Shows
Mama Merit BadgeSummer Rhythms & Sabbatical DreamsIn the Season 1 finale, Krista and Samantha dive into the layered realities of summer—from the literal heat to the shifting dynamics of parenting, work, and personal growth that come with the season.They reflect on seasonal preferences, family routines, and the joy (and anxiety) of gaining independence as a parent when your kids start spending more time away. There’s also conversation around shopping habits, travel hiccups, summer camps, and what it actually looks like to take a sabbatical when you’re an ambitious person who doesn’t unplug easily.With a few tangents into wri...2025-07-301h 07Mama Merit BadgeConfidence, Kids and The Power of Self-TalkThis week, Samantha and Krista dig into the layered conversation around self-esteem, body image, and confidence—both for themselves as mothers and for the kids they’re raising. They talk about how positive self-talk can shift your perspective, the quiet harm of societal expectations, and why celebrating the small wins really does build confidence over time.The episode weaves between friendship chats, book club updates, and even a bit of reality TV commentary, but always circles back to the deeper theme: how the words we use—with ourselves and around our children—shape the way they see themselv...2025-07-231h 03Mama Merit BadgeParenting in the Heat: Humour and Hard TalksThis week, Samantha and Krista dive into the emotional rollercoaster of parenting in the summer months—from the simple joys of family outings to the more complicated lessons that come with children’s big feelings (and their own).They share personal stories about navigating grief and loss, reflect on how modelling behaviour teaches children about boundaries, and discuss the balance between assertiveness and kindness—both in parenting and in life. Humour weaves through the heavier moments, reminding us that laughter can be a real coping mechanism when parenting feels intense.This episode also explores the value...2025-07-1657 minMama Merit BadgeLipstick, Loot Bags & Launch PlansThis week, Krista and Samantha bounce between summer parenting chaos and business growth lessons, proving once again that snack plates and strategic planning can (and do) coexist.They dig into the reality of decision fatigue, the art of launching with intention, and why sometimes, a swipe of lipstick is the only prep you need for a big call. The conversation flows from kids and technology to the evolving world of birthday parties, with honest takes on social dynamics, gratitude, and whether loot bags are still a thing (spoiler: they are—just... better now).This episode is...2025-07-091h 11Mama Merit BadgeBook Clubs, Business Systems & Big Summer EnergyThis week, Krista and Samantha are deep in summer mode—juggling Camp MacChaos, dreaming up travel plans, and trying to remember what day it is (no guarantees). They unpack the myth of passive income, why automated revenue is a more accurate goal, and how delegation and SOPs can actually free up time to breathe.The conversation bounces between parenting, business workflows, Human Design, book club picks, and yes—reality TV. It’s a peek behind the curtain of two moms navigating work, life, and play in real-time, with a healthy dose of honesty and laughter.If you...2025-07-0253 minMama Merit BadgeSelf-Care, Summer Shifts & Finding What WorksThis week, Krista and Samantha dig into what self-care really looks like—especially as summer break kicks in, schedules get messy, and family health throws curveballs. It’s not a spa day fantasy or a list of things you “should” be doing. It’s about what’s actually possible in the middle of it all.They talk about balancing priorities, redefining wellness, and why setting boundaries is as essential as packing sunscreen. From lighthouse parenting to the mental clutter that comes from consuming the wrong content, this episode is both a gentle nudge and a real-time reality check.2025-06-251h 19Mama Merit BadgeFatigue, Focus & the Fight for BalanceIn this episode, Samantha and Krista get candid about the real weight of balancing business, motherhood, and everything in between. From navigating decision fatigue to redefining what success even means, they unpack what it looks like to keep going when your energy is low but the to-do list is high.They talk about ruthless time management, learning to say no to things that don’t move the needle, and why sometimes, the best strategy is simply knowing when to stop. This is a conversation for anyone who’s ever stared blankly at a screen, wondering where their focu...2025-06-1849 minMama Merit BadgeThe Husbands, Big Feelings and Long-Game ParentingThis week’s episode is a full table: Krista and Sam are joined by Dave and Brandon (aka The Husbands) for a raw, reflective, and often hilarious look at what it really means to raise kids while trying to stay married, sane, and maybe even caught up on laundry.Together, they explore the emotional highs and lows of modern parenthood, the invisible weight of household responsibilities, and the beautiful (and sometimes frustrating) lessons that come with the long game of parenting. There’s talk of AI, miscarriage, relationship friction, and the moments that crack you open—in good w...2025-06-111h 24Mama Merit BadgeClutter, Calendars & The Chaos We Call LifeIn this week’s episode, Krista and Samantha bounce between beauty tips, parenting hacks, meal planning, and the strangely satisfying joy of a solo grocery trip. It’s a little bit of everything—because that’s exactly what this season of life is like.They dive into clutter (emotional and physical), seasonal transitions, and the ongoing effort to foster independence in kids without losing patience or sanity. Along the way, they touch on the soothing power of shared TV binges, the politics of grocery quality, and why shared family calendars are the real MVP.Whether you’re d...2025-06-041h 09Mama Merit BadgeMaternity Leave, Burnout & The Invisible LoadThis week, Krista and Samantha open up about the messy middle of maternity leave, the emotional (and strategic) recalibrating that comes with burnout, and the slow, weird journey of transitioning back to work when your brain still feels half-swaddled in sleep schedules.Samantha reflects on her own experience stepping back from business after baby #2, navigating the invisible labour of motherhood, and confronting the gap between how we expect maternity leave to feel—and how it actually shows up. Together, they unpack the pressure to be creative on a deadline, the decision fatigue that weighs on both parenting an...2025-05-281h 11Mama Merit BadgeSchool Kids, Schedules & Screens—Parenting in the New EraIn this episode, Samantha and Krista wade into the wild world of parenting school-aged kids—where permission slips are lost, group chats are cursed, and the emotional rollercoaster starts before breakfast.Krista shares real talk behind school dynamics, the pressures of extracurricular activities, and the ever-evolving relationship with technology in family life. From communicating with teachers to navigating shifting childhood friendships, this episode is a mix of practical insight, personal stories, and a few well-earned sighs over how much screen time is too much.The conversation also touches on work-life balance, the mental gymnastics of co...2025-05-211h 01Mama Merit BadgeSleep, Screens & Seeking HelpIn this episode, Samantha and Krista pull back the curtain on the chaos of everyday parenting—bedtime battles, screen time guilt, business to-do lists, and the kind of meltdowns (child and adult) that come out of seemingly nowhere.They dig into the complexities of managing children’s sleep routines, navigating the nuance of screen time, and the reality of what it looks like to keep your home (and brain) functioning through it all. The conversation flows between personal anecdotes—like the emotional side of pet ownership, reflections on Mother’s Day expectations, and the quiet beauty of bedtime...2025-05-141h 06Mama Merit BadgeBirth Stories (Part 1) & Business GuiltThis week, we’re talking about two very real sides of motherhood: the literal delivery of babies—and the mental load of keeping everything else running while you do it.Samantha shares her birth story—from the unexpected turns of induction to a C-section she didn’t see coming—while Krista reflects on her own journey through labor, delivery, and postpartum life. Together, they open up about how giving birth is never quite what you imagine, and how each experience reshapes your view of motherhood, work, and everything in between.Then, the conversation zooms out. We talk ab...2025-05-071h 18Mama Merit BadgePotty Breaks & Parent Types — Which SUV Mom Are You?This week, we’re talking field trips, potty training, and the secret language of SUV moms.Samantha and Krista get into the nitty gritty of parenting logistics (like why field trips are both adorable and anxiety-inducing), share tales from the trenches of potty training, and reflect on the quiet art of finding your rhythm when it all feels a little offbeat. The episode takes a hilarious turn as they unpack the idea of the “black SUV mom” vs. the “white SUV mom”—two parenting archetypes that feel... uncomfortably accurate.They also chat about solo retreats, Shark Smooth...2025-04-3047 minMama Merit BadgeMom Brain, Miscarriage and The Weight We CarryThis week’s episode goes deeper.Samantha and Krista talk candidly about the mental fog of motherhood (aka mom brain), what it’s like to launch a podcast in the middle of parenting chaos, and how balancing it all sometimes feels like sprinting through molasses. But the heart of this conversation is about something much heavier—and often unspoken: pregnancy loss.Together, they share personal stories of miscarriage, the emotional toll of grief that’s hard to explain, and the complex layers of trying to parent while holding space for pain. They discuss the silence that so...2025-04-231h 00Mama Merit BadgeTravelling with Kids: A Trip or a Vacation?Ah, family vacations—the dream of rest, relaxation… and the reality of spilled snacks, missed naps, and wondering why you even packed books. In this episode, Krista and Samantha unpack what it actually looks like to travel with kids (spoiler: it’s not a spa day).We talk about the chaos, the charm, and the real magic of multi-generational trips, roadside meltdowns, and learning to let go of the itinerary. Plus, we explore the role of support systems (bless you, grandparents), the power of affirmations, and the surprisingly strong link between imposter syndrome and that first flight with a...2025-04-161h 02Mama Merit BadgeParenting in the Daycare YearsIn this episode, we’re talking about what happens when life feels like a three-ring circus—and you’re the ringleader, the janitor, and the clown.Krista and Samantha dive into the messy reality of parenting through daycare drop-offs, school activity overload, unexpected home repairs, and the mental gymnastics of trying to do it all. We unpack our own parenting styles (spoiler: one of us is a snack drawer mom, the other is not) and reflect on how our childhoods shaped the way we show up for our kids—and ourselves.This episode is a warm hug...2025-04-161h 06Mama Merit BadgeThe Intersection of Motherhood and AmbitionIn our very first episode, we (Krista + Samantha) pull back the curtain on what this whole thing is really about: the beautiful mess of motherhood, ambition, and trying to remember what day it is. We’re talking grocery store disasters, the magic of lowered expectations, and why Friday afternoons hit different when you're in the thick of it.This episode is part intro, part real-talk—because we’re not here to pretend we’ve got it all figured out. We’re here to say: if you're juggling nap schedules, business calls, existential crises, and snack requests, you’re not alone...2025-04-131h 05