In this episode of the Holistic Sister Circle, occupational therapist Polly Benson shares her expertise in child development, fine motor skills, handwriting, and the emotional world of children who struggle academically. She offers a rare, inside perspective from working both as a therapist and as a parent navigating the IEP system—highlighting what children need, what parents often miss, and how a supportive learning environment can transform confidence.

Polly also discusses the creation of the Legiel Liner, a handwriting tool now used in classrooms nationwide, and how small, intentional adjustments can dramatically improve a child’s motor coordination, visual perception, and self-esteem.

Whether you are a parent, educator, therapist, or simply someone who wants to better understand child development, this conversation provides clarity, compassion, and practical direction.

In this episode you will learn:

• Early signs of fine-motor delays parents commonly overlook

• How handwriting reveals a child’s strengths, challenges, and sensory needs

• The emotional impact of handwriting difficulties and how to support confidence

• Why technology affects motor development—and what to do about it

• How the Legiel Liner helps children improve handwriting through consistent structure

This episode is a reminder that every child learns differently—and with the right tools, language, and advocacy, they can thrive in ways that honor their development and identity.

✨ Subscribe to The Holistic Sister Circle on your favorite platform and hit the 🔔 bell notification so you never miss an episode full of real, relatable conversations for modern women finding their balance.

Timestamps:

0:00 – Welcome and introduction

0:32 – Polly shares her path to occupational therapy

3:00 – Understanding a child’s inner world

4:06 – OT experience in school systems

7:04 – Early signs of fine-motor challenges

9:44 – Technology’s impact on development

11:26 – What handwriting reveals

15:00 – Handwriting and confidence

17:13 – How the Legiel Liner was created

22:00 – How to connect with Polly Benson

23:36 – Closing remarks

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In this episode of the Holistic Sister Circle, somatic therapist and business coach Bobby Marie shares the truth about burnout—how it starts, how it shows up in the body, and what it really takes to create the internal shift needed to heal. Drawing from years in clinical practice, personal lived experience, and her newly released book Shift Happens, Bobby explains why so many people feel stuck in stress cycles and how slowing down becomes the first step toward real change.

She also discusses the impact of workplace culture, high-pressure environments, the nervous system’s response to chronic stress, and the small “micro-moments” that help retrain the mind and body toward regulation. Whether you’re navigating burnout, struggling to set boundaries, or feeling disconnected from yourself, this conversation offers grounded, practical tools for creating a healthier relationship with work and with your own body.

In this episode you will learn:

• The root causes of burnout and how it affects both mind and body

• Why slowing down is essential for nervous system regulation

• Simple mindfulness techniques you can use anywhere—even in your car before work

• How to identify when a job no longer aligns with your values or well-being

• Practical tools from Bobby’s book Shift Happens for setting boundaries and restoring balance

This episode is a reminder that burnout doesn't define you—and with awareness, tools, and permission to pause, you can experience the internal shift that leads to clarity, calm, and renewed energy.

Connect with Bobby Marie:
• Website: mindfulcollaborationnc.com
• Instagram: @mindfulcollaboration
• Book: Shift Happens by Bobby Newell: https://www.amazon.com/S-H-I-F-T-Happens-Reclaim-Focus-Without-Quitting/dp/B0G2N1HM4Q

✨ Subscribe to The Holistic Sister Circle on your favorite platform and hit the 🔔 bell notification so you never miss an episode full of real, relatable conversations for modern women finding their balance.

Timestamps:

0:00 – Introduction

0:50 – Meet Bobby Marie

1:09 – Why she wrote her book

2:34 – What burnout really looks like

4:46 – Bobby’s personal experience

7:35 – High-pressure environments

9:13 – Nervous system impact

12:30 – Mindfulness tools

19:05 – How to work with Bobby

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Is plant-based eating the path to long-term health? Or can a meat-inclusive diet be just as nourishing when done mindfully? In this episode of The Holistic Sister Circle, we bring vegans and meat-eaters together to explore one of the most debated wellness topics—and discover that the real answer is far more nuanced than the headlines suggest.

Instead of conflict, we uncover shared values around whole foods, sustainability, personal responsibility, and listening to your body. Each guest brings lived experience, science, and cultural context to help you decide what truly supports your health and lifestyle.

Whether you're plant-based, protein-forward, flexitarian, or somewhere in between, this conversation will help you cut through the noise and build a diet that fits your goals, your environment, and your season of life.

In this episode, you will learn:

• Why conflicting nutrition research is often misleading—and what to look for instead

• How to evaluate dietary choices based on individuality, goals, and lifestyle

• The environmental realities behind both meat production and plant farming

• How whole-food approaches (with or without meat) impact chronic disease and longevity

• Why the real “happy medium” centers on quality, sourcing, and sustainability

If you want clarity, grounded perspectives, and a genuinely balanced discussion, this episode gives you the tools to choose the nutritional path that makes the most sense for you and your family.

✨ Subscribe to The Holistic Sister Circle on your favorite platform and hit the 🔔 bell notification so you never miss an episode full of real, relatable conversations for modern women finding their balance.

Timestamps:

0:00 – Opening discussion

0:25 – Vegan vs. meat-eater topic

2:06 – First question

5:02 – Plant-based perspective

12:22 – Whole-food lifestyle

22:11 – Research challenges

33:23 – Environmental impact

39:24 – Personal responsibility

48:04 – Meat-inclusive viewpoint

55:23 – Guest introductions

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