What happens when the beliefs you were raised with no longer align with who you are? These are three deeply ingrained beliefs from my Catholic upbringing I had to unlearn to reclaim my identity, faith, and voice.

I was called “too dramatic” my whole life, but it was actually emotional invalidation. This is how being dismissed as a child shaped my confidence, voice, and relationships as an adult.

After months of a coworker asking me out, I finally agreed to a date just to make the pressure stop. What happened next made me question why women are so often blamed when politeness is mistaken for permission.

When “family comes first” means silence, disrespect, and emotional harm, what do you do? It’s OK to want conversations when feelings are hurt. It’s OK to set boundaries when you’re not feeling respected. It’s OK to step back when it becomes too much.

As a new mom, I experienced the pressures of breastfeeding my baby. The stress and anxiety I went through was unexpected and heart wrenching. Why aren’t we more sympathetic to the needs of the mother so soon after giving birth? Where is the support and compassion?

Boundaries exist in all aspects of our lives. Setting clear, healthy boundaries with caregivers fosters harmony and mutual respect. And promotes emotional well-being for you and your children. So what can go wrong?

When deciding whether or not I should take on something big or life changing, I rely on this guiding principle: if something presents itself to me three times, then I need to give it attention, whatever that entails.

This is how I concluded I should start a podcast.

Sparked my son’s fondness for playing dress up, I embarked on a journey of embracing gender-neutral play for my children. Through research and reflection, I’ve come to realize how impactful perpetuating gender stereotypes through play can be.

Ready for some cliches? The destination is worth the journey. The sacrifice makes it all worth it. You have to go through pain and heartache to find true love… They exist for a reason, don’t they?

Dropping off children at daycare or school is like going into battle. Over the years my kids have cried, screamed, waved, hugged, kicked or grabbed any article of my clothing or hair to prevent from being left behind. I never know what to expect.

While positive changes are occurring in pockets of corporate America to create safe and inclusive environments, there are many workplaces where bad behavior is accepted. Having been on the receiving end several times, my biggest disappointment is not having the courage to speak up.

Being a full-time working mother of two has its challenges. I am currently in the thick of it and having trouble seeing the forrest for the trees. Will there ever be a time when sleep deprivation isn’t the norm?

There is so much hate in the world today. It seems as though it’s the mission of others to tear us down at every turn. Where does it end? How can we spread love instead?

Speaking up and sharing my thoughts and beliefs has been a challenge as I entered adulthood. How do I get back to the youthful bliss of speaking out for what is right?