One broken mug. All-day self-criticism. Sound familiar?

Lisa Danahy (MS in Yoga Therapy, author of Creating Calm in Your Classroom) breaks down why mothers spiral into hypervigilance after one mistake - and shares the body-based regulation tool that actually works.

What we cover:

• How "See, loser, you suck" becomes an all-day mantra
• Why your nervous system catalogs every imperfection
• The one question that stops the spiral: "Is that actually true?"
• Why hiding stress from your kids backfires
• The gorilla chest-pounding regulation tool (yes, really)
• Building self-compassion without trying to be perfect

This episode is for burnt-out moms who are tired of being so hard on themselves.

Guest: Lisa Danahy - Yoga Therapist, author of Creating Calm in Your Classroom

New episodes bi-weekly-ish. Follow Chill Like a Mother for more conversations about maternal mental health and finding yourself outside of motherhood.

Chapters

• 00:00 Self-Compassion and Self-Talk
• 08:09 Challenging Beliefs and Finding Evidence
• 15:13 Creating Equitable Division of Labor
• 26:09 Regulation through Play and Expression

How do you stay present when you're not okay as a mom?

Megan Dowd shares the worst flight of her life (funeral, delayed, toddler screaming 3.5 hours) and the best (crying babies everywhere, pediatrician validation). The metaphor that changes everything: "The thing that will fix it is getting off the plane. That's not an option when we're somewhere over Montana."

We talk about:

• The "over Montana" moments of motherhood
• "Is this a big problem or a little problem?" — the question that stops the spiral
• How to stay present when you have nothing left
• Creative regulation when touched out
• Why we're shepherds, not engineers
• How to be not okay without making it your kid's problem
• The real measure of good enough parenting

Megan: "I cannot shape you. I cannot mold you. It's a weird thing for your ego — so much responsibility and absolutely no control over the outcome."

If you've ever felt over Montana with no escape, this is for you.

RESOURCES: kaylahuszar.com/blog

Have you ever felt like motherhood has swallowed you whole? Like your teenager self, your childhood self, just your human self is no longer part of who you are?

This week I'm sitting down with Allie McQuaid - known as @millennialmomtherapist on Instagram - and we're talking about the thing nobody prepares you for: the slow disappearance of yourself in motherhood.

Allie is a therapist in Maryland who works specifically with millennial moms navigating burnout, identity loss, and the impossible pressure to be everything for everyone. And she told me something that stopped me in my tracks: Almost every single week, her clients ask the same question: "How do I not screw up my kids?"

In this conversation, we're digging into:

• Why millennial moms are experiencing a unique identity crisis (and it's not your fault)
• The tension between wanting to be "fun mom" and also needing boundaries
• Three real coping strategies that don't require waking up at 5 AM or booking a spa day
• The difference between intentional self-care and shame-based coping
• How to break generational patterns while barely surviving bedtime
• Why the "am I enough?" question keeps so many of us up at night

This isn't another episode telling you what you should be doing. This is validation, permission, and practical tools for the moments when you're at your absolute limit.

Whether you're standing in your kitchen in yesterday's shirt wondering when you became only "mom," or you're hiding in the bathroom for five minutes of peace - this conversation is for you.

Guest: Allie McQuaid, therapist specializing in millennial mom burnout and identity (@millennialmomtherapist)

Free Resource: Download 101 Ways to Chill Like a Mother for tiny, doable acts of self-care that actually fit into your real life.

If this episode resonates, share it with a mom friend who needs to hear it. And drop a comment with your favorite nostalgic childhood movie - I'm collecting them!

Allie McQuaid is a therapist in Maryland who specializes in working with millennial moms navigating the unique pressures of modern motherhood. Find her on Instagram @millennialmomtherapist for nostalgic millennial content mixed with real talk about burnout, identity shifts, and breaking generational patterns.

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Ever wondered how societal expectations influence the distribution of emotional labour and mental load in your marriage? You're in for a treat! This episode features our insightful guest, Zach, a previous math teacher and Fair Play facilitator, who enlightens us on the profound impact of invisible labour in our lives.

Getting personal, we share our own experiences and offer practical advice on improving relationship dynamics, such as the significance of regular check-ins and open discussions. Zach shares opening with us about the nitty-gritty of mental load, its importance in parenting and gender roles, and the urgent need to dismantle toxic masculinity.

Ah Ha Moments

• What is the mental load? How is it different from emotional/invisible labour?
• Zach and Alyssa were separated in 2019 at the time, and he had NO idea he was adding to her mental load - your partner might not know either.
• If you talk about the mental load at home in the context of how your partner might carry the weight of financial responsibility - they might get it!
• When sharing memes or reels with your partner, give some context.

Wrapping up, we can't stress enough the power of meaningful conversations and sharing resources to kickstart your own. Tune in now!

Watch on Episode 31 with Zach Watson on YouTube

Mentionables:

Zach Watson - Recovering Man-child - Content creator and men's domestic labor and mental-load coach, putting out free educational content to improve men's abilities to articulate and implement equity in their home.

Go to Zach's website

Follow him on IG

Support the show

Meet Kayla Huszar, the Host of the Chill Like a Mother Podcast

Kayla Huszar is a Registered Social Worker and Expressive Arts Therapist who helps mothers reconnect with their authentic selves through embodied art-making. She encourages moms to embrace the messy, beautiful realities of their unique motherhood journeys. Whether through the podcast, 1:1 sessions or her signature Motherload Membership, Kayla creates a brave space for mothers to explore their identities beyond parenting, reconnect with their intuition, and find creative outlets for emotional expression and self-discovery.

Thank you for letting me be a part of your day—kids running amok and all! If this episode helped you feel a little more chill, please leave a rating or review. Your feedback helps the podcast reach more moms who need to hear it.

Send us a text

Four years ago, Jessica Dunn was navigating her daughter's AuDHD diagnosis with too many opinions, not enough answers. Today: 18 months without sensory meltdowns.

What this episode cover:

• Moving from diagnosis shock to usable roadmap
• Why early intervention builds skills before shame sets in
• Family therapy vs "fix the kid" approaches
• The ADHD tax: funding, benefits, and hard budget choices
• Choosing high-impact supports and measuring by function
• Body-based regulation: deep pressure, vestibular input, chiropractic care
• Primitive reflexes, midline work, making OT gains stick
• Building trusted teams and filtering noisy advice
• Redefining progress with small wins that compound
• Carrying hope into new stages like puberty

The toolkit that travels: Visual routines, movement before focus, protein before school, simple words during stress.

For ADHD parents who need evidence, not inspiration.

Whether you choose medication or other supports, whether you're years into this or just starting - this shows what's possible when you find your people and trust yourself.

Please reach out to me, reach out to Jessica. Hopefully this connects you with people who specialize in ADHD support.

Support the show

Meet Kayla Huszar, the Host of the Chill Like a Mother Podcast

Kayla Huszar is a Registered Social Worker and Expressive Arts Therapist who helps mothers reconnect with their authentic selves through embodied art-making. She encourages moms to embrace the messy, beautiful realities of their unique motherhood journeys. Whether through the podcast, 1:1 sessions or her signature Motherload Membership, Kayla creates a brave space for mothers to explore their identities beyond parenting, reconnect with their intuition, and find creative outlets for emotional expression and self-discovery.

Thank you for letting me be a part of your day—kids running amok and all! If this episode helped you feel a little more chill, please leave a rating or review. Your feedback helps the podcast reach more moms who need to hear it.

Send us a text

Tired of saying "I'm fine" when your body and brain are screaming for honesty? This guided meditation helps overwhelmed mothers stop pretending and start feeling—without forcing a fix.

What You'll Get: A 7-minute practice that meets you where you are: angry, sad, touched out, or completely empty. We start with breath work and body scanning, then move into five practical tools that turn emotional awareness into compassionate action.

The Meditation for Moms:

• Settle into ordinary breath and scan tension hotspots (shoulders, jaw, belly)
• Learn grounding techniques you can use anywhere when big emotions surge
• Practice allowing feelings to exist without liking them
• Release micro-clenches that quietly drain your energy

Five Coping Tools for When You're Not Fine:

1. Write an emotional weather report to name what's happening inside
2. Give yourself permission to take one humane next step
3. Create an anger list—cross out what you can't control, circle what you can
4. Name what's true right now to cut through noise and identify real needs
5. Validate yourself with "it makes sense that I feel..." to loosen shame

Instead of toxic positivity or "cherish every moment," this episode offers real tools for maternal mental health. You'll leave with language, structure, and relief.

For mothers ready to:

• Stop saying "fine" when they're drowning
• Process difficult emotions without judgment
• Find practical coping strategies for mom burnout
• Access guided meditation designed specifically for overwhelmed parents

If you're in Saskatchewan, Alberta, Ontario, or New Brunswick and want one-to-one support, reach out. Follow the show and share with a friend who needs gentleness today.

What part of motherhood are you done calling "fine"?

Support the show

Meet Kayla Huszar, the Host of the Chill Like a Mother Podcast

Kayla Huszar is a Registered Social Worker and Expressive Arts Therapist who helps mothers reconnect with their authentic selves through embodied art-making. She encourages moms to embrace the messy, beautiful realities of their unique motherhood journeys. Whether through the podcast, 1:1 sessions or her signature Motherload Membership, Kayla creates a brave space for mothers to explore their identities beyond parenting, reconnect with their intuition, and find creative outlets for emotional expression and self-discovery.

Thank you for letting me be a part of your day—kids running amok and all! If this episode helped you feel a little more chill, please leave a rating or review. Your feedback helps the podcast reach more moms who need to hear it.

Send us a text

Motherhood can feel like an endless cycle of giving—to your kids, your partner, your job, your home. But where does that leave you? In this episode, we’re breaking down why creativity isn’t a luxury—it’s a lifeline, especially for busy moms. 🎨💡

You don’t need hours of free time (ha, what’s that?) or artistic talent to feel the benefits. We’re talking about five intentional minutes of doodling, journaling, or even just soaking in the colors around you.

Join me and art therapist Ashleigh Gureckas as we explore how small, creative practices can help regulate your nervous system, create a sense of calm, and reconnect you with you. Bonus: it’s science-backed and mom-approved.

In this episode, we cover:
✨ Why creativity is essential (not extra) for moms
✨ The surprising neuroscience of a 5-minute creative practice
✨ Practical tips to sneak creativity into your chaotic day

Take a deep breath, grab a crayon (or just your coffee mug), and hit play. This is your reminder that you deserve moments of joy and self-connection, no matter how busy life gets.

Support the show

Meet Kayla Huszar, the Host of the Chill Like a Mother Podcast

Kayla Huszar is a Registered Social Worker and Expressive Arts Therapist who helps mothers reconnect with their authentic selves through embodied art-making. She encourages moms to embrace the messy, beautiful realities of their unique motherhood journeys. Whether through the podcast, 1:1 sessions or her signature Motherload Membership, Kayla creates a brave space for mothers to explore their identities beyond parenting, reconnect with their intuition, and find creative outlets for emotional expression and self-discovery.

Thank you for letting me be a part of your day—kids running amok and all! If this episode helped you feel a little more chill, please leave a rating or review. Your feedback helps the podcast reach more moms who need to hear it.

Send us a text

Ever feel like the chaos of motherhood is slowly driving you mad? Before you dive into another doom-scrolling session, we’ve got something better. In today’s episode, we’re talking about how expressive arts therapy can be your secret weapon against the pressure to be the "perfect" mom.

Join us as we chat with Kelsey, a mom who discovered that something as simple as cutting up old magazines could be a lifeline. We’re digging into how creativity—not perfection—can help you process those messy emotions, connect with your kids on a deeper level, and find a little sanity in the middle of the madness.

Kelsey shares how collage and other creative outlets became her go-to tools for coping with the stresses of modern motherhood. And the best part? You don’t need to be an artist or have hours of free time to make this work. We’ll give you practical tips for getting started—whether it’s setting up a simple art corner at home or involving your kids in a quick creative project.

So, if you’re ready to ditch the perfectionism and find a better way to navigate the chaos, this episode is for you. Tune in and discover how a little creativity can go a long way in helping you keep it together.

Support the show

Meet Kayla Huszar, the Host of the Chill Like a Mother Podcast

Kayla Huszar is a Registered Social Worker and Expressive Arts Therapist who helps mothers reconnect with their authentic selves through embodied art-making. She encourages moms to embrace the messy, beautiful realities of their unique motherhood journeys. Whether through the podcast, 1:1 sessions or her signature Motherload Membership, Kayla creates a brave space for mothers to explore their identities beyond parenting, reconnect with their intuition, and find creative outlets for emotional expression and self-discovery.

Thank you for letting me be a part of your day—kids running amok and all! If this episode helped you feel a little more chill, please leave a rating or review. Your feedback helps the podcast reach more moms who need to hear it.