal during pregnancies.
IT IS OK TO GRIEVE. After a miscarriage, you are experiencing a loss. A loss of a child, a loss of family plans, a loss of dreams, etc. It is normal & healthy to grieve. There is no right way to grieve.
Getting pregnant after a miscarriage can be so overwhelming & full of anxiety. However, most women who miscarry get pregnant again & have a full term perfect baby.
Do you have any questions about miscarriage or is there something you wish you had known?
Living In Abundance While Battling Infertility
Can we just talk about how much fertility treatments cost?! It is unreal. It can be so overwhelming how much test, medications, and even just a doctor visit costs!
We all have a story we tell ourselves about money, “There is never enough money,” “I could never afford that,” “I am not enough to have nice things,” etc. None of these stories that we tell ourselves serve us. I have been trying hard to change my mindset to live in abundance. When you live in abundance you believe that there is always more and there is plenty of money, love, attention, success, opportunities etc.
As I have tried to change my money story from scarcity to abundance, I first listed my talents, & then made a plan to do something with them. I really love to bake. So I have put myself out there in a vulnerable space to sell cakes. I have also been making gourmet caramel apples.
I have a really lofty goal to take my kids to Disneyland and Universal Studios and then come home to start IVF. I am so super grateful for all I have. I keep up on my gratitude general, but I know that I can be and do more as well.
My attitude has been completely different since switching my mind to live in abundance. I no longer tell myself things like “ugh IVF is so much! We will never be able to do that.” Instead, I tell myself something like, “There are so many opportunities out there. God has blessed me with skills and talents to grab those opportunities. I am going to hustle and work hard to get the things that we want and need.”
In a few weeks, I am going to launch an Etsy shop. I have so many great printables for y’all and cake toppers. It has been so much fun to do. Living abundantly has given me a sense of purpose and I have been able to be a better mom, friend, wife, etc.
I am obsessed with podcasts! I love them. @jodymoorecoaching has a podcast called Better Than Happy. It will honestly change your life. Listen to episode #113. She explains gratitude, desire, and abundance so beautifully.
Also, check my IG story to see an amazing video from women sharing their stories about the costs of fertility treatment.
Share your ideas! How have you saved money for fertility treatments?
Being Able To Ask For Help
I am super independent. I am also a recovering perfectionist. It is a super neat combo 😂 I like to do things in a certain way by myself. I have always liked to be the one that GIVES help, but RECEIVING help was a hot no thanks.🙅🏼♀️
The past 2 years have made me seriously humble myself. After having multiple pregnancy losses I have never been in such a low and dark place. It felt like I had been shoved down a flight of stairs, in the dark, and I was laying flat on my back super hurt. I was broken. I needed time to figure out how to get my feet under me again to stand up. I desperately needed to ask for help.
The physical pain was so intense I didn’t really move for a few days. I needed meals brought in for my family, and people brought by lunch. We needed help with my kids during trips to the er, surgery, to recover, and check-ups.
I have asked to talk with church leaders about things I was struggling with spiritually. I reached out to friends who had been through similar experiences for help and receive empathy. Sometimes they just let me cry and that is all I needed. I went to my doctor for help because I was struggling with sleeping, PTSD, and depression. I was super open with my husband on how I was feeling and what I needed from him.
Asking for help is NOT a weakness! That is a big life lesson that has really sunk in this year. Again, ASKING FOR HELP IS NOT WEAKNESS! Helping people is such a gift and a talent, but being able to ask for help is also an important talent to develop. It takes courage to ask for help.
When life is too dark, too hard, and you feel weak, the bravest thing you can do is ask for help. People want to help! They want the opportunity to bless and strengthen those around them.
I know that one of the reasons why we go through trials and hard moments in life is so we can help answer prayers and be God’s hands. Let people do that for you! God might be trying to answer your prayers through someone else.
I want to help! Reach out if you ever need to vent, talk, cry, etc. You are not ever, ever alone.
What do you think is the hardest thing about asking for help?
She Remembered Who She Was & The Game Changed
It is the last day of National Infertility Awareness Week. I have been so inspired by all of the messages, videos, pictures, and stories everyone has shared. The biggest thing that keeps coming to my mind is this quote:
“She remembered who she was and the game changed.”
Who I am is NOT my challenges and trials. It is not my infertility. It is not my surgeries that have left me scarred. It is not my multiple pregnancy losses. It is not my PTSD and anxiety.
I am a wife, and a mother to 2 gorgeous children & 4 angel babies. I am a daughter, sister, aunt, and friend. I am so super loyal. I love deeply. I am talented. I am a cake baker. I am a writer and speaker. I love connecting with people. I have value and matter. I am a daughter of God who has a perfect purpose for me.
I love that there was an opportunity to #FlipTheScript this week on infertility. We are all fighting tough battles, but we are stronger.
Who are you?! Leave a comment below!!!