We’ve been taught that being hard on ourselves makes us better.

That if we just try harder, stay consistent enough, hold higher standards, and push through the exhaustion, we’ll finally feel like we’re doing this parenting thing right.

But what if that constant self-criticism is the very thing burning you out?

In this episode, I talk with Dr. D. Ivan Young about why self-compassion isn’t weakness — it’s emotional intelligence. And how misused empathy, especially toward yourself, creates resentment, over-functioning, and disconnection in your home.

If you’ve been feeling exhausted, reactive, or stuck in your head replaying everything you did “wrong,” this conversation will connect the dots between your internal self-talk and the emotional tone of your entire family.

Empathy is powerful — but when it’s weaponized against yourself, it becomes harmful.

• Refusing to give yourself grace
• Believing you should always do more
• Never allowing yourself to be human

A lack of self-compassion doesn’t stay internal. It spills into your relationships as snapping, resentment, emotional withdrawal, and chronic over-functioning.

You cannot pour empathy outward when you’re withholding it inward.

The “Obnoxious Self” vs. Your Wise Self

Dr. Young describes the “obnoxious self” as the internal voice that constantly criticizes and second-guesses:

• “You should’ve done better.”
• “Why can’t you handle this?”
• “Other moms don’t struggle like this.”

This voice keeps you stuck in fight-or-flight mode. Practicing self-empathy helps you shift into your grounded, intentional self — the part of you capable of emotional intelligence and thoughtful parenting.

The Security Guard vs. CEO Brain

When you’re triggered, your amygdala — the “security guard” — takes over and locks your CEO (your prefrontal cortex) away.

Your CEO is where:

• Emotional intelligence lives
• Curiosity lives
• Intentional parenting lives

Self-compassion helps bring your CEO back online so you can respond instead of react.

Over-Functioning as a Dysfunctional Normal

Many overwhelmed moms live in constant over-functioning:

• Anticipating everything
• Fixing everything
• Managing everyone’s emotions

While it feels responsible, over-functioning slowly pulls you away from authentic alignment — accepting your humanity and setting boundaries that protect your psychological safety.

Self-neglect doesn’t just hurt you. It impacts your marriage and your children’s emotional development.

Emotional Intelligence in Real-Life Conflict

We also discuss practical tools you can use immediately:

• How pitch, tone, and facial expression regulate nervous systems
• Why moods are contagious and your presence sets the emotional temperature of your home
• A phrase introverts can use to speak up without escalating conflict: “I’ve been listening to everything you’re saying. May I share my perspective?”

Emotional intelligence isn’t about controlling others. It’s about regulating yourself first.

About Dr. D. Ivan Young

Dr. D. Ivan Young is an ICF Master Certified Coach and author of Leading from the Heart. He has spent over two decades working at the intersection of behavioral neuroscience and human connection. After navigating a stage four cancer diagnosis, he deepened his research into resilience, identity, and the internal battle between the omniscient self and the obnoxious self.

His work reframes self-compassion as essential to resilience, leadership, and emotional intelligence.

Resources Mentioned

Leading from the Heart by Dr. D. Ivan Young

Connect with Dr. D. Ivan Young on LinkedIN

The Best Mom’s a Happy Mom by JoAnn Crohn

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It’s easy to look at a report card and feel like you’re getting a clear answer.

Are they doing well? Are they “on track”? Are you doing enough as a mom?

Because when those grades look good, there’s a sense of relief. Like… okay, we’re fine.

But what if those grades aren’t telling the whole story?

In this episode, I sat down with Dr. Deborah Kenny, founder of Harlem Village Academies and author of The Well-Educated Child, to talk about what actually prepares kids for the real world—and why so many of us have been taught to focus on the wrong things.

What you’ll learn in this episode

• The three key pillars of a truly well-educated child—and why grades are just a small piece of the puzzle
• Why traditional school success like test scores and memorization doesn’t always translate into real-world skills
• How to build your child’s attention span in a world full of distractions—and why reading matters more than ever
• The role of parental involvement in education—and how small shifts at home can make a big impact
• Practical ways to help your child develop independence, motivation, and follow-through without constant reminders

Why this matters

So many overwhelmed moms are carrying the pressure of “getting it right” when it comes to their kids’ education.

Checking homework. Monitoring grades. Pushing for better performance.

And yet even with all that effort, it can still feel like your child is unmotivated, distracted, or just going through the motions.

That’s because real-world readiness isn’t built through pressure—it’s built through skills like critical thinking, independence, and purpose.

When we shift our focus from just “How are they performing?” to “Who are they becoming?” we start to support the kind of growth that lasts.

Resources mentioned

• The Well-Educated Child by Dr. Deborah Kenny
• Harlem Village Academies
• The Anxious Generation by Jonathan Haidt

This episode is a powerful reminder that good grades can matter, but they are not the whole picture. What matters most is helping kids become thoughtful, motivated, capable people who know how to think, solve problems, and engage with the world around them.

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Split shift parenting sounds like the answer so many overwhelmed moms have been searching for. Clear roles. Built-in breaks. Finally feeling like you’re not “on” all the time.

But if you’ve tried it—or even just thought about it—you might already feel the gap. Because even when time is divided, the mental load usually isn’t. And that’s where the real exhaustion is coming from.

In this episode, we’re breaking down why split shift parenting feels so appealing, why it often doesn’t solve parenting burnout, and what actually creates lasting relief in your home.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode

• What split shift parenting is and why it’s gaining popularity among overwhelmed moms
• The difference between sharing time and sharing responsibility in parenting
• Why you can still feel like the default parent—even when you’re technically “off duty”
• How the invisible mental load continues to drive burnout
• A more sustainable way to divide responsibilities so you can finally feel real support

Why This Matters

If you’ve ever felt like no matter how much help you get, you’re still the one holding everything together, you’re not imagining it.

Parenting burnout isn’t just about doing too much—it’s about being the one who has to think about everything.

When you shift from dividing time to truly sharing ownership, you create space in your mind, not just your schedule. And that’s what allows you to feel supported, present, and less overwhelmed in your everyday life.

Resources Mentioned

• Book: The Best Mom is a Happy Mom by JoAnn Crohn
• No Guilt Mom Podcast: How Unicorn Space Will Bring You Back to Life with Eve Rodsky
• No Guilt Mom Podcast: 4 Toxic Time Messages We Tell Ourselves with Eve Rodsky

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Overthinking your parenting decisions? Replaying conversations in your head at night? Wondering if you handled that moment “the right way”?

You’re not alone—and you’re definitely not broken.

In this episode, I’m joined by Gwenna Laithland, author of Thinky Thoughts, to talk about what’s really going on in that busy, overthinking brain of yours. Because what if all that mental spiraling isn’t a flaw… but actually a sign that you care deeply—and a tool you can learn to use?

Gwenna shares how her own “thinky thoughts” shaped her parenting, her healing journey, and the way she shows up for her kids today. We get into the messy, honest reality of adulting, why so many of us feel like we’re still figuring it out as we go, and how overthinking can actually lead to more intentional, connected parenting.

If you’ve ever questioned yourself as a mom, this conversation will feel like a deep exhale.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• Why overthinking doesn’t mean you’re failing—it means you’re paying attention
• How childhood experiences shape the way we react as parents
• The difference between guiding your child and shaming them
• Why “doing better” in parenting starts with understanding yourself
• How overthinking can actually help you become a more responsive, intentional parent
• The truth about adulting (hint: most of us are figuring it out as we go)

Why This Episode Matters

So many overwhelmed moms carry the quiet belief that if they just thought less, worried less, or reacted less, they’d finally be a “better” parent.

But the truth is, your brain isn’t the problem.

That constant thinking often comes from a place of wanting to get it right, to break old patterns, and to give your kids something different than what you had.

This episode reframes overthinking as something you can work with instead of something you need to fix, so you can move out of self-doubt and into more confident, connected parenting.

Resources Mentioned:

• Thinky Thoughts by Gwenna Laithland

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If you’ve ever tried gentle parenting and thought… why isn’t this working? — you are not alone.

So many moms are doing their best to stay calm, validate emotions, and avoid yelling… yet still feel like their kids are pushing limits, ignoring them, or completely running the show.

And that’s where the frustration starts to creep in.

In this episode, we’re breaking down what’s actually happening when gentle parenting feels ineffective—and why the issue isn’t you.

Because the truth is, gentle parenting isn’t the problem.

The confusion around it is.

You’ll learn how gentle parenting is often mistaken for permissive parenting (and why that shift changes everything), what kids really need to thrive, and how to raise emotionally intelligent kids without losing your boundaries in the process.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• The 4 parenting styles (and where gentle parenting actually fits)
• The key difference between gentle parenting and permissive parenting
• Why lack of structure leads to more power struggles—not fewer
• How to use natural consequences to teach responsibility (without punishment)
• What emotional intelligence really looks like in kids
• How to validate your child’s feelings while still holding firm boundaries
• Real-life examples of how to respond when kids push back

Why This Matters

When gentle parenting is misunderstood, it can leave you feeling like you’re failing—even when you’re trying harder than ever.

But kids don’t just need connection.
They need structure, consistency, and clear expectations too.

When you combine emotional intelligence with strong boundaries, that’s when things start to shift.

That’s when you raise kids who are confident, respectful, and able to handle real-world challenges—without you feeling like you have to do everything for them.

Resources Mentioned

Calm Conversations Mini Course

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If you’ve ever felt like you’re being pulled in two directions—trying to show up fully at work while also wanting to be present at home—you’re not alone.

So many working moms feel like they’re constantly falling short somewhere. You’re answering emails while thinking about your kids… or sitting with your kids while your mind is still at work. And no matter what you do, it feels like it’s never quite enough.

In this episode, I talk with Sarah about what actually helps when you’re living in that tension every day. Not unrealistic balance. Not doing more. But setting boundaries that protect your time, your energy, and your relationships—without piling on more guilt.

Because the goal isn’t to do everything perfectly. It’s to create a life where you can actually be present in the moments that matter.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode

• Why working parents often feel like they’re “failing at everything”—and what’s really going on beneath that feeling
• How to build a “compartmentalization muscle” so you can be present at work and at home
• The importance of clearly defining and communicating your boundaries (and why most of us skip this step)
• A simple boundary example—like blocking protected time for your kids—that actually works in real life
• How technology quietly pulls your attention away (and what to do about it)
• The powerful shift of saying “no” without overexplaining or apologizing
• What to do when your boundaries are crossed—or when you didn’t realize you needed one until it was too late
• How the “Sunday List” can reduce mental load and stop tasks from constantly nagging at you
• What “transferring hours” means—and how to use it to create more flexibility in your schedule
• Why you don’t have to do everything at your child’s school to be a present, loving parent

Resources Mentioned

Sarah’s book: The Art of the Juggling Act: A Bite-Sized Guide for Working Parents

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Sharing our kids online can feel completely normal. It’s how we connect, document memories, and stay close with family and friends.

But what does it actually mean for our kids to grow up with an audience?

In this episode, JoAnn is joined by journalist and author Fortesa Latifi, who has spent years researching influencer families and the real impact of growing up online. This conversation goes beyond screen time and into identity, trust, and how sharing affects our kids long-term.

This isn’t about guilt. It’s about awareness—so you can make decisions that feel right for your family.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode

• Why kids growing up online may struggle with identity as they get older
• The difference between consent and informed consent—and why it matters
• How sharing content can impact your relationship with your child
• The emotional cost of turning everyday moments into public content
• Why even casual sharing contributes to your child’s digital footprint
• Simple ways to set boundaries around what you share online

Why This Conversation Matters

Today’s kids are growing up in a world where their lives can be documented before they even understand what that means.

This episode helps you take a step back and consider:

• Would my child feel okay about this in the future?
• Am I sharing for connection or something else?
• What boundaries feel right for my family moving forward?

There’s no perfect approach—but there is a thoughtful one.

Resources Mentioned

• Like, Follow, Subscribe: Influencer Kids and the Cost of a Childhood Online by Fortesa Latifi

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You know that feeling when your to-do list never actually ends… it just resets the next day?

And somehow, even when you’re doing everything right, you still feel behind.

In this episode, I’m talking with Christine Landis about something that can feel both incredibly logical and deeply uncomfortable: buying back your time.

Because let’s be honest—most of us were never taught that we’re allowed to get help at home. We’ve been conditioned to believe that doing it all is what makes us a “good mom.”

But what if doing it all is actually what’s draining your joy?

Christine, a former CEO and founder of Proxy, shares how delegation at home isn’t about being “extra” or “bougie”—it’s about creating space for the life you actually want to live.

We dive into the emotional resistance, the guilt, and the real cost of trying to handle everything yourself—and how small shifts can completely change how you experience your days.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• Why moms struggle more with delegating at home than they do at work
• The difference between physical tasks and mental load—and why both matter
• Signs you’re not buying back your time (even if you think you’re “managing”)
• How control and perfectionism keep you stuck doing everything yourself
• Simple ways to start outsourcing without feeling overwhelmed
• The truth about “mom guilt” when it comes to paying for help
• Why knowing how you’ll use your free time makes letting go easie
  

Why This Episode Matters

So many moms are running on empty—not because they’re doing something wrong, but because they’re doing too much.

And the hardest part?

We’ve been taught to see that overload as normal.

Buying back your time isn’t about doing less for your family.

It’s about creating more space for connection, energy, and joy—with your family.

Because your kids don’t need a mom who does everything.

They need a mom who isn’t completely drained by everything.

Resources Mentioned

• Proxy (Christine’s text-based thinking partner for mental load and decision-making). She's giving you 3 months free! Here's how to get it:
• 1.  Select the 3 month plan here and input code NGM (it will ask for a CC number, you will not be charged ever).
  2. Complete the profile (takes ~5 minutes)
  3. S ave Proxy as a contact in your phone (820-732-2625)
  4. Text it when you need to vent, research or help making a decision in the moment (you can send a voice memo, voice to text, or say "Hey Siri, text Proxy...")
  5. We respond in real-time, in under 1 minute, with exactly what we would do, if we were you.

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You know those days where you wake up already tired… and by the end of the day, you’re completely drained—even though nothing that big happened?

And somehow, the hardest part isn’t even the exhaustion. It’s the voice in your head telling you that you should have handled it better.

In this episode, we’re shifting that narrative completely.

Because the truth is—you’re not bad at managing your time. You’ve just never been taught how to manage your energy.

We’re diving into spoon theory (a concept that completely changed how I see my own burnout), and how understanding your unique energy limits—especially as a mom, and especially if you’re neurodivergent—can help you stop the constant cycle of overdoing it… crashing… and then blaming yourself.

This isn’t about doing more.

It’s about finally working with yourself instead of against yourself.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode

• What spoon theory is and why it explains your daily exhaustion so clearly
• Why moms carry an invisible mental load that drains energy just as much as physical tasks
• How neurodivergent moms (ADHD, autism, and more) experience energy differently
• The “boom and bust” burnout cycle—and why it keeps repeating
• Why traditional productivity advice doesn’t work for women’s energy cycles
• How to identify your personal “spoon categories” (like focus, decision-making, and sensory input)
• Practical ways to plan your days around your energy instead of pushing through

Why This Matters

So many overwhelmed moms are stuck thinking:

“Why can’t I keep up?”

“Why am I so tired all the time?”

“Why does this feel so much harder for me than everyone else?”

But your energy is not a reflection of your worth.

When you start seeing your energy as something finite—something to budget and protect—everything changes. You stop shaming yourself… and start making decisions that actually support you.

And that’s where real relief begins.

Resources Mentioned

• 1-on-1 Coaching
  

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If your tween or teen son has started getting quieter, pulling away, or shutting down when emotions run high, it can feel personal fast.

One minute he’s talking freely, and the next, every answer is one word, every hard moment gets handled behind a closed door, and you’re left wondering if you’re losing your connection.

In this episode, I’m joined by Heidi Allsop, founder of Raising Boys, Building Men, master certified life and parenting coach, and mom of five sons. We talk about what’s actually going on when boys get quieter in adolescence, why that shift is often developmental rather than relational, and how moms can stay connected without overpursuing, overanalyzing, or panicking.

This conversation is such an important reminder that your son’s silence is not automatically rejection. Sometimes it’s his brain trying to stay efficient, avoid discomfort, and figure things out in the only way he knows how right now. And when we understand that, we can respond with a whole lot more calm, confidence, and connection.

In this episode, we talk about:

• What’s happening in a tween or teen boy’s brain when he goes quiet, acts impulsive, or seems emotionally distant
• The two common ways boys tend to respond during adolescence: pulling inward or acting outward
• Why moms often panic when behavior shifts, and how that panic can lead to overparenting or underparenting
• How boys’ need for efficiency and independence affects the way they communicate
• Why deep emotional talks can sometimes backfire with tween and teen boys
• Simple ways to test and build connection that do not rely on talking
• How physical proximity and nonverbal affection can reveal emotional safety
• Why letting boys build emotional muscles matters for resilience later in life
• How to support your son’s emotions without taking over responsibility for them
• The link between connection and influence during the teen years

Why this episode matters

So many moms assume that when a son starts pulling away, something is wrong with the relationship. But Heidi shares a powerful reframe: the relationship may be changing, but that does not mean it is broken.

When we stop interpreting silence as rejection and start seeing it as part of normal emotional development, we can parent with a lot more steadiness. That steadiness helps our sons feel safe, respected, and connected, even when they are not opening up in the ways we hoped they would.

This episode will help you better understand your son, stay grounded in the hard moments, and protect the connection that matters most.

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If you’ve ever caught yourself snapping at your kids and then immediately wondering, “Why am I like this?”—this episode is for you. Many moms struggle with reactive behaviors and the mom guilt that follows, but understanding the reaction pattern behind these moments is the first step to overcoming overwhelm and burnout.

In this episode of the No Guilt Mom parenting podcast, you'll gain valuable parenting tips and self-care tips designed specifically for moms navigating the chaos of family life. We explore what’s really happening in your brain when you react, why these responses feel automatic, and how to start breaking the cycle with strategies that work without relying on willpower alone.

Join parenting coach JoAnn Crohn, M.Ed. as she guides you through mindset shifts and practical advice to help you move beyond feeling overwhelmed and reactive to becoming a calmer, more empowered mom. This episode offers insight and support for moms seeking lasting change and renewed confidence in their parenting journey.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• Why labeling yourself as a “yelling mom” keeps you stuck (and what to say instead)
• How reaction patterns are formed—and why they feel so automatic
• The simple shift that can immediately change how you respond in stressful moments
• Why your kids’ behavior isn’t what’s causing your reaction
• How to interrupt your interpretation before it turns into yelling
• The truth about motivation (and why it’s not enough on its own)
• Why accountability is the missing piece in breaking reaction patterns

Why This Matters

When you believe your reactions are just “who you are,” it can feel hopeless to try to change them.

But when you understand that your reactions are learned patterns—not fixed traits—you open the door to something really powerful: choice.

You don’t have to stay stuck in the cycle of reacting, regretting, and repeating. There is a way to respond differently—and it starts with shifting how you interpret what’s happening around you.

Resources Mentioned:

The Regulated Mom Experience (April–June cohort, limited to 10 women)

No Guilt Mom Inner Circle

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