Extraordinary Moms Podcast

      I love to cook and get so much of my dinner inspiration from social media. Whether it's Pinterest for endless dinner ideas, my favorite food blogs for new tried and true recipes, or Instagram for beautiful pics that leave me dreaming of having an at-home chef... there's never a shortage of ideas surrounding me. I became so intrigued by the Instagram account of Lisa McLeod, who posts daily pics of her beautiful (and healthy) meals. I was especially impressed by her gorgeous breakfast bowls. I literally need her to move into my home to cook for me. I reached out to her to ask how she got into healthy eating and what role that plays in her motherhood journey, and she happily agreed to share her journey with all of you. In today's episode, Lisa will share why she decided to try out the Whole30 approach to eating, in an effort to clean up her eating and impact her overall wellbeing. After developing healthier habits, her whole life changed and she feels like a better mom because of it. I had so many questions for her about simple ways to eat more healthfully and she shares some tips about dealing with picky eaters. It's a really practical episode that focuses on not only being intentional about what we eat, but also being more intentional in motherhood. Show Notes:  Learn more about Lisa on Instagram or on her website "Life Changing Magic of Tidying Up" by Marie Kondo Other recipe sources on Instagram: Stupid Easy Paleo or Whole30recipes Alton Brown sweet potato recipe "Running with the Mind of Meditation" by Sakyong Mipham Contact Jessica: Instagram//Facebook//Email

I'm back! I've had so many people reach out to me to bring back Friday episodes. And to be honest, I've really missed chatting with you and sharing my own journey and my own heart with you, so here we are. Instead of strictly following the Friday Favorites format, I've decided that Friday episodes will just be me sharing what's been on my mind. Maybe it's favorites, maybe it's thoughts on motherhood, maybe it's an article or book I read, maybe it's a life moment I want to share. Ultimately, I want the listeners to feel like we just got real and chatted about our life. Motherhood can be isolating, and in case you are in need of some adult conversation, I hope this can fill that need a bit. Then the last Friday of the month I will still feature a Mom of the Month. Hooray! So today I am chatting about my evolution as a mom, two articles I wrote for Power of Moms, and a sneak peak about next Tuesday's guest. So I hope you enjoy today's episode!

      Social media is amazing, because it can give you the opportunity to look into the lives of people that you would never otherwise meet. When I first started following The Bucketlist Family on Instagram, I was blown away. First, their photos of various places from around the world are amazing. Second, they have two little kids in tow. Third, how did this whole thing start? So I reached out to Jessica, the mom of the Bucketlist Family, and she kindly agreed to chat with me about their travels on today's episode. Jessica Gee never dreamed she would set out on an around the world travel adventure with her husband, Garrett, and two children, but she has really learned to love the minimalism, the adventure, and the art of living out of a suitcase. This is a fascinating look into a unique lifestyle that they are embracing as they check places off their "bucket list" and make family memories that will last a lifetime. You may not be in the position to take an around the world trek of your own, but talking with Jessica allows you to live vicariously through them. Show Notes:  Find out more about the Gee family on YouTube or Instagram Travel Resources: Airbnb and I Like Local Contact Jessica: Instagram//Facebook//Email

I've missed you, friends! When you start a new venture, like this podcast, you are constantly assessing and reassessing every decision you make. When I first started the show, I knew that I wanted to bring you a new episode every week featuring a different mom sharing their story. But very early on I realized that I wanted a chance to talk to you too... however, I didn't necessarily know if you wanted to hear from me. It's all trial and error. While the Friday episodes generally seemed to go over well, the uncertainty won over and I decided to do just one Friday episode a month where I featured an Extraordinary Mom of the Month Award recipient and a few favorite things. I'm still wavering on if that's how things will continue around here, but I'd love to hear from you and know if you miss the Friday episodes and want them back on a weekly basis. Let me know!!!! You guys... I LOVE hearing about all the extraordinary moms you know, so thank you if you submitted a name for this month's Extraordinary Mom of the Month Award, and our winner for March is..... Sherrie Burton. Sherrie is a Navy wife, mom of three boys, and her friend Brooke who nominated her says this of Sherrie, "She doesn't show up at your house with a loaf of bread when you need help- she shows up with a bucket to scrub your floors or car seats to whisk away your kids to the park. You will be happy you had the chance to know her even if it was only briefly." Wow! You can hear more from her on today's episode. Now for my favorites... I have some good ones today friends: The Great British Baking Show on Netflix. Now, lest you think I am one of those people that love British television... I am not. I like Downton Abbey, but that's about as deep as I get into that genre of entertainment. PBS has done it again and has produced a fabulous series (that sadly only has one season), based around a baking competition. I like cooking shows in general, but there is something about this one that is so endearing. First, the accents are to die for. Second, their baking challenges are so complex and impressive. Third, the variety of competitors makes this show! You have a construction worker, an 18-year-old girl, a grandmother, etc... These are not professional bakers. They are real people with a deep baking talent. And the hosts are so funny. My personal favorites are Norman and Martha. Let me know what you think. I really enjoyed it and teared up on the final episode... I'm weak. What am I reading lately? Thanks for asking. I'm reading, "Big Magic", by Elizabeth Gilbert. I'm sure you've already heard about this book but I give it my full recommendation. It is such a pleasant read, as she discusses how we are all creative beings and it is our duty to share whatever it is that is within us, with the world. When we let fear talk us out of creating or sharing our talents and passions, we are doing a disservice to the world and to ourselves. I'm about 3/4 of the way through and I never want the book to end. Check it out! Rach Talk. If you aren't already familiar with Rachel Hollis (of The Chic Site)... get familiar. I heard her on another podcast and instantly fell in love with her spunk, can-do attitude, and style. You can follow her on Instagram here and you can also watch these videos she puts together on YouTube called Rach Talk. Every week she just chats about random stuff, but each video is hilarious and so well edited. It just makes me smile and I know you'll love these. She also wrote some books that are a fun read as well. I would liken her book "Party Girl" to "The Devil ...

I feel so lucky that this podcast has allowed me the opportunity to connect with moms all around the world, and have meaningful conversations with extraordinary moms I would have never otherwise met. Heather Avis is one of those people. I originally found out about Heather through her Instagram account Macymakesmyday. On this feed, she gives a daily dose of positivity to her followers as she posts pictures and videos of her children, specifically Macy, her daughter with Down Syndrome. In today's episode, Heather will share with us about her battle with infertility and ultimately their decision to adopt three children, two of which have Down Syndrome. She is so vulnerable as she opens up about adopting a child with significant health challenges and struggling to bond with another one of her children. She offers hope to those who might be facing similar challenges of parenting children with special needs and by the end of the conversation, I feel like I've made a new friend. And I know you will feel the same. Enjoy my conversation with Heather.   Show Notes:  Follow Heather on Instagram or on her blog This is one of my favorite posts from Heather's blog speaking to parents of typical children Contact me: Instagram//Facebook//Email

Is there anything cuter than a baby fresh out of the bath? It's hands down one of the most precious sights you will ever see. Since having Jackson, I've been exclusively using Tubby Todd Bath Co products on his skin and let me tell you why for two reasons: 1) The scent is heavenly. Their flagship product has a lavender scent, and I find myself using it on my own hands with it after I'm done putting it on my baby! and 2) Jackson suffered from some eczema and we had trouble clearing it up on his cheeks. Tubby Todd products are ultimately what made the biggest difference on his skin. Halleluia. It just so happens that my friend Andrea Williams is the founder of this amazing bath company. She and her husband Brian founded the company when they were searching for natural, effective products to use on their own children. And it was a success! She has two little ones with one on the way. Today, Andrea and I will chat about how she manages to incorporate self-care into her life, while juggling motherhood and running a business. As someone who often times puts my own needs on the back burner, this was a conversation I needed to hear. You will love Andrea, her wisdom, and if you haven't already tried them, her Tubby Todd Bath Co products.               Show Notes:  Check out Tubby Todd Bath Co products (dream cream was dreamy on my eczema baby) Enter Andrea's Babylist Giveaway to win over $2000 of products (ends Friday 3/18) Follow Andrea of Instagram She mentioned her friend Elle's baby wrap company called Solly Baby Here's the book Andrea wrote Contact me: Instagram//Facebook//Email

Today's episode is a must listen. Almost 18 months ago, my friend Amy Kaechele got the terrible news that she had breast cancer. The road ahead entailed 4 months of chemo, followed by a double mastectomy. On top of all of this, she has three little kids who need their mom!  Bravely and with great positivity, she battled for her life and inspired all of us along the way. On today's interview, she will share with us how she felt when she heard those dreaded words "You have cancer," and what she feared the most. Amy is a fighter, and I can't wait for you to hear her story. Show Notes: Here's her video fundraising for the Breast Cancer 3-Day Walk! (get your tissues!) https://youtu.be/STCWmon19TQ Here's a video she put together of all the photos she received from around the country on her first day of chemo. If you ever know someone in a similar situation, this is a great way to boost their morale! https://youtu.be/ROcqPdXy1U8 Contact Jessica: Instagram//Facebook//Email

Welcome to Episode 18 of the Extraordinary Moms Podcast! I'm so excited to share with you my conversation with Janssen Bradshaw. Janssen is the creator of the blog Everyday Reading, where she shares books reviews, top book lists she's curated, as well as other fun content like fashion finds, recipes, and thoughts on motherhood. Janssen worked for several years as an elementary school librarian and has passed along her love of reading to her three young girls. In today's interview, Janssen will share how she fits reading into her busy life, tips for making the most out of library visits, and what she advises for parents of struggling readers. And in case you are looking for some book recommendations, she gives her favorites for every demographic. You'll love Janssen and she will get you excited to start reading! Show Notes:  Find out more about Janssen on her blog, on Instagram, or on Facebook Alexander's Amazing Adventures- we talked about this audio series which teaches children values. Sunlit Pages- another great reading resource Book Recommendations:  Her favorite adult book: "What Alice Forgot" by Liane Moriarty Picture Books: "Oliver and Amanda Pig", "Bread and Jam for Francis", "Make Way for Ducklings", "The Book with No Pictures", Mac Barnett books (funny!) like "Count the Monkeys" Wordless Books: "Journey" series by Aaron Becker Read Aloud chapter books: Beverly Cleary books, "The Boxcar Children", "Little House on the Prairie", "The Penderwicks" series, Heidi Hecklebeck series,

Oh hey... we're back with another Friday Favorites episode. In addition, I am happy to announce our very first Extraordinary Mom of the Month Award recipient. We had some great nominations, and I plan to do this every month to give you a chance to share with the world who you think is an extraordinary mom. Wouldn't you love to be called out for being EXTRAORDINARY??? That's the idea... to lift each other up. So our Extraordinary Mom of the Month for February is Robin Smith. Robin was nominated by her friend/niece Kristen. As you'll hear in the episode, Kristen's aunt sadly died of a heart condition when she was only 38 years old. She left behind her loving husband and 7 children! Then, her widow met Robin, a divorced mom of four children. When they met online, Robin laughed it off... imagine... 11 children! But, they fell in love and blended their two families. It's an amazing story of hope, love, and faith. You'll love my conversation with Robin. She truly is extraordinary! Now my favorites... I will just do two since I gave the award... and Robin counts as one of my favorites. 1.This quote... "Be gentle with yourself, you're doing the best you can." I have this posted above my computer and everyday it reminds me to afford myself the grace I so willingly give to others on a daily basis. As long as we are doing our best, we are doing enough. And best does not mean perfect! 2. Coffee and Crumbs blog. I spoke with Lesley Miller on Episode 14, and she is a contributor for this blog. There are multiple writers who share their thoughts on life and motherhood, and everytime I read an essay I just feel wonderful. They touch on themes that are so relevant to my life and with complete candor, the thoughts they share both glorify motherhood as well as keep it real. I love this essay by Lesley and this one about acknowledging that you're a wonderful mom (I literally cried while reading it). As a mom, I love finding out about new resources that can inspire me, teach me, and make me laugh. This blog is one of those resources. I hope everyone has an awesome week and I can't wait for Tuesday's episode! I am talking with Janssen Bradshaw of Everyday Reading, and she'll share how she makes time for reading and her top book recommendations. Get excited!

I am so excited to bring you a fascinating interview today, looking into the world of foster care. Today I am talking with my friend Sarah Paxton. Sarah is a Michigan native who got her BA in Journalism. She has four kids - Ava who is 10, Violet who is 8, North who is 5, and Evelyn who is 2. She and her husband Tyler have been married 11 years and have been  licensed foster parents in Michigan since 2013. Sarah shares very openly about her foster care experience, after having 2 brothers placed in her care twice over the course of the past 3 years. The experience definitely had its challenges, but I love Sarah's perspective about giving these kids a chance at stability and learning to embrace the unknown. She also shares how fostering affected her biological children and what she wants you to know about children in the foster care system. It's a compelling episode. Regardless of whether you feel called to foster care, the take away from this episode is that we can all do SOMETHING to serve children in need.  Show Notes:  For more information about fostering and adoption. Find out more about Sarah on : Facebook - Sarah Culver Paxton Instagram Contact Jessica: Instagram//Facebook//Email

Hi Friends. Thanks for joining me for another Friday Favorites episode. I have some goodies for you today... Nail polish... Brand= Sinful Colors Professional; Color= Pink Forever. Usually I like my Essie polishes, but I was looking for just the right shade of bubble gum pink (I say the term "bubble gum pink about 85 times in this episode... you're welcome). Lo and behold I found what I was looking for at Marshalls (by the checkout). I love the quality and color of this polish. It's lasted two weeks without any major scuffs. Love it and the bright color just makes the winter dreariness so much happier. If you're a finger nail polish person, give it a try. (Please note it's the color on my nails in the pic below). "The Fringe Hours" by Jessica Turner. I just finished this book and thoroughly enjoyed it. I don't know about you, but this 24/7 motherhood business can be pretty tough sometimes. Between tending to your children and being there for your husband, there seems to be very little time left for YOU. The Fringe Hours, is the term she uses for those pockets of time during the day where you can do something for yourself. I love how she mentions that if you look over your day, you'll find various times of waste, waiting, or available minutes where you can truly choose how you spend your time. And if we are wise, we will do the things that bring us joy, fill our soul, and serve us well. Instead of just waiting idly at the doctor's office, have a good book in your purse to pass the time. At night when you are exhausted, do the dishes REALLY need to be done, or can you choose to cozy up on the couch with a warm cup of tea? I love this idea that when we are energizing ourselves through small doses of "me-time", we can truly be better as we serve those around us. Trader Joe's Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Cups. These are little bites of heaven. They also come in milk chocolate, if dark chocolate isn't your jam, but trust me... these are gooooood. They come in a container over above the freezer section or in a plastic bag in a smaller quantity at checkout. Throw these in the cart next time you are checking out. Sooo good and the perfect treat at the end of the day (or middle, or beginning... anytime really). So there you go. Enjoy my three favorite things for this week. Talk to you on Instagram for Mom Talk Monday!

I am so thrilled to bring you a really compelling interview today for Episode 14. Lesley Miller and I have never met in person, but from the second we started chatting, I knew she was an extraordinary mom and a truly special person. Lesley is a writer who contributes on the blog Coffe + Crumbs, as well as being the mom to two little ones and wife of 11 years to her husband. They live in Southern California, and while we do talk about her motherhood journey, we also focus a lot on how she managed to keep her marriage strong when her husband was diagnosed with cancer only three months after the birth of their first daughter. We talk about facing uncertainty, teaching your children about handling trials, and the best decision she made in her marriage. Enjoy my conversation with Lesley. Show Notes:  Books we mentioned: When Breath Becomes Air, Great with Child: Letters to a Young Mother, The Fringe Hours To know more about Lesley and to read some of her incredible writing, you can find her at Coffee +Crumbs, on Instagram, on Twitter @lesleymiller, and on her personal blog. Contact Jessica: Instagram//Facebook//Email

When I posted the Mom Talk Monday on Instagram asking for your favorite podcasts, I got some great new ideas! Thanks for sharing what you listen to. In addition, I also found out that there are some of you who would LOVE to listen to the Extraordinary Moms Podcast, but you don't know how! I was in your shoes not long ago, and once I figured out how to listen on my phone, the heavens parted and my household chores and drives to school have never been the same. I love podcasts, because they are shorter than an audio book and they allow me to listen to something engaging, informational, or inspirational while I complete my daily tasks. There are so many awesome podcasts out there, and I will share with you some of my favorites in a minute. But first... I need to teach you how to listen to a podcast. The problem is if you don't know how to listen to a podcast... you can't listen to the "How to Listen to a Podcast" episode. So in addition to this audio episode, I will also be sharing written instructions below. Hopefully that's helpful. If you have any other questions, feel free to comment below. iPhone Listeners... Easy Answer... Find purple podcast app on your phone (it's already there) and then search for this podcast and click Subscribe. More in-depth answer... There is a purple icon with a picture of a microphone with sound waves around it... and it's labelled "Podcasts". That is an app that is ALREADY ON YOUR PHONE! You may not have known it existed, but it's always been there and it's impossible to delete (crazy, I know!). From there, you click it and then click the magnifying glass in the lower right hand corner. Search "Extraordinary Moms Podcast." You will then see several episodes listed and right below that you'll see the podcast art under the word "Podcasts." Click on the podcast artwork. That opens up the show. Next to where you see the stars to rate the show (which you should definitely do if you haven't already), you can click the purple word "Subscribe". This will allow you to have any new episodes that come out automatically sent to your My Podcasts episode list. You can also download individual episodes by clicking on the cloud with the arrow graphic next to the episode you want. You can also just click on the title and stream it using your data, but if you download it, it will save it in your "Unplayed" list and you'll know exactly which episodes you haven't listened to. The Unplayed tab (down in the bottom left corner) lists all new episodes from the podcasts you are subscribed to, or individual episodes you've downloaded. The "My Podcasts" tab (second tab from bottom left) lists all shows you're subscribed to. In the event that you want to listen to more podcasts than just mine... hahaha... you can search individual podcasts using the magnifying glass or to see what else is out there you can look at the "Top Charts" in various categories (down at the bottom next to the magnifying glass). Android listeners... You are going to need to download an app from Google Play to listen to podcasts. I like Stitcher, but there are several others (BeyondPod, PodBean). You'll just need to find the one that works best for you. If using Stitcher, you look up "Extraordinary Moms Podcast" and then click the + sign to add it to your favorites. If you click on the little gear in the upper right corner you can get it to automatically upload new episodes. What are my favorite podcasts? Here are my top 5: Serial. Season One of this podcast revisits the case of Adnan Sayed who was convicted of murdering his high school girlfriend. The host goes over the case evidence and provides additional interviews that plant the question in the mind of the listener,

I'm so excited to bring you a different type of episode today. I love to read, but unfortunately the books pile up on my nightstand faster than I can read them. With three little ones, there isn't much time during the day when my hands are free and I can sit down with a good book. However, I did make it a goal this year to read more, so I'm making it a priority whenever possible. There is so much amazing literature out there and I just want to read it all. BUT I DON'T HAVE TIME! That is why I am doing this special "Book Club" edition of the Extraordinary Moms Podcast. Every month or so, I will dedicate an episode to chatting with a fellow mom about a book that you might have on your nightstand or reading list. It might be a parenting book, but it could also be a fun or thought provoking read. The idea is that after you listen to the episode,  you will feel like you read the book without ever actually having to open it. In addition, you will also get the benefit of our conversation about the content just like you might chat with your girlfriends in your own book club. I think these episodes are going to be so fun and informative and I look forward to diving into great books this year. The book we are going to be covering today is, "The Five Love Languages of Children" by Gary Chapman and Ross Campbell. You may have heard of the adult version, which is also awesome, but I just love how this book focuses on how our children receive and give love. In this episode, I chat with my good friend Stephanie Marston, who is my go-to person for all my parenting questions and book recommendations. She was a natural choice for this book club conversation. You can check out her cute family below. I really hope you enjoy this episode and as always, you can get more information about what we talked about in the show notes below. Enjoy!      Show Notes: "The Five Love Languages of Children" "The Five Love Languages"- adult version Positive Parenting Solutions- We mentioned Amy McCready's tip of spending one on one time with your child. "Best Nine Minutes"- Podcast from Power of Moms Radio. Awesome! Contact Jessica:  Instagram//Facebook//Email  

Happy Friday everyone. Hope you have all had a great week. It's really flown by for our family and to be honest, I love that. I love when I wake up on a Thursday morning and think, "Wow! Tomorrow's Friday. We did it!" Anyway, I have some great favorites for you today and also, on the audio recording for this post, I have a very special co-host joining me... my almost 6 year old son, Parker. Last week I mentioned how he thinks it's so cool that I have a "broadcast" and he was really excited when I offered to have him join me. He's convinced this will make him "famous." He's really into becoming famous lately. So, tune in to hear his thoughts on life, Valentine's Day, and school. Also, he challenges me in identifying all the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. I am a mom of boys... what can I say? On to my favorites... This cornbread. I love cornbread and especially in the winter months when I am making chili and ham and bean soup regularly, this is my go-to recipe. I get lots of compliments on it and even though I love the honey butter that goes along with it, I just love it plain as well. So easy and delish. And as a side note, I make a lot of the recipes from Mel's Kitchen Cafe and love them all. She's a great, family recipe idea resource. I'm on a food kick. This Chicken Tortilla Soup recipe is the bomb. I use shredded rotisserie chicken that I had pre-shredded and had in the freezer (remember that chicken tip I gave you a few weeks ago... boom!). And the rest of the ingredients are simple and I usually have them on hand. Also, because it's a broth base, it freezes really well. A lot of times, meals coming from the freezer gross me out, but let me tell you that I just pulled out a carton of this soup a few nights ago, and it was just as good as the first night. I also love making the homemade tortilla chips in the oven. Makes it extra special. Reading... I made it a goal this year to read more. I have a running list of books I want to get to and I have made it a priority to Netflix less and read more. And guess what? it's working! I think I'm on my 12th book since September, which is huge for me. Also, I'm going to be doing a book club episode every month or so, to give my listeners out there who also struggle with finding time to read a chance to listen in on a discussion about a great book. The first book club episode will be this Tuesday, and the book will be "The Five Love Languages of Children". The takeaways are really practical and I LOVE the focus on helping our kids to really FEEL our love for them. So important. So there you go. Those are the things that are making my heart sing this week. Be sure to follow me on Instagram (jessicadahlquist3) because on Monday I will have another Mom Talk Monday, where I post a short video with a discussion question. Last week we talked about favorite podcasts. You are definitely going to want to get in on this conversation. As always, share the podcast with a friend who might enjoy it. You're the best! Contact Jessica:  Instagram//Facebook//Email