Amy sits down with therapist Shelley Martinez to talk about one of the most common and misunderstood challenges moms face—anxiety. Shelley opens up about her personal experiences with perfectionism and overachievement before motherhood, and how becoming a mom forced her to confront her anxious patterns. Together, they explore how anxiety manifests physically, why traditional thought-based approaches often fall short, and how moms can use body-based techniques like diaphragmatic breathing, tapping, and movement to calm the nervous system. Shelley’s story is a reminder that healing doesn’t mean eliminating anxiety—it means changing your relationship with it.
Key Takeaways:
Anxiety isn’t just in your head—it lives in your body, too.
Breathing techniques like the 4-4-6-2 pattern can calm your vagus nerve and stop fight-or-flight.
Movement, singing, and laughter are powerful regulation tools for moms.
You can model emotional regulation for your kids through your own calm.
Healing anxiety is about rewiring—not perfection.
Highlighted Quotes:
“I didn’t want to be the kind of mom whose kids only remembered the sound of me gasping.” – Shelley Martinez
“You can’t just think your way out of anxiety. Your body has to feel safe first.” – Amy Grace
“As long as you have a body, your nervous system will respond to breath.” – Shelley Martinez
“Every time we learn something new, we’re literally rewiring our brain.” – Shelley Martinez
Keywords: motherhood anxiety, nervous system regulation, diaphragmatic breathing, vagus nerve, tapping therapy, mom stress, emotional regulation for moms, body-based healing
Resources Mentioned:
Amy’s therapy and coaching resources: amygrace.bio
The Body Keeps the Score by Bessel van der Kolk
About the Guest:
Shelley Martinez is a licensed therapist with nearly three decades of experience helping clients heal anxiety, stress, and trauma. After navigating her own lifelong anxiety and motherhood, she now teaches practical, evidence-based tools for rewiring the nervous system. She offers workshops, coaching, and online resources to help women create calm, grounded lives. Learn more at shelleymartinez.com.
About the Host:
Amy Grace is a licensed therapist, course creator, author and podcast host, centering everything she does on one mission—supporting moms to be happy, healthy, thriving, supermoms. For more information about all her offerings and resources, check her out at www.amygrace.bio.
Crisis Disclaimer:
If you are struggling with severe anxiety, depression, or thoughts of self-harm, please reach out for help. In the U.S., call or text 988 to reach the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. For international resources, visit [findahelpline.com], which connects you to free, confidential support worldwide.
The holidays can be joyful, sentimental, and full of connection—but they can also stir up anxiety, overwhelm, and boundary violations that leave moms emotionally drained. In this Supermom Short, Amy breaks down practical, real-world tools for setting and enforcing boundaries with family during holiday gatherings. From time limits and parenting decisions to physical boundaries and emotional safety, this episode empowers moms to protect their peace without cutting off important relationships.
Boundaries are not walls—they’re doors that let in what’s healthy and keep out what harms your peace.
You can prepare your partner and kids with a simple plan or signal.
You don’t owe long explanations. A calm, repeated sentence (“We’re heading out at 3”) is enough.
You can protect your kids in real time with simple redirections.
Post-event debriefing helps create a better plan for next year.
“Boundaries help you protect your own emotional bandwidth—and your family’s wellbeing.”
“If your boundaries make people uncomfortable, their discomfort doesn’t require your guilt.”
“You’re not responsible for everyone else’s holiday expectations.”
Keywords: holiday boundaries, family dynamics, motherhood stress, emotional safety, parenting boundaries, holiday gatherings, anxiety during holidays
Emotional regulation strategies (breathing, visualization)
Communication tools like “broken record” and redirection
About Your Host
Amy Grace is a licensed therapist, course creator, author and podcast host, centering everything she does on one mission—supporting moms to be happy, healthy, thriving, supermoms. For more information about all her offerings and resources, check her out at www.amygrace.bio.
This episode discusses emotional overwhelm and family stress but does not replace therapy. If you are struggling with significant distress, please reach out to a qualified mental health provider or crisis resource in your area.
In this inspiring conversation, Amy Grace chats with coach and mother Michele Hoover about the emotional and physical challenges she faced as a young mom battling chronic illness, isolation, and relentless self-comparison. Michele shares how years of feeling unseen and unsupported led her into deep burnout—and how nervous system regulation, mindset work, and emotional healing transformed her approach to motherhood.
You’ll hear real talk on imperfect parenting, attachment styles, people-pleasing, and the surprising power of silly moments on a living room floor. If you’ve ever felt like you’re not enough, this episode will leave you feeling validated, understood, and inspired to start showing yourself the same compassion you offer everyone else.
Key Takeaways
Chronic illness and unrecognized stress often go hand-in-hand—especially for moms constantly in survival mode.
Comparison is a major motherhood trap that can lead to disconnection and self-doubt.
Nervous system regulation is a critical (and often missing) piece of healing and parenting with peace.
Repair and vulnerability in parenting—especially with teens—can transform relationships.
Shifting “I should” to “I could” creates space for self-compassion and intention.
Kids don’t expect perfection—they need love, presence, and repair.
Embracing your imperfections helps your kids feel safe embracing theirs.
Key Quotes:
From Michele Hoover:
“I was in survival mode for years without even realizing it.”
“Comparison is the thief of connection—not just with others, but with yourself.”
“There is no expectation from your children for you to be perfect. They just want to know they are loved.”
“The compassion you give everyone else becomes your superpower when you turn it inward.”
“You’re not failing. You’re just carrying an expectation backpack that isn’t even yours.”
From Amy Grace:
“Instead of focusing on the highlight reel, we so often get stuck in our outtakes.”
“Yes, your kid might need therapy. So do we all—and that doesn’t mean you failed as a mom.”
“Our biggest weaknesses are often the flip side of our greatest strengths.”
“I will hold on to hope when you can’t.”
Michele Hoover is a coach, educator, and mom of two teens who helps women reconnect with themselves by integrating mindset coaching, attachment theory, and nervous system regulation. After years of chronic illness, burnout, and perfectionism, Michele transformed her life and now supports others in doing the same. She’s passionate about helping moms release shame, rebuild identity, and rediscover joy in motherhood through deep compassion and connection.
Michele’s Website: www.michelehoovercoaching.com
Free Resource: Five Teas to Tame Overwhelm — find it on her website
About Your Host:
Amy Grace is the heart behind Everyday Supermoms, a podcast that inspires and empowers mothers by sharing diverse stories of resilience and connection. As a licensed therapist, she supports moms through all stages of motherhood with transformative therapy intensives and signature courses like The Motherhood Mindset Reset and Create Your Own Motherhood. A mom of six, Amy draws from her own journey—from single parenting to blended families—to create a community where mothers can embrace their unique paths with confidence and grace.
🔗 For more info and your FREE Embracing Your Inner Supermom Workbook, visit www.everydaysupermoms.com
💌 Never Miss an Episode: Sign up here to get weekly updates, summaries, and mom-life tips.
Amy marks 100 episodes with the core lessons moms repeat: expectations rarely match reality; you get to create your own version of motherhood; self-care is essential maintenance, not indulgence; community is non-negotiable; and resilience blooms when you hold the “ands” of motherhood—hard and beautiful.
Key Takeaways
Expectations vs. reality is where struggle and growth are born.
“Create your own motherhood”—ditch the box, tailor rhythms to your strengths.
Self-care = daily maintenance (sleep, nourishment, support), not just spa days.
Build a village—moms were never meant to do this solo.
Hold the “ands”: tired and thankful; overwhelmed and proud.
Highlighted Quotes
“Being a supermom isn’t about doing it all. It’s about doing it with purpose.”
“Resilience is the superpower.”
“You are allowed to be tired and thankful.”
Keywords
motherhood expectations, self-care for moms, build your village, resilience, emotional flexibility, Supermom identity, mom mental health
Resources Mentioned
Everyday Supermoms website topic search (postpartum, empty nest, etc.).
NEW PROGRAM: Supermom Sisterhood Coaching Community
About the Host
Amy Grace is a licensed therapist, course creator, author and podcast host, centering everything she does on one mission—supporting moms to be happy, healthy, thriving, supermoms. For more information about all her offerings and resources, check her out at www.amygrace.bio.
Emily Gorrie shares her before-and-after of motherhood: high-achieving, box-checking life → a tender season of postpartum struggle, loss of control, and “where did I go?” She walks us through the mindset and micro-changes that helped her reimagine motherhood—starting with honest emotional check-ins, subtracting tasks and expectations, and creating pockets of support and joy.
Key Takeaways
Tiny, consistent changes shift your whole trajectory over time.
Subtract first: delegate, press pause, or drop the “shoulds” to create room for you.
Emotional check-ins are a daily compass; name it so you can navigate it.
Community doesn’t have to be perfect—micro-moments of support matter.
It’s okay to change your mind. Most decisions aren’t permanent.
Highlighted Quotes
“Taking things off my plate is how I put myself back on it.” — Emily
“Action grants us clarity.” — Emily
“Very few decisions in life are permanent.” — Amy
Keywords
Motherhood joy, postpartum, perfectionism, control, burnout, nervous system, self-care for moms, boundaries, community, therapy for moms
About the Guest
Emily Gorrie is an early motherhood coach who offers compassionate, hands-on support to new moms navigating the transition into early motherhood. She creates a safe, grounded space for women to feel seen, supported, and connected—especially during a time that can feel isolating. Through personalized guidance, Emily helps mothers invite more joy and self-love into their daily lives, so they can show up as the mom they want to be for their family.
She is a mom of two and the host of Project: Mom, a podcast sharing honest, unfiltered stories of women journeying through motherhood and entrepreneurship.
Emily is also the voice behind Reimagine Motherhood, where she helps moms release perfectionism, subtract the nonessential, and rediscover joy through small, sustainable shifts. Her story includes an emergency C-section, a tough recovery, and an undiagnosed postpartum season that sparked honest conversations and practical tools.
Want to connect with Emily or learn more about her work? Visit emilygorrie.com or follow her on Instagram @reimagine.motherhood. Find all of her resources at https://linktr.ee/emilyfgorrie.
About the Host
Amy Grace is a licensed therapist, course creator, author and podcast host, centering everything she does on one mission—supporting moms to be happy, healthy, thriving, supermoms. For more information about all her offerings and resources, check her out at www.amygrace.bio.
Between Halloween sugar highs and December wish lists, November is the sweet spot to build real-deal gratitude—not as a holiday task, but a heart habit. Amy shares how gratitude lowers anxiety, strengthens relationships, and trains our brains to spot what’s good—then walks through simple family practices you can start today: table prompts, gratitude jars, weekly thank-you notes, mindful family walks, charitable giving, and the flip-the-list “already-have” exercise.
Key Takeaways
Gratitude reduces stress and anxiety and refocuses attention on “what is,” not “what if.”
Kids who practice gratitude tend to be happier, more empathetic, and sleep better.
Make it practical: dinner-table prompts, gratitude jars, weekly thank-you notes, mindful walks, and “already-have” lists.
Highlighted Quotes
“Gratitude is one of those invisible superpowers that makes life feel lighter.”
“The truth is that gratitude isn’t something we teach once—it’s something we live.”
“Between the sugar and the shopping, make space for the sweetness of gratitude.”
Keywords
Gratitude for kids, family gratitude practices, anxiety relief for moms, mindfulness for families, thank-you notes, gratitude jar, November gratitude, already-have list, Everyday Supermoms podcast, Amy Grace
Resources Mentioned
Operation Christmas Child (shoebox giving)
About the Host
Amy Grace is a licensed therapist, course creator, author and podcast host, centering everything she does on one mission—supporting moms to be happy, healthy, thriving, supermoms. For more information about all her offerings and resources, check her out at www.amygrace.bio.
In this week’s Everyday Supermoms episode, Amy Grace chats with Tamara Cortoos, a mother of two, entrepreneur, and founder of the Midlife Crossroads Academy. Tamara shares her journey of becoming a mom later in life after IVF, raising her son and daughter abroad without family support, and eventually moving back to Belgium to give her children roots and connection with their grandparents.
She opens up about the challenges of motherhood—especially letting go of control as her kids grow older, navigating conflict with a child who is just like her, and facing an identity shift in her forties. Tamara vulnerably shares how she grappled with midlife struggles like comparing herself to others, questioning her career path, and confronting ageism when she tried to start over professionally.
Her story led her to create the Midlife Crossroads Academy, a coaching platform that helps women navigate midlife transitions with confidence, purpose, and self-compassion. This episode is filled with wisdom and hope for any mom wondering who she is beyond motherhood and what her next chapter could look like.
Key Takeaways:
Motherhood at any age comes with unique challenges. Tamara shares her perspective of becoming a mom at 37 and 39, including the joys and the struggles.
Comparison is a thief of joy. Midlife often brings questions like “Who am I?” and “What’s next?”—and it’s easy to feel behind.
Letting go of control is key. Parenting kids who mirror your own personality can be hard, but leaning into open communication helps build trust.
Midlife isn’t just an ending—it’s a transformation. It’s a time to release old definitions of success and embrace new purpose and creativity.
Community and roots matter. Returning to Belgium gave Tamara’s children a chance to know their grandparents and feel a sense of belonging.
Key Quotes:
“Every country has its pros and cons, but you can make home anywhere you go.” – Tamara Cortoos
“I wasn’t entirely sure I was ready for kids at 37, but I knew I’d regret it if I didn’t.” – Tamara Cortoos
“I kept thinking, I have everything I wanted, but it still doesn’t feel like enough.” – Tamara Cortoos
“The biggest sign you’re in midlife is realizing your time isn’t infinite.” – Tamara Cortoos
“As moms, we’re often in perimenopause at the same time our kids hit puberty—sometimes it feels cruel, but it’s also a chance to grow.” – Amy Grace
“If we can go back to our kids after conflict and say, ‘I was wrong there,’ we’re teaching them how to build healthier relationships.” – Amy Grace
Tamara is a life coach, entrepreneur, and founder of the Midlife Crossroads Academy, where she helps women navigate the often-overlooked challenges of midlife with confidence and clarity. A mom of two, she became a parent later in life after her own journey with IVF, and has lived in Belgium, Spain, London, and Australia. Drawing on her experiences with motherhood, career transitions, and overcoming ageism, Tamara empowers women to let go of limiting beliefs, embrace their unique strengths, and create lives full of purpose, growth, and belonging.
Midlife Crossroads Academy – midlifecrossroadsacademy.com
About Your Host:
Amy Grace is the heart behind Everyday Supermoms, a podcast that inspires and empowers mothers by sharing diverse stories of resilience and connection. As a licensed therapist, she supports moms through all stages of motherhood with transformative therapy intensives and signature courses like The Motherhood Mindset Reset and Create Your Own Motherhood. A mom of six, Amy draws from her own journey—from single parenting to blended families—to create a community where mothers can embrace their unique paths with confidence and grace.
👉 For more info and your FREE Embracing Your Inner Supermom Workbook, visit www.everydaysupermoms.com.
In this bite-size Halloween episode, Amy explores five very real fears most moms face—I’m not doing enough, I’m messing up my kids, I’ll lose myself in motherhood, something bad will happen to my kids, and I’ll never get it all together—and offers calm, doable practices for each. Expect reframes, “good enough” mantras, rhythm over balance, and grounded safety steps you can use today.
Key Takeaways
Swap perfection for presence: My presence matters more than perfection.
Repair over perfection: Imperfect moments become resilience lessons when we model apology and self-compassion.
Identity evolves: Schedule non‑negotiables that light you up; design a motherhood that fits you.
Turn anxiety into action: Safety plans + problem-solving; then release what you can’t control.
Trade “daily balance” for seasonal rhythm; ask for help, use small resets.
Highlighted Quotes
“Fear will always show up where love lives—walk with it, don’t let it drive the car.”
“You cannot be brave if you’re not afraid.”
“My presence matters more than perfection.”
Keywordsmom anxiety, guilt, perfectionism, resilience, identity in motherhood, safety planning, rhythm over balance, mental load, self-compassion, repair
Resources Mentioned (max 3)
988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline — Call or text 988 (U.S.)
National Maternal Mental Health Hotline — 1‑833‑9‑HELP4MOMS (1‑833‑943‑5746)
Postpartum Support International — www.postpartum.net
About the HostAmy Grace is a licensed therapist, course creator, author and podcast host, centering everything she does on one mission—supporting moms to be happy, healthy, thriving, supermoms. For more information about all her offerings and resources, check her out at www.amygrace.bio.
What happens when your idea of motherhood doesn’t match your reality? In this heartfelt conversation, Amy Grace sits down with Kate Kripke, a therapist and motherhood coach, to explore what it really means to be a “good mom” . Kate shares her personal journey of growing up with high-achieving parents, experiencing postpartum anxiety after the birth of her first daughter, and eventually creating the Calm Connection System—a 12-week program to help mothers build secure attachment with their children while caring for themselves .
Kate explains the difference between living in achievement brain versus connection brain, and why many mothers struggle when reality doesn’t match their expectations. She offers compassionate wisdom on how to let go of perfectionism, normalize the full range of emotions in motherhood, and embrace the power of slowing down.
This episode is an invitation to remember that being a supermom isn’t about doing it all—it’s about feeling grounded, connected, and trusting that both you and your children are truly okay.
Key Takeaways:
Your childhood shapes your motherhood. Growing up around perfectionism and anxiety can impact how you parent—but you can rewrite that script .
Postpartum anxiety is common. Struggling in motherhood doesn’t mean something is “wrong” with you—it means you’re human .
Achievement brain vs. connection brain. Doing more isn’t the key to being a good mom; learning to slow down and connect is .
Resilience starts with self-compassion. Taking care of your own inner world equips you to support your kids when they face hard emotions .
Key Quotes
“The emotional air our parents breathe out is the emotional air we breathe in—and our kids are breathing us in too.”
“I was pumping every two hours, trying to get it right, because I believed if I didn’t, something was wrong with me.”
“We keep asking: can women do it all? But that’s the wrong question. The real question is: how do I want to feel in motherhood?”
“It’s not the doing that makes us good moms. It’s our ability to be steady when life feels messy.”
“If I can believe that I’m okay, then I can trust that my kids are okay too.”
About Today's Supermom Guest
Kate Kripke is a licensed clinical social worker, maternal mental health expert, and coach dedicated to helping women break free from perfectionism and thrive in both motherhood and life. After experiencing postpartum anxiety herself, she founded the Postpartum Wellness Center of Boulder and later created the Calm Connection System, a 12-week program helping moms build secure attachments with their children while cultivating self-trust and emotional resilience. A sought-after speaker and author, Kate empowers high-achieving women to step out of the “do it all” mentality and embrace the joy, messiness, and magic of motherhood .
Kate's Website: https://www.katekripke.com/
Follow Kate on Instagram: @katekripke
About Your Host:
Amy Grace is the heart behind Everyday Supermoms, a podcast that inspires and empowers mothers by sharing diverse stories of resilience and connection. As a licensed therapist, she supports moms through all stages of motherhood with transformative therapy intensives and signature courses like The Motherhood Mindset Reset and Create Your Own Motherhood. A mom of six, Amy draws from her own journey—from
single parenting to blended families—to create a community where mothers can embrace their unique paths with confidence and grace.
For More Info and your FREE Embracing Your Inner Supermom Workbook visit www.everydaysupermoms.com
Never Miss an Episode: Join the email list to receive weekly updates including podcast episode summaries, tips for moms and more. Sign up Here
Amy Grace has courses designed for moms to help them thrive in motherhood and be the best mom they can be. Check out her Courses and Love your Motherhood!
Amy shines a light on the invisible work that keeps families running—scheduling, driving, forms, logistical planning, and the constant mental tabs moms keep open. She shares personal stories (including recovering from two knee surgeries) that made the “invisible” suddenly visible to her family, and offers language, validation, and a practical nudge to celebrate one unseen task this week.
Key Takeaways
The “invisible load” includes both tasks and the thinking behind them—planning, anticipating needs, remembering details.
Much of a mom’s work is only noticed when it stops getting done (illness, travel, recovery).
Amy describes this as the “emotional architecture” of family life—unseen beams that hold the house together.
Many moms serve as the “default parent,” which compounds stress, sleep disruption, and emotional exhaustion.
Gentle assignment: notice and celebrate one invisible thing you do—and point it out to your people.
Highlighted Quotes
“Invisible doesn’t mean unimportant. It means essential.”
“So often the only time our invisible work is seen is when we can’t do it.”
“This is the emotional architecture—unseen beams holding the family together.”
Keywords
invisible load, mental labor, default parent, emotional labor, motherhood stress, mom burnout, unseen work, family systems, validation for moms, boundaries
Amy's Children's Book
My Dad Knows a Superhero is a beautiful picture book that highlights the often unseen superpowers of moms and celebrates moms as the superheroes they are. Buy it now for your kids, or for the amazing moms in your life. Buy it on Amazon
About the Host
Amy Grace is a licensed therapist, course creator, author and podcast host, centering everything she does on one mission—supporting moms to be happy, healthy, thriving, supermoms. For more information about all her offerings and resources, check her out at www.amygrace.bio.
In honor of Domestic Violence Awareness Month, we are addressing this important topic here on Everyday Supermoms. 1 in 3 women experience intimate partner violence in their lifetimes. Tori Whitaker, a mom, coach, and survivor whose journey from domestic violence to empowerment is nothing short of remarkable. Tori opens up about her early marriage, the hidden struggles with her husband’s addiction, and the devastating escalation into abuse. She vulnerably shares what it was like to escape with her infant son, seek refuge in a women’s shelter, and rebuild her life from scratch.
With honesty and strength, Tori describes how she worked multiple jobs, pursued her passion in fitness, and slowly created a safe, joy-filled life for her children. She talks about breaking generational cycles, redefining motherhood on her own terms, and building her coaching platform that helps moms move beyond survival into thriving.
Her story is a powerful reminder that resilience doesn’t mean avoiding hardship—it means choosing love, grit, and hope in the face of it.
Key Takeaways
Abuse is often a “slow leak.” Tori shares how toxic dynamics crept in gradually, making them harder to recognize early on.
Motherhood as motivation. Becoming a mom was the turning point that gave her the courage to leave and protect her son.
Rebuilding takes time. From a women’s shelter to building a career in fitness, Tori’s journey proves that small steps lead to big victories.
Resilience is learned. Her background as a gymnast taught her to “just do it”—a mindset she carried into rebuilding her life.
Key Quotes
“Abuse isn’t advertised—it’s a slow leak.” – Tori Whitaker
“When you’re protecting your child, there’s a zero-tolerance policy. That’s when the mama bear comes out.” – Tori Whitaker
“Failure is not an option. That’s always been my mantra.” – Tori Whitaker
“I wasn’t going to be a statistic. I refused to pass this cycle on to my kids.” – Tori Whitaker
“Mom is part of who I am, but it’s not all of who I am.” – Tori Whitaker
National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-799-SAFE (7233)
Tori Whitaker is a fitness and mindset coach on a mission to help moms break free from the “martyr mom” narrative and live fully as themselves—while also being present, joyful mothers. A survivor of domestic violence and a single mom turned coach, she uses her story of resilience to empower women to find strength in nutrition, fitness, and mindset. Tori’s passion is helping moms simplify the chaos, embrace abundance, and create a motherhood they truly love.
Tori Whitaker on Instagram: @torikwhit
About Your Host
Amy Grace is the heart behind Everyday Supermoms, a podcast that inspires and empowers mothers by sharing diverse stories of resilience and connection. As a licensed therapist, she supports moms through all stages of motherhood with transformative therapy intensives and signature courses like The Motherhood Mindset Reset and Create Your Own Motherhood. A mom of six, Amy draws from her own journey—from single parenting to blended families—to create a community where mothers can embrace their unique paths with confidence and grace.
👉 For more info and your FREE Embracing Your Inner Supermom Workbook, visit www.everydaysupermoms.com.
Moms, life rarely goes as planned—and that’s exactly why flexibility is one of your greatest superpowers. In this Supermom Short, we’re talking about how to strengthen that flexibility muscle so you can pivot with grace instead of frustration. Whether it’s a sick kid, a canceled plan, or another day that didn’t go according to schedule, I’ll show you how reframing change can reduce stress, model resilience for your kids, and open up unexpected joy.
Listeners will learn simple, actionable tools to become more adaptable, such as reframing rigid routines, lowering unrealistic expectations, and celebrating wins when they successfully pivot. This episode is both encouraging and practical—a reminder that letting go of control doesn’t mean chaos, it means freedom.
Key Takeaways
Flexibility lowers stress. Adaptable moms regulate emotions and model calm for their kids.
Rigidity creates frustration. Over-scheduled routines and high expectations make change harder to handle.
Reframing is powerful. Seeing detours as possibilities builds emotional intelligence and resilience.
Practice daily pivots. Let small changes stretch your flexibility muscle for the bigger ones.
Key Quotes
“Truly, it’s not about the plan—it’s about how we respond when the plan changes.” – Amy Grace
“Sometimes Plan Z ends up being even better than Plan A.” – Amy Grace
“Presence beats perfection—even when the plan falls apart.” – Amy Grace
“Every time we pivot with grace, our kids learn how to do the same.” – Amy Grace
Resources
My Dad Knows a Superhero by Amy Grace – featuring flexibility as one of the superpowers that moms are armed with.
About Your Host
Amy Grace is the heart behind Everyday Supermoms, a podcast that inspires and empowers mothers by sharing diverse stories of resilience and connection. As a licensed therapist, she supports moms through all stages of motherhood with transformative therapy intensives and signature courses like The Motherhood Mindset Reset and Create Your Own Motherhood. A mom of six, Amy draws from her own journey—from single parenting to blended families—to help mothers embrace their unique paths with confidence and grace.
👉 For more info and your FREE Embracing Your Inner Supermom Workbook, visit www.everydaysupermoms.com.
In this inspiring episode of Everyday Supermoms, Amy Grace talks with Shruti Kumar, a lawyer-turned-conscious parenting coach who became a mother while living as an expat in the Netherlands. Shruti opens up about the challenges of adjusting to a new culture, language, and healthcare system, all while stepping into motherhood at a young age.
She reflects on the isolation of raising children without family nearby, her struggles with postpartum loneliness, and the pressure of redefining her identity when career doors closed. But Shruti also shares the beauty she discovered—like postpartum support services in the Netherlands, breastfeeding freedom, and the unexpected kindness of other moms who became part of her village.
This conversation is filled with wisdom about letting go of perfection, leaning into values, and intentionally building community. Shruti’s story is a powerful reminder that no matter where we are, motherhood is not meant to be done alone.
Key Takeaways
Motherhood abroad comes with unique challenges. Navigating healthcare, language barriers, and cultural differences adds layers of stress.
Losing and redefining identity is part of the journey. Shruti shares how rejections, isolation, and body changes impacted her sense of self.
Villages can be built. Support doesn’t always come naturally—it can be found in WhatsApp mom groups, playdates, or even strangers willing to help.
Your values shape your motherhood. Shruti emphasizes parenting intentionally around what matters most, not societal expectations.
Key Quotes
“Sometimes the village is hidden and appears only when we dare to ask.” – Shruti
“Motherhood shifts your entire identity, and some days it feels like you’ve lost yourself.” – Shruti
“I remind myself: this is a hard day, not a hard life.” – Shruti
“Our values dictate how we move through motherhood.” – Shruti
“Kids won’t remember the spotless house, but they’ll remember the snuggles and laughter.” – Amy Grace
About the Guest Supermom
Shruti Kumar is a conscious parenting coach and expat mom of two living in the Netherlands. Originally trained as a lawyer in India, she experienced firsthand the challenges of starting over in a new country while becoming a mother at 24. Drawing from her personal journey of postpartum loneliness, identity shifts, and learning to build community from scratch, Shruti now empowers moms to parent intentionally, embrace imperfection, and create meaningful connections rooted in their values.
Shruti’s Website: empoweredconnections.nl
Instagram: @empowered.connections
About Your Host
Amy Grace is the heart behind Everyday Supermoms, a podcast that inspires and empowers mothers by sharing diverse stories of resilience and connection. As a licensed therapist, she supports moms through all stages of motherhood with transformative therapy intensives and signature courses like The Motherhood Mindset Reset and Create Your Own Motherhood. A mom of six, Amy draws from her own journey—from single parenting to blended families—to create a community where mothers can embrace their unique paths with confidence and grace.
👉 For more info and your FREE Embracing Your Inner Supermom Workbook, visit www.everydaysupermoms.com.
In this Supermom Short, Amy Grace guides listeners through a quick, meaningful self-check-in using her HEART framework—an easy five-step method to help moms pause, reflect, and care for themselves intentionally.
Each letter in HEART represents one area to gently assess:
H – Health: How is your body feeling? Are you tired, hungry, or tense? Take a few moments to stretch, hydrate, and rest.
E – Emotions: What feelings are showing up for you right now? Naming emotions reduces stress and models emotional regulation for your kids.
A – Awareness: What’s taking up most of your mental space? Doing a “brain dump” or simplifying your to-do list can help you focus.
R – Relationships: Who have you connected with this week? Reach out to someone who fills your cup—it makes a real difference.
T – Take Action: What’s one small, tangible thing you can do today to nurture yourself? Even five minutes of mindfulness, music, or movement counts.
Amy emphasizes that self-care isn’t selfish—it’s essential. Research from the Journal of Family Psychology (2022) shows that moms who check in regularly on their well-being report lower stress and higher resilience.
Key Takeaways
Self-care can be simple. A few minutes of awareness each day can make a big impact.
Naming emotions helps regulate them. It’s not weakness—it’s modeling emotional intelligence for your kids.
Your body tells the truth. Listen to it before it burns out.
Connection matters. Social support reduces isolation and boosts maternal mental health.
Tiny actions lead to transformation. A five-minute walk or pause for breath can shift your entire day.
About Your Host
Amy Grace is the heart behind Everyday Supermoms, a podcast that inspires and empowers mothers by sharing diverse stories of resilience and connection. As a licensed therapist, she supports moms through all stages of motherhood with transformative therapy intensives and signature courses like The Motherhood Mindset Reset and Create Your Own Motherhood. A mom of six, Amy draws from her own journey—from single parenting to blended families—to create a community where mothers can embrace their unique paths with confidence and grace.
👉 For more info and your FREE Embracing Your Inner Supermom Workbook, visit www.everydaysupermoms.com.
This week Amy Grace talks with Janice Johnson Dowd, a licensed social worker, mother of four, and author, to talk about the intersection of motherhood, alcohol use, and recovery. Janice opens up about the early messages she received about “doing it all,” the stress of raising kids while her husband frequently traveled, and the mom-guilt that came with shortcuts like fast food dinners.
She shares how drinking, which didn’t begin until her forties, gradually became her way of managing stress, boredom, and grief—especially while caring for her aging parents. Janice describes how what started as “just a glass of wine” eventually led to secret drinking, blackouts, and her children stepping in as caretakers.
Through honesty, intervention, and treatment, Janice found her way to sobriety and has now been sober for 12 years. She speaks passionately about the need for family-focused recovery programs, the importance of accountability, and the hope that broken relationships can be repaired with time and persistence.
Key Takeaways
Addiction is often subtle and progressive. It can start with “just one glass” and quietly become a coping pattern.
Kids notice more than we think. Even when parents believe they’re hiding struggles, children sense and internalize the effects.
Accountability matters. Long-term treatment, recovery programs, and support systems dramatically increase chances of sobriety.
Recovery is a family process. Healing requires not only the individual, but also repairing relationships with children and loved ones.
Hope is possible. Even after years of pain and distance, reconciliation and healthy connection can be rebuilt.
Key Quotes
“Addiction is not just a me disease—it’s a family disease.” – Janice Johnson Dowd
“My motivation for recovery was my kids. I couldn’t stand the thought of losing them.” – Janice Johnson Dowd
“We’ve normalized drinking so much that moms don’t even realize how harmful it can be.” – Janice Johnson Dowd
“It took persistence and patience, but my kids and I are closer than ever today.” – Janice Johnson Dowd
Janice’s Website: janicejohnsondowd.com
Instagram: @parenting_in_recovery
Book: Rebuilding Relationships in Recovery by Janice Johnson Dowd
Janice Johnson Dowd is a licensed social worker, speaker, and author passionate about supporting families impacted by addiction. A mom of four and 12 years sober, she combines her professional background in family therapy with her personal story of recovery to bring hope and tools for healing. Her book, Rebuilding Relationships in Recovery, offers practical guidance for families navigating the difficult but transformative process of recovery together.
Janice’s Website: janicejohnsondowd.com
Instagram: @parenting_in_recovery
Book: Rebuilding Relationships in Recovery by Janice Johnson Dowd
About Your Host
Amy Grace is the heart behind Everyday Supermoms, a podcast that inspires and empowers mothers by sharing diverse stories of resilience and connection. As a licensed therapist, she supports moms through all stages of motherhood with transformative therapy intensives and signature courses like The Motherhood Mindset Reset and Create Your Own Motherhood. A mom of six, Amy draws from her own journey—from single parenting to blended families—to create a community where mothers can embrace their unique paths with confidence and grace.
👉 For more info and your FREE Embracing Your Inner Supermom Workbook, visit www.everydaysupermoms.com.
In the blur of new motherhood, the little things can make the biggest difference. In this episode, Amy Grace shares her best practical and emotional tips for the postpartum season—things she’s learned as a therapist, a coach, and a mom of four. From creating rest-friendly routines to building lasting memories, these tips will help new moms feel more confident, supported, and connected in those early days.
Key Takeaways
Rest without guilt: prioritize healing and let the dishes wait.
Make life easier: diaper stations on each floor, mini fridge in the bedroom, skip unnecessary nighttime diaper changes.
Remember babies are portable—don’t feel trapped at home.
Ask for help early and often—don’t wait until you’re overwhelmed.
Meet emotional needs: snuggles, soothing, and attachment build lifelong trust.
Capture memories: take pictures with you in them, and try a one-sentence journal.
Honor your emotions: allow yourself to cry, name feelings, and celebrate small wins.
Boost bonding and mood: snuggle your baby often, talk/sing to them, and use a personal playlist to keep your spirits up.
Key Quotes
“Babies are portable—don’t feel trapped at home.”
“Meeting a baby’s emotional needs in the first year builds lifelong trust.”
“You don’t have to love every minute, but you can treasure the ones you do.”
About Your Host
Amy Grace is the heart behind Everyday Supermoms, a podcast that inspires and empowers mothers by sharing diverse stories of resilience and connection. As a licensed therapist, she supports moms through all stages of motherhood with therapy intensives and signature programs like The Motherhood Mindset Reset and Create Your Own Motherhood. A mom of six, Amy draws from her own journey—from single parenting to blended families—to create a community where mothers embrace their unique paths with confidence and grace.
In this week's Supermom interview, Amy Grace talks with Rachel Nelson, brand-new mom, podcaster, and faith-driven entrepreneur, about the raw and real early months of motherhood. Rachel shares the surprises she’s faced—like the struggles of breastfeeding, the relentlessness of newborn sleep deprivation, and the mental load of feeling like she has to “do it all.”
She also reflects on how motherhood has deepened her faith, shifted her marriage, and taught her to release control and embrace flexibility. Rachel’s honesty about crying through tough moments, finding joy in tiny victories, and taking life one feeding at a time will resonate with every mom who has been in the trenches of the newborn stage.
This episode is an encouragement for new and expecting moms, as well as a reminder for seasoned moms of just how much grace and support those early days require.
Key Takeaways
Motherhood is full of contradictions. One moment you’re in awe, the next you’re exhausted and overwhelmed.
Breastfeeding isn’t always natural. It can take time, patience, and persistence to figure out.
Faith deepens in the trenches. Rachel leans on prayer and her relationship with God to navigate motherhood’s ups and downs.
Control is an illusion. From pregnancy cravings to cluster feeding, babies teach moms to let go.
Grace and flexibility are superpowers. Plans fall apart, but showing up with love is what counts.
Key Quotes
“Some moments I could just stare at him in awe—and the next, I’m begging him to stop crying.” – Rachel Nelson
“Motherhood is the biggest lesson in letting go of control.” – Rachel Nelson
“There have been days I’ve cried in frustration, then an hour later kept going because that’s what moms do.” – Rachel Nelson
“Faith has carried me through the moments when I felt like I had nothing left.” – Rachel Nelson
“Grace in the transition—that’s the phrase I’m learning to live by.” – Rachel Nelson
About the Supermom Guest
Rachel Nelson is a new mom, entrepreneur, and host of the This Is Me Attitude podcast, where she shares her faith journey and encourages women to grow deeper in their relationship with God. Just three months into motherhood, Rachel brings a fresh, honest perspective on the joys and challenges of this season. She speaks candidly about the surprises of postpartum life, the lessons of flexibility, and the faith that sustains her as she navigates her son’s first year. She has become so passionate about this postpartum period that she is launching a faith-based coaching program for moms in the postpartum period.
Rachel’s podcast: This Is Me Attitude (available on Apple & Spotify)
About Your Host
Amy Grace is the heart behind Everyday Supermoms, a podcast that inspires and empowers mothers by sharing diverse stories of resilience and connection. As a licensed therapist, she supports moms through all stages of motherhood with transformative therapy intensives and signature courses like The Motherhood Mindset Reset and Create Your Own Motherhood. A mom of six, Amy draws from her own journey—from single parenting to blended families—to create a community where mothers can embrace their unique paths with confidence and grace.
👉 For more info and your FREE Embracing Your Inner Supermom Workbook, visit www.everydaysupermoms.com.
Forgiveness isn’t about excusing hurtful actions—it’s about releasing the emotional chokehold that keeps us stuck. In this Supermom Short, Amy Grace shares how unforgiveness shows up in motherhood, what forgiveness really means (and what it doesn’t), and practical steps to start letting go. Whether it’s resentment toward others, society, or yourself, learning to forgive can lighten your load and give you freedom to move forward with more peace and less bitterness.
Key Takeaways
The hidden cost of unforgiveness: bitterness, mom rage, burnout, and disconnection.
Forgiveness is not excusing, forgetting, or reconciling—it’s choosing peace for yourself.
Practical steps: acknowledge the hurt, feel your feelings, use release rituals, and practice daily grace.
Key Quotes
“Holding onto anger is like drinking poison and expecting the other person to die.”
“Forgiveness prevents their behavior from destroying your heart.”
“Releasing the emotional chokehold of pain is what allows us to move forward.”
Journal of Health Psychology research linking forgiveness to lower stress and better health.
Oprah Winfrey’s definition of forgiveness: “Giving up the hope that the past could have been any different.”
Amy Grace is the heart behind Everyday Supermoms, a podcast that inspires and empowers mothers by sharing diverse stories of resilience and connection. As a licensed therapist, she supports moms through all stages of motherhood with therapy intensives and signature programs like The Motherhood Mindset Reset and Create Your Own Motherhood. A mom of six, Amy draws from her own journey—from single parenting to blended families—to create a community where mothers embrace their unique paths with confidence and grace.
For more resources and your FREE Embracing Your Inner Supermom Workbook visit www.everydaysupermoms.com.
This week, Amy Grace sits down with Karaleigh Garrison, host of the Be the Dream podcast and multi-passionate creator. Karaleigh opens up about becoming a mom at 20, the shock of receiving multiple autism diagnoses for her children, and the decade she spent almost entirely in caretaker mode for both her kids and her husband.
She shares how music and creativity became her lifeline—first through opera dreams that didn’t work out, then through songwriting, podcasting, and custom music production. Karaleigh reflects on her son’s miraculous journey from being nonverbal until age seven to now talking non-stop, and how that moment reshaped her understanding of possibility.
Together, Amy and Karaleigh explore the power of breaking big dreams into small steps, the resilience it takes to pivot when life throws curveballs, and why moms must honor their own passions alongside raising kids. This episode is equal parts vulnerable storytelling and empowering encouragement for every mom who has ever wondered if her dreams still matter.
Key Takeaways
Dreams can evolve. The vision you had before motherhood may shift—and that’s okay.
Creativity is a lifeline. Making something—whether it’s music, crafts, or writing—reminds moms of their power.
Small steps matter. Break down overwhelming goals into simple, doable actions.
Resilience grows through pivots. Life rarely goes as planned, but passion and purpose can guide the way.
Key Quotes
“Miracles happen in the craziest ways—you can’t always see what’s possible until it unfolds.” – Karaleigh Garrison
“Moms are evergreens. We don’t get to have a winter—we’re on all the time.” – Karaleigh Garrison
“My passions aren’t just wants—they’re needs. When I honor them, I show up better for my kids.” – Karaleigh Garrison
“We have so much more power than we think we do, even if it starts from home.” – Karaleigh Garrison
“Start with step one. Then step two. Then step three. That’s how dreams become real.” – Karaleigh Garrison
Karaleigh’s Website: karaleighgarrison.com
Podcast: Be the Dream (formerly Multi-Passionate Mama)
Karaleigh’s music, songwriting, and custom podcast songs
About the Supermom Guest
Karaleigh Garrison is a singer, songwriter, podcaster, and coach who helps women stop waiting for permission and step into their dreams now. A mom of three autistic children and wife to a husband with a disability, Karaleigh knows firsthand what it means to pivot when life doesn’t go as planned. Through her podcast Be the Dream and her music, she inspires moms to embrace creativity, pursue passion, and recognize their own power—even from the middle of motherhood.
Karaleigh’s Website: karaleighgarrison.com
Podcast: Be the Dream (formerly Multi-Passionate Mama)
About the Host
Amy Grace is the heart behind Everyday Supermoms, a podcast that inspires and empowers mothers by sharing diverse stories of resilience and connection. As a licensed therapist, she supports moms through all stages of motherhood with transformative therapy intensives and signature courses like The Motherhood Mindset Reset and Create Your Own Motherhood. A mom of six, Amy draws from her own journey—from single parenting to blended families—to create a community where mothers can embrace their unique paths with confidence and grace.
👉 For more info and your FREE Embracing Your Inner Supermom Workbook, visit www.everydaysupermoms.com.
In this candid Supermom Short, Amy Grace gets real about a secret many moms carry: not loving every moment or stage of motherhood. While social media is full of smiling moms saying motherhood is the “best thing ever,” behind the scenes, countless women admit to their therapists, friends, or quietly to themselves that some stages feel thankless, exhausting, and overwhelming.
Amy normalizes these feelings by sharing her own experiences across multiple stages—from newborn nights to toddler tantrums to teenage rebellion—and explains why it’s okay to not feel joy in every season. She breaks down how shame creeps in when moms believe “I don’t love this stage, so I must be a bad mom” and offers practical shifts to reframe that thinking.
Listeners will walk away encouraged to admit the hard stuff, connect with others who feel the same, and make small changes that can ease difficult seasons—whether that means setting limits, adjusting expectations, or simply giving themselves grace.
Key Takeaways
You’re not alone. Many moms secretly admit they don’t love certain stages, even while deeply loving their kids.
Shame feeds isolation. Believing “I’m a bad mom because I don’t love this” creates unnecessary guilt.
Stages are temporary. Just because you dislike one stage doesn’t mean you’ll dislike them all.
Small shifts matter. Changing schedules, delegating tasks, or setting boundaries can transform the day-to-day.
Key Quotes
“You can be an amazing supermom and not love every step of it.” – Amy Grace
“Shame tells us: if I don’t love it now, I’ll never love motherhood. That’s just not true.” – Amy Grace
“Parenting is like music—you don’t have to master every genre to still be a great musician.” – Amy Grace
“Admitting you don’t love a stage doesn’t make you a bad mom” – Amy Grace
About Your Host
Amy Grace is the heart behind Everyday Supermoms, a podcast that inspires and empowers mothers by sharing diverse stories of resilience and connection. As a licensed therapist, she supports moms through all stages of motherhood with transformative therapy intensives and signature courses like The Motherhood Mindset Reset and Create Your Own Motherhood. A mom of six, Amy draws from her own journey—from single parenting to blended families—to create a community where mothers can embrace their unique paths with confidence and grace.
👉 For more info and your FREE Embracing Your Inner Supermom Workbook, visit www.everydaysupermoms.com.