Don't Mom Alone Podcast

• Mothering Autism: Navigating Grief, Marriage, and Community :: Carrie Cariello, Kate Swenson, and Adrian Wood [Ep 515]

  Do you have a child with autism or neurodivergent tendencies? Do you have a friend with a child that needs support but you're not sure how to show up?  Today Carrie, Kate, and Adrian are here to share their deeply personal stories about their kids and how autism has shaped their families. The amazing thing is each of their experiences is so different- and each of them has approached this diagnosis uniquely. They co-wrote a book called Autism Out Loud that covers a huge variety of challenges. We barely scratched the surface but here are some things we covered… The hidden, unexpected grief of special needs parenting How raising a child with autism magnifies stress in marriages Siblings and how autism affects their lives- the joys and sadness that come with a neurodivergent sibling and how to keep that communication open What parents of autistic children really need from friends and family It takes risk, invitation, and vulnerability to find your people and a community that can rally around and support you  Connect with Carrie, Kate, and Adrian:  Website:  Tales of an Educated Debutante - Adrian Harrold Wood, PhD Website: Finding Cooper's Voice | Welcome to the Secret World of Autism Website: Carrie Cariello Instagram:  Adrian Harrold Wood, PhD (@talesofaneducateddebutante) Instagram: Kate (@findingcoopersvoice) Facebook: Carrie Cariello Links Mentioned:   Autism Out Loud: By Carrie Carieel, Kate Swenson, and Adrian Wood Related Episodes: Parenting Neurodivergent Children–Summer Edition :: Carrie Cassell [Ep 413] Parenting as a Highly Sensitive Person :: Mary Van Geffen [Ep 438] When Your Child is on the Autism Spectrum (Part One) :: Terri Conlin [Ep 182] When Your Child is on the Autism Spectrum (Part Two) :: Terri Conlin [Ep 182] Featured Sponsors:  GoPure Beauty: With over 1 MIllion jars sold, this beauty secret is no longer a secret. For a limited time, our listeners get 25% off goPure with code [DMA] at checkout. Just head to gopurebeauty.com/DMA, use code [DMA], and you’re all set Purity Woods: Honestly, I have never seen a skincare product of this quality at this reasonable of a price point. And thankfully, the good people at Purity Woods have a special coupon code specifically for my listeners, so you can try it for yourself for 27% off today. Just go to puritywoods.com/DMA or enter DMA at checkout. The Chosen: Last Supper : So text your favorite person, grab your favorite box of movie theater candy, and go see The Chosen: Last Supper in theaters. You can get your tickets now at TheChosenLastSupper.com. Green Chef: Thrive all year with clean, easy meals from Green Chef. Go to GreenChef.com/alonefree and use code alonefree to get started with FREE Salads for two months plus 50% off your first box.” Find links to this week’s sponsors and unique promo codes at dontmomalone.com/sponsors. 

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• The Truth About Baby Sleep: Breaking Myths, Balancing Attachment and Restful Nights :: Eve Squires [Ep 514]

  Is it possible to have a well-rested baby without sacrificing attachment? Are you an exhausted mom who struggles with the nighttime routine?  Today Eve Squires, a sleep consultant with over fifteen years of experience, shares her journey and approach to improving infant sleep without resorting to harsh methods. Sleep is one of the most debated parenting topics, and in the past, I have avoided this topic because it is often confusing with conflicting advice. Eve was exactly the right person to do a deep dive on how to help children sleep through the night, without losing that special bond.  In this episode we cover: How to improve sleep without the "cry it out" method The hunger vs. habit debate—how to know if your baby truly needs to eat at night Nap windows and how to structure baby and toddler awake time for better naps Replacing sleep incentives with healthier soothing techniques Why some babies sleep well while others don’t (and potential neurological factors) Connect with Eve Squires:  Website: Calm and Bright Sleep Support Instagram:  CALM and BRIGHT SLEEP SUPPORT (@calmandbrightsleepsupport) Links Mentioned:   Infant Sleep Plans | Free Self-Assessment | Calm and Bright The Rested Baby Plan - Calm and Bright Sleep Support Related Episodes: Shepherding Healthy Sleep Habits :: Jenn and Robin of Sleepy Cues [Ep 230] That’s Me. . . sleep deprived and needing Jesus :: Jennie and Sally {Ep 106} Ages and Stages Series—Infants/Toddlers :: Rachel Norman [Ep 377] Featured Sponsors:  Thrive Causemetics: Celebrate the women in your life with Thrive Causemetics. Luxury beauty that gives back. o Right now, you can get an exclusive 20% off your first order at thrivecausemetics.com/DMA Honeylove: Treat yourself to the most comfortable shapewear on earth and save 20% Off sitewide at honeylove.com/DMA Thrive Market: Ready to make the switch? Go to ThriveMarket.com/dma for 30% off your first order, plus a FREE sixty dollar gift!  Find links to this week’s sponsors and unique promo codes at dontmomalone.com/sponsors. 

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• From Chaos to Calm: Practical Tools to Manage Anger and Overwhelm in Motherhood :: Elizabeth Andreyevskiy [Ep 513]

  Do you feel like you’re reacting instead of responding, constantly putting out fires, and struggling to manage your emotions—especially anger?  Today Elizabeth Andreyevskiy joins me to share her journey from explosive to calm in motherhood. Maybe you’ve tried counseling, read the books, and learned the tools, but implementing them in real life still feels impossible. This podcast is packed with practical tools to help us manage the chaos of our homes. God wants us to be whole and to care for our minds, bodies, and spirits so that we can care for our families daily.  In this episode we cover: How unmet expectations, physical clutter, and negative mindsets fuel frustration The power of meeting your own basic needs (eating, water, and sleeping matter!) Practical ways to create space for self-care, reflection, and increased emotional capacity Creative ways to get some alone time and reset What to do when you do have an explosion of anger and how to bring reconciliation Connect with Elizabeth Andreyevskiy:  Website:  Anger Coach for Christian moms Instagram:  Elizabeth (@emotionally_healthy_legacy) Links Mentioned:   Anger Management Coach for Christian moms Emotionally Healthy Legacy Podcast END MOM SHAME TRAINING  Related Episodes: How Do I Regulate My Own Emotions? :: Charissa Fry [Ep 482] Summer of Mentorship Changing the Atmosphere of Your Home with Positive Parenting :: Ralphie Jacobs [Ep 456] Focus on Growth vs. Guilt :: Lisa Bevere [Ep 291] What Triggers Your Angry Reaction? :: Amber Lia {Ep 108} Featured Sponsors:  BetterHelp–This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. Build your support system, with Betterhelp Visit BetterHelp.com/DMA to get 10% off your first month.  Gabb Mobile —Protecting your kids has never been easier. For the best deals, sign up to Gabb today – no contract required – at GABB.com/dma.  GiveHugz–Whether you’re treating yourself or looking for a thoughtful gift for someone special, these heatable, coolable plushies are a hug you can hold onto. Check out GiveHugz.co and use the code DMA for 20% off your first order.  Find links to this week’s sponsors and unique promo codes at dontmomalone.com/sponsors. 

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• Modeling Faith: Family Spiritual Habits that Stick :: Chris Pappalardo and Clayton Greene [Ep 512]

  Do you want to lead your home well spiritually but are not sure how? Do you need more creative and fun ideas on how to point your kids to Jesus?  Today, Chris Pappalardo and Clayton Greene join me to talk about spiritual rhythms with our kids. They share plenty of ideas on creating a space for spiritual growth that doesn't need to be a checklist-driven, box-checking exercise. Their new book discusses establishing morning and evening rhythms that align with how God wired us to connect spiritually and practically with Him.  We talk about modeling the gospel in a way that is authentic and free from unnecessary baggage for our kids to carry into the future. I get personal by sharing how my dad modeled this in my life—and that’s really what these habits create: our kids modeling the habits and behaviors we practice that point to Jesus. We cover- 6 Key Shifts for Building Lasting Spiritual Habits Real-Life Examples: like how to practically walk out a spiritual habit with our kids Navigating Different Seasons: Dealing with a spouse or teens who are not on board And we each reflect on how we learned spiritual formation from our parents Connect with Chris and Clayton:  Website:  GoodKind - From the Makers of Advent Blocks Instagram:  GoodKind (@goodkind.co) Links Mentioned:   Christmas | GoodKind Building Spiritual Habits in the Home: by Chris Pappalardo and Clayton Greene Habits of the Household: by Justin Whitmeal Earley The Common Rule: by Justin Whitmel Earley GratiKube from GoodKind Atomic Habits: by James Clear Practicing the Way: by John Mark Comer Related Episodes: Perspective from Pastor’s Kid and Single Parent :: Barnabas Piper [Ep 163] Stewarding Sacred and Spiritual Disciplines at Home :: Jennifer Pepito [Ep 464] Family Transformation Starts with Personal Revival :: KJ Perdomo [Ep 227] Featured Sponsors:  The Chosen–You can get your tickets now at TheChosenLastSupper.com. preorder your tickets for the 3-part theatrical release. Text your favorite person, grab your favorite box of movie theater candy, and go see The Chosen: Last Supper in theaters.  Hiya Health– We've worked out a special deal with Hiya for their best selling children's vitamin. Receive 50% off your first order. To claim this deal you must go to hiyahealth.com/DMA. get your kids the full-body nourishment they need to grow into healthy adults. Purity Woods– Honestly, I have never seen a skincare product of this quality at this reasonable of a price point. And thankfully, the good people at Purity Woods have a special coupon code specifically for my listeners, so you can try it for yourself for 27% off today. Just go to puritywoods.com/DMA or enter DMA at checkout. Pair Eyewear–See the world with fresh eyes. Go to paireyewear.com and use code DONTMOM for 15% off your first pair. And support the show by mentioning Don’t Mom Alone sent you in the post-checkout survey.  Find links to this week’s sponsors and unique promo codes at dontmomalone.com/sponsors. 

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• Perimenopause Guide: Managing Symptoms, Emotional Changes, and Weight Gain During Hormonal Shifts :: Dr. Kamilia Smith [Ep 511]

  Have you ever been to your doctor or OBGYN and felt that your symptoms were dismissed? Do you know how to identify the main issues of perimenopause and menopause? In this follow up episode with Dr. Kamilia Smith, we continue our deep dive into perimenopause, exploring how it impacts women's emotions, physical changes, and overall well-being. She clearly breaks down some of the hormonal fluctuations women go through and what some potential treatments are for each of those symptoms in a very nuanced field. Perimenopause can bring emotional upheaval and weight gain, exacerbated by hormonal changes that are often ignored. The stress of the "sandwich generation" — caring for our aging parents while raising children — adds to the emotional load.  We cover so many helpful topics- Eggs and AMH (Anti-Müllerian Hormone) FSH (Follicle Stimulating Hormone): these levels help indicate how your ovaries are functioning How the term bioidentical hormones is often used as a marketing tool Hormonal changes, along with sleep disruptions, decreased mobility, and shifts in eating habits, all contribute to weight gain during perimenopause Mental health can take a hit during this stage, with symptoms like mood swings, insomnia, attention deficit, and night sweats. Learning how to manage these mental health changes is critical to our health Connect with Dr. Kamilia Smith:  Website:  Kamilia Smith Voted Best Dallas Gynecologist | Charleston House Facebook: Charleston House Gynecology Instagram:  Charleston House - DALLAS WOMENS HEALTH (@charlestonhousegyn) Links Mentioned:   Function Health • 100 Healthy Years The SHIFT: Perimenopause Unscripted (A North Texas Women's Midlife Movement) BALANCE: Perimenopause Documentary / Docuseries THE (M) FACTOR – Shredding the Silence on Menopause Related Episodes: Is This Normal? A Women’s Health Conversation  :: Dr. Kamilia Smith [Ep 447] Overcoming Barriers to Sexual Intimacy :: Nancy Houston [Ep 206] Your Body is GOOD :: Jess Connolly [Ep 329] Featured Sponsors:  GiveHugz–Check out GiveHugz.co and use the code DMA for 20% off your first order. Trust me, you’ll want one for you and one to share.  Green Chef–Thrive all year with clean, easy meals from Green Chef. Go to Greenchef.com/alonefree and use code alonefree to get started with FREE salads for two months plus 50% off your first box.  Thrive Causemetics–Celebrate the women in your life with Thrive Causemetics. Luxury beauty that gives back. o Right now, you can get an exclusive 20% off your first order at thrivecausemetics.com/DMA Find links to this week’s sponsors and unique promo codes at dontmomalone.com/sponsors. 

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