Motherhood is beautiful and it can also feel overwhelming, exhausting, and lonely. In this episode, I sit down with Brittany, a therapist who specializes in supporting women through every stage of motherhood, from family planning, infertility, and postpartum, to children with disabilities. We didn’t talk about that in this episode, but she is a great place for support in all aspects of motherhood. Brittany shares encouragement for moms who feel like they are failing. Strategies to manage anxiety and overwhelm and practical steps for navigating motherhood and the anxiety we feel around it. Whether you’re a new mom or you’ve had years in your journey of motherhood, this conversation will leave you feeling seen, supported and empowered.

• Show Notes:
• 00:00 Intro
• 00:55 Introduction to Motherhood and Mental Health
• 02:24 Brittany's Journey into Perinatal Therapy
• 04:58 The Isolation of Motherhood
• 07:50 The Pressure to Bounce Back
• 11:19 Recognizing the Need for Help
• 13:18 Preventing Mental Health Issues
• 16:28 Normalizing Therapy and Support
• 19:26 Letting Go of Control in Parenting
• 22:10 The Importance of Community Support in Motherhood
• 26:36 Overcoming Anxiety and Trusting Others
• 33:10 Reframing Mom Guilt
• 40:56 Taking Small Steps Towards Confidence and Joy
• 46:33 Welcoming Brittany: A Source of Wisdom
• 47:28 The Power of Confidence in Motherhood

Find Brittany on Instagram @ the.momchat

State Laws for homeschool

• Check out my jewelry. Fun & feminine designs to help you feel like your most confident self. Use promo code: earrings at checkout for 10% off your first order!

www.ivianaandco.com

• Personal blog with family travel tips, homeschooling resources and the occasional DIY

www.stephriosblog.com

Let’s connect!

Join me on Facebook: Iviana & Co

Steph Rios Blog

Join me on Instagram: @ivianaandco

@stephriosblog

Leave a review!

Did this podcast episode resonate with you? If you found it helpful and meaningful, please leave a review wherever you listen to your podcasts. Also screenshot the episode and share it to your social network! I appreciate your support so much. Thank you!

~Steph

*I do make a small commission from amazon links as an amazon affiliate. No legal advice is being given in regards to homeschooling. Make sure to check your state laws and remain compliant with homeschool laws in your state

Hello. Welcome back. Thanks for joining me again. Okay. Today's episode is going to be quick. No fluff, no intro, we're just going to get to the point.

• Show Notes:
• 00:00 Intro
• 5:37 The Impact of Digital Tools on Family Dynamics
• 05:38 Introduction to Personal Passion and Jewelry Design
• 06:51 Embracing Change in Planning
• 11:30 The Impact of Digital Tools on Family Dynamics
• 12:44 Building Confidence in Everyday Style
• 13:13 Rediscovering Your Personal Style

Links:

• State Laws for homeschool

• Check out my jewelry. Fun & feminine designs to help you feel like your most confident self. Use promo code: earrings at checkout for 10% off your first order!

www.ivianaandco.com

• Personal blog with family travel tips, homeschooling resources and the occasional DIY

www.stephriosblog.com

Let’s connect!

Join me on Facebook: Iviana & Co

Steph Rios Blog

Join me on Instagram: @ivianaandco

@stephriosblog

Leave a review!

Did this podcast episode resonate with you? If you found it helpful and meaningful, please leave a review wherever you listen to your podcasts. Also screenshot the episode and share it to your social network! I appreciate your support so much. Thank you!

~Steph

*I do make a small commission from amazon links as an amazon affiliate. No legal advice is being given in regards to homeschooling. Make sure to check your state laws and remain compliant with homeschool laws in your state

Today's episode is a quiet, honest conversation about homeschooling through overwhelm and anxiety. Not the kind that shows up on his schedules or lesson plans, but the kind that you carry inside while still showing up for your kids. I am sharing a few reflections from my own journey and some encouragement for the mom who's doing her best on days that feel heavier than she expected.

• Show Notes:
• 00:00 Intro
• 03:12 The Impact of Anxiety on Homeschooling
• 05:42 Coping Mechanisms and Support Systems
• 08:51 Navigating Motherhood and Mental Health
• 11:46 Adjusting Expectations in Homeschooling
• 14:42 Self-Care and Its Importance
• 17:34 Finding Strength in Vulnerability
• 18:29 Encouragement for Struggling Moms
• 18:29 Introduction to Personal Passion and Jewelry Design
• 19:43 Introduction to the Anxiety Journey
• 19:59 Finding Strength in Vulnerability
• 21:20 Encouragement for Struggling Moms
• 25:06 The Power of Morning Rituals
• 25:34 Embracing Presence in Difficult Times
• 25:45 Building Confidence in Everyday Style
• 26:13 Rediscovering Your Personal Style

Links:

• State Laws for homeschool

• Check out my jewelry. Fun & feminine designs to help you feel like your most confident self. Use promo code: earrings at checkout for 10% off your first order!

www.ivianaandco.com

• Personal blog with family travel tips, homeschooling resources and the occasional DIY

www.stephriosblog.com

Let’s connect!

Join me on Facebook: Iviana & Co

Steph Rios Blog

Join me on Instagram: @ivianaandco

@stephriosblog

Leave a review!

Did this podcast episode resonate with you? If you found it helpful and meaningful, please leave a review wherever you listen to your podcasts. Also screenshot the episode and share it to your social network! I appreciate your support so much. Thank you!

~Steph

*I do make a small commission from amazon links as an amazon affiliate. No legal advice is being given in regards to homeschooling. Make sure to check your state laws and remain compliant with homeschool laws in your state

Today's episode is a solo conversation that's been sitting on my heart since the experience happened. I'm sharing about my older two kids and their reading journey, what it's looked like to homeschool children who would be considered behind by traditional standards. The feelings I have had recently ordering their curriculum and why I chose not to push reading when they were younger. If you've ever questioned your timing, your choices, or wondered if you're doing enough, this episode is for you.

• Show Notes:
• 00:00 Intro
• 00:38 New Year Reflections and Family Health Challenges
• 03:01 Homeschooling Journey: Curriculum Choices and Family Dynamics
• 08:08 Introduction to Personal Passion and Jewelry Design
• 09:22 New Year Reflections and Family Health Challenges
• 09:24 Homeschooling Journey: Curriculum Choices and Family Dynamics
• 12:41 Navigating Learning Differences and Reading Progress
• 19:52 Trusting the Process: Embracing Individual Learning Paths
• 25:28 Embracing Individual Learning Journeys
• 25:59 The Importance of Mindful Parenting in Education
• 26:07 Building Confidence in Everyday Style
• 26:36 Rediscovering Your Personal Style

Links:

• State Laws for homeschool

• Check out my jewelry. Fun & feminine designs to help you feel like your most confident self. Use promo code: earrings at checkout for 10% off your first order!

www.ivianaandco.com

• Personal blog with family travel tips, homeschooling resources and the occasional DIY

www.stephriosblog.com

Let’s connect!

Join me on Facebook: Iviana & Co

Steph Rios Blog

Join me on Instagram: @ivianaandco

@stephriosblog

Leave a review!

Did this podcast episode resonate with you? If you found it helpful and meaningful, please leave a review wherever you listen to your podcasts. Also screenshot the episode and share it to your social network! I appreciate your support so much. Thank you!

~Steph

*I do make a small commission from amazon links as an amazon affiliate. No legal advice is being given in regards to homeschooling. Make sure to check your state laws and remain compliant with homeschool laws in your state

We are going to do a little recap in 2025 as we kick off 2026. 2025 stretched me, refined me, and surprised me in both motherhood, homeschooling, and business. This episode is both reflective and encouraging, and I am sharing five key lessons I learned from 2025 that are definitely gonna affect how I live life in 2026.

• Show Notes:
• 00:00 Intro
• 02:09 Embracing a New Homeschooling Rhythm
• 07:05 Emotional Regulation in Parenting
• 13:13 Balancing Business and Homeschooling
• 18:20 Tailoring Education to Fit Your Family
• 22:01 The Importance of Connection Over Perfection

Links:

• State Laws for homeschool

• Check out my jewelry. Fun & feminine designs to help you feel like your most confident self. Use promo code: earrings at checkout for 10% off your first order!

www.ivianaandco.com

• Personal blog with family travel tips, homeschooling resources and the occasional DIY

www.stephriosblog.com

Let’s connect!

Join me on Facebook: Iviana & Co

Steph Rios Blog

Join me on Instagram: @ivianaandco

@stephriosblog

Leave a review!

Did this podcast episode resonate with you? If you found it helpful and meaningful, please leave a review wherever you listen to your podcasts. Also screenshot the episode and share it to your social network! I appreciate your support so much. Thank you!

~Steph

*I do make a small commission from amazon links as an amazon affiliate. No legal advice is being given in regards to homeschooling. Make sure to check your state laws and remain compliant with homeschool laws in your state

Today, I am joined by Dr. Ashley Rankin, a psychologist, coach and author of Tilly’s Toolbox for Big Emotions. Dr. Rankin brings a wealth of clinical and real life experience to families, helping parents teach emotional literacy in simple, accessible ways; no psychology degree required. We’re talking about why emotional skills matter just as much as reading and math, how parents can help their kids name negative feelings, and how Dr. Rankin’s new book places practical tools directly in our hands as educators and moms.

• Show Notes:
• 00:00 Intro
• 01:01 The Importance of Emotional Skills in Education
• 01:06 Introduction to Homeschooling and Emotional Development
• 05:50 The Importance of Emotional Regulation in Education
• 10:10 Cultural Shifts in Emotional Awareness
• 13:37 The Connection Between Parent and Child Emotions
• 19:26 The Role of Connection in Effective Education
• 24:41 Challenges in the Public Education System
• 25:24 Diverse Educational Experiences
• 25:39 Introduction to Holiday Sparkle
• 26:05 Exclusive December Surprises
• 26:24 Introduction to Homeschooling and Emotional Development
• 26:25 Cultural Shifts in Emotional Awareness
• 26:25 Diverse Educational Experiences
• 28:58 Understanding Children's Emotions
• 32:28 The Importance of Emotional Regulation
• 36:27 Building Emotional Connections
• 40:19 Advice for Parents on Emotional Development
• 45:21 Navigating Big Emotions with Children
• 45:44 Building Confidence and Resilience in Kids

Links:

• Find her book Tilly's Toolbox for Big Emotions
• You can also find it on Amazon and Barns and Noble

State Laws for homeschool

• Check out my jewelry. Fun & feminine designs to help you feel like your most confident self. Use promo code: earrings at checkout for 10% off your first order!

www.ivianaandco.com

• Personal blog with family travel tips, homeschooling resources and the occasional DIY

www.stephriosblog.com

Let’s connect!

Join me on Facebook: Iviana & Co

Steph Rios Blog

Join me on Instagram: @ivianaandco

@stephriosblog

Leave a review!

Did this podcast episode resonate with you? If you found it helpful and meaningful, please leave a review wherever you listen to your podcasts. Also screenshot the episode and share it to your social network! I appreciate your support so much. Thank you!

~Steph

*I do make a small commission from amazon links as an amazon affiliate. No legal advice is being given in regards to homeschooling. Make sure to check your state laws and remain compliant with homeschool laws in your state

Today's guest is someone who brings so much compassion and clarity to a subject many homeschool families wrestle with, math. Dr. Jillian Alley is the founder of Compassionate Math and she believes something incredibly important. Math isn't just a cognitive process, it is an emotional one. Kids need to feel safe, supported, and confident in order to truly thrive.

She has over 15 years of teaching experience and has been an award-winning college professor and holds both a master's in mathematics and a PhD in teaching and teacher education. Dr. Ali has spoken across the country and internationally, helping schools and teachers transform the way they approach math instruction. Her mission is rooted in equity, encouragement, and the belief that math helps us understand the world that God has created.

passionate about helping families move from math anxiety to math confidence. And today she's here to share practical strategies and so much hope. I know this is a conversation that you will love.

www.compassionatemath.com

Today I'm sharing an experience that I had recently. This experience caused me to have to say no to doing something. And that is hard for me! I'm diving into the reasons why, the experience, and how I felt after saying no. Let me tell you, the feeling surprised me!

Show Notes:

• 00:00 Intro
• 02:54 The Struggles of People Pleasing
• 06:32 Setting Boundaries and Saying No
• 13:08 Finding Balance in Commitments
• 19:48 Personal Growth and Self-Acceptance
• 23:43 Embracing Homeschooling and Motherhood
• 24:14 Self-Care in the Midst of Motherhood

Links:

• Check out my jewelry. Fun & feminine designs to help you feel like your most confident self. Use promo code: earrings at checkout for 10% off your first order!

www.ivianaandco.com

• Personal blog with family travel tips, homeschooling resources and the occasional DIY

www.stephriosblog.com

Let's connect!

Join me on Facebook: Iviana & Co

Steph Rios Blog

Join me on Instagram: @ivianaandco

@stephriosblog

Leave a review!

Did this podcast episode resonate with you? If you found it helpful and meaningful, please leave a review wherever you listen to your podcasts. Also screenshot the episode and share it to your social network! I appreciate your support so much. Thank you!

~Steph

*I do make a small commission from amazon links as an amazon affiliate. No legal advice is being given in regards to homeschooling. Make sure to check your state laws and remain compliant with homeschool laws in your state.