Let's Be Real - Mama Journeys - Episode 195 W/Shannon Harrell

Let's Be Real - Mama Journeys - Episode 199 W/Susan McKeown

In this honest and empowering episode of Let's Be Real Mama Journeys, Nikki sits down with Susan McKeown, a pediatric nurse practitioner of over 40 years, author, and mom, for a conversation that every parent needs to hear. From the raw and chaotic reality of early motherhood to the pressure moms place on themselves to "get it right," Susan brings both professional insight and lived experience to the table. She reminds us that there is no perfect way to parent, only doing the best we can with what we have. Together, Nikki and Susan dive into the importance of self care, setting boundaries in the postpartum period, and building a strong support system across every area of life. They tackle the truth about mom guilt, the unrealistic expectations fueled by social media, and the power of flexibility in navigating the ever changing seasons of parenting. Susan also shares deeply personal moments, including the heartbreak of loss and the challenges of supporting children through life's hardest realities, offering wisdom on how to show up with love, honesty, and without regret. This episode is a powerful reminder that motherhood is messy, beautiful, exhausting, and worth it and that you don't have to do it alone. You will feel seen, supported, and reminded to give yourself the same grace you give everyone else. You can find her at beyondthefirstdance.com

Let's Be Real - Mama Journeys - Episode 198 W/Cindy Eich

In this deeply moving episode of Let's Be Real Mama Journeys, Nikki sits down with Cindy Eich, a mom of four, grandmother, and author of Love Goes Further, to share a story that will stay with you long after the episode ends. Cindy opens up about her journey through motherhood, from becoming a young mom and navigating life without a built-in village, to experiencing the joy of raising a busy, sports-filled family. But her story takes a profound turn as she shares the unimaginable moment her daughter Kendall was diagnosed with terminal brain cancer. What follows is a powerful testament to resilience, love, and living with intention. Cindy shares how Kendall chose to focus on life, setting a goal to visit all 50 states, and how that purpose transformed not only her journey, but the entire family's perspective. Through humor, connection, and unwavering determination, Kendall showed what it truly means to create a meaningful life, even in the face of the unimaginable. This episode is about grief, but more importantly, it is about love that endures, perspective that shifts everything, and the reminder that even when life doesn't go as planned, it can still be deeply beautiful. You will laugh, cry, and walk away seeing motherhood, and life, through a more meaningful lens. You can find her at lovegoesfurther.org

Let's Be Real - Mama Journeys - Episode 197 W/Edi Matsumoto

In this heartfelt and unexpectedly joyful episode of Let's Be Real Mama Journeys, Nikki sits down with artist and former nurse practitioner Edi Matsumoto, creator of Otter Therapy, a whimsical art collection transforming iconic figures into playful sea otters. But this conversation goes far beyond art. Edi shares her journey from nearly 30 years in healthcare to finding healing and purpose through creativity, and how her work is rooted in bringing comfort, laughter, and connection to others. Together, Nikki and Edi dive into the fascinating world of sea otter moms—some of the hardest-working mothers in the animal kingdom—and uncover powerful parallels to human motherhood, especially for single moms. From the relentless balance of self-care and caregiving to the importance of community and support, this episode is a beautiful reminder that motherhood, while often overwhelming, is also deeply resilient, connected, and full of meaning. You will laugh, learn, and walk away with a new appreciation for both mama otters and mamas everywhere. You can find her art and learn more about her at edimatsumoto.com [http://edimatsumoto.com]

Let's Be Real - Mama Journeys - Episode 196 W/Lori Taggart

In this episode of Let's Be Real: Mama Journeys, Nikki sits down with Lori Taggart, a longtime banker, Harley rider, mom of four, and proud "Gigi" to nine grandchildren, for a conversation that feels like sitting down with someone who just gets it. From raising kids far from home as a military spouse to navigating motherhood without a built in support system, Lori shares what it really looked like behind the scenes. The loneliness, the pressure, the moments of wondering if she was doing it right, and the beautiful, unexpected ways community showed up when she needed it most. This episode is a powerful reminder that motherhood was never meant to be done alone. Lori talks about finding support in unlikely places, learning how to accept help, and even creating systems of support for other moms when she saw a need. You'll also hear honest reflections on parenting through every stage, from raising little ones while feeling completely overwhelmed, to letting go as your kids become adults and realizing you can't fix everything for them anymore. And maybe most importantly, this conversation gently reminds us that no mom has it all figured out. There is no perfect way to do this. There is only your way, your kids, and the willingness to keep showing up and learning along the way. If you've ever questioned yourself as a mom, felt alone in the process, or needed permission to let go of perfection, this episode is for you.

Let's Be Real - Mama Journeys - Episode 195 W/Shannon Harrell

What happens when motherhood doesn't look anything like you expected? In this episode of Let's Be Real: Mama Journeys, Nikki sits down with Shannon Harrell, a mom of four, including triplets born prematurely, to talk about the reality behind the highlight reel. From navigating infertility and IVF, to the emotional rollercoaster of the NICU, to going from one child to four overnight, Shannon shares a story that is raw, honest, and deeply relatable. This conversation dives into the parts of motherhood we don't talk about enough. The grief that can exist alongside joy. The identity shift that happens when you don't feel like a "mom" yet. The moments of complete depletion when you have nothing left to give. And the powerful reminder that even the most experienced caregivers don't have it all figured out. You'll also hear about the importance of community, what it really means to accept help, and why creating safe spaces for moms to show up exactly as they are is life changing. If you've ever felt like you're supposed to have it all together but don't, this episode is for you. Because the truth is, none of us really know what we're doing… and that's exactly why we need each other.