Hear Motherhood

In this episode of Hear Motherhood, Meg Hulsey talks about how she her desire to help one child express himself creatively bloomed into a thriving non-profit that has nurtured the same traits in hundreds of other children.   hearmotherhood.com

In this episode, I chat about bad habits (telling myself I'm old) and big projects (32 paintings in 32 days!!). Check out hearmotherhood.com/latebloomer for more details.

So many times, when doing the back and forth between motherhood and the rest of life, we just “do”. That is, we don’t often stop and think about how we do or what we do. We (I) just chug along, going from one activity to the next. I think that’s one of the reasons I appreciated this week’s guest so much. Whitney seemed especially thoughtful about how she spends her days taking care of her son and how that affects her business and creative life. I know that, personally,my "thoughtful parenting" only extends to reflection and this episode helps by challenging me to be thoughtful in the moment. Check out more at hearmotherhood.com! In this episode you will learn: How she got started in letterpress printing Her take on how there are seasons in making and mothering interact How her toddler is becoming a mini chef The give and take between what you want to be and what you actually are The attention span of a toddler and how she works at working at home while keeping him occupied (a reference to episode 4) Why rushing is enemy number and how she and her son have started tackling this issue. That tiny emails are her balance strategy Our theory on the superpower of grandparents

HearMotherhood.com Quite a few times in the recent past I've heard people saying, "I loved that episode - I could tell that your guest and I would totally be friends!" And I adore that. I really appreciate that, during these conversations, you're able to get a glimpse of the woman behind the artistic talent and creative drive. Ironically, it's as I get further into this motherhood thing, that I'm beginning to appreciate the value of friendship more and more. This is a value that this episode's guest Meg Moorhouse of Love and Victory also appreciates and has intentionally cultivated alongside her creative business. If I lived in Brooklyn, Meg and I would totally be friends. After listening to this episode I bet you'll find yourself saying the same thing. Check out the Creative Canvas at Hear Motherhood.

We live in a virtual world. With a swipe you can travel to the most exotic destination, your hometown high school, or your favorite boutique in a matter of seconds. But once you're there what compels you to stay? As Danielle, Creative Director at The Land of Nod, a children's furnishings company would probably tell you, that decision is heavily tied to “stay”, and ultimately “buy”, is how you feel when you see that image, read the description, or experience a store setting. As the person in charge of The Land of Nod experience, Danielle is able to handle this responsibility, in part, because of the lessons she's learned as a mom. Go to hearmotherhood.com to access exclusive resources for creative women.  

Check out the all the details on hearmotherhood.com Amy of MomAdvice.com is one of those women who it's easy to be amazed by. I've been on a Harry Potter streak lately and after looking at everything that Amy makes happen (the Sundays With Writers series, grew her site by 4 million visits, two beautiful creative kids, the list goes on) it's easy to wonder if she has a Hermione inspired Time Turner so that she's able to be two places at once. Her actual solution is much better than magic. By setting up some basic parameters for herself, taking advantage of technology hacks, and knowing when to ask for help, Amy has managed to immerse herself in a creative career that allows her to take care of her family and her career in a unique way.

Join host Paige Ray as she gets a sneak peek into the day of creative mama Danielle Kurtz of The Land of Nod's day as the Christmas morning draws closer. Hear more at hearmotherhood.com.

The full Hear Motherhood experience. Artist Emily Jeffords is a woman in transition. When I met her three years ago she considered herself a creative woman, mother, and blogger. Since then her oil paintings have enchanted those who see them and she has switched her focus to becoming a full-time painter. As a mom of two young girls, she is embracing a non-traditional schedule as a way to capture the best of motherhood and professional growth. In this episode, we talk about this and other methods that she uses to continue growing personally and professionally.

With the holiday season upon us, lots of you mamas out there will likely be more time in planes, trains, and automobiles.  In this episode of the Hear Motherhood podcast, I talk with my friend and fellow creative mom MJ about traveling with kids and the larger life lessons we have learned during our adventures.   For more info visit: hearmotherhood.com

Hi & thanks for listening! Check out all of the creative mama goodness at hearmotherhood.com In past episodes of Hear Motherhood we often talked about the guest’s children but in this this episode we go straight to the source and talk to Jennifer’s kids: Ellie and Jonah. Their answer to the question “How is your mother creative?” may surprise you. It certainly surprised me. Also, Jennifer gets real about the fears that accompany freelance work and how her children's view of "normal" may be a bit skewed because of she and her husband's creative freelance careers.

Feedback? hearmotherhood.com Imagine a personal letter written directly to you, addressing your exact struggles, sent at the exact time you needed to receive the advice within. That feeling: the relief, the comfort, the gratitude, the hope, the encouragement, that was the exact thing I felt when I first encountered the Mother Manifesto. If memory serves, there were tears involved.Exhaustion, happiness, sadness...take your pick. At that point, only weeks into my journey as a mom, reading that post connected to the Mother Manifesto was a lifeline that helped ground me in what I knew to be true... but was too dazed to remember. In this episode, I talk with the woman who started this social media movement to see how she handles the storms of motherhood.

Thanks for listening to Hear Motherhood.   Isn’t it funny how a series of moments in your life can have so much impact that you remember it with the intensity and detail of a favorite movie scene? Those moments when, because of the abilities of our bodies to truly soak up the important times, you are able to, in a way, detach yourself from the memory and see it as someone else may. That’s exactly the experience I felt like I was given as a part of my birth story. While not a recounting of my full childbirth experience (check the Links and Resources section for more on that) this episode zeros in on the few minutes of the “pushing” part of labor. In this episode, I also talk about how the nurses who were at my side were perfect examples of how women can support other women. In this episode you’ll learn: Why stories are so important to humans. My reaction to having approximately a dozen people in the room while I was having a baby. How the sweetness of a student nurse encouraged me with both her sweetness and inexperience How the step-by-step procedures of a more experienced nurse guided me Why I “got stuck” during my birth process The benefit to having a stern “drill sergeant” helped me get un-stuck

Thanks for listening to Hear Motherhood! Want to stay in touch - Subscribe to the Creative Mama Challenges.   In this episode, cinematographer Sarah Shotts explains how she began documenting heirloom recipes and how she's looking to crowd-funding to allow her to sharing stories of people across the world. In this episode you will learn:  The definition of S.T.I.R How an adopted grandmother’s heirloom recipe inspired the Project STIR process Why Sarah wants to change the thought of the kitchen from one of drudgery to that of creative expression This cinematographer's secret to her “fly on the wall” method of documentation The definition of “a makin’” How the reality of a budget helped her Kickstarter goals become more real Sarah’s method to overcome creative self-doubt How to begin your own “is this even possible?!” big project

Thanks for listening to out Hear Motherhood! Like what you're hearing? Tweet it out! How to grow as an illustrator with a growing family Stacie's creative career started off like a lot of design-minded individuals - When she couldn't find nursery decor she liked she decided to make it herself. Ever since that first sketch, her creative business and motherhood have been intricately intertwined. In this episode she describes what she knows about how to grow as an illustrator as well as the business challenges and opportunities that come with big growth. Can a creative mama really have it all? Check out this episode to find out. In this episode you will learn: What the worst season to move / be on bed rest / have a baby is for someone involved in the retail world Why having low stakes makes a nice transition when you’re starting a creative career How she decided to focus on her strengths so that she could grow her business How her previous job at Starbucks transferred over to her current job as an illustrator Why inventory got the best of her (one word: summer) and how she handles other less creative parts of her creative career Copyright infringement and the non-fun aspects of someone being “highly-inspired” by your work The creative activity she uses to focus on her kids, even when her work is demanding her time and focus The challenge of a new baby’s lack of sleep and Why coffee is her super power About a time when her focus was great… but other areas of her life suffered Why she values her non-social media relationships above most things

Hi there. Thanks for listening - come check out the full Hear Motherhood experience at http://hearmotherhood.com   On this episode of the Hear Motherhood podcast, Amber Perrodin of The Little Craft Show, Team Springdale and Perrodin Supply Company talks about her journey from majoring in Fine Arts to becoming a creative brand manager. This conversation is all about the juggle that this creative mom faces as she works at home (“Why can’t you play Barbies with me?!”) and her version of creative tough love (one word: entrepreneurship). In this conversation you will also hear: How she manages four brands Why getting an art degree wasn’t an option… but a “have-to” How necessity was the mother of her family’s creative businesses The value of recording your day The role of food (specifically “the art of the oven”) in her creative family Her technique to sculpt an instagram post How her self proclaimed “hyper-sensitivity” helps her in her work Her thoughts on being intentional about showing affection to her family The one question amber’s husband asks her to reconnect at the end of their shared work day Thanks for listening! Thank you for taking the time to listen to this conversation about the work that goes on to make social media happen.Have something to add? I would love to hear from you - how do you try to connect with people on social media?Let me know by being part of the conversation on The Motherhood (the closed Facebook group for creative moms). Want to really help out Hear Motherhood? I would love if you would leave an honest rating and review on iTunes- your feedback helps other creative mamas find the show!Click here for a quick tutorial to learn how to leave a rating and review on Itunes. Also- Are you a subscriber? Check out the tutorials to learn how to subscribe to the Hear Motherhood podcast, so the you get automatic updates and be notified when there are new conversations with creative mamas. Subscribe to my email list. [mc4wp_form]

Hello and thanks for listening! Want to receive all the creative mama goodness? Come join the party. On today’s solo show I get super personal about something that I struggle with a lot: mom guilt. Truth be told- I struggled with guilt before I became a mom. (I was seriously that weird kid that cried when my little brother did something wrong.) But being a mom puts guilt in a totally new (and much more harsh!) light. While some it is society / social media induced (“Pinterest perfect” is a thing for a reason!), I would argue that most of it comes from our own thinking about ourselves and the world. In this conversation you will also hear: My reasoning on why negative emotions are the most helpful Why guilt is an indicator of being a good mom How guilt is like a hyper sensitive newborn Why all the moms on Hear Motherhood are asked to go beyond the things they choose to highlight on their Instagram feed The real questions I ask myself when I’m spending time on this podcast instead of… you know… hanging out with my kid… Why I have decided to leave the oil paints to my friend Emily Jeffords How letting your phone buzz can help increase productivity and decrease mom guilt How to take your work analog (and a shout out to episode 4!) can also help decrease the guilty feelings Want more information? Check me out.

Thanks for stopping by! Check out hearmotherhood.com for all the creative mama goodness!! Homeschool, summer camp, launching a brand new product...with a business partner who lives across the country: Just reading the list of this creative mama’s accomplishments makes me tired. In this episode of Hear Motherhood, Danielle of Crafting Connections shares how she is adamant about claiming time to herself first thing in the morning and how this helps her be a better mom and a more creative person. In this conversation you will also learn: Why she & her partner decided to press pause on her digital and print magazine AND How they made their work fit who they were again. How she feeds herself creatively. Why she uses social media first thing in the morning despite some reservations Her definition of the best five days (which I describe it as “mom sleep over camp”) How she’s dealing with the ebb and flow of her children’s independence The benefit of summer camps to home schooled kids How her family decided WHICH camps to attend How working in analog helps her work most efficiently throughout the day Why she feels more focused on her children while knitting Her family’s take on screen time How an offhand comment about yoga changed her world for the better Her method for deciding what’s priority throughout her day Links and Resources: The Artist's Way The Creative Guide- Issue 1: Getting Gauge Squam You can find Danielle here: Crafting Connections

Imagine for a minute that you and your family had the opportunity to escape the everyday experience of the suburbs and move to a cozy cottage on a craggy shore of Scotland. For Alison Chino, a travel writer from my home state of Arkansas, this isn’t an afternoon daydream but the life she, her husband, and their four kids have been living for the past two years.   I’m excited for you to hear Alison’s strategy on Hear Motherhood on how she is able to combine her two creative loves (the outdoors and writing) alongside being the best mother she can be.   In this conversation, you’ll learn: What it's like to move four kids across the globe for three years. How Alison claimed her title of "writer" after years of struggle. Tips to become a travel writer. The importance of finding your creative sweet spot. How indulging in her “guilty pleasure” makes her a better mom. Her counterintuitive productivity tip that allows her to maximize her writing time. Strategies for dealing with the technical parts of a creative career. The three benefits of not consuming others content. Her two guiding principles that help her decide where to spend her time.   Links and resources mentioned in this conversation:   Alisonchino.com Travel Bloggers Exchange Conference Arkansas Women Bloggers Dr. Margaret Rutherford THANKS FOR LISTENING! It would be awesome if you shared Hear Motherhood with your fellow #creativemamas on twitter. Click here to tweet some love! If you really appreciated this episode, head on over to iTunes and leave me a rating, a review and subscribe! Ways to subscribe to Hear Motherhood •Click here to subscribe via iTunes•Click here to subscribe via RSS•You can also subscribe via Stitcher I'D LOVE TO HEAR FROM YOU!! Ask your questions, give your feedback, or send your mommy confession to paige@hearmotherhood.com

Ellen was like a lot of young twenty-somethings: She had a rocking career and a great set of girl friends when she met the man who would become her husband.  While she’s not one to obsess about “happily ever after”, she knew that he was special and the life she had lived up to that point was about to change.   As the first guest of Hear Motherhood, Ellen and I talk about both the opportunities and challenges that motherhood brings to a creative.   In this session you’ll hear: Why a colicky baby became her motivation to blog How she stumbled her way into being a contributor for HGTV DIY Network Why it’s not about having lots of readers but the right reader The one thing about motherhood that drives her crazy What she’s thinking when her daughter is acting out Why it took this former yoga teacher three years to get serious about exercising after she became a mother Her travel rituals & the reasoning behind her recorded “love messages” The struggles of having two parents who pursue their creative passions How her “mother bear” experience has made her be a better mom The 30% theory of parenting   Right click here & “save-as” to download this conversation to your computer!   Links and resources mentioned in this conversation: maderemade.com diynetwork.com greatamericancountry.com The Quiet Revolution Kristin Howerton   Where you can find Ellen: https://twitter.com/ellenfoord https://instagram.com/ellenfoord/https://www.facebook.com/MinnowandCo   THANKS FOR LISTENING! It would be awesome if you shared Hear Motherhood with your fellow #creativemamas on twitter. Click here to tweet some love! If you really appreciated this episode, head on over to iTunes and leave me a rating, a review and subscribe! Ways to subscribe to Hear Motherhood •Click here to subscribe via iTunes•Click here to subscribe via RSS•You can also subscribe via Stitcher I'D LOVE TO HEAR FROM YOU!! Ask your questions, give your feedback, or send your mommy confession to paige@hearmotherhood.com  

Hello! Welcome to Hear Motherhood, the podcast that asks, “Can motherhood and creativity coexist?”  In this episode I introduce myself, explain my initial fears of motherhood, and reveal my reasoning behind starting a parenting podcast as a brand new parent.   In this episode you will learn:   What my (super unattractive) mental image of myself was, once I became pregnant. Why I ask, “Am I doing this right?” a hundred times a day.(Hint: I have no clue what I’m doing.) The difference in not having any “extra” time and not having any “alone” time + how those two concepts are equally important for this creative introvert. How fried food was both a blessing and a curse during my pregnancy. Why Hear Motherhood will follow creative moms through a “day-in-the-life”.   THANKS FOR LISTENING! It would be awesome if you shared Hear Motherhood with your fellow #creativemamas on twitter. Click here to tweet some love! If you really appreciated this episode, head on over to iTunes and leave me a rating, a review and subscribe! Ways to subscribe to Hear Motherhood •Click here to subscribe via iTunes•Click here to subscribe via RSS•You can also subscribe via Stitcher I'D LOVE TO HEAR FROM YOU!! Ask your questions, give your feedback, or send your mommy confession to paige@hearmotherhood.com