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82 The Weight of Motherhood in a Scary World

Mom's Guide to Finding Herself: Rediscovering Identity and Joy in Motherhood

Release Date: 03/02/2026

How to Protect Your Sense of Self in Motherhood

Mom's Guide to Finding Herself: Rediscovering Identity and Joy in Motherhood

Are you slowly disappearing in motherhood… and not even realizing it? You love your kids more than anything—but somewhere between the snack refills, the mental load, and putting everyone else first, you started fading into the background. You’re not burned out. You’re not in crisis. You just don’t feel like a person anymore. That quiet motherhood identity loss is more common than anyone talks about—and it doesn’t get fixed by “doing more” or reinventing your whole life. In this episode, I’m sharing how to stop disappearing in the first place and protect your sense of self...

Adding a Baby or a Dog to Your Family? Avoid These Common Mistakes with Dominika Knossalla-Pado

Mom's Guide to Finding Herself: Rediscovering Identity and Joy in Motherhood

Bringing home a baby… or bringing home a dog? Either way, your whole family feels the shift. Most parents focus on the cute moments — first snuggles, sweet photos, growing up together. But the transition is emotional, messy, and full of safety decisions no one really prepares you for. In this episode, certified dog trainer and Dog Meets Baby founder Dominika Knossalla-Pado shares what actually helps when you’re preparing your dog for a new baby, preparing your children for a new dog, or simply trying to make life with kids and dogs safer and calmer. Because training is only one piece of...

From Dog Mom to Twin Mom: The Identity Crisis No One Talks About with Dominika Knossalla-Pado

Mom's Guide to Finding Herself: Rediscovering Identity and Joy in Motherhood

Did you ever feel totally prepared for motherhood… and then completely wrecked by it? You read the books. You made the plans. You felt confident in your expertise. And then motherhood hit—and nothing went the way you expected. In this raw and honest conversation, Dominika shares how becoming a mom to twins shook the very foundation of who she thought she was. From pregnancy complications and NICU trauma to postpartum anxiety and a terrifying moment with her family dog, this is the side of early motherhood we don’t talk about enough. If you’ve ever felt blindsided, overwhelmed, or like...

82 The Weight of Motherhood in a Scary World

Mom's Guide to Finding Herself: Rediscovering Identity and Joy in Motherhood

How are you supposed to raise joyful, secure kids when the world feels like it’s falling apart? You’re packing lunches, wiping counters, singing bedtime songs… and then scrolling devastating headlines at 9 PM wondering what kind of world your kids are growing up in. You feel like you should be doing more. Caring more. Fixing more. But you’re also supposed to be the steady one. The cheerful one. The “fun mom.” And that tension? It’s exhausting. In this episode of Mom’s Guide to Finding Herself, we’re unpacking the emotional labor of global awareness — what it’s doing to...

81 If Motherhood Had Performance Reviews: A Totally Biased Report Card

Mom's Guide to Finding Herself: Rediscovering Identity and Joy in Motherhood

Ever wondered what it would be like to get an actual performance review… as a mom? Let’s just say, it’s part hilarious, part emotional gut-punch, and 100% what you need to hear today. You’re doing more than you realize. But when was the last time anyone noticed? In this episode, I’m walking you through a totally made-up (but deeply validating) mom performance review—rubric style. Because whether it’s surviving bedtime or dodging tantrums in aisle nine, you deserve some freakin’ recognition. BY THE TIME YOU FINISH LISTENING, YOU’LL DISCOVER: Why your inner mom critic is dead...

80 Legal Basics Every Mom Needs to Know Before Starting a Business with Amber Gilormo

Mom's Guide to Finding Herself: Rediscovering Identity and Joy in Motherhood

Starting to sell your crafts or offer services—but not sure when it becomes a real business? You’re not alone. The legal side of starting a business can feel super overwhelming, especially when you’re a mom doing all the things. In this episode, attorney and mom of five Amber Gilormo shares exactly what to do (and when) to protect your business, your family, and your peace. Whether you're still dabbling on Etsy or starting to grow an actual client list, this episode will help you go from overwhelmed to confident. BY THE TIME YOU FINISH LISTENING, YOU’LL DISCOVER: When to file an...

79 Postpartum Anxiety, Burnout, and Learning to Slow Down with Amber Gilormo

Mom's Guide to Finding Herself: Rediscovering Identity and Joy in Motherhood

Ever felt like motherhood flipped your life upside down—and not in a cute, Instagram-worthy way? You're not alone. In this episode of Mom's Guide to Finding Herself, attorney and mom of five Amber Gilormo shares the raw truth about going from a "childfree by choice" career woman to navigating postpartum anxiety, unexpected identity shifts, and the stroke that forced her to slow down. Amber's story is a wake-up call for any mom trying to do it all—and paying for it with her health. BY THE TIME YOU FINISH LISTENING, YOU’LL FIND OUT: Why postpartum anxiety isn't just about sadness—and...

78 Finding Your Thing as a Mom Doesn't Have to Mean Alone Time

Mom's Guide to Finding Herself: Rediscovering Identity and Joy in Motherhood

Do you feel like “me time” is just another thing you don’t have time for? We’ve been sold the idea that you have to get away to feel like yourself again, but what if your “thing” can happen while your toddler is next to you eating Cheerios? Feeling like the only way to reconnect with yourself is to escape your house? I’ve been there. But in this episode, I share how I redefined what me time actually looks like—and how I found my thing in the most unexpected moment (hint: it involved a Bluetooth headband and bedtime chaos). BY THE TIME YOU FINISH LISTENING, YOU’LL DISCOVER:...

77 The Winter Blues for Moms & How to Feel Like Yourself Again

Mom's Guide to Finding Herself: Rediscovering Identity and Joy in Motherhood

Why does winter feel extra hard when you're a mom? Even with your fuzzy socks and peppermint mocha in hand, you still feel off. You're not alone—and you're not broken. Let’s talk about what’s really going on and how to feel like yourself again. Ever find yourself more irritable, anxious, or drained in the winter months? You’ve got the candles lit and your cozy setup ready, but the spark just isn’t there. Maybe you're snapping more, canceling plans, or struggling to finish a sentence without brain fog. This episode is your permission slip to stop blaming yourself—and start getting...

76 What Counts as Movement in Motherhood with Krystle Howald

Mom's Guide to Finding Herself: Rediscovering Identity and Joy in Motherhood

Still think movement doesn’t “count” unless it leaves you sweaty and sore? Moms are taught that if it’s not a full workout, it’s not enough. But that’s a lie that keeps us stuck in guilt and disconnection from our bodies. In this episode, physical therapist and co-founder of Expecting and Empowered Krystle Howald is back to break down what actually counts as movement in motherhood—and how to reclaim your strength and energy even if you're short on time, healing from birth, or just plain exhausted. BY THE TIME YOU FINISH LISTENING, YOU’LL DISCOVER: Why your “exercise...

More Episodes

How are you supposed to raise joyful, secure kids when the world feels like it’s falling apart?

You’re packing lunches, wiping counters, singing bedtime songs… and then scrolling devastating headlines at 9 PM wondering what kind of world your kids are growing up in.

You feel like you should be doing more. Caring more. Fixing more. But you’re also supposed to be the steady one. The cheerful one. The “fun mom.” And that tension? It’s exhausting.

In this episode of Mom’s Guide to Finding Herself, we’re unpacking the emotional labor of global awareness — what it’s doing to moms, why motherhood feels so heavy right now, and how to carry the weight of the world without losing yourself in the process.

BY THE TIME YOU FINISH LISTENING, YOU’LL DISCOVER:

Why modern motherhood feels uniquely overwhelming in the 24/7 news cycle
What the “emotional labor of global awareness” really is (and why it’s draining you)
Practical ways to set boundaries, regulate your nervous system, and take sustainable action without burning out

You don’t have to choose between being informed and protecting your peace. You can care deeply and stay steady.

If this episode gave you breathing room, share it with a mom friend who’s carrying more than she can name.

Follow the show and leave a rating or review — even one sentence helps more moms find support in the middle of their motherhood identity crisis.

Have a question or story you want me to share on air? Leave me a 90-second voice message at https://www.momsguidetofindingherself.com

Ready to find your thing, find the time, and make it happen? Grab my Mom Identity Starter Kit for $17 at https://www.momidentityproject.com/starterkit

Learn more at https://www.momidentityproject.com/ and connect on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/momidentityproject/

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