Moms Brain Is A Coffee Stain | Parenting Teens, Mom Life & Real Conversations

From Overwhelmed to Regulated: Breaking the Cycle of Mom Burnout with Kristin Cogan

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2562914/fan_mail/new] Why do so many moms feel like they’re constantly overwhelmed… even when life “looks good on paper”? In this honest and relatable episode of Mom’s Brain Is a Coffee Stain, Kayla sits down with Kristin Cogan, licensed therapist, coach, and mom of five, to talk about the real struggles behind mom burnout, emotional overwhelm, and the pressure to do it all perfectly. Kristin shares her own experience of raising four kids in four years and hitting a breaking point that forced her to rethink how she was showing up—not just as a mom, but as a person.  This conversation dives deep into the cycle so many moms know all too well: guilt, frustration, snapping, and then feeling like you’re failing. But the truth? You’re not failing—you’re overwhelmed. In This Episode We Discuss: * Why moms feel overwhelmed and burned out (even when life looks “perfect”) * The cycle of mom guilt, self-doubt, and frustration * What’s actually happening in your brain during emotional overwhelm * How to build emotional regulation skills in real life * Simple ways to practice mindfulness without needing extra time * The importance of self-care and emotional hygiene * Why comparing yourself to other moms is hurting your mental health * How to stay present with your kids—even in chaos * The power of small wins and daily mindset shifts * Why you don’t have to be a perfect mom to be a good one A Powerful Reminder: ✨ You’re not failing—you’re overwhelmed ✨ Small changes can create big shifts ✨ Taking care of yourself helps you show up better for your kids Key Takeaway: You don’t need a complete life overhaul— sometimes it starts with something as simple as one deep breath. Connect with Kristin Kristin Cogan Licensed Therapist | Coach | Mom of 5 📱 Follow on Instagram: https://instagram.com/imperfectlywonderfulmotherhood Show Information Follow the show: 📱 @momsbrainisacoffeestain Support the podcast: https://Momsbrainisacoffeestain.Buzzsprout.com [https://momsbrainisacoffeestain.buzzsprout.com/] Want to Be a Guest? Want to be a guest on Mom’s Brain Is A Coffee Stain | Parenting Teens, Mom Life & Real Conversations? Send Kayla a message on PodMatch: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/momsbrainisacoffeestain [https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/momsbrainisacoffeestain]

Conscious Parenting: Ending Power Struggles, Triggers & Raising Emotionally Aware Kids with Katherine Sellery

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2562914/fan_mail/new] What if the biggest parenting struggles… aren’t about your child’s behavior—but about how we respond to it? In this powerful episode of Mom’s Brain Is a Coffee Stain, Kayla sits down with Katherine Sellery, founder of the Conscious Parenting Revolution, to unpack what it really means to parent with awareness, connection, and intention. With over 20 years of experience in conflict resolution and coaching families, Katherine shares why traditional parenting rooted in obedience and control often leads to power struggles—and what to do instead.  This conversation dives deep into emotional triggers, communication breakdowns, and how to shift from reacting to responding, even in the most challenging parenting moments. In This Episode We Discuss: * Why traditional parenting methods based on obedience and compliance often fail * How to respond instead of react in stressful parenting moments * Understanding emotional triggers and why we overreact as parents * The difference between a reaction vs. an overreaction * How to reduce power struggles with teens and kids * Why children saying “no” is actually a healthy developmental skill * Teaching kids to understand their inner world (feelings + needs) * Moving from control-based discipline to connection-based parenting * How to create a home where kids feel safe, heard, and respected * Why curiosity is the key to better communication with your child A Powerful Mindset Shift: ✨ The behavior you see is often just a surface-level expression of an unmet need ✨ Your child isn’t trying to make your life harder—they’re trying to communicate ✨ When we shift our perspective, we shift the entire relationship Key Takeaway: If you can move from “Why are they doing this?” to “What’s going on for them?”—everything changes. Guest Information Katherine Sellery Founder of the Conscious Parenting Revolution 🌐 Website: https://ConsciousParentingRevolution.com [https://consciousparentingrevolution.com/] 📘 Free Book: 7 Strategies to Keep Your Relationship with Your Kids from Hitting the Boiling Point https://consciousparentingrevolution.com/ebook/ [https://consciousparentingrevolution.com/ebook/] Show Information Follow the show: 📱 @momsbrainisacoffeestain Support the podcast: https://Momsbrainisacoffeestain.Buzzsprout.com [https://momsbrainisacoffeestain.buzzsprout.com/] Want to Be a Guest? Want to be a guest on Mom’s Brain Is A Coffee Stain | Parenting Teens, Mom Life & Real Conversations? Send Kayla a message on PodMatch: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/momsbrainisacoffeestain [https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/momsbrainisacoffeestain]

The Power of Your Words: Raising Confident Kids with Jody Hill’s “Parent Secret Superpower”

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2562914/fan_mail/new] What if one of the most powerful tools you have as a parent… is something you use every single day? In this impactful episode of Mom’s Brain Is a Coffee Stain, Kayla sits down with parenting expert and author Jody Hill to talk about the power of words in parenting and how the language we use shapes our children’s confidence, identity, and future. Jody shares how her journey as a mom of four—especially navigating divorce—led her to discover what she calls the “Parent Secret Superpower”: the ability to build or break a child’s self-belief through everyday words.  From simple phrases we say without thinking to the long-term impact of how kids internalize those words, this episode is full of eye-opening moments and practical tools every parent can start using today. In This Episode We Discuss: * How everyday language impacts child confidence and self-worth * The difference between speaking to a child’s behavior vs. identity * Common phrases that may unintentionally harm kids’ self-esteem * How to raise kids who believe: “I can do hard things” * Why parents are the loudest and most important voice in their child’s life * Helping kids regulate emotions during overwhelming moments * The importance of repair after parenting mistakes * Using words to guide—not shame—during discipline * How to create a home where kids feel safe, loved, and accepted * Teaching kids to problem-solve instead of labeling themselves A Powerful Reminder: ✨ Your words become your child’s inner voice ✨ Repeated phrases turn into lifelong beliefs ✨ You don’t need perfection—just intention Key Takeaway: If you change your words… you can change your child’s life.  Resources from Jody: Jody is offering listeners a Free Superpower Strategy + Top Confidence Boosters & Busters Guide to help you start using your words more intentionally today. 🎧 Access here: https://podcast.itsjodyhill.com [https://podcast.itsjodyhill.com/] 📱 Connect on Instagram: https://instagram.com/jodyhillparenting [https://instagram.com/jodyhillparenting] 📘 Get her book on Amazon: https://amzn.to/4bhpNNK [https://amzn.to/4bhpNNK] Show Information Follow the show: 📱 @momsbrainisacoffeestain Support the podcast: https://Momsbrainisacoffeestain.Buzzsprout.com [https://momsbrainisacoffeestain.buzzsprout.com/] Want to Be a Guest Want to be a guest on Mom’s Brain Is A Coffee Stain | Parenting Teens, Mom Life & Real Conversations? Send Kayla a message on PodMatch: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/momsbrainisacoffeestain [https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/momsbrainisacoffeestain]

Good Enough Parenting: Letting Go of Perfection, Mom Guilt & Burnout with Emily Beecher

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2562914/fan_mail/new] What if the secret to better parenting… was letting go of perfection? In this powerful and deeply relatable episode of Mom’s Brain Is a Coffee Stain, Kayla sits down with Emily Beecher, certified life coach for women at life’s crossroads, to unpack the truth about motherhood, identity, burnout, and self-compassion. From working with major brands like Disney and Warner Brothers to navigating single motherhood, neurodivergence, and burnout, Emily shares her journey of rediscovering what truly matters—and why “good enough parenting” may actually be the healthiest approach for both moms and kids.  This episode is an honest, vulnerable conversation about what happens when life doesn’t look the way you expected—and how to rebuild in a way that actually aligns with who you are. In This Episode We Discuss: * What “good enough parenting” really means (and why perfection can be harmful) * Letting go of unrealistic expectations and mom guilt * How burnout shows up in motherhood—and how to begin healing * Navigating identity loss and reinvention as a mom * Parenting neurodivergent children (ADHD, autism, dyslexia) with compassion * Advocating for your child in systems that don’t always support them * Why self-compassion is essential for moms * The pressure of “having it all” and why it’s often a myth * How to reconnect with yourself during overwhelming seasons of life * The power of honest conversations in reducing mom isolation Key Takeaways: ✨ You don’t have to be a perfect parent to raise happy, healthy kids ✨ Your value is not measured by productivity or perfection ✨ “Good enough” parenting creates space for connection, growth, and real life ✨ You are allowed to evolve, change, and redefine your identity A Moment That Will Stick With You: So many moms believe they’re failing… when in reality, they’re just exhausted, overwhelmed, and trying to meet impossible standards. This episode is your reminder that: 👉 You are not alone 👉 You are not behind 👉 You are already enough Guest Information Emily Beecher Certified Life Coach for Women at Life’s Crossroads 🌐 Website: https://emilybeecher.com [https://emilybeecher.com/] Connect with the Show Follow the show: 📱 @momsbrainisacoffeestain Support the podcast: https://Momsbrainisacoffeestain.Buzzsprout.com [https://momsbrainisacoffeestain.buzzsprout.com/] Want to Be a Guest? Want to be a guest on Mom’s Brain Is A Coffee Stain | Parenting Teens, Mom Life & Real Conversations? Apply here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/momsbrainisacoffeestain [https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/momsbrainisacoffeestain]

Single Parenting Survival to Thriving: Practical Tips, Time Management & Financial Stability with Pat Hankin

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2562914/fan_mail/new] What does it really take to go from surviving to thriving as a single parent? In this powerful and practical episode of Mom’s Brain Is a Coffee Stain, Kayla sits down with Pat Hankin, author of The Field Guide for Single Parents, to break down the real-life strategies single parents need to manage time, finances, and emotional overwhelm. Drawing from years of experience moderating a community of nearly 470,000 single parents, Pat shares what actually works—no fluff, no unrealistic advice—just practical, research-based tools that help parents regain control of their lives.  From redefining what “good enough parenting” looks like to building support systems in unexpected places, this episode is full of actionable takeaways for anyone navigating parenting alone (or feeling like they are). In This Episode We Discuss: * The biggest misconceptions about single parenting * How to move from survival mode to thriving * Creating time when you feel like you have none * The power of the 15-minute parent connection * Realistic time management strategies for busy parents * Financial advice that actually works for single parent households * Why traditional budgeting advice often fails single parents * Building a support system beyond family and friends * Letting go of mom guilt and perfectionism * What “good enough parenting” really looks like Key Takeaway: You don’t have to do everything perfectly to be a great parent. Progress, not perfection, is what creates stability—for you and your kids. Guest Information Pat Hankin Author of The Field Guide for Single Parents: Practical Tips to Help You Gain Control of Your Life 🌐 Website: https://pathankin.com/about-the-book/ [https://pathankin.com/about-the-book/] 📘 Get the Book on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Field-Guide-Single-Parents-Practical/dp/B0FX3F1GTS [https://www.amazon.com/Field-Guide-Single-Parents-Practical/dp/B0FX3F1GTS] Show Information Follow the show: 📱 @momsbrainisacoffeestain Support the podcast: https://Momsbrainisacoffeestain.Buzzsprout.com [https://momsbrainisacoffeestain.buzzsprout.com/] Want to be a guest on Mom’s Brain Is A Coffee Stain | Parenting Teens, Mom Life & Real Conversations? Send Kayla a message on PodMatch: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/momsbrainisacoffeestain [https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/momsbrainisacoffeestain]