Mom's Guide to Finding Herself: Side Hustles, Hobbies, and Surviving While Parenting Young Children

by Krissy Bold

Have you ever looked in the mirror after another exhausting day and thought, “When did I stop being ME and become just MOM?” Your passions, hobbies, and friendships feel so distant, buried beneath sleepless nights and the never-ending to-do lists of raising young children.

I get it. I’ve been there too. As a mom of two young kids, I’ve experienced the frustration of losing myself in the chaos of motherhood. I know how  ... 

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Podcast episodes

  • Season 1

  • 33 When Motherhood Changes You, But Not Your Partner with Dr. Morgan Cutlip

    33 When Motherhood Changes You, But Not Your Partner with Dr. Morgan Cutlip

    Have you ever felt like motherhood completely changed your life while your partner's stayed pretty much the same? Are you running on empty, doing everything in the daily grind, and losing yourself in the process? You're told to soak up every moment, but what about when you don't even feel like a person anymore? Many women feel motherhood changes everything, and no one prepares them for just how much of themselves they’re going to lose in the process. Inside this episode, you’re going to learn: How psychologist and relationship expert Dr. Morgan Cutlip also felt this way How she reclaimed her identity even when she was in the thick of it That motherhood is supposed to be transformative, triggering examination of who we are and how we show up It’s normal to take several years to feel whole again, even for experts 04:23 Dr. Morgan's Personal Journey 05:09 The Early Days of Motherhood 08:44 Navigating the Challenges of New Motherhood 13:57 The Roots of Resentment 14:35 Navigating Early Parenthood Challenges 15:10 The Ideal Mom vs. Reality 15:41 Motherhood Influences and Expectations 16:55 Struggles with Early Motherhood 18:13 Transitioning to a Second Child 20:11 Understanding De-Selfing in Motherhood 22:11 Rediscovering Self and Balance Want to create more fairness and less resentment in your relationship? You’ll want to tune into the next episode where Dr. Morgan comes back to share about her book A Better Share and how to address the mental load with your partner while bringing back the fun. When you finish listening, I'd love to hear your biggest takeaway from today’s episode. Take a screenshot of you listening on your device, share it to your Instagram stories, and tag me, @momidentityproject! Support the show to help keep episodes like this coming! Have a question or a story you want me to share on air? Leave me a 90 second or less voice message! CONNECT WITH DR. MORGAN CUTLIP: Website: DrMorganCutlip.com Instagram: @DrMorganCutlip Find Her Books: Love Your Kids Without Losing Yourself by Dr. Morgan Cutlip A Better Share : How Couples Tackle the Mental Load (pre-order) LEARN MORE FROM KRISSY BOLD: WEBSITE | INSTAGRAM| FACEBOOK | TIKTOK | YOUTUBE

  • 32 What Type of Mom Are You, and Does it Matter?

    32 What Type of Mom Are You, and Does it Matter?

    Have you ever felt like the mom you thought you'd be is totally different from the mom you actually are? Like you had this vision in your head, and then reality hit? You're not alone. In this episode, I'm going to share why so many of us feel like we are failing at motherhood simply because we don't fit into a vision that we once had about the kind of mom we thought we'd be. We'll explore the pressure to conform to certain "mom types" and why it's so important to let go of that guilt and embrace the mom you actually are. BY THE TIME YOU FINISH LISTENING, YOU’LL DISCOVER: Why we often feel like we're failing at motherhood when we don't meet our own expectations. The different types of moms out there and why there's no one "right" way to be a mom. How to grieve the vision of motherhood that you once had and move towards real acceptance. 00:00 Introduction: The Mom You Thought You'd Be vs. Reality 00:42 The Vision of Motherhood Before Becoming a Mom 01:15 The Reality Check: When Expectations Meet Reality 02:06 The Emotional Impact of Unmet Expectations 04:37 Understanding the Source of Pressure and Shame 07:52 Grieving the Vision and Embracing Reality 09:44 Conclusion: Embracing Your Unique Motherhood Journey When you finish listening, I'd love to hear your biggest takeaway from today’s episode. Take a screenshot of you listening on your device, share it to your Instagram stories, and tag me, @momidentityproject! While you’re there, make sure you follow me on Instagram so you can see behind the scenes how I help moms rediscover their identity & passions and find out how you can, too. Love this show? Write a 5-star review — even one sentence ensures we keep bringing you the content you want to hear. Support the show to help keep episodes like this coming! Have a question or a story you want me to share on air? Leave me a 90 second or less voice message! Need some support reconnecting with yourself after becoming a mom? Book a Free Discovery Call to see if my services are the right fit for you. LEARN MORE FROM KRISSY BOLD: WEBSITE | INSTAGRAM| FACEBOOK | TIKTOK | YOUTUBE

  • 31 How (& Why) To Prepare For Second Babies (& Beyond!) From A Nurse Mom with Heather Knezic

    31 How (& Why) To Prepare For Second Babies (& Beyond!) From A Nurse Mom with Heather Knezic

    Do you remember that feeling of total chaos when you had your first baby? You were up all night Googling things like, “Why does my baby sound like a pterodactyl?” or “Will I ever sleep again?” Are you expecting your second, third, or even fourth baby, and wondering if you're truly prepared? In this episode, Heather Knezic, a labor and delivery nurse and mom of three, shares her wisdom on how to confidently prepare for a new baby, no matter how many you've had before. Heather shares her expert advice on how to confidently prepare for a new baby, no matter how many you've had before. She opens up about how, despite her professional experience, she felt lost and overwhelmed when she became a mom. Now, she's passionate about providing real, raw, and honest support to other moms. Tune in to learn how to ditch the textbook advice and embrace the unique journey of each birth! BY THE TIME YOU FINISH LISTENING, YOU’LL DISCOVER: Why visualizing your ideal birth can be more powerful than just writing a birth plan. How to shift your mindset from focusing on what might happen to you in birth, to what you can do to shape your experience. Why preparing for postpartum and breastfeeding is just as important as preparing for the birth itself. Ready to feel empowered and prepared for your upcoming birth? Tune in now! 00:39 The Chaos of New Motherhood 01:58 Heather's Professional Transformation 02:36 Real and Honest Support for Moms 03:03 Heather's Birth and Postpartum Courses 04:03 Preparing for Birth: Heather's Experience 08:16 The Importance of Preparation 16:05 Breastfeeding Challenges and Realities 19:27 Co-Sleeping and Safe Sleep Practices 23:16 Creating a Life in Labor Love this show? Write a 5-star review — even one sentence ensures we keep bringing you the content you want to hear. Support the show to help keep episodes like this coming! Need some support reconnecting with yourself after becoming a mom? Book a Free Discovery Call to see if my services are the right fit for you. CONNECT WITH HEATHER KNEZIC: Instagram @aLifeinLabor | alifeinlabor.com alifeinlabor.com/boldlittleminds for 30% off all prenatal, postpartum, and breastfeeding courses Heather offers LEARN MORE FROM KRISSY BOLD: WEBSITE | INSTAGRAM| FACEBOOK | TIKTOK | YOUTUBE

  • 30 What This Labor and Delivery Nurse Wished She Knew About Motherhood with Heather Knezic

    30 What This Labor and Delivery Nurse Wished She Knew About Motherhood with Heather Knezic

    Did motherhood hit harder than you expected? You might have thought you were made for this, but then reality hits, and suddenly, you’re questioning everything. You might be overwhelmed by the picture-perfect advice out there, like everyone else knows something you don't. If you’ve ever struggled with postpartum anxiety, unrealistic expectations, or the overwhelming pressure to “do it right,” this episode is for you. Heather Knezic, a labor nurse and mom of three, shares how motherhood was nothing like she imagined and how she learned to navigate the chaos. But what if you could discover how to navigate the unexpected realities of motherhood? Heather gets it. She's here to share her own journey and offer some real, unfiltered advice. Learn how to move past those feelings of isolation and find realistic solutions that actually work. BY THE TIME YOU FINISH LISTENING, YOU’LL DISCOVER: Why motherhood can feel so different from what you expected, even if you've always dreamed of being a mom How that "newborn bliss" can quickly turn into overwhelming anxiety and self-doubt The importance of seeking real, unfiltered advice and support instead of those sugar-coated solutions that leave you feeling even more lost Ready to embrace the real journey of motherhood? Tune in to gain insights and practical advice from someone who understands the challenges firsthand. 00:34 The Reality of Motherhood 02:27 Heather's Journey to Motherhood 04:18 Transitioning Between Phases 14:25 Challenges with Infant Acid Reflux 18:34 Finding Support and Starting a Blog 20:15 Deciding to Have More Children 22:01 Managing Multiple Children 27:05 Heather's Parenting Tips When you finish listening, I'd love to hear your biggest takeaway from today’s episode. Take a screenshot of you listening on your device, share it to your Instagram stories, and tag me, @momidentityproject! Support the show to help keep episodes like this coming! Need some support reconnecting with yourself after becoming a mom? Book a Free Discovery Call to see if my services are the right fit for you. CONNECT WITH HEATHER KNEZIC: Instagram @aLifeinLabor | alifeinlabor.com alifeinlabor.com/boldlittleminds for 30% off all prenatal, postpartum, and breastfeeding courses Heather offers LEARN MORE FROM KRISSY BOLD: WEBSITE | INSTAGRAM| FACEBOOK | TIKTOK | YOUTUBE

  • 29 Motherhood Makes You Rethink Everything — Even What You Thought You Knew

    29 Motherhood Makes You Rethink Everything — Even What You Thought You Knew

    Has motherhood turned everything you thought you knew upside down? Your career path, your values, even your definition of success? You had a clear sense of direction before kids — expertise in your field, strong beliefs about parenting, a solid identity. Then motherhood arrived, and suddenly, nothing felt certain anymore. In this episode, I share how to navigate this identity shift and embrace the wisdom that comes with letting go of your pre-mom self. BY THE TIME YOU FINISH LISTENING, YOU’LL DISCOVER: Why trying to hold onto your pre-mom identity might be holding you back How to embrace uncertainty as a sign of growth, not failure Ways to build a new identity that includes your hard-earned wisdom without losing your core self 00:00 Introduction: Rethinking Everything in Motherhood 00:41 Personal Journey: Unraveling Certainties 01:49 Career and Identity Crisis 04:50 Shifting Values and Self-Judgment 07:59 Embracing Change and Growth When you finish listening, I'd love to hear your biggest takeaway from today’s episode. Take a screenshot of you listening on your device, share it to your Instagram stories, and tag me, @momidentityproject! While you’re there, make sure you follow me on Instagram so you can see behind the scenes how I help moms rediscover their identity & passions and find out how you can, too. Like this show? Pay it forward and share it with a friend. Love this show? Write a 5-star review — even one sentence ensures we keep bringing you the content you want to hear. Support the show to help keep episodes like this coming! Have a question or a story you want me to share on air? Leave me a 90 second or less voice message! Need some support reconnecting with yourself after becoming a mom? Book a Free Discovery Call to see if my services are the right fit for you. LEARN MORE FROM KRISSY BOLD: WEBSITE | INSTAGRAM| FACEBOOK | TIKTOK | YOUTUBE