Mama's Gonna Make It

In this episode, we’re answering listener questions (pause for dramatic effect: WE HAVE LISTENERS!? 😭🙌 And you have QUESTIONS!?) Cue the happy dance. 💃🕺 Keep ’em coming, friends — we love hearing from you! Here’s what we dive into: Q1: How do you even start therapy? Anne consults Mama D for advice, and we share some friend wisdom from a Lazy Genius thread. Spoiler: You don’t have to have it all figured out before you start. Q2: What if your partner doesn’t want to join? Long story short — go anyway! But listen in for the full context and how to navigate that conversation with compassion and confidence. Q3: Are we all a little hypervigilant about spotting diagnosable issues in our kiddos? We get it. None of us want to miss something that might make life harder for our kids. The takeaway? Lead with love. It’s not our job to diagnose — it’s our job to love the kid in front of us and help them navigate their world the best we can. We’ll all miss something, somewhere, sometime… and that’s okay, mama. This one’s full of heart, real talk, and a few deep breaths of solidarity. Links:Parenting Framework SB Mentions: Govern, Garden, Guide American Association for Marriage and Family TherapyAmerican Psychological Association (Find a Therapist tool) Recorded in the Such-N-Such Media Studios at Liberty Plaza in downtown Winston-Salem, we are produced by Tim Beeman for Such-N-Such Media. Theme music is by Doug Davis. Love what you hear? Donate in any amount to support our podcast or via LinkTree in bio coff.ee/mamasgonnamakeit

This week we’re joined by filmmaker Nicola Rose (@nicolarosedirects), writer and director of the new feature film Magnetosphere (@magnetospheremovie). Nicola shares the inspiration behind the film, which follows 13-year-old Maggie as she navigates first love, moving to a new town, and living with synesthesia—a condition that makes her see sounds, hear colors, and more. We talk about how Magnetosphere came to life, including the importance of representation in film, the role of a neurodiverse group of consultants and cast members, and Nicola’s own perspective as a neurodivergent creator. Nicola also dives into the film’s themes, including the transformative power of caring relationships and self-acceptance. From a toilet in the kitchen to a chaos-inciting exterminator turned Pirate King, Nicola let us in on some surprising real-life inspirations behind her film’s more humorous elements. Beyond the story itself, we spend time on the world of indie filmmaking: why low-budget films matter, the challenges and joys of bringing them to the screen, and where audiences can find and support them. Check out the Magnetosphere and Nicola’s first feature film Goodbye, Petrushka, and let us know what you think!  Links:Where to Watch Magnetosphere Now: Prime Video, Apple TV Where to Watch Independent Films: Tubi, Youtube, Omoleto(short films), GooglePlay, Prime Video, Apple TV, your local library resources (including Hoopla!),  Noteworthy Indie Film Fests: River Run (Winston-Salem), CineQuest, Dances with Fims Film Festival Incomplete list of US Distributors of Independent Films: Freestyle Digital Media, Buffalo 8, Gravitas Ventures, Level 33 Entertainment Learn about and Connect with Director Nicola Rose: Website: Nicola Rose Directs Instagram: @nicolarosedirects Recorded in the Such-N-Such Media Studios at Liberty Plaza in downtown Winston-Salem, we are produced by Tim Beeman for Such-N-Such Media. Theme music is by Doug Davis. Love what you hear? Donate in any amount to support our podcast or via LinkTree in bio coff.ee/mamasgonnamakeit

In this episode, we’re thrilled to welcome local legend Kim Shufran to talk about neurotypes, the medical vs. social models of disability (and how each shifts our language, expectations, and even our parenting), and so much more. Kim designed and founded iCan House in 2008 as a place of belonging, acceptance, positivity, learning, and fun. Inspired by the unmet needs of her incredible daughter, Erica, and her passion for applying a positive lens, Kim created a community that reframes how we think about and support diverse neurotypes. With a background that includes 17 years in clinical nursing and 12 years in organizational development, Kim shaped iCan House into a unique resource that teaches social skills through clubs, provides educational opportunities, serves as a resource hub, and builds a strong support network for neurodivergent individuals and their families. Whether she’s out and about with her music-loving white cockatoo, Sam, cheering on her daughter, or continuing to guide iCan House as it grows to meet our community needs, Kim radiates wisdom and positive thinking. Don’t miss this timely episode where we deepen our understanding of neurodiversity, explore universal parenting skills, and push back against harmful narratives that undervalue or objectify difference. Links:  Articles Kim brought to the studio: Disability Scoop and The Autism Wars: Legacy of the Tragedy Narrative More about the iCan House A documentary and play about Kim’s daughter and son-in-law, Erica & Ian: Bird’s Eye ViewA visual tool for changing the Disability Narrative: Medical Model VS Social Model Recorded in the Such-N-Such Media Studios at Liberty Plaza in downtown Winston-Salem, we are produced by Tim Beeman for Such-N-Such Media. Theme music is by Doug Davis. Love what you hear? Donate in any amount to support our podcast or via LinkTree in bio coff.ee/mamasgonnamakeit

In this episode, we do a little time traveling—recorded across two sessions, but woven together with one theme: Don’t Be Less. Anne and Sarabeth unpack the story behind this mantra and what it has come to mean in their friendship. With their signature mix of humor and honesty, they explore what it looks like to show up as your whole, quirky, “too-much” self—and why that shift can be so profound, especially for those of us with diverse neurotypes. It’s a reminder to stop dimming your light. Instead, find the people and spaces that invite you to show up authentically, unmask, and feel fully accepted and loved. 💛 Don’t be less. Be you. Interested in ordering a “Don’t Be Less” t-shirt or sticker? Head on over to our Linktree to preorder. Recorded in the Omniverus Studios at Liberty Plaza in downtown Winston-Salem, we are produced by Tim Beeman for Such-N-Such Media. Theme music is by Doug Davis. Love what you hear? Donate in any amount to support our podcast or via LinkTree in bio coff.ee/mamasgonnamakeit

We could hardly believe it when KC Davis said yes to joining us on Mama’s Gonna Make It—because not only is she a licensed therapist, bestselling author, and wildly popular content creator, but she’s also someone we talk about a lot. KC’s compassionate, practical approach to self-care has struck a chord with millions, and her book How to Keep House While Drowning has become a lifeline for anyone moving through tough seasons of life. Her newest book, Who Deserves Your Love, expands that wisdom into the realm of relationships. In this conversation, KC brings her trademark mix of honesty and humor as we dig into: The origins of Struggle Care and its six pillars (we love a framework!) What moral neutrality is any why it matters—for us and our kids The importance of access (therapy, tools, content and more) that meet people where they are Recognizing our own patterns and extending grace, not shame Balancing accountability and healthy boundaries when it comes to our emotions and the emotions of others This one is equal parts validating and thought-provoking, with plenty of laughter along the way (and yes, we did ask KC about her most bizarre “struggle care” method). Whether you’re already a fan or just meeting KC Davis for the first time, you’ll leave this episode with a fresh perspective on what it means to care for yourself and those you love—without shame. More about KC Davis: KC’s compassionate and practical approach to self-care for those dealing with mental health, physical illness, and hard seasons of life has drawn over a million followers on social media in less than a year. Her book, “How to Keep House While Drowning” has sold over 350,000 copies and is currently an Amazon bestseller. Her new book, “Who Deserves Your Love,” brings her revolutionary perspective-shifting philosophy to the world of relationship struggles. KC Davis began her therapy journey at 16 when she entered treatment for drug addiction and mental health issues. After getting sober, she became a speaker and advocate for mental health and recovery. Professionally, KC has worked most of her career in the field of addiction in roles such a therapist, consultant, and executive director. She lives in Houston with her husband and two daughters.  Learn more about the radical philosophy of Struggle Care that’s changing lives here. Recorded in the Omniverus Studios at Liberty Plaza in downtown Winston-Salem, we are produced by Tim Beeman for Such-N-Such Media. Theme music is by Doug Davis. Love what you hear? Donate in any amount to support our podcast or via LinkTree in bio coff.ee/mamasgonnamakeit

What’s better than book club? A book club podcast episode with our besties and Liz Orr—author of The Unfiltered Enneagram and the voice behind @rudeassenneagram! Roll call includes Liz, Sarabeth, Anne, and Tim plus our friends Whitney Hsu, April Tilley, and Ellen Linville. The studio was buzzing with energy, laughter, curious questions, and plenty of truth-telling from this phenomenal group. Love what you hear? Donate to support our podcast coff.ee/mamasgonnamakeit Links: Buy the book! The Unfiltered Enneagram by Liz Orr More on the Enneagram: The Road Back to You by Ian Morgan Cron and Suzanne Stabile The Lazy Genius Podcast Episode #114 The Truth About Your Enneagram Number We Can Do Hard Things podcast with Enneagram specialist Suzanne Stabile as a guest The Lazy Genius Podcast Episode #114 The Truth About Your Enneagram Number Recorded in the Omniverus Studios at Liberty Plaza in downtown Winston-Salem, we are produced by Tim Beeman for Such-N-Such Media. Theme music is by Doug Davis.

This week we sat down with Liz Orr—author of The Unfiltered Enneagram and the voice behind @rudeassenneagram—for an eye-opening conversation about the Enneagram. Liz shares her background and her experience stumbling into the Enneagram world, and she explains why this framework for self-awareness (especially understanding our own motivations) still matters today. Producer Tim takes a typing test and Liz unpacks his results -with plenty of laughs. Anne and Sarabeth already knew their types…or so they thought! They’re doing the work to turn some of those question marks into answers (one of us with eager anticipation, the other with some grumbling).  Together we explore: ✨ What the Enneagram really is (hint: not just a personality quiz, but a fluid framework that supports our practice of self-awareness, self-compassion, and growth)✨ How it can help us grow—not just “feel seen”✨ Whether the Enneagram was designed with neurotypical brains in mind or if works for everyone✨ Why we can’t (and shouldn’t) “type” other people Liz reminds us that the shadow side of our Enneagram type doesn’t define us forever. With awareness and self-work, we can free ourselves from the defenses we’ve built and live more openly and authentically. Oh, and if you’re still wondering which type you are? According to Liz, the Rude Ass Enneagram posts that hurt your feelings the most might just give you a clue. 😉 Love what you hear? Donate to support our podcast coff.ee/mamasgonnamakeit Links: Buy the book! The Unfiltered Enneagram by Liz Orr More on the Enneagram: The Road Back to You by Ian Morgan Cron and Suzanne Stabile The Lazy Genius Podcast Episode #114 The Truth About Your Enneagram Number We Can Do Hard Things podcast with Enneagram specialist Suzanne Stabile as a guest We mention spoons a lot – here’s what we’re referencing: What is Spoon Theory and Why is it Important? Recorded in the Omniverus Studios at Liberty Plaza in downtown Winston-Salem, we are produced by Tim Beeman for Such-N-Such Media. Theme music is by Doug Davis.

This week we’re joined by author, educator, gamer, and all-around brilliant human Ash Brandin, @thegamereducator. With 15 years of teaching experience and a librarian’s heart for digital literacy, Ash brings both research and real-world wisdom to one of parenting’s trickiest topics: screen time. Their new book, Power On: Managing Screen Time to Benefit the Whole Family, drops Tuesday, August 26, 2025—and we couldn’t be more excited to dive into it with them. ✨ In this conversation, we explore: Why it’s time to unlearn the shame around screen use and embrace screen time as neutral. As Ash stated “Shame is not empowering.” The Screen Time ABCs—Autonomy, Behavior, and Content—and how they help us rethink what matters most Practical ways to build digital literacy and safety into family life (yes, we talk parental controls and Common Sense Media!) Ash’s STAR framework (Settings, Time, Ads/App Store, Restrictions) for setting up screens to support—not overwhelm—your family How conversations about screen time can shift from stressful battles to ongoing, supportive dialogues Ash’s approach is empowering, inclusive, and refreshingly realistic. Whether you’re a parent, educator, or just trying to navigate your own relationship with screens, this episode offers frameworks, fresh ideas, and a whole lot of encouragement. Tune in and get ready to power on—in a way that works for your family. Recorded in the Omniverus Studios at Liberty Plaza in downtown Winston-Salem, we are produced by Tim Beeman for Such-N-Such Media. Theme music is by Doug Davis. Links: Love what you hear? Donate in any amount to support our podcast or via LinkTree in bio coff.ee/mamasgonnamakeit https://www.thegamereducator.com @thegamereducator Bookshop.org

This week, we’re thrilled to welcome Lupe Penn, Youth & Schools Manager at Bookmarks—an independent bookstore and community hub in Winston-Salem, NC. Lupe gave us the inside scoop on the youth programming for the upcoming Bookmarks Book Festival and shared how she regularly coordinates author visits, book donations, and school partnerships on behalf of Bookmarks to make literature accessible and foster a love of reading in young people. It was such a joy to not only get to know Lupe, but also to learn more about the incredible ways Bookmarks is serving our community—not just as a cornerstone indie bookstore, but as a powerhouse for connecting authors, books, and readers. Don’t miss the upcoming 2025 Bookmarks Festival of Books and Authors! Lupe’s Bio:Lupe serves as the Youth & Schools Manager at Bookmarks, a non profit independent bookstore and community hub  in Winston-Salem, NC, where she coordinates author visits, book donations, and school partnerships to spark a love of reading in young people. As a proud Mexican American and mom of four, she brings her lived experiences to everything she does. She is passionate about increasing access to books, especially for underserved communities. Outside of work, she loves drawing, sewing, writing poetry, and creating anything that brings stories to life. Related Links: 2025 Bookmarks Festival of Books and Authors (schedule of events, free and ticketed event details, etc) Bookmarks Youth and Schools Outreach (includes Authors in Schools, Field Trips to Bookmarks, and more) Other Bookmarks Outreach Programs Recorded in the Omniverus Studios at Liberty Plaza in downtown Winston-Salem, we are produced by Tim Beeman for Such-N-Such Media. Theme music is by Doug Davis. Love what you hear? Donate in any amount to support our podcast or via LinkTree in bio coff.ee/mamasgonnamakeit

Some parenting moments stretch you to your limits—and others stretch you past them. In this episode, Sarabeth and Anne get real about the challenges that push us to grow: bedtime standoffs, running out of parenting strategies in the heat of the moment, and juggling alone time, family time, and adult time without losing our minds. Anne also shares how PCIT (Parent-Child Interaction Therapy) has expanded her parenting toolbox, from praise-heavy affirmations to the (finally, a) time-out flow chart. We dive into the chaos of bringing kids into adult spaces—weddings, fancy restaurants—where expectations often outpace their developmental stage. Our survival kit? Pick your battles, prep ahead, set and share limits, bail gracefully if needed… and if you spot a kid with a tablet at dinner, mind your own business. Through it all, we work to honor our kids’ autonomy, hold healthy boundaries, and keep showing up even when we get it wrong. Parenting is a practice—and we’re in it for the long game. Links:Attachment ParentingWhat is PCIT?Local Business Shout-Outs: Elite Canine and Twin City Sweets Recorded in the Omniverus Studios at Liberty Plaza in downtown Winston-Salem, we are produced by Tim Beeman for Such-N-Such Media. Theme music is by Doug Davis. Love what you hear? Donate in any amount to support our podcast or via LinkTree in bio coff.ee/mamasgonnamakeit

Okay but… what even is occupational therapy?! In this juicy and joyfully neurospicy episode, Anne and Sarabeth sit down with Jess Irvin-Spears (OT and founder of MoonBeam Therapies Clinic) to break it all down, complete with tangents and zero shame, as we embrace the chaotic magic of neurodivergent brains info-swapping! We cover: The basics of OT (spoiler: it’s not just handwriting and fine motor!) Some OT technical concepts, like sensory seeking, sensory sensitivity, retained reflexes, etc The Pyramid of Learning and why we have to meet the bottom needs (hello regulation!) before we can ask our kids to “just focus” What we noticed at the MoonBeam Clinic during the play group therapy and what Jess saw behind the scenes in her therapist brain The chaos and beauty of setting up for our visit—ADHD-style We wrap with some real-life mom banter, Jess shares gentle wisdom for parents navigating this stuff, and we end with a list of a whole bunch more that we definitely want to talk about next time. If you’ve ever wondered if OT could help your kid—or you just want to feel seen—this one’s for you. MoonBeam Therapies Occupational Therapy  Follow MoonBeam OT on Facebook Occupational therapy-  Retained Primitive Reflexes Early Intervention/Early Identification Proprioceptive Sensory Input  Sensory processing (sensory seeking, sensitivities, etc) The Pyramid of Learning (Taylor and Trott, 1991) Person First Language vs. Identity First (from autisticadvocacy.org) Recorded in the Omniverus Studios at Liberty Plaza, we are produced by Tim Beeman for Such-N-Such Media.Theme Music by Doug Davis.

In this tender episode about navigating grief, Sarabeth and Anne open up about their own recent experiences with loss. Guided by the insights of Brené Brown’s Atlas of the Heart, we discuss different types of grief and how grief is most often associated with death, but in reality, we grieve the loss of many things we love, including missed opportunities, unmet expectations, relationships, careers, and imagined futures.  From explaining the concept of death to small children to processing our own grief and supporting others through their grief journey, we kept nothing behind closed doors in this honest and vulnerable conversation about loss. Ultimately, to love is to lose, and it takes incredible courage for us to choose to love with our whole hearts, knowing loss is inevitable.  Links:Atlas of the Heart by Brené BrownUnfu*k Yourself  by Gary John Bishop Recorded in the Omniverus Studios at Liberty Plaza, we are produced by Tim Beeman for Such-N-Such Media.Theme Music by Doug Davis.

We are thrilled to host Emily Hughes, a Conscious Parenting Coach and founder of Finding Flow Parenting, from across the pond in East London. Emily works with parents (1:1 and with co-parents) who feel stuck in frustration, overwhelm and conflict to find more ease and flow in family life. She empowers parents to stay centred and grounded, to improve their communication skills, emotional intelligence and peaceful boundary setting skills. She also helps parents to do the deeper work to unearth patterns and limiting beliefs that are keeping them stuck. Also trained in Somatics, Emily is a big believer in brain-body parenting and parenting in tune with all the nervous systems in the household. We discussed the importance of self-regulation in our roles as parents, somatic healing techniques, and general wellness practices to help foster emotionally safe environments for our families and model transformative self-care for our children. Links:  Finding Flow Parenting – About Emily Hughes Find Emily on Instagram @findingflowparenting, on Facebook, and on Youtube For more information on postpartum mental health, visit Moms’ Mental Health Matters: Find Help – NCMHEP Recorded in the Omniverus Studios at Liberty Plaza, we are produced by Tim Beeman for Such-N-Such Media.Theme Music by Doug Davis.

In this episode, we take some time to reflect on our first season of Mama’s Gonna Make It and our excitement for the season ahead! We return to some questions we asked each other in the first-ever episode, questions like “What about this venture scares you?” We reflect on our own growth as facilitators and friends, and we explore some of the collaborative background work that we do to make every episode happen.  Our Season 2 premiere introduces our 4 Pillars, the guiding topics our episodes will engage around: Self-Growth, Relationships (all the ‘ships!), Neurodiversity, and Parenting The OG Episode  01: Parenting as a Practice  📌 Follow/subscribe to Mama’s Gonna Make It podcast  — and if today’s episode inspired you, please share it with a friend or leave a review. It helps more fabulous humans find our village. Follow us on socials (Insta, Facebook, TikTok, YouTube) @mamasgonnamakeit  Support our mission by making a gift in any amount if you feel so led! Recorded in the Omniverus Studios at Liberty Plaza, we are produced by Tim Beeman for Such-N-Such Media.Theme Music by Doug Davis.

In this episode of Mama’s Gonna Make It, we set out to learn from each other—and ourselves. From timers to labels to avoiding the infamous “doom bag,” we’re sharing the ADHD-friendly hacks that help keep our chaotic brains just a little more on track. 🧠 Life Hacks We Love: Make things visible –  Out of sight, out of mind is real. Label everything – Future You will thank you. Use timers – For transitions, tasks, even breaks. 🎒 The Ultimate Go Bag We brainstorm what a truly ADHD-friendly go bag might include. Think: practical, comforting, and always stocked with…chapstick and tweezers? 💣 What’s a Doom Bag? We get real about those catch-all bags (or baskets… or drawers) full of random things we might need but will definitely avoid sorting. 💰ADHD Tax – The cost of being late, disorganized, or overwhelmed. 🧹 Decluttering for ADHD Brains We debate some viral decluttering questions: “Does this spark joy?” – Marie Kondo “Do I have the capacity to care for this?” “Would I clean this if it had poop on it?” (Yes, really. And it works.) 💬 Semi-Side Quest Alert: We also dive into how our stuff holds energy, from inner child comfort objects to Anne’s yearly family memory boxes. Are we organizing—or soul-archiving? 🌅 Start Your Day Right Set the tone early. Because once the hurdle-jumping starts, it’s hard to stop. 🔗 Links & Resources: The Lazy Genius Podcast: What Should Be in Your Bag?  MES Solutions Isabel Sanchez (financial coaching) ADHD Tax The Life Changing Magic of Tidying Up by Marie Kondo ADHD-Friendly Viral “Poop Rule” May Help ADHDers Declutter Ways to Organize Your Fridge “ This is why I was downright relieved when I saw a TikTok by KC Davis, author and host of the Struggle Care podcast, suggesting people with ADHD reorganize our fridges to make it easier to stay organized—and actually eat the groceries we buy.” Stuff we mention: Baggallini bags Tweezerman Monica’s Phone Pen Hoots Roller Bar 💌 Got a hack that changed your life? Share it with us on Instagram! DM @mamasgonnamakeit 📸 For pics of Polly the dog and her clothes, fridge organization, and Anne’s mantelpiece memories organizing system, head to our socials on Facebook (Mama’s Gonna Make It) and Instagram! @mamasgonnamakeit Recorded in the Omniverus Studios at Liberty Plaza, we are produced by Tim Beeman for Such-N-Such Media.Theme Music by Doug Davis.