Love Like A Mama

This is my final episode, friends. I explain why and share all my feelings about my current season of motherhood. Please excuse my crying but I'm laying it all out.

Thank you to each and every one of my listeners, followers, guests, and behind-the-scenes support staff for helping my first attempt at podcasting be such a positive experience. This was a wonderful experience for me and while it's ending earlier than anticipated I'm so grateful for the connections made and friendships formed. I've learned from the stories shared here and grown in my own motherhood. I couldn't have done it without you.

Keep on loving in only the way that you can, Mama.

Today's interview is with Gillian Behnke. As a busy mom of two, Gillian cares deeply about helping other moms feel better both mentally and physically. She believes that motherhood does not equate to exhaustion, and that is is possible to thrive mentally, emotionally, physically, and professionally.

Gillian is the founder of Mom Camp, a media and events company that empowers moms to live their best lives. She is also the host of the Mom Camp: Around the Campfire podcast.

I thoroughly enjoyed this conversation with Gillian and I know you will, too!

This week's episode is with my friend, Terri Anne Anderson. TA is a wife, mom to two daughters, public speaker, soon to be published author, and works in the health care industry. 

TA shares wise words by reminding us that motherhood is not about perfection and wants moms to extend grace and forgiveness to themselves.

It was so great to connect with TA and this conversation was an example of how we are all connected in this motherhood journey-no matter where we are,

This week I'm chatting with Melaina Rogers. Melaina is a wife, mom to three, self-love fighter, and adoptee. We discuss her adoption, her journey to finding her biological family in Colombia, her perspective on adoption and how it feels to have biological children who look like her.

Melaina is one of the most nonjudgmental, accepting, happy people I have had the pleasure of knowing. I'm positive you will enjoy this conversation with her.

Today's guest is Chanelle Nielsen. She's a wife, mom to five and a life coach. She helps moms organize their days so they can balance family and personal goals through her coaching programs.

In this episode Chanelle gives us great tips on self care for moms. You can connect with her on Instagram under her handle, @chanelleneilsoncoaching.

Today's guest is my own mama, Janie Harrison. She's a widow after 55 years of marriage, mother to seven, grandmother to nineteen, great grandmother to six (by the end of this year) writer, and artist. In this interview she reflects on her years as a mother and shares her insights surrounding life.

Thank you, mother for this conversation, for being my mom, and for being the greatest example of motherhood to me.

Today's guest is Victoria. She is an adoptee, a birth mother, and an adoptive mother. She has experienced all three sides of the adoption triad. I appreciated her honesty in our conversation. She shared a lot of sadness. That’s the thing about adoption-it all begins with loss and brokenness. But there is healing. There is love. There is goodness. And that’s the message Vicky shares. 

"I believe from a 30,000-foot perspective, the theme of my life has been motherhood. The love of it, the lack of it and what it means."

In this episode I share the story behind my book- the lonely and difficult road to becoming a mom. I longed for someone to understand and encourage me to continue on the difficult days. 

This was the beginning of me understanding how much I wanted to be a mother, how resilient women actually are, and that all mothers- no matter our circumstances- need encouragement.

Thank you for listening.

In episode 17 I'm talking with my sister-in-law, Heidi. Heidi is a wife and mom to one little boy and her second baby boy is due any day now. Three years ago Heidi was diagnosed with breast cancer. She opens up and shares that time of her life with us. When I asked her if she would be willing to talk about cancer she said, "Absolutely! If my story helps even one woman, I'm willing to share it." Her experience and advice can be applied to any mother-with or without cancer because her message is that moms need to take care of themselves.

Thank you, Heidi, for your honesty, your hope. and your willingness to share.

Today's guest is Heidi, a wife, and mom to three young children. Heidi shares her perspective on the emotional ups and downs of motherhood, how she breaks up the monotonous moments, the rewards of parenting, and much more.

Heidi has such a wise view on mothering and i really enjoyed this chat with her. Thanks for sharing, Heidi!

Today's guest is Stephanie- A wife, mom to four, and brand new grandmother to one. She shares a bit of her sobriety journey and how important co-parenting has been for her and her ex-husband. Her story beautifully illustrates the love she has for herself as well as her family.

Thank you for your honest, open conversation, Stephanie.

A big thanks to you, the listener, as well.

If you'd like to connect with Stephanie online you can find her on Instagram at stephanie_buno or her Facebook page at Beautiful Buno Beauty.

In today's episode we meet Ariel- A wife and mom of three. She shares the birth story of her youngest child with us. Ariel's story is a beautiful reminder that the greatest blessings in motherhood can't be planned or fully anticipated. 

Today I'm talking with Adriane. She's a wife and mom to three. Two of her children are young adults and Adriane shares how her role as mom changed as her children aged. I enjoyed her perspective and our conversation.

Today I interview my friend, Beth. She's a wife, mom of 11, and master herbalist. Some years ago she experienced a traumatic brain injury, a long road to recovery, and still battles debilitating headaches all while being a mother to many. In this episode Beth reminds us how strong women can be and where her source of strength comes from.

Come meet Erin in today's episode. She's a wife and mom of four. Erin shares some beautiful insights into mothering and mentions these two books: "How To Talk So Kids Will Listen & Listen So Kids Will Talk" by Adele Faber and Elaine Mazlish, "Parenting Teens With Love And Logic" by Foster W Cline and Jim Fay.

In this episode, I talk with Rebecca. She's a homeschooling mom of five children.  She gives her perspective and insights on mothering and teaches me the Kristina Kuzmic quote "Mind your own motherhood", which is my new favorite! You are in for treat with this one.

In this week's episode, I talk with Tiffany. She's a mom to three boys, health care professional, and aspiring writer. We talk about her experience as a teen mom and how we can support not only teen moms but mothers in all walks of life. Tiffany also shares what a great influence her own mother was for her. It was a great conversation. I know you will enjoy it!

In this episode, we meet Melissa-my younger sister. She is a wife, a mom to four kids, and a cancer survivor. We talk about seasons of motherhood, receiving a cancer diagnosis, her subsequent treatment, how she mothered through cancer along with some other great moms who helped love her children through this challenging time. It's a great interview you won't want to miss! 

In this episode we meet Raylene. She is a wife, mom to three boys and an English Professor. We talk about the illusion of balance in motherhood and career, how challenging parenting is, finding magic in motherhood, and much more.

Welcome to the very first episode of Love Like A Mama podcast! In this episode Lila introduces herself and explains what this podcast is all about. So get comfy and know you are welcome here. Let's experience motherhood together through the gift of our stories.