Is your content feeling stale? Wondering what’s working in marketing right now? In this episode of the Boss Mom Podcast, Dana sits down with Shannon McKinstrie, an expert social media strategist, to talk about the shift in marketing trends, why user-generated content is crushing it, and how personal storytelling can help your brand connect and convert.   They dive deep into:

• Why high-ticket programs are declining and smaller solutions are thriving.
• How to leverage user-generated content marketing to build trust.
• Why people are taking longer to buy and how to nurture your audience effectively.
• Simple content strategies you can implement right now to grow your social presence organically.
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If you’re ready to simplify your content, make deeper connections, and stand out in today’s noisy online space, this episode is packed with actionable insights just for you. What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

1. Why polished, high-end content isn’t connecting anymore.
2. How user-generated content marketing brings trust and relatability.
3. The power of POV-style storytelling and personal experiences.
4. Why specificity in your messaging is key to attracting your audience.
5. The “Age of Sleuthing” and why the buying process is now a long game.

Connect with Shannon McKinstrie:

• Instagram: @ShannonMcKinstrie
• LinkedIn: Shannon McKinstrie
• TikTok: @ShannonMcKinstrie
• Reels Lab: Learn More Here

About Shannon: Shannon is an engaging Social Media Strategist, Trainer & Mentor who guides small business owners into making a big splash online and growing their accounts through proven, organic, and sustainable strategies. Resources Mentioned:

• Reels Lab: Shannon’s go-to program for creating scroll-stopping Instagram Reels that actually work.

Moms are often told they need to master time management with rigid systems and perfect plans. But here’s the truth: moms are already amazing at time management skills! The constant juggling act of family, work, and life forces them to adapt and thrive in ways most people can’t imagine. In this episode, we’re diving into why moms are natural time management pros, how they find hidden pockets of productivity, and tools that can make their lives easier. Whether you’re feeling overwhelmed or simply looking for ways to refine your approach, this conversation will inspire you to see your time management skills in a whole new light. What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• Why moms are the best at time management skills: Hint—it’s not about perfection but adaptability.
• How to find hidden pockets of time: Practical examples of how moms turn downtime into productivity.
• The emotional side of time management: Balancing work, family, and self-care without feeling guilty.
• Tech tips for simplifying your day: Why tools like AI can save mental energy and free up your schedule.
• Embracing the season of chaos: A perspective shift to help you find gratitude amidst the busy moments.

Links and Resources:

• BossMom Daily Focus Board: Get access to this simple and effective tool to help you prioritize your day and stay on track! Join BossMom+ Today
• AI Tools for Moms: Save mental energy and streamline your workflow with smart tech solutions. Check out our favorite recommendations here.
• More Time Management Tips: Explore additional strategies to refine your skills on the BossMom Blog.

Connect With Us:

• Follow Dana on Instagram for more tips and inspiration.
• Learn more about BossMom+ and how it can support your journey at boss-mom.com/plus.
• Get the BossMom Daily Focus Board

 

The holiday season is often a time for joy and connection, but for many moms, it’s also a source of overwhelming holiday stress. In this heartfelt episode, Dana Malstaff dives deep into the challenges moms face during the holiday season and why it often feels like more of a burden than a blessing.   Dana shares her personal experiences as a mom, including the invisible labor of coordinating holiday logistics, managing family dynamics, and the emotional toll of trying to "do it all." She also offers a safe space to acknowledge the tough realities of the holiday season while giving listeners permission to feel and process their emotions without judgment. Key talking points in this episode:

• Why the holiday season amplifies holiday stress for moms
• The cultural and family pressures moms face during the holidays
• The emotional weight of balancing holiday traditions with everyday responsibilities
• Practical advice for simplifying your holiday season and setting boundaries
• How Boss Mom is creating a space for moms to feel seen, supported, and validated
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If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by the demands of the holiday season, this episode is for you. Plus, Dana introduces the new Boss Mom Holiday Survey, a unique opportunity to share your experiences and help shape future resources for moms navigating holiday stress.   👉 Take the survey at boss-mom.com/holidaysurvey Tune in for an honest, compassionate conversation about what it really means to navigate the holiday season as a mom. You’re not alone, and your experiences matter.

From a book that gave me permission to lean into my strengths (Rocket Fuel), to a movie that taught me the importance of letting go (Dune: Part Two), and the amazing people who have shaped my year, this episode is all about how little things can create massive change.   What You’ll Hear in This Episode:

• Why we don’t need to do it all alone and how embracing support can change everything.
• How Rocket Fuel helped me embrace my role as a visionary and find the integrator who changed my business.
• The powerful lesson I learned from Dune: Part Two about letting go of good things to make room for greatness.
• How the relationships you cultivate can create ripple effects that impact your business, life, and happiness.
• A few questions to help you reflect on the ripple effects in your life and what you want to change next.

Big Takeaways:

• Stop Trying to Do It All Alone: We’re not meant to juggle everything, and letting others help creates room for growth.
• One Moment Can Change Everything: Whether it’s a book, movie, or conversation, be open to the ripple effects that can spark big changes.
• Your People Matter: Surround yourself with those who lift you up and want to see you succeed—it makes all the difference.

Resources Mentioned in This Episode:

• Rocket Fuel by Gino Wickman and Mark C. Winters – If you’re ready to lean into your strengths, this book is for you.
• Boss Mom+ Community – Join us in a more intimate space where we can grow together.

Action Step for You: Think about the ripple effects in your own life. Who or what has made a big impact on you this year? Take a moment to reflect and, if you feel like sharing, let me know! I’d love to hear your story. Connect with Me:

• Website: Boss Mom
• Instagram: @DanaMalstaff
• Boss Mom+ Community: Learn more here

In today’s episode, Krista and Dana dive into the all-too-relatable concept of being a "single married mom." What does that mean? It’s that feeling of navigating family life, raising kids, managing a home, and even running a business solo—even if you technically have a partner. If you’ve ever felt like you’re carrying the weight of it all by yourself, you’re not alone, and we’re here to unpack what this experience is, why it happens, and how to find support that truly helps.

Topics Discussed:

• The Reality of Being a "Single Married Mom"

  • Why so many moms feel like they’re parenting and running a household alone, even with a partner.
  • The complex realities of balancing motherhood, business, and life responsibilities solo.

• Creating Systems Without Feeling Robotic

  • How setting up simple systems can be a lifesaver in managing family logistics.
  • Why these systems create breathing room for deeper connection with family and partners, helping us focus on what really matters.

• Why Paying Moms for Their Work Isn’t the Solution

  • Breaking down the idea of assigning monetary value to stay-at-home or working moms.
  • The real “pay” we need: feeling valued, seen, and connected with our partners and families.

• Shifting from Keeping Score to Building Connection

  • How true partnership is about collaboration and appreciation, not keeping score.
  • The role of community in helping us feel understood, especially when navigating feelings of overwhelm and burnout.

• Communicating Our Needs with Our Partners

  • The importance of understanding and sharing our love languages to build supportive, balanced relationships.
  • How finding the right support and having honest conversations can make partnership more fulfilling.

• Boss Mom Plus – A Community for Real Support and Connection

  • Discover how Boss Mom Plus offers a safe space to discuss the challenges of motherhood, business, and relationships with like-minded women who truly get it.

Key Takeaways: Being a “single married mom” isn’t about fault or blame; it’s about finding ways to feel supported, connected, and valued in the relationships we share. When we create manageable systems for the essentials, we open up more space for meaningful moments with our family. And ultimately, having a community where we can talk openly with other moms helps us build stronger relationships at home. You’re not alone in this journey, Boss Mom—you have support, tools, and a community that’s here to walk with you every step of the way.

Resources Mentioned:

• The Systems Mindset book, for creating practical routines in daily life.
• Boss Mom Plus – Join the Boss Mom Plus community for support, advice, and connection with other moms navigating similar challenges.
• Link: bossmom.com/join

Join the Conversation: If this episode resonated with you, let us know! Share your experience of the "single married mom" feeling and connect with other moms going through the same. Tag @danamalstaff on Instagram, or join our community at Boss Mom Plus to dive deeper into the topics we discussed today.

Leveling Up & Legacy Building with Michelle Dempsey In this episode, we’re talking with Michelle Dempsey, the founder of Moms Moving On and the Moving On Method. Michelle’s journey from client-facing divorce coach to certification leader is filled with insights for anyone looking to scale their business, shift from hands-on work to leadership, or create a lasting legacy. Michelle and Dana discuss what it truly means to level up in your career, the emotional hurdles that come with leaving the “trenches,” and the deep impact of building a legacy through mentorship and certification.   Michelle shares her journey of overcoming imposter syndrome, learning to embrace leadership without losing authenticity, and creating a certification program that empowers a new generation of divorce coaches. If you’re ready to move from direct service to mentoring others or simply want to feel inspired by Michelle’s story, this episode is a must-listen.   Key Points Covered:

• Why Leveling Up is Hard for Women: Michelle dives into why women feel guilt or hesitation when moving from hands-on work to leadership, and how she overcame these challenges.
• Building a Legacy through Certification: Learn how Michelle’s Moving On Method certification program is changing the landscape of divorce coaching, offering real-world skills and mentorship to her graduates.
• Overcoming Imposter Syndrome and Scaling with Integrity: Michelle opens up about her struggles with self-doubt and the importance of scaling her business while maintaining high ethical standards.
• The Power of Deep Thought in Leadership: Dana and Michelle discuss why leaders need to prioritize big-picture thinking, vision, and relationship-building over daily tasks.

  Episode Takeaways:

• Leveling up doesn’t mean losing touch with your audience—it can actually deepen your impact.
• Creating a certification program or mentorship opportunity is a powerful way to build a legacy and empower others.
• Real leadership requires making space for strategic growth and giving yourself permission to step back.

  Resources Mentioned:

• Michelle Dempsey’s Moving On Method – Discover Michelle’s certification program and learn more about her work with divorce coaching.

Getting Focused on Your Business as a Mom

In this episode of the Boss Mom Podcast, Dana dives into the journey of getting focused as a mom and entrepreneur. As Boss Mom prepares to launch its new website and shift into a media platform dedicated to supporting moms, Dana shares insights on clarity, focus, and setting milestones—tools every mompreneur needs for sustainable success.

What You’ll Learn in this Episode:

• The Iterative Journey to Clarity – Why clarity isn’t a one-and-done discovery and how “clarity hangovers” are a normal part of the process.
• The Challenge of Staying Focused – How to recognize when you’re losing focus and why it’s okay to feel uncomfortable or nervous about new business strategies.
• How to Set Focus Milestones – Tips for setting achievable milestones that help you finish the important projects, even when new ideas and exciting distractions pop up.
• Finding Balance – Dana discusses the importance of aligning your business goals with your personal values and family life, especially for moms juggling work and caregiving.

Why Listen? This episode is all about getting focused, building a business that works for you, and finding clarity in your purpose—all while navigating the unique challenges of motherhood. Dana offers actionable advice on keeping your focus sharp, handling the inevitable distractions, and setting milestones that will help you reach your goals without burning out.

Links and Resources:

• Join the Boss Mom Community: Get updates on our new platform, resources, and more at Boss-Mom.com/community.
• BossMom+: Ready to go deeper? Join BossMom+ for more support, accountability, and resources to help you get focused on your entrepreneurial journey. Boss-Mom.com/join

In today’s episode of the BossMom podcast, Dana Malstaff sits down with Gina Conley, the inspiring founder of MamaStayFit. Gina’s journey from military officer to fitness coach started during her maternity leave, and she’s here to share how she built a successful business while navigating early motherhood.   If you’ve ever wondered how to start a business during maternity leave or felt the pull to do something creative for yourself while raising your little ones, this episode is packed with insights, tips, and relatable advice. Gina opens up about finding balance between her business and family life, setting boundaries, and the importance of showing up authentically, even when things aren’t perfect.   Tune in to hear Gina’s story and learn how you, too, can build a business that aligns with your passion, without sacrificing your role as a mom.   Key Takeaways:

• Gina’s transition from military officer to fitness coach and why she chose to start a business during maternity leave
• How she built her client base through word of mouth and social media while juggling the demands of a newborn
• The importance of setting boundaries as a new entrepreneur and balancing business with family life
• Tips on letting go and delegating tasks to grow your business without burning out
• The power of authenticity: why showing up as your true self is key to building a loyal audience
• Advice for moms feeling overwhelmed about adding fitness or self-care into their routines

Where to Connect with Gina:

• Follow Gina on Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube: @MamaStayFit
• Visit her website for prenatal and postpartum fitness courses, childbirth education, and more: MamaStayFit.com

  Resources Mentioned: If you want to learn more about Gina and her fitness programs, follow her on Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube. For info on her prenatal and postpartum fitness courses, childbirth education, or professional training, head to her website at MamaStayFit.com.   Join the Conversation: If you loved this episode, be sure to subscribe and leave a review! Share your thoughts with us on social media and tag us with your takeaways. You can also check out the BossMom community to connect with other amazing moms balancing life, business, and everything in between.

Welcome to a brand-new segment on the BossMom podcast, where Dana Malstaff and Krista (BossMom's Integrator and mom of 5) bring you unfiltered conversations about the intersection of motherhood and business!   In this teaser episode, Dana and Krista give you a sneak peek into the deep (and sometimes hilarious) discussions that are coming your way.   We’ll be exploring everything from balancing family life with running a business, to those vulnerable “bomb truths” about motherhood that no one really talks about. Expect to laugh, learn, and maybe even get a little uncomfortable as we talk through some of the biggest topics moms face today.   Episode Highlights:

• Are Your Kids Really Your Purpose? – Dana shares her perspective on why children aren’t your only purpose and how this mindset shift can free you to pursue more in life.
• Motherhood vs. House Management – We discuss the cultural confusion between parenting and housework, and why they’re not the same thing.
• Grieving and Running a Business – Grief is a part of motherhood and business, for all moms to varying degrees. We'll be sharing how we navigate this.
• Should Husbands Pay Wives for Meal Planning? – This question sparked an exciting debate about unpaid labor in the home, financial security, and negotiating support from your partner.
• The Wisdom of Children – Krista talks about the inherent wisdom of kids and how we can nurture that both in parenting and in our entrepreneurial lives.

  If you’ve ever felt torn between being a mom and running a business—or if you’re just looking for some real talk from women who’ve been there—this episode is for you!

Let’s get real for a minute. Selling an online course can feel overwhelming, especially when you're juggling motherhood, marriage, personal growth, and all the other hats we wear. And just when you think you're ready to dive in, it seems like the whole world is launching courses (especially around fall, right when Amy Porterfield’s Digital Course Academy comes out, making it feel like courses are everywhere!). But here's the thing: you can totally do this. You can sell your course, and you can do it in a way that works for your busy mom life.   But how? That’s what we’re talking about today. Let’s get into it and break down the essentials of how to sell an online course and actually get people to buy it!

As more mothers enter the world of entrepreneurship, studies show that balancing passion and family can be overwhelming - even paralyzing. The pressure to turn a passion into a profitable business while keeping up with the demands of parenting can leave many feeling unsure of where to start or whether they have what it takes.

With social media filled with perfect images of other moms seemingly "doing it all," it's easy to feel like you're falling short if your journey isn’t picture-perfect. But here’s the truth: Success doesn’t require perfection, and you don’t need to have it all figured out before you begin.

What if instead of waiting for the "right time" or having the perfect setup, you took the chance by “failing forward”? Could being messy and imperfect actually be the secret to making your passion profitable?

In this episode, I talk to cookbook and Substack author, Caroline Chambers, who built a successful business while balancing motherhood. She shares why action is the key to clarity and how to start small, monetize trust, and grow your passion without waiting for the perfect moment.

 

Things You’ll Learn In This Episode

• Why You Should Be Open to Change

If you’re feeling stuck, it might be because the path you're on isn’t where your true passion lies, and trying something new could open doors you never knew existed. Are you holding yourself back by staying in your current routine?

• “Failing Forward” is Okay

Success comes from learning, not perfection. What could you achieve if you let go of needing everything to be perfect and just started?

• Turn Trust into a Business

Building real trust with your community encourages support and can create opportunities for making money. Have you thought about how you could turn the trust people have in you into something valuable?

 

Guest Bio

Caroline Chambers grew up in the kitchen on her mom’s hip, learning how to cook in their Winston-Salem, North Carolina, home. Her professional food career began in her early twenties when she worked as a chef and caterer. After a stint in a professional test kitchen, Caro struck out on her own as a freelancer, developing recipes for a host of publications as well as brands such as Boursin Cheese and Kim Crawford Wine, and in 2018, she published her first cookbook, Just Married. In 2020—at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic—Caro began sharing her recipes and connecting with home cooks on Instagram (@carochambers ), and launched her newsletter, What to Cook When You Don’t Feel Like Cooking, which flew to the top of the Substack charts; her podcast, So Into That, followed in 2023. Caro's latest cookbook, What To Cook When You Don't Feel Like Cooking, is available for pre-order and will be out on August 13, 2024. Caro lives in Carmel Valley, California, with her husband, George, and their three young sons, Mattis, Calum, and Cashel—one of whom can almost always be found in the kitchen on her hip.

Instagram: @‌carochambers

Substack: What to Cook When You Don't Feel Like Cooking

Cookbook: What to Cook When You Don't Feel Like Cooking

 

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