When It Stings: Handling Criticism as a Business Owner, Mom, and Human

Self-Love (But Hear Us Out)...it’s not what you think

Self-love has become one of those phrases that gets tossed around so much it almost loses meaning. Bubble baths. Face masks. “Treat yourself.” But what if real self-love is actually much deeper — and much harder — than that? In this episode, Katherine and Leah have an honest conversation about what self-love actually looks like in real life, especially for women and mothers who have spent years tying their worth to productivity, caregiving, achievement, and being everything to everyone else. We talk about: *  Why self-love isn’t about perfection or aesthetics  *  The exhausting inner dialogue so many women live with  *  How shame and self-forgiveness are deeply connected  *  The pressure moms feel to constantly put themselves last  *  The “autopilot” problem and how easy it is to lose yourself in the day-to-day  *  Why receiving love can feel harder than giving it  *  Small, practical ways to start rebuilding trust and compassion with yourself  This episode is vulnerable, reflective, and deeply human — not a checklist for becoming a “better” version of yourself, but an invitation to stop abandoning the person you already are. If you’ve ever felt like you’re carrying too much, falling short, or struggling to offer yourself the same grace you give everyone else… this conversation is for you. Because maybe self-love doesn’t start with becoming someone new.  Maybe it starts with finally being willing to stand on your own side. Find us @polishedprints and @memle.moms/@cozyhearted or @beforewegetitright on substack!

Grandma Hobbies & Group Chats IRL: Why Community Matters More Than Ever

This week on Before We Get It Right, we’re talking about something so many people are craving right now: real community. Not the “like your Instagram story and keep scrolling” kind of connection, but the face-to-face, sit-around-a-table, laugh-with-strangers-until-they-don’t-feel-like-strangers-anymore kind.  From the rise of “grandma hobbies” like embroidery, baking, crafting, and knitting to the deeper reason people are longing for connection more than ever, this episode dives into why community matters so much in a world that feels increasingly disconnected. We talk about loneliness, nervous system regulation, shared hobbies, and the surprising power of simply being in the same room with other people.  Leah shares the story behind hosting Sip & Stitch nights at the store and how a simple embroidery class turned into something so much bigger: women connecting, opening up, laughing, and finding belonging around a table. We also talk about how you don’t need a storefront, a big following, or a perfectly planned event to create community. Sometimes it starts with a walk, a coffee shop meetup, or texting the group chat first.  In this episode, we talk about:  • Why loneliness has become such a widespread issue  • The difference between online connection and real-life community  • Why “grandma hobbies” are making a comeback  • How creativity and hands-on hobbies reconnect you to your inner child  • The mental health benefits of slow, repetitive activities like stitching and knitting  • How shared interests naturally create deeper connection  • Tangible ways to build community, even if you don’t have a physical space  • Why being willing to go first matters more than being perfect This episode feels like a warm reminder that people are craving depth, presence, and belonging, and that community often starts with one person deciding to create space for it. If you’ve been wanting more connection in your life, consider this your sign to text the group chat, plan the thing, and just begin. Find us: @polishedprints @memle.moms

When It Stings: Handling Criticism as a Business Owner, Mom, and Human

In this episode of Before We Get It Right, we’re talking about something every mom, business owner, and human being experiences: criticism. The kind that sneaks into your thoughts at 2am, shows up in a comment section, comes from people you love, or, in Katherine’s case recently, came through a couple of negative Amazon reviews that unexpectedly tanked sales for an entire month. We’re having a real, honest conversation about why criticism hits so hard, especially when the things we’re putting into the world feel deeply personal. From motherhood to entrepreneurship to simply showing up online, it can be incredibly difficult to separate what we create from who we are. In this episode, we talk about why criticism affects us on a biological and nervous-system level, how to tell the difference between constructive feedback and projection, and why online criticism can feel so disproportionately heavy. We also share tangible ways to regulate your nervous system after criticism stings, rebuild confidence after discouragement, and continue showing up even when self-doubt creeps in. This episode is for anyone who’s ever questioned themselves after one comment, one review, or one hard moment. A vulnerable, grounding conversation about resilience, self-worth, and learning how to keep going while you’re still figuring it all out, before we get it right. Find us on SUBSTACK HERE! [https://substack.com/@beforewegetitright]

The Reality Of Building a Multimillion Dollar Startup From Scratch with Emily Steele, CEO of Hummingbirds

This week’s episode feels extra special because we’re joined by our very first guest, Emily Steele, Co-founder and CEO of Hummingbirds- and the conversation is honest, grounding, inspiring, and incredibly real. We talk about the winding path that led Emily to building Hummingbirds, the moments of uncertainty along the way, and how so many of the experiences that once felt unrelated eventually became part of the bigger picture. This isn’t one of those “overnight success” conversations. It’s about pivots, hard seasons, trusting your intuition, learning as you go, and building something meaningful while also navigating real life behind the scenes. Emily shares what the early days actually looked like, the challenges that came with growth, and how she learned to move through moments of doubt without needing to have everything perfectly figured out first. We also talk about motherhood, identity shifts, balancing ambition with presence, and what it means to create a business that aligns with your values, even when the path there looks nothing like you originally imagined. If you’ve ever questioned your timing, wondered if you’re “behind,” or felt like everyone else has a clearer roadmap than you do… this conversation is such an important reminder that most people are figuring it out as they go. And sometimes the things that make the least sense in the moment end up becoming the exact things that shape where you’re headed next. PS: Emily is like the most humble amazing human and we may had the BEST time talking to her.

Coming Back To Yourself: Calming Your Nervous System While Navigating Different Seasons

Today’s conversation is one we both deeply needed — and chances are, you might too. We’re talking about that quiet, overwhelming feeling of being in the middle of life… still showing up, still doing everything you’re “supposed” to do… but feeling disconnected from yourself in the process. Whether you’re navigating motherhood, building something from the ground up, moving through grief, relationship shifts, or just a season that feels heavier than usual — this episode is a gentle reminder: you’re not broken, you’re human. So many of us don’t “lose ourselves” in one big moment… it happens slowly. In the constant mental noise. In the pressure to hold everything together. In the everyday overwhelm that keeps our nervous system in a constant state of “go.” And the truth is — your body doesn’t know the difference between a major life event and the accumulation of daily stress. It just knows: something doesn’t feel safe. In this episode, we’re not talking about adding more to your plate or creating a perfect routine. We’re talking about coming back to yourself through small, real, doable moments — the kind that actually fit into your life right now. We share honest reflections, personal moments (including a very real spiral), and most importantly… ✨ 6 simple, tangible ways to regulate your nervous system — even in the middle of the chaos This is your reminder that you don’t have to wait for life to calm down to feel calm within it.  You can find your way back to yourself — one small pause at a time. Ads: Polished Prints at www.polishedprints.com [https://polished-prints.com/?srsltid=AfmBOooLn8wzWxCUfHMb50g-ex9dZB6bBXNS2YZbGaita945n_Bc99AI] Mind-Full Mom Journal Prompt Experience at MEMLE [https://memlemoms.com/products/guided-journal-experience-weekly-prompts-for-a-year-mom-support-to-your-inbox] Follow us on SUBSTACK HERE!  [https://substack.com/@beforewegetitright]