Motherhood Journeys: {MOM}ents with Madly Wish by Whitney Surane

Seeking Help is Strength: My Mental Health Journey as a New Mom

In today's episode, I want to share some more insights into my mental health as a new mom. I have already given you a glimpse into my overall story in episode 1, but this week, let's talk about depression, anxiety, intrusive thoughts, and struggling with feeling alone in motherhood. The reality is that many of us experience postpartum depression and other mental health obstacles, especially as new moms, and it can be really isolating and challenging to overcome. I hope that by sharing my story and how I found hope and light in the darkness, others can feel less alone. If you are or someone you know is struggling, help is available to you. You are not alone. Dial 988 to reach the national suicide and crisis lifeline. Seeking help is a sign of strength, not weakness. Please know you can also reach out to me directly: whitney@madlywish.com. If my story resonates with you or if you have any of your own stories or questions you'd like to share, please connect with me. Want to share your {MOM}ent with me? whitney@madlywish.com Connect with Whitney & shop Madly WIsh: https://www.madlywish.com/ [https://www.madlywish.com/] https://www.instagram.com/madlywish [https://www.instagram.com/madlywish]

Choosing Joy & Creating Memories a a Single Mom with Jasmine Williams

My very first guest is Jasmine Williams. Jasmine is the mom of two little boys and the founder of the inclusive brand Sunny and Ted. In this episode, she shares her journey to motherhood as a military daughter and wife, how she's navigating life as a single mom after divorce, and how she is single-handedly helping us all create new memories with Sunny and Ted's collection of keepsakes that represent families of every ethnic background. Motherhood includes so many interesting and sometimes unexpected circumstances. From coming up with her children's names, to family holiday traditions, to anxiety and grief from events like medical emergencies and divorce, these stories are the formative moments that shape not just Jasmine's motherhood journey, but also her business: Sunny and Ted. Jasmine madly wishes that we can see ourselves reflected beautifully in the world. This is Jasmine's {MOM}ent. Connect with Jasmine and Sunny and Ted: https://sunnyandted.com/ [https://sunnyandted.com/] https://www.instagram.com/shopsunnyandted/ [https://www.instagram.com/shopsunnyandted/] Want to share your {MOM}ent with me? whitney@madlywish.com Connect with Whitney & shop Madly WIsh: https://www.madlywish.com/ [https://www.madlywish.com/] https://www.instagram.com/madlywish [https://www.instagram.com/madlywish]

Embracing Calm and the Magic of Everyday Moments

Parenting is hard, but as I've gotten older, I like to think I've become a better parent. I'm excited to introduce you to this week's guest, who got married at 35 and started having kids a little bit later in life. My guest today is Kristina Schlegel, a wife, mom of two, and inventor of Stickies, edible stickers for baking. Kristina shares how transitioning from one to two kids helped her embrace simpler, sustainable traditions that prioritize quality time and meaningful connections. This is Kristina's {MOM}ent. Connect with Kristina Schlegel instagram.com/letsmakebake [http://instagram.com/letsmakebake] www.letsmakebake.com [http://www.letsmakebake.com/] Want to share your {MOM}ent with me? whitney@madlywish.com Connect with Whitney & shop Madly WIsh: https://www.madlywish.com/ [https://www.madlywish.com/] https://www.instagram.com/madlywish [https://www.instagram.com/madlywish]

Double Duty: The Role of a Teacher and Mother with Nicole Lewis

My guest today is Nicole Lewis, a wife, mom of two, and the owner of custom crayon brand Art 2 the Extreme. Nicole's journey from educator to entrepreneur is fueled by a passion for imaginative play and fostering independence in her children. In this episode, Nicole shares how her background in teaching has shaped her approach to motherhood and influenced her small business today. Connect with Nicole: https://art2theextreme.com/ [https://art2theextreme.com/] https://www.instagram.com/art2theextreme/ [https://www.instagram.com/art2theextreme/] Want to share your {MOM}ent with me? whitney@madlywish.com Connect with Whitney & shop Madly WIsh: https://www.madlywish.com/ [https://www.madlywish.com/] https://www.instagram.com/madlywish [https://www.instagram.com/madlywish]

25: When Quitting is Winning: Why It's Okay to Bow Out

In this episode, we tackle the often misunderstood concept of quitting and why, in certain situations, it can actually be a healthy choice. We'll explore the negative effects of pushing children to stick with activities that make them unhappy, and how forcing them to continue can lead to emotional distress, anxiety, and people-pleasing tendencies, especially for girls. Citing expert advice, we discuss how allowing kids to quit teaches them self-awareness, confidence, and boundary-setting—important skills for their future well-being. Tune in to discover why sometimes, the best thing we can do for our kids is to let them walk away and explore new opportunities. Want to share your {MOM}ent with me? whitney@madlywish.com Connect with Whitney & shop Madly WIsh: https://www.madlywish.com/ [https://www.madlywish.com/] https://www.instagram.com/madlywish [https://www.instagram.com/madlywish]