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Maintaining Mama

Maintaining Mama

By Jen Butler

The musings of a former wine mom, diet culture survivor, recovering perfectionist, and sometime supermom maintaining my sobriety, sanity and self. I am a recovery coach-in-training and proudly alcohol-free since July 5, 2018.
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Currently playing episode

What is a Coach?

Maintaining MamaMay 24, 2021

00:00
18:45
Missing the Past, Embracing the Present
Jun 21, 202119:27
Contending with Our Inner Critic
Jun 14, 202114:59
Isolation Island
Jun 07, 202117:21
Checking In at Mile 24

Checking In at Mile 24

It's June 2021. The world is opening back up, masks are coming off, and the pandemic fatigue is REAL Y'ALL. We are at mile 24 of the marathon, which is a challenging and complicated place to be. But by doing what we can to reduce our stress, we can start to clear the brain fog and recover some energy. At least I hope so. Pop into this episode for a little camaraderie in the pandemic trenches, where we'll mix metaphors, fill our cups, and get ourselves into a better headspace as we head into summer.

This episode was inspired by an Instagram post I wrote last week. Find me there @maintaining_mama.

Parts of this episode are also available in a blog post: http://maintaining-mama.com/2021/06/01/checking-in-at-mile-24/

Don't forget to share this episode, and follow and/or subscribe to this spanky but sincere little podcast!

Questions? Comments? Reach out! Email me at jen@maintaining-mama.com.

Jun 01, 202122:56
What is a Coach?

What is a Coach?

In this episode, with my snoring French Bulldog at my feet, I talk about what a coach is (and is not), and why I decided to become a coach. If you are curious about coaching or have thought about hiring a coach, this episode is for you!

Questions or comments? Want more info or to be considered for some pro bono coaching as I set up my new business in the coming months? Reach out!

DM me: @maintaining_mama on Instagram

Email me: jen@maintaining-mama.com

Don't forget to share this episode, and follow and/or subscribe to this spanky but sincere little podcast!

May 24, 202118:45
Cycle Awareness: Wearing the Pants in My Relationship with My Uterus

Cycle Awareness: Wearing the Pants in My Relationship with My Uterus

In this episode I discuss why cycle awareness is important and what it means. I talk about the "four seasons" of our cycle, as described by Maisie Hill in the excellent book Period Power: Harness Your Hormones and Get Your Cycle Working For You. I also share four tips for navigating cycle awareness. Cycle awareness has helped me be more in tune with my body and appreciate it on a deeper level. The more you know, you know?

Please let me know what you think about this episode!

DM me: @maintaining_mama on Instagram

Email me: jen@maintaining-mama.com

Don't forget to share this episode, and follow and/or subscribe to the podcast!

May 17, 202127:49
Intro Part II: Post-Vulnerability Hangover
May 10, 202114:29
Start Here: Introducing Myself and the Maintaining Mama Podcast!

Start Here: Introducing Myself and the Maintaining Mama Podcast!

Oh hi! I just started a podcast! Give a listen to learn about me and my history with gray area drinking, and why I decided to stop. 

May 03, 202114:04
Take the Compliment and Run

Take the Compliment and Run

In this *bonus* episode direct from the blog I talk about going with your gut and how to tell your inner critic to pipe the F down!

This episode is also available as a blog post: http://maintaining-mama.com/2021/05/03/take-the-compliment-and-run/

May 03, 202106:11
One. Thousand. Days.

One. Thousand. Days.

In this *bonus* episode straight from the blog, I'm celebrating 1,000 days alcohol-free!

This episode is also available as a blog post: http://maintaining-mama.com/2021/03/30/one-thousand-days/

Mar 30, 202102:36
Calling Truce on the War with my Body

Calling Truce on the War with my Body

In this *bonus* episode, which took me almost a year to share, I talk about working with a nutritionist whose extreme body transformation approach was, frankly, a terrible fit for me. Hear how I dealt with a month of hanger which coincided with the start of lockdown, and where I am now. TW: lots of diet and body shame talk. A few bad words too.

This episode is also available as a blog post: http://maintaining-mama.com/2021/01/12/truce/

Jan 12, 202110:43
Day 365: Independence Day

Day 365: Independence Day

I am one year alcohol-free! 

This episode is also available as a blog post: http://maintaining-mama.com/2019/07/04/day-365-independence-day/

Jul 04, 201903:40
Five Weeks To Go

Five Weeks To Go

Day 330 and feeling pretty darn good.

This episode is also available as a blog post: http://maintaining-mama.com/2019/05/30/five-weeks-to-go/

May 30, 201903:30
Eight Months Alcohol-Free

Eight Months Alcohol-Free

At eight months AF, I'm still not ready to give it up. What is my last remaining tie to alcohol?

This episode is also available as a blog post: http://maintaining-mama.com/2019/03/05/eight-months-alcohol-free/

Mar 05, 201904:26
A Three-Part Conversation About Alcohol with My Seven-Year-Old Daughter

A Three-Part Conversation About Alcohol with My Seven-Year-Old Daughter

This episode is also available as a blog post: http://maintaining-mama.com/2019/02/05/a-three-part-conversation-about-alcohol-with-my-seven-year-old-daughter/

Feb 05, 201905:17
Six Months Off the Sauce

Six Months Off the Sauce

One month, one hundred days, and now six months. Woohoo! What is different at six months alcohol-free? Tune in to find out!

This episode is also available as a blog post: http://maintaining-mama.com/2019/01/05/six-months-off-the-sauce/

Jan 05, 201904:02
A 180 in 2018

A 180 in 2018

New Year's Eve 2018: reflecting on a year spent on this journey to alcohol freedom.

This episode is also available as a blog post: http://maintaining-mama.com/2018/12/31/a-180-in-2018/

Dec 31, 201802:07
My First Alcohol-Free Birthday

My First Alcohol-Free Birthday

I turned 38 on the day we bought a 240-year-old farmhouse. Alcohol played no part in the day, and I couldn't be happier about that.

This episode is also available as a blog post: http://maintaining-mama.com/2018/11/15/my-first-alcohol-free-birthday/

Nov 15, 201804:11
The Wine Witch Returns

The Wine Witch Returns

How I surfed the urge on a challenging day when the wine witch dared rear her gnarly head.

This episode is also available as a blog post: http://maintaining-mama.com/2018/11/12/the-wine-witch-returns/

Nov 12, 201803:58
From Gut Punch to Gut Hug

From Gut Punch to Gut Hug

Sobriety brings with it many benefits, including the gut hug. 

This episode is also available as a blog post: http://maintaining-mama.com/2018/11/02/from-gut-punch-to-gut-hug/

Nov 02, 201802:56
One. Hundred. Days.

One. Hundred. Days.

Celebrating one hundred days alcohol-free! This is a good one.

This episode is also available as a blog post: http://maintaining-mama.com/2018/10/12/one-hundred-days/

Oct 12, 201804:08
Schmoozing Without Boozing

Schmoozing Without Boozing

My first parents' night out during my One Year Alcohol-Free proves that I can schmooze without booze. It's different, but it's good.

This episode is also available as a blog post: http://maintaining-mama.com/2018/09/24/schmoozing-without-boozing/

Sep 24, 201804:04
Wedding Day Gazing

Wedding Day Gazing

On my ninth wedding anniversary - and my first alcohol-free wedding anniversary! - I reflect back on my wedding day and how alcohol played only a minor role.

This episode is also available as a blog post: http://maintaining-mama.com/2018/09/19/wedding-day-gazing/

Sep 19, 201803:00
Bringing Family to the Foreground

Bringing Family to the Foreground

My daughter's first day of first grade brings back some not-so-fond memories as I look through the photos of her first day of kindergarten.

This episode is also available as a blog post: http://maintaining-mama.com/2018/09/07/bringing-family-to-the-foreground/

Sep 07, 201803:52
Putting My Name On It

Putting My Name On It

Day 60 of my One Year Alcohol-Free and I did a brave thing: I put my last name on my Instagram account. Give a listen to find out why, and what this milestone means to me.

This episode is also available as a blog post: http://maintaining-mama.com/2018/09/02/putting-my-name-on-it/

Sep 02, 201804:33
Tracation* Contemplation

Tracation* Contemplation

I survived my first alcohol-free trip! With two kids and two dogs! And hit my Day 50 milestone! It wasn't easy, but that's ok.

This episode is also available as a blog post: http://maintaining-mama.com/2018/08/26/tracation-contemplation/

Aug 26, 201804:06
Practically Speaking, FU Bees

Practically Speaking, FU Bees

In appreciation of sobriety on a very practical level: I had an allergic reaction after being stung in my front yard. What ensued was not enjoyable, but it was a heck of a lot better because I hadn't been drinking. 

This episode is also available as a blog post: http://maintaining-mama.com/2018/08/02/practically-speaking-fu-bees/

Aug 02, 201803:50
An Unexpected and Most Unwelcome Milestone

An Unexpected and Most Unwelcome Milestone

In grieving the loss of my father-in-law, I realize that being alcohol-free makes me a better mourner.

This episode is also available as a blog post: https://maintaining-mama.com/2018/08/01/an-unexpected-and-most-unwelcome-milestone/

Aug 01, 201804:52
A Booze-Free Birthday and Bonus Bootcamp

A Booze-Free Birthday and Bonus Bootcamp

The first milestone of my one year alcohol-free: celebrating my husband's birthday without booze. Spoiler alert - it was lovely. 

This episode is also available as a blog post: http://maintaining-mama.com/2018/07/17/a-booze-free-birthday-and-bonus-bootcamp/

Jul 17, 201804:09
No Day But Today: Day One of My One Year Alcohol-Free

No Day But Today: Day One of My One Year Alcohol-Free

July 5, 2018: my commitment to one year alcohol-free begins! 

This episode is also available as a blog post: http://maintaining-mama.com/2018/07/05/no-day-but-today-day-one-of-my-oyaf/

Jul 05, 201803:06