Shows
The Life & Loss PodcastHospice Care, Losing Mum and Running w/ Joe ManleyJoe discusses the death of his mum Bridget and how he took on the challenges of caring for her at home before she moved into Forest Holme Hospice for the final few weeks of her life. He talks about his mum and their relationship and the impact caring for her at home had on the family and the initial reluctance to accept hospice care, as well as explaining how running became his coping mechanism both before and after she passed away. About Forest Holme Hospice:Forest Holme Hospice provides palliative and en...
2024-10-0411 min
Officer Wellness with Brian ManleyS3 E3 Bridget Truxillo [P2]: Protective WellnessBridget Truxillo joins Brian Manley to discuss how a contentious work environment can negatively impact officers' mental health and overall wellness. In this episode, she details the importance of her practice, Lady Law Shield, and how it has become an invaluable resource for her to help others in law enforcement.
2023-09-0732 min
Officer Wellness with Brian ManleyS3 E2 Bridget Truxillo [P1]: Coping Under PressureBridget Truxillo joins Brian Manley to discuss how a contentious work environment can negatively impact officers' mental health and overall wellness. In her experience working with SWAT law enforcement, Bridget Truxillo faced various mental stressors and obstacles. With 15 years of experience as a practicing attorney and the founder of Lady Law Shield, she now channels these challenges to fuel her passion for aiding current law enforcement officers navigate challenging work environments.
2023-08-1731 min
TLDCast PodcastTips for Working Productively with SMEs with guest Bridget ManleyBridget Manley's background as a journalist has helped her find ways to productively work with SMEs. It makes sense; journalism and instructional design have lots of similarities.
So check this episode out and learn from Bridget's experience, as well as the very rich discussion that was happening in chat during the session. There's definitely an abundance of tips in this one.
2022-08-2843 minTLDCast PodcastWriting for Instructional Design - Shop Floor Training with Kim LindseyIn this episode, we chatted with Kim Lindsey, Senior Learning Experience Designer at Cinecraft. Kim's specialty is writing, so there was lots to discuss about writing for instructional design, and specifically, writing for learners that work on the shop or factory floor.
The conversation went in some interesting directions and I'd say the standout comment in chat was from Bridget Manley, who said: "Part of the joy of being an instructional designer, is the power to dignify all types of work".
Give this one a listen, it's a good episode.
2022-08-1447 minTLDCast PodcastCommunity Member Showcase: Bridget ManleyBridget Manley was our latest Member Showcase guest and was an interesting one at that.
With a background in teaching and journalism, she found instructional design and hasn't looked back. Now a business owner with her husband, they're both producing L&D services and products for Ascendant Design and Training.
It was really interesting to hear how Bridget evolved to this point. She basically decided she was unemployable and had to go the freelance route; and now she's a busy business owner making her own schedule.
Give this one a listen; you'll enjoy...
2022-03-1229 min
Anchored in LearningEp. 43 - Geeking Out on Software Training with Bridget ManleyIn this episode, I had the pleasure of chatting with Bridget Manley of Ascendant Design. Bridget gave us a sneak peek into her background and what attendees can expect from her session at our Virtual Summit! Bridget will be one of the many incredible speakers at the FREE Anchored in Learning Virtual Summit! Reserve your spot here! You can connect with Bridget online and on LinkedIn! Are you ready to learn more about developing your eLearning portfolio and find your tribe? Join my Freelance Learning & Development Network on Facebook and follow me over on...
2021-08-3026 min
Birds In A TreeLacey - "I Had Four Little Girls Come To My House In The Middle Of The Night...That Started My Journey Into Motherhood"Lacey is a supermom. She won't tell you that, but she is. Knowing she wanted to be a mother, and realizing at 25 that she might not be on a traditional route to motherhood, Lacey decided to explore foster parenting. After completing the training, Lacey received a call at four in the morning that changed her life. She is now the mother of six girls who are all biological sisters. We talk in this episode all about becoming a foster parent and an adoptive parent, mustering the courage to have empathy for biological parents who cannot care for their children...
2018-03-1338 min
Birds In A TreeKaitlin - "I Was A Little Too Focused On What I Thought The Bigger Picture For Us Should Have Been, Rather Than Her Big Picture In Her Mind"Kaitlin is raising her son Oliver and navigating a co-parenting relationship with her ex-wife. Kaitlin admits that although after five years of marriage she thought that they both wanted to have a baby, however in hindsight feels as though her ex-wife wasn't fully prepared to make such a major life change. Now the two navigate a co-parenting relationship together and try to make Oliver the main focus of their decisions.
2018-03-0621 min
Birds In A TreeIngrid - "You Never See A Bill...As Long As Your Baby Or You Need To Be Taken Care Of, It's Done"Ingrid and her partner have one son and live in Canada. Ingrid admits that she never really thought she wanted to be a mother, but when the feeling hit she couldn't think of anything else. Their journey to parenthood is its own great story and makes the bonds of a family even more special. Giving birth in Canada, Ingrid says that through their publicly funded healthcare system, they never see a medical bill. Not even when their newborn son had a health scare, the cost of the NICU and treatment were taken care of. We talk about the differences be...
2018-02-2732 min
Birds In A TreeMelissa - "I Don't Want To Do Things That Will Leave A Bad Taste In Her Mouth; I Want Her To Do What We Want To Do"Melissa and her husband have always had a love of the outdoors. As avid climbers, hikers, bikers, skiers, and campers, they are now raising a daughter to love these activities as much as they do. Even though Melissa admits they can't be as extreme as they were before children, they are giving their daughter every opportunity to cultivate her own love of nature and activity and that gives them the opportunity to enjoy what they love as a family.
2018-02-2036 minBirds In A TreeMelissa - "I Don't Want To Do Things That Will Leave A Bad Taste In Her Mouth; I Want Her To Do What We Want To Do"Melissa and her husband have always had a love of the outdoors. As avid climbers, hikers, bikers, skiers, and campers, they are now raising a daughter to love these activities as much as they do. Even though Melissa admits they can't be as extreme as they were before children, they are giving their daughter every opportunity to cultivate her own love of nature and activity and that gives them the opportunity to enjoy what they love as a family.
2018-02-2036 min
Birds In A TreeFern - "My Level Of Denial Got Deeper And Outside Pressure To Do Something Got Stronger...It Created A Lot Of Emotional Turmoil"Fern is the mother two boys, one of whom has autism. Fern admits that because her son didn't fit into a typical autism mold - he made eye contact, loved to cuddle - she didn't believe that he could be autistic. However, as months passed and doctors, friends, and family asked more questions, Fern had a long conversation with herself and realized that she needed to face any diagnosis head on and without anymore denial. She said that was the moment that the fear went away and they began to seek treatment for her son. We talk all about...
2018-02-1331 min
Birds In A TreeVeronica - "My Kids Are Going To Go Into This World, How Can I Arm Them Against Alcoholism And Addiction? Because It's Just So Prevalent"Veronica is the mother of two sons and has been sober from alcohol and drugs for over 17 years. As a licensed therapist and recovery coach, Veronica has spent most of her adult life working with others to maintain their sobriety. Veronica has written two popular books on the subject - Why You Drink And How To Stop: Journey To Freedom and Get Sober For Free: Your Practical Guide. She also conducts lectures and workshops on alcoholism, addiction, and spirituality. We talk all about parenting in sobriety, how to talk to your children about addiction, and the freedom sobriety brings to l...
2018-02-0629 min
Birds In A TreeMelissa - "She's The Perfect Person In My Eyes, So It's Hard To Do What She Did, But I Try To Do The Best That I Can In Her Memory"Melissa and her husband have one son, Miles, and have decided that they are a one-child family. What makes her choice to have one child interesting is that Melissa is one of six sisters - born eight and a half years apart. Melissa and her sisters have always had a unique bond - and even though they live all over the country, they have stayed the best of friends. Tragically, their mother passed away when they were teenagers, and as they have become parents they have tried to keep her memory alive in their children. We talk about parenting...
2018-01-3017 min
Birds In A TreeKatie - "You Just Go Where The Work Is...We Call It The Freeway Philharmonic"Katie and her husband are raising two children, and have spent their careers are professional classical working musicians. Meeting in college, they both knew that they would be moving and traveling as part of their work. Now that they are raising children, she feels fortunate to surround the kids with classical music and talented musicians but knows that it also means long hours traveling to gigs and lots of hotels. Fortunately, her kids love staying in hotels. We talk all about the pros and cons of being a professional musician, the difficulty of trying to teach your own children...
2018-01-1631 min
Birds In A TreeMia - "I Was Nervous As A First Time Parent And I Work Here...But My Advice Is To Get Involved And Stay involved"Mia is an employee of her communities school system and the mother of a six-year-old daughter. Mia has spent her career working with schools and seeing what they can offer children - but when it was time to enroll her own daughter, she admits the process was daunting. Her daughter was academically ahead during preschool, and although she has a late birthday, tested up to kindergarten when she was only four years old. Mia admits that a lot of thought and conversation with her husband and other members of the school system went into making the decision - but sh...
2018-01-0925 min
Birds In A TreeJan - "Foster Independence At A Very Young Age...They Can Do A Lot More Than You Give Them Credit For"Jan is the ultimate "Mother of Boys" - she raised six of them. With six boys spread ten years apart, she says life was as full of joy as it was rambunctious. Now a grandmother, she says she is proud of the men they have become and of the friendships and bond they share between them. She offers her advice for raising independent men and living in a large family.
2018-01-0230 minBirds In A TreeJan - "Foster Independence At A Very Young Age...They Can Do A Lot More Than You Give Them Credit For"Jan is the ultimate "Mother of Boys" - she raised six of them. With six boys spread ten years apart, she says life was as full of joy as it was rambunctious. Now a grandmother, she says she is proud of the men they have become and of the friendships and bond they share between them. She offers her advice for raising independent men and living in a large family.
2018-01-0230 min
Birds In A TreeCatherine - "He Was A Prime Example Of That Dad That Is Not Connected Until That Child Is Tangible To Them, But Once It Happens It's The Best Thing That Ever Happened"Catherine and her husband are currently raising their one-year-old son Jack. Catherine is American and her husband is British, and the couple has lived on "both sides of the pond." After agreeing through most of their relationship that they did not want children, a pregnancy scare forced Catherine to rethink her decision. After a lot of thought and discussion, they decided to get pregnant. However, for most of her pregnancy Catherines husband was still apprehensive. It wasn't until the birth of her son that her husband fell in love and totally got on board. Catherine and I discuss making the...
2017-12-1222 min
Birds In A TreeLeah - "We Explain Emotions To Girls And We Dismiss Emotions With Boys...I Think That's Completely Wrong"Leah is a mother of two boys living on a farm in West Virginia. She and her husband are "theater people" and have had to carve out professions piecing together jobs in their rural community. They spend their days hiking and being boys, but she has always been aware of the need to have her children understand and express their emotions. We talk about life a mother of all boys, resources for unlimited amounts of energy and raising empathetic boys in a hypermasculine world.
2017-12-0529 min
Birds In A TreeMark - "Husbands Are Fully Capable. You Can Leave The Kids With Us For Days On End, They Will Still Get Bathed, Fed, Go To Bed At A Reasonable Hour"Mark is the other half of the parenting/business/success team of our last guest, Kendall. When Kendall brought Mark the idea of moving back to his rural hometown, it took a minute to believe she was serious. He had a full-time job in the city, they had friends and social obligations, but he had always longed for his daughters to have a connection to his hometown the way he did. There was one small catch - Mark needed to convince his job that it was feasible. He did, and he spent the first six months commuting back to...
2017-11-2836 min
Birds In A TreeKendall - "When I Started My Company I Thought 'Well, It'll Work Or It'll Be A Colossal Failure, And That Wouldn't Be The End Of The World'"Kendall is the mother of two girls, and is one of the bravest boss women I know. Before becoming a mother, Kendall decided that instead of working for a company, she wanted to start her own graphic design business. So she took business classes, got mentors, networked, and taught herself how to become an entrepreneur. Ten years later, she and her husband run an incredibly successful graphic design company. Kendall admits that after the birth of her second daughter, she had a lot of mommy guilt about not being able to do it all, and after the sale of th...
2017-11-1439 min
Birds In A TreeApril - "It's A Lot Of Missing Each Other And Struggle And Stress, But Then Enjoying The Moments We Can Together And Finding Those Moments When The Time Allows"April and her husband have two children, ages 11 and 8, and they are a military family. April spends much of the year away from her husband while he is off with the special forces, and she navigates her way through parenting solo. Even though they talk nearly every day, the family still faces parenting challenges when he does come home, and they work through each challenge as it comes. April has not put her dreams on the shelf, however, and she is currently working on her doctorate and teaches at local universities wherever they live. At the end of our c...
2017-11-0733 min
Birds In A TreeAlex - "I Knew In My Heart That They Were Going To Come Together, However, I Didn't Think It Would Be So Soon"Alex is the mother of two children and a step-mother of three children. Alex and her husband met while serving their country in Iraq, and with both parents being in active military service the family is always thinking about what they will do if both parents are called up to duty. Alex came into the relationship knowing about her husband's children but admits to naively believing that they would all get along well. It has been a hard journey for the entire family. Alex also reveals another shocking detail about her husband's life, and what the family is doing w...
2017-10-3122 min
Birds In A TreeAmanda - "I Don't Want Them To Feel Like They Have To Choose - Do I Sit With Mom Or Do I Sit With Dad?"Amanda is a single mother to two pre-teen girls, and the journey through divorce and co-parenting have not been easy. During the separation and divorce, Amanda had to work through lawyers and even spoke only through email as the communication of last resort. Things have gotten easier for her, but only because of her willingness to put her children before her own needs and feelings, and is hoping that she can teach her daughters to make good choices as they blossom into adulthood.
2017-10-2424 min
Birds In A TreeAlyse - "They Remember The First Overdose...They Remember Details That I Don't Even Remember From That Day"Alyse is a mother with a lot on her plate. With four children under the age of six, Alyse and her husband spent the first part of their marriage as a military family. She knew when her first child was six months old that something was not "normal" and spent five years working with a host of doctors and specialists to finally get a proper diagnosis. Alyse and her husband are also dealing with an issue that many families in America are dealing with and that many try to hide - addiction. After her husband broke his back and re...
2017-10-1744 min
Birds In A TreeAki - "I Try To Help People To Make Decisions That Make Sense But Also Allow Themselves To Be Human And Also Model That For Their Children"Aki is the mother of a twelve-year-old daughter and is also a life coach for parents. Aki got into this particular line of work after having her own daughter and quickly realizing that she didn't have all the answers. She works with parents to help them find confidence and connection so that they can enjoy their families. She admits, however, that being human means makes some mistakes, and feels that every child should see that as part of a healthy parenting dynamic. You can find Aki at www.parentingpaths.com, or on facebook: @parentingpaths.
2017-10-1033 min
Birds In A TreeJames - "I've Had People Give Me Weird Stares, But When I'm With My Daughter People Think I'm The Cool Dad"James and his wife Stacy are the parents of one-year-old Ozzy, and are about ready to give birth to another child any day. James is true punk rock - eight-inch purple mohawk, ear stretchers, he has played in a band, and his career is working at a high-end guitar factory. We talk all about peoples perceptions of him - with and without his daughter - and how people go from scared to infatuated when he's out playing with his kid. We also talk about work/life balance, and what it's like to be on the phone with someone in...
2017-10-0323 min
Birds In A TreeStaci - "We Want Her To Grow Up To Be Polite And Care About Other People And Be Empathetic, And All Of Those Values Exist Without Religion"Staci and her husband have a beautiful rambunctious daughter and are preparing to welcome their second child in the next few weeks. When we recorded the interview, the couple hadn't told anyone but family that they were expecting their second child, and we talked about the craziness that is the second pregnancy. Staci and her husband decided when they were engaged that they were atheists, and are raising their daughter as both an atheist and as a feminist. We talk about letting children - especially daughters - set boundaries early, respect when they say no, and let them explore t...
2017-09-2622 min
Birds In A TreePat and Cristina - "We Might Disagree On Tactics, But We Have The Same Vision. The Big Picture Is The Same"Today's episode features our very first couple - Pat and Cristina! The couple are parenting two beautiful daughters, live on the West Coast, and try to foster a love of the outdoors in both girls. Pat is from the east coast and Cristina is from the west coast - and after living in coastal California and New York City, the two decided to settle on the west coast to be close to her family. That means, however, that they have to make the time to see his family as much as possible. We talk all about the highs and lo...
2017-09-1927 min
Birds In A TreeLaura - "I Was Open To Feeding Him However He Needed To Be Fed. I Didn't Have Any Guilt; For Me It Wasn't An Issue"Laura is the mother of one beautiful toddler and her story is not unlike many of ours. Laura and her husband were not even sure for many years that they wanted children, so when they decided to get pregnant they knew early on that they would only have one child. What they did not bargain for was a difficult labor and delivery that took many hours and various tools that most expecting mothers do not think will be used. Laura also tried very early on to breastfeed, however, when it wasn't working out she decided to switch to formula a...
2017-09-1218 min
Birds In A TreeBrandi - "We Had Just Gone From Telling Our Families And It Being One Of The Best Days Of Our Lives...To Three Days Later And Now There's Nothing"Brandi is the mother of a beautiful toddler, Asher, and has always been very frank and open about her struggles with motherhood. After thinking that she did not want to breastfeed, Brandi decided during her pregnancy that she would try it and it all started perfectly. However, after her son developed a bout of colic, Brandi started to feel like a slave to the breast. We also talk about the worry of a possible speech delay, and when it is the right time to look for therapy and help when children don't reach milestones. Finally, Brandi opens up about a...
2017-09-0531 min
Birds In A TreeJen - "I Was The Pinterest Perfect Mom - But If I Were At The End Of My Life And Asked My Kids 'What Do You Remember About Me?' They Would Say 'You Were Grumpy, Tired And Exhausted'Jen is a mother to six children and a Women's Happiness Expert. After earning a Ph.D. in Human Development and Family Studies in 2003, spent time as a stay-at-home mom. However, after trying to be the perfect mother, wife, and bread baker, Jen took a good look at her life and decided she was going to work every day at being happy. So that's just what she did. Along her journey, she decided that working with other women to get them to find their own happiness was another source of joy for her, and she never looked back.
2017-08-2925 min
Birds In A TreeDana - "Being A Blended Family, Having Gone Through Divorce, Seeing What That Does To Kids...Knowing That We Have Similar Parenting Skills, We Knew It Was Going To Be Okay"Dana is the mother of two boys from a previous marriage and is now the step-mother to two more sons with her husband. Dana and her husband knew when they began their relationship that they needed to make sure everyone was comfortable as they progressed, and they understood that they needed to be on the same page about parenting before making it official. In this episode, Dana talks openly and candidly about the joys and challenges blending a family, what it's like living in a home with four adolescent boys, and how the kids have begun to bond as bro...
2017-08-2222 min
Birds In A TreeChaz - "It's Gonna Be Intense, Because All Of A Sudden You're Responsible For This Whole New Human"Chaz is the mother of a very precocious four-year-old, and a labor and delivery nurse. She has witnessed so many of us become parents, and she says it is the greatest job in the world. As the mother of a child, she knows how hard the transition is from regular old human to parent, and she tells her new parents that this huge life change takes more time to fully accept. We talk all about her job, the highs and lows of being in the room when life comes roaring out, and what she wants parents to know about...
2017-08-1523 min
Birds In A TreeBecky - "Nothing Else Worked. We Tried Medication, Diet, Therapies, Schools...We Couldn't Live Like This"Becky is the mother of two children. She is in the unique position of having a child with autism while also being a special education teacher. Becky talks about what it is like trying to understand her son's autism and being able to see both perspectives as a teacher and as a parent. We also talk about finding the right school to help him learn, and what that meant for her preconceived notions about discipline and therapies. Becky is also a "direct sales" mom, and she let me pick her brain about the why and how of having a...
2017-08-0837 min
Birds In A TreeBobbi - "Daughters Look Up To Mothers...I Didn't Want My Daughter To Grow Up Thinking That It Was Okay For A Man To Yell At Her Or Call Her Names"Bobbie is the mother of two children. Bobbie was raised in a rural area, and the prevailing thought in her family was that women should marry and not continue an education. However, her mother always wanted Bobbie to further her education and be able to provide for herself; something her mother was not allowed to do. Bobbie was able to complete her undergraduate and masters degrees and now works as a teacher. She was able to use her mothers guidance and advice when she decided to walk away from an abusive relationship, and she built her life back up...
2017-08-0124 min
Birds In A TreeMegan - "I Feel Like It Gets Worse, Not Better...But You Just Get Through It. You Take Strength From Your Kids"Megan is the mother of four children, including twins. Megan is also a widow. Her husband Dennis died in 2014. Megan has been navigating her way through her pain by taking strength from her children, going to therapy, and a strong support system. We talk about what her early days were like, how she has moved forward raising her children, and what being a widow means to her.
2017-07-2528 min
Birds In A TreeElizabeth - "Knowing And Understanding My Worth, Being Able To Claim The Things I Do Well, That's Been A Real Asset In My Parenting"Elizabeth is raising three children in the mountains of West Virginia, and doing it while piecing together a career in the arts. As a voice instructor with a masters degree from the Boston Conservatory, she knew moving to a rural area would mean finding a different career path than if she stayed in the city. However, with grit and determination, she has been able to remain an artist and a successful businesswoman all while raising her children where she has always wanted. We also talk at length about social justice, progressive Christianity, and making room for everyone to have a...
2017-07-1834 min
Birds In A TreeMichelle - "Everyone Knew This Was What I Wanted To Do...But Can You Make Money?"Michelle is the mother of three boys who was working a typical desk job but knew she had bigger career dreams. A fitness enthusiast and former dancer, Michelle knew when she saw her gym advertising a yoga instructor training that she wanted to make a change. Changing careers and following your dreams is easier when you don't have children, but how do you make a plan and get trained and change life paths when you have mouths to feed? You do it with a long-term plan, lots of family discussion and a desire for a better life. Michelle admits...
2017-07-1130 min
Birds In A TreeSam - "I Have Extreme Chest Pains, I Have Pains Going Down My Arm...It Almost Feels Like A Heart Attack"Sam is a mother of two girls who was diagnosed in her formative years with an anxiety disorder. Managing her disorder through medication, Sam decided when she became pregnant to stop taking her medicine because of the risks to her children. As a superstar career mother and wife, Sam admits that even though she's outgoing and personable, it takes all her energy to be in public and she has had to take a step back to keep her sanity. We talk in this episode about removing stigmas surrounding anxiety and mental disorders, what it's like to live through a pan...
2017-07-0427 min
Birds In A TreeAbigail - "Early Intervention Has Been Proven To Be The Most Effective For Children With Autism"Abigail is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst and Pediatric Behavioral Therapist and works with children on the Autism Spectrum. She knew early in her college career that she wanted to make a difference in children's lives, and has recently become officially nationally board certified. I asked Abigail to be a guest on the show to talk about what parents should look for, the importance of early intervention and diagnosis, and what a behavioral therapist can do to help the lives of children who are autistic. She is a wealth of important information, and I am so thankful she is s...
2017-06-2722 min
Lori Rochino022: Bridget Nolan Manley on Creating Space for Judgment Free Parenting
Parenting is no easy feat and kids don’t come with a guidebook when they’re first born. There is obviously no “one-size-fits-all” as everyone grows up in a household with different values, parenting styles and the like. With all the overwhelming parenting advice out there, there’s definitely a need for a judgment free space—and Bridget Nolan …
The post 022: Bridget Nolan Manley on Creating Space for Judgment Free Parenting appeared first on Lori Rochino.
2017-06-2700 minSimply Designed Life | Business, Lifestyle Design, and Productivity Tips From Women Entrepreneurs and Gamechangers022: Bridget Nolan Manley on Creating Space for Judgment Free ParentingParenting is no easy feat and kids don't come with a guidebook when they're first born. There is obviously no "one-size-fits-all" as everyone grows up in a household with different values, parenting styles and the like. With all the overwhelming parenting advice out there, there's definitely a need for a judgment free space—and Bridget Nolan Manley created the perfect outlet just for that particular purpose. What I love about Bridget's approach is her view on how it takes a village via both online and offline methods for any kind of authentic connection. I also love her candor and rawness in...
2017-06-2700 min
Birds In A TreeLaurie - "Anyone Can Be Strong And Smart, But You Have To Put In The Time To Achieve It"Laurie and her husband Dan are both working parents. Laurie, an engineer, has always been a boss lady. However, after her company relocated, she was able to spend some quality time with her young boys while looking for a new job. After she found a new position located over an hour away, her and her husband had to shift family roles and responsibilities, and Laurie had to let go of a lot of "mom perfection" for the new transition. In this episode, we also talk about the power of someone's words to alter the course of your parenting, or to...
2017-06-2031 min
Birds In A TreeMonica - "We Know How To Build A Following...This Is the Punk Rock Way To Start A Business"Monica has spent the majority of her adult life as a wife to a professional rock band trombone player. As a member of the band Reel Big Fish, Monica has watched her husband go from trombone player in a local ska band to playing packed arenas, being a regular on MTV and featured in movies like "BASEketball." However, it wasn't all rock and roll. When Monica and her husband Danny decided to get married and start a family, they had to make big choices about his constant touring and where their careers would go from there. As they settle into...
2017-06-1324 min
Birds In A TreeBarbara - "I Did All Of Those Things That Her Mother Missed...Those Things Are Precious To Me"When Barbara married her husband, David, she became a step-mother to a then three year old daughter, Michelle. Through various circumstances, Barbara and David received full custody of Michelle while raising their second daughter Jaime. Barbara has always had a very special bond with Michelle. Growing up not having the relationship with her own mother that she had always wanted, it put Barbara in the unique position of understanding Michelle and her mother's relationship better. Barbara served as Michelle's Matron of Honor in her wedding, and the two continue to have an extraordinary friendship now that Barbara is the grandmother...
2017-06-0624 min
Birds In A TreeLori - "We Understand There Are Milestones He Needs To Reach, But We Need To Let Him Just Be A Kid"Lori is a mother of a son about to start kindergarten, as well as a successful blogger, HuffPo Contributor, and Declutter Coach. When her son was diagnosed with a speech delay, Lori says that the initial assessment and testing threw her for a loop, but they have been working hard on getting him on track to start kindergarten. Lori and I talk all about how hard it is to declutter, some strategies for getting rid of all the "stuff", and we also talk about what it is like being a female entrepreneur while working from home and juggling all the...
2017-05-3028 min
Birds In A TreeKarlo - "I Can't Imagine What It's Like To Build A Future Without Family"Karlo is a successful photographer who built his business from the ground up, becoming a premiere wedding and commercial photographer in the Mid-Atlantic region. While he built his business, he met and married the love of his life, Amanda. Amanda had a young daughter when the two met, and Karlo worked hard to blend the family and put the well-being of their daughter first. He knew how successful co-parenting should work because he was the product of a blended family and a step-father who understood the importance of family. In this episode, Karlo talks about how the three parents worked...
2017-05-2339 min
Birds In A TreeAlie - "I'm Always Present...I'm Never Worried About Missing Something Because I'm Hungover"Alie has spent the last 13 years sober. She realized in her mid-twenties that she was powerless to alcohol, and decided to stop drinking completely in order to have a fulfilling life. She got married sober and her children have never seen her drink. In this episode, Alie and I talk about finding sobriety early in life, and how grateful we are that we quit drinking before children. We also talk about how hard it is to "come clean" to new mom friends about our sobriety, and navigating in a culture that suggests that "Mommy Juice" is the norm.
2017-05-1838 min
Birds In A TreeJane - "As Soon As I Heard The Front Door Close, I Remember Thinking That I Had To Push"In honor of Mother's Day, I sat down with my mom Jane to talk about what it was like to raise me and my siblings. Growing up poor in Appalachia, my mother showed us through her actions how important family and education were. As the wife of a career police officer, my mother was able to get her master's degree while raising three children and caring for her elderly mother. She hustled working multiple jobs for many years to put food on the table, and she still made time to make homemade baby food, hand sew costumes, outfits and cabbage...
2017-05-1148 min
Birds In A TreeJen - "If A Cop & A Teacher Can't Afford To Have A Disabled Child, Our Priorities Are Wrong"SPECIAL EPISODE. Today's show features Jen, a mother who has a disabled son. Her and her husband found out during her mid-pregnancy ultrasound that their son would have major facial deformities, and after consulting experts in the field, had James at a facility three hours from their home to ensure he would live. James has to be hooked up to a ventilator every night in order for him to breathe. It is lifesaving equipment, and it is expensive. James is a "lifetime limit" baby. He hit the million dollar mark - the lifetime cap the insurance companies had in place...
2017-05-0439 min
Birds In A TreeJenny - "When I Had My Miscarriage It Was News To Me That It Was A Common Experience"Jenny and her husband have two beautiful boys, but there have been bumps on their parenthood journey. Jenny suffered a miscarriage in her first pregnancy, and felt as though she was not supposed to talk about her loss or even have feelings. Through her second pregnancy, she hoped for a natural childbirth at a birthing enter, but after more than twenty hours and the diagnosis of infection, she rushed to the hospital and had to have an emergency c-section. Also, after suffering from debilitating migraines for many years, she made the decision on the advice of medical specialists to undergo...
2017-05-0241 min
Birds In A TreeMaria - "It Was Very Emotional To Stand In The One Place That I Knew His First Mom Was"Maria and her husband are the parents of four children. A military family, they decided early on in their marriage to pursue adoption when they had retired. After months of paperwork and investigation, the family welcomed a baby boy into their home from China. Born with a cleft palate, Maria faced a unique set of challenges bringing him home. As conservative Christians, Maria and her husband decided before their children went to public school that they would home-school instead, and they have been on many mission trips as a family. She tells me about their adoption process, what life is...
2017-04-2528 min
Birds In A TreeRocki - "You Don't Know What You Can Get Through Until You Get Through It"How do you build your life back after making the biggest mistake you've ever made? How do you do it while being a parent? Rocki is the ultimate tale of redemption. After spending two years in federal prison, Rocki regained custody of her children and built her life back out of the ashes. She met other mothers in prison and shared their love and grief, and became a successful businesswoman, upstanding member of her community and mother following her release. It's an incredible story.
2017-04-1842 min
Birds In A TreeSuzanne - "We Don't Learn Our Lessons From Safe, Happy Places. We Learn From Hard, Gritty Places."Suzanne and her husband raised four artistic, creative, independent children and were preparing to enjoy retirement when they received a phone call that changed their lives. They became foster parents and legal guardians to their three granddaughters while their daughter and son-in-law sought treatment for addiction. The children came to live with them on Suzanne's 60th birthday. She talks about the grief of not knowing how to help their daughter during her darkest days, being overwhelmed and unprepared for raising three little girls, and the hard climb back to normalcy for the whole family.
2017-04-1148 min
Birds In A TreeNicole - "Try To Get Involved In Something You Are Passionate About"Nicole has always felt a strong sense of community and helping those in need. As a member of many boards, a volunteer for many causes, and a champion of people with disabilities, prominent members of the community began asking her to run for elected office. So that's just what she did. While serving her community as a city council member, Nicole found her soulmate (another public servant) and the two have been together ever since. She talks about her very first campaign, the joys and challenges of being a public servant, and where she sees her public life go from...
2017-04-0640 min
Birds In A TreeKristin - "It Has Not Really Hit Me That She Is Going To Go"Kristin and her daughter we a team of two until she met and married her husband and the family dynamic changed. She was also determined to get her undergraduate degree and then her masters degree even while being giving birth and raising two more daughters. Now a teacher, Kristin is facing the looming responsibility of sending her oldest off to college, knowing that these are the last months her daughter will be home. Her daughter also lived through a horrific incident during school that made them all reevaluate empathy and forgiveness. Her story is as multifaceted as it is encouraging.
2017-04-0347 min
Birds In A TreeLauren - "I Remember Googling At Two AM One Night 'Why Does My Stepdaughter Hate Me?'"Lauren had no intention of ever becoming a parent. A successful business owner, she decided early not to have children. Then she met and eventually fell in love with a man who had full custody of his three kids. Wanting to make sure they "did it right," Lauren and her husband took it slow and formed meaningful relationships with his children. Then they married, and everything changed. Lauren talks about the growing pains of marrying a family, and how she made it work raising teenagers not biologically her own.
2017-03-3026 min
Birds In A TreeBre - "We Have Their First Embryo Pictures Framed. That's The First Picture Of Them."There are so many paths to becoming a parent. Bre and her husband have been able to become parents thanks to in vitro fertilization. The mother to a daughter and a son, Bre explored IVF after her and her husband went through testing to determine their fertility. Bre has become an advocate for parents who are traveling the road of IVF. She also wrote a blog about her journey, and is active in supporting parents who are in the process of getting pregnant through IVF. Her blog: http://onestepatatime-bre.blogspot.com/
2017-03-2729 min
Birds In A TreeMaggie - "Everywhere We Live, I Have To Redefine Myself"How does a feminist Naval Officer reinvent herself as a military wife and mother? My guest Maggie has done it with soul searching and lots of humor. Her husband is deployed for months out of the year and she knows that everyday he faces dangerous situations. Although she has traveled the world and given her children many unique adventures, the childcare is solely her responsibility while her husband is deployed. Maggie talks about transitioning from serving her country to raising her children, surviving the Japanese earthquake and tsunami of 2011, and finding herself in every new city.
2017-03-2341 min
Birds In A TreeAndee - "I Can Remember Bob Rocking My Youngest And Her Matching Pitches With Him"Andee and her husband Bob moved to a new town three days before the birth of their second child. Not knowing many people, they relied on their love for music, theater and church to foster new relationships and become a part of their community. Forty years later, Andee reminisces about raising her children, opening her own tea shop, and how love of music became a common thread in her family.
2017-03-2023 min
Birds In A TreeEric - "I Can't Fix This. I Can't Bring My Daughter Back."Eric and his wife Jes lost their daughter Seraphina in the summer of 2016. After Jes spoke to me about their loss, Eric wanted to offer his perspective in the hopes that he could help other people in their situation. Eric talks about his beautiful daughter, about the differences in how he and his wife have processed their grief, and what he needs to do to protect and care for his family moving forward. If you or someone you know has lost a child, please visit The Compassionate Friends website to find a local chapter support group. www.compassionatefriends.org
2017-03-1621 min
Birds In A TreeJes - "Seraphina Was A Bright Light...She Was Kind, She Was Smart"Jes and her husband Eric are the parents of two children; Django and Seraphina. Seraphina passed away in the summer of 2016 from an asthma attack. The family has been navigating through their grief and their new normal in the months since her death. I am honored and humbled that Jes would share her story, in the hope that it will help other grieving parents through their suffering.
2017-03-1319 min
Birds In A TreeJessica - "We Are Looking For A Different Life"Have you ever wanted to make a major life change? Jessica and her husband have done just that. After contemplating a move across the country for nearly a year, she accepted a job in Portland and will be moving her family there. Knowing that their current life wasn't what they wanted for their two year old daughter, Jessica is making brave changes in their location and lifestyle to give their child the life they dream of. She talks to me about her desire to make a better life for her family, and her fear of the unknown.
2017-03-0923 min
Birds In A TreeTim - "I Still Have Not Mastered Braiding Hair, But I Will Give It The Old College Try"Meet our first father!!! Tim is the dad of two daughters - a four year old and a one year old. Tim grew up in the country and as a musician, and is raising two daughters to appreciate music and live in the city. He tells me all about how he handles hair braiding, toenail painting, and princesses.
2017-03-0620 min
Birds In A TreeRaven - "We Are Growing Up Together"Raven is the mother of a beautiful 19 month old boy. She gave birth to her son when she was 18 years old, and feels that although being a young mother has its own set of challenges, her experience also comes with a lot of joys specific to young motherhood. Raven and her mother are both parents to very young children, and they are enjoying a unique experience of raising babies together. She talks about the fun of experiencing motherhood with her own mother and how giving birth to her son made her "grow up."
2017-03-0226 min
Birds In A TreeElizabeth - "It Can Be Beautiful And Hard And Scary"Elizabeth is the mother of three boys, two of whom are on the autism spectrum. Elizabeth struggles with the daily needs of her children, including therapies and three hour trips to see specialists. Although she wouldn't trade her experience or her boys personalities, she talks about her challenges and what she wishes more people understood about her sons' disorder.
2017-03-0127 min
Birds In A TreeShelley - "I don't like being seen as a victim. These are battle scars."Shelley has had a hard life. Her father was murdered, her mother went to prison, and she became a young mother. But Shelley knew she wanted an education. After two decades of hard work, grit, and determination, she completed her graduate work in counseling. She talks to me about her struggles and her unwavering resilience to show her children that knowledge truly is power.
2017-02-2341 min
Birds In A TreeMary - "We Talked To Them. We Listened To Them. And Now We Get Together And We Don't Shut Up."Mary is the brilliant mother of three grown men who are as interesting as they are fun, and her and her husband are adjusting to life with them out on their own. They are reporters at the family business, the local newspaper, and Mary has written about her boys in the past. She talks to me about enjoying every age and living in the moment.
2017-02-2133 min
Birds In A TreeEmily - "It's Your Kids Life, And It Means A lot When Someone Trusts Me With It"Emily is a daycare operator with years of experience. She offers parents some tips on how to find the right daycare and how to maintain a good relationship when you find the right one.
2017-02-2021 min
Birds In A TreeLisa - "I'm Not A Saint"Lisa is the mother of a two year old foster child, and she is in the process of petitioning for adoption. She was also an emergency foster parent for two other children this summer. She talks to me about why she decided to become a foster parent, and why she doesn't want to be called anything but a mother.
2017-02-1559 min