Chill Like a Mother Podcast

<p>This show shares stories, offers tips and tricks, and provides education to help you feel more chill like the mother you know you want to be. <br /><br /></p><p>Hey! I'm Kayla Huszar, a creative counsellor who's all about unconventional therapy that encourages creativity, curiosity and finding what makes you feel alive (again). I've helped so many women navigate the waves (ups and downs) of motherhood, and I'm here for you, too!<br /><br /></p><p>So, if you're feeling overwhelmed or need a moment to yourself, grab your headphones and press play on an episode! <br /><br /><b>You're not alone, and you already know what you need. </b></p>

A Meditation for Moms: When You're Not Fine But Keep Saying You Are

Send us a text Tired of saying "I'm fine" when your body and brain are screaming for honesty? This guided meditation helps overwhelmed mothers stop pretending and start feeling—without forcing a fix. What You'll Get: A 7-minute practice that meets you where you are: angry, sad, touched out, or completely empty. We start with breath work and body scanning, then move into five practical tools that turn emotional awareness into compassionate action. The Meditation for Moms: Settle into ordinary ...

11-05
10:41

Nervous System Overwhelm: Why Moms Can't Always Stay Regulated

Send us a text Ever slammed your hands on the table and yelled "ENOUGH!" when the noise and chaos became too much? You're not alone, and contrary to what social media might have you believe, it's not a parenting failure—it's biology. In this eye-opening conversation with therapist Charlie, we explore the myth that mothers should be regulated all the time. Charlie explains how our nervous systems were never designed to handle modern life's constant bombardment of stimuli. Research shows we pr...

09-23
15:09

When This Mom Stopped Being the Default Parent (Everything Changed) with Ryley Miller

Send us a text You know that mental catalog that's constantly running in your brain? The one calculating diaper changes, grocery lists, and whether there's milk for tomorrow's cereal while you're doing three other things? What if I told you that mental load doesn't have to be yours alone to carry? In this episode, I'm joined by Ryley Miller, Executive Director of Rise of Society Alberta, for an honest conversation about the unseen emotional labor of motherhood and what happens when you actual...

09-02
25:34

Breaking Parenting Cycles Without Breaking Yourself

Send us a text Ever find yourself swearing under your breath while trying to be the "good mom" – only to feel overcome with guilt moments later? You're not alone. The messy truth about mom rage rarely makes it to social media, but it's something almost every mother experiences. What happens when you're a therapist who can't follow her own advice? In this raw episode, I share a particularly hard parenting day where I experienced that uncomfortable yet surprisingly righteous anger, then questio...

07-01
13:40

Beyond the Scroll: How Adult Coloring Books Can Reset Your Exhausted Mom Brain

Send us a text It's 9:05pm. You're hollowed-out exhausted, the kids are finally quiet, and you're zombie-scrolling hoping the algorithm throws you a lifeline. But that "calm" you're chasing? It's not really calm - it's just avoidant numbness dressed up like peace. What if I told you there's something better you can do with those 10 minutes? Something that actually helps your nervous system instead of keeping it stuck in fight-or-flight? In this episode, we're talking about why grabbing your k...

06-10
08:37

NICU, Anger & Diapers That Felt Like Milestones: Chelsea’s Story of Hope

Send us a text What happens when a mental health professional finds herself on the other side of the desk - struggling, spiralling, and split wide open by a birth plan that was never part of the plan? In this raw and resonant conversation, Chelsea - co-owner of Couples to Cradles and co-founder of Mama Psychologists - invites us into the story of her early motherhood: one that begins with unexpected labor at just 27 weeks and unravels into a 15-week NICU stay, a cardiac diagnosis, and the kin...

05-20
24:34

Mental Load, Memory Fog, and the Myth of “Mommy Brain” with neuroscientist Dr. Jodi Pawluski

Send us a text You walk into a room, forget why, stand there blinking like a confused Sims character. Then you start spiralling: Is my brain broken? Is this what motherhood does?! If that moment feels freakishly familiar, this episode is your official permission slip to stop blaming your brain - and start understanding it. In this illuminating convo on Chill Like a Mother, Kayla Huszar chats with neuroscientist Dr. Jodi Pawluski to dismantle the myth of “mommy brain” as a bad thing. Instead, ...

05-06
32:22

Beyond the Mom Mask: ADHD, Authenticity, and Breaking Free from Perfect Parenting

Send us a text In this episode of Chill Like a Mother, I sit down with the brilliant Stacey and Stephanie to have a real, raw, and slightly irreverent chat about the wild ride that is gentle parenting - especially for neurodivergent moms. We’re peeling back the layers on the emotional toll of motherhood, the sneaky ways shame and guilt creep in, and why holding onto our own identity and creative expression isn’t just "nice to have" - it’s essential for survival. We’re also getting real ...

03-25
28:29

Mom Guilt Rehab: Joy, Chaos & Giving Zero F*cks

Send us a text Listen, motherhood wasn’t supposed to feel like one long, unpaid internship in exhaustion. You don’t need a permission slip to take care of yourself—you need a damn strategy. Welcome to Mom Guilt Rehab, the podcast that helps you ditch the martyr mindset, reclaim your energy, and stop treating joy like a cute little side dish you only get if the house is clean and the laundry isn't regenerating overnight like some kind of sorcery. Host Kayla Huszar—therapist, creative coach, an...

03-11
22:49

The Radical Act of Guilt-Free Self-Care for Moms

Send us a text Women and mothers are changing the world—but not if they’re exhausted, underfed, and running on fumes. In this episode, we’re diving deep into what real self-care looks like beyond the bubble baths and face masks. Spoiler: It’s about meeting your own basic human needs without apology. My guest, Tami, shares her personal wake-up call—when an acupuncturist bluntly told her she was on the fast track to burnout. Sound familiar? Maybe your moment is realizing you haven’t eaten a ful...

03-04
37:33

Sensory Overload in Motherhood: Why You Feel Like You're Losing It and How to Feel More Calm

Send us a text Your problem isn’t just the noise and chaos of motherhood—it’s how your nervous system is processing it. Ever feel like you’re one loud noise away from snapping? Motherhood is a full-sensory experience—from the constant demands to the mental load that never stops. If you’ve ever wondered why everything feels so overwhelming, this episode is for you. I’m joined by occupational therapist Cindy Goldhawk to break down why moms experience sensory overload and, more importantly, what...

02-18
26:07

Gentle Parenting: Raising Emotionally Intelligent Kids with Creative Parenting

Send us a text This episode delves into the complexities of gentle parenting, particularly when navigating the unique emotional and behavioral needs of neurodiverse children. We explore the misconceptions surrounding gentle parenting, the power of language in communication, and the importance of embracing creativity in parenting. • The challenges of gentle parenting with neurodiverse children • Misunderstandings about the gentle parenting movement • The significance of emoti...

02-04
20:13

Motherhood and Identity: How to Be a More Mindful Mom

Send us a text This episode invites parents to shift their mindset from chaos to joy by embracing mindfulness and playfulness in their daily routines. Through insightful conversation, we explore techniques to create space for connection, the importance of intentional pauses, and how redefining our perspectives can foster deeper joy and satisfaction in parenting. Creating space for aliveness and joy Navigating challenging emotional conversations The power of communication and...

01-28
38:57

Breaking Free from Perfectionist Parenting

Send us a text In this conversation, Kayla Huszar and Christina Corcoran delve into the complexities of perfectionism in motherhood. They explore how perfectionist tendencies can manifest in both mothers and their children, leading to cycles of self-criticism and anxiety. Christina shares her personal journey of self-awareness and the awakening she experienced when recognizing these traits in herself and her children. The discussion emphasizes the importance of self-compassion, practical stra...

01-14
32:01

Why Self-Care Isn’t Changing Your Frustrations, Mama

Send us a text Kayla Huszar on Post-Holiday Mom Life: Navigating Frustrations, Self-Care, and Creative Joy Let’s talk about that post-holiday emotional hangover we moms face—the one where everything feels simultaneously too much and not enough. Kayla dives into the emotional rollercoaster of motherhood transitions, shedding light on the hidden frustrations bubbling beneath our “I’ve got this” exterior. She’s all about getting real about self-care (spoiler: it’s more than face masks) and leani...

01-07
22:14

Art Journaling Magic: Reclaim Your Identity Beyond Motherhood

Send us a text Hey mama, are you ready to swap overwhelm for creative magic? Art journaling isn’t just a pastime—it’s a lifeline. For mothers juggling the never-ending to-do list, this therapeutic outlet becomes a much-needed rebellion against the mundane, a place to let loose and rediscover you. WATCH ON YOUTUBE In this episode, we’ll dive into the beautifully imperfect world of art journaling: 🎨 How to use this soulful practice to process emotions and reclaim your identity ✨ Why there’s no...

12-31
09:48

The Allure of Gentle Parenting

Send us a text In this episode of the Chill Like a Mother podcast, Kayla Huszar discusses the complexities of gentle parenting, particularly in the context of social media pressures. She emphasizes the importance of connection over perfectionism and the need for parents to balance their own needs with those of their children. Kayla shares insights from her therapy practice, highlighting the emotional burdens many mothers carry and the necessity of setting boundaries. The conversation encourag...

12-17
14:28

Parenting Highly Sensitive Kids in a Noisy World

Send us a text In this episode of the Chill like a Mother Podcast, host Kayla Huszar and guest Caitlin discuss the intricacies of parenting highly sensitive children. They explore the characteristics of highly sensitive individuals, the challenges parents face, and effective strategies for fostering emotional regulation and understanding. The conversation emphasizes the importance of creating a supportive environment and using storytelling as a tool for connection and communication. Takeaway...

12-10
25:42

Motherhood, Meltdowns, and the Power of Creative Breaks

Send us a text Motherhood can feel like an endless cycle of giving—to your kids, your partner, your job, your home. But where does that leave you? In this episode, we’re breaking down why creativity isn’t a luxury—it’s a lifeline, especially for busy moms. 🎨💡 You don’t need hours of free time (ha, what’s that?) or artistic talent to feel the benefits. We’re talking about five intentional minutes of doodling, journaling, or even just soaking in the colors around you. Join me and art therapist ...

11-26
29:48

The ADHD Tax: Balancing the Emotional and Financial Costs of Parenting

Send us a text Have you ever felt like you’re on a wild roller coaster ride with no safety bar while raising your kids? If you’re a parent of neurodiverse children, you probably get it! In this episode of Chill Like a Mother, I chat with Jessica Dunn, a dedicated neurodiversity advocate and fellow parent, about the thrilling ups and downs of raising kids with ADHD and autism. We dive into the emotional chaos that can come with this journey, from the financial strains of what many call the "AD...

11-12
27:40

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