Mama Merit Badge

Krista Olynyk and Samantha MacKinnon
  • 5.0 (3)
  • PARENTING
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Yapping at the intersection of motherhood and ambition. A podcast for moms doing their best (and sometimes their worst) while juggling kids, careers, businesses, and the chaos of family life. Hosts Samantha and Krista—two black SUV moms from Southern Ontario—hand out imaginary badges for the messy, hilarious, and wildly human moments of modern motherhood. Expect real talk, zero judgment, and the occasional snack hidden in the pantry. New episodes every Wednesday.

  1. JAN 28

    Sensory Play, SAD & Letting Kids Be People

    This week, Krista and Samantha ease into the new year with a wide-ranging, honest conversation about parenting, mental health, and the strange in-between feeling that January often brings. They talk openly about seasonal affective disorder, energy dips, and the pressure to have resolutions figured out before you’ve even found your footing again. From there, the conversation moves into the realities of modern parenting — sensory play, behaviour systems, capsule wardrobes, and the never-ending tension between encouraging independence and just getting through the day. Krista and Samantha share their own experiences navigating clutter, materialism, and the emotional load that comes with trying to “do it right” while still letting kids be kids. Threaded throughout is a deeper reflection on growth — for parents and children alike. They explore sibling dynamics, self-expression, chores, and the long game of raising capable humans, all with humour, perspective, and a healthy dose of realism. It’s a grounding, familiar episode for anyone parenting through winter while quietly asking, are we doing okay? Takeaways and Merit Badges Earned: 🌥️ Seasonal shifts can shape your energy and patience more than you realise. 📆 A new year doesn’t always come with clarity — sometimes it just comes with feelings. ⚖️ Work-life balance is less about balance and more about constant adjustment. 🧸 Sensory play can be great for kids… and deeply overstimulating for parents. 🧺 Clutter isn’t just physical — it adds to the mental load. 👕 Letting kids have personality often means surrendering aesthetic control. 🧹 Chores aren’t punishment — they’re practice for independence. 👫 Siblings can love each other deeply and still drive each other nuts. 🎯 Behaviour systems work best when they’re simple and realistic. 🌱 Parenting is personal growth disguised as child-rearing. 💌 Follow us on Instagram: @MamaMeritBadge ⭐ If this episode felt like a mirror, sharing it with a friend or leaving a review helps more parents find these conversations.

    53 min

  2. JAN 21

    Grief, Gratitude & the Reality of Adoption with Julie Fried

    This week, Krista and Samantha are joined by Julie Fried, founder of Dallas Girl Friday, for a deeply honest conversation about adoption, early motherhood, and the emotions we don’t always make space for. Julie shares her path to becoming a mom — one that began with a sudden call, a premature baby, and an immediate crash course in NICU life. Julie walks through the realities of modern adoption, including the long stretches of waiting, the lack of control, and the moment everything changes overnight. Together, they talk about the intensity of early motherhood in the NICU, the exhaustion and overwhelm that followed, and the complicated mix of gratitude and grief that can exist at the same time — even when everything has technically “worked out.” What emerges is a conversation about holding space for non-traditional motherhood stories, asking for help without guilt, and letting go of the idea that parenting has to look a certain way to be valid. It’s tender, grounding, and deeply human — especially for anyone who’s learned that showing up doesn’t always look polished, planned, or calm. Takeaways & Merit Badges Earned ⏳ Adoption is often “hurry up and wait,” and the waiting doesn’t end when the baby arrives. 👶 NICU motherhood is survival mode, not a bonding montage. 😴 Sometimes the only system that works is a contact nap and a prayer. 🫂 You can’t have too many people loving your child. 📞 Asking for help isn’t failure — it’s how you get through the early days. 🧠 Feeling grief doesn’t mean you’re ungrateful. 🧩 Control, timing, and certainty are illusions — especially in parenthood. 💬 Sharing non-traditional motherhood stories matters more than we realize. ✨ Showing up anyway, even when it’s messy, still counts. If Julie’s story resonated, you can learn more about her work at dallasgirlfriday.com and follow along on Instagram at @dallasgirlfriday. She’s also the creator of the Death Folder — a practical, compassionate tool designed to help families organise critical information and reduce mental load during already hard seasons. And as always — 💌 Follow us on Instagram: @MamaMeritBadge ⭐ If this episode felt meaningful or familiar, sharing it with a friend or leaving a review helps more parents find these conversations.

    53 min

  3. JAN 14

    Paid Ads, ADHD & Wanting It to Feel Easy with Britt Holmes

    This week’s episode blends business strategy with real life — the kind where ambition meets motherhood, ADHD shapes how work actually gets done, and “success” starts to look very different than it used to. Krista and Samantha are joined by Britt Holmes, founder of Merit Media, for a conversation that moves easily between paid ads, parenting realities, and the systems that make both possible. Britt shares how becoming a mom — and better understanding her ADHD — changed how she runs her business, who she works with, and why she wants her work to feel easier. Together, they unpack the realities of paid advertising, including why ads can quickly turn into a money pit when the foundation isn’t there first, and why free and organic marketing deserve far more respect than they usually get. What begins as a conversation about marketing slowly widens into something more reflective — a discussion about ambition, boundaries, and designing a business that supports your life instead of competing with it. It’s honest, practical, and grounding, especially for anyone questioning whether growth really has to feel this hard. Takeaways & Merit Badges Earned 💰 Paid ads don’t fix confusion — they make it louder. 🧠 ADHD changes how systems need to be built, not whether success is possible. 👩‍👧 Motherhood has a way of quietly rewriting ambition. 😮‍💨 If your business only works when you’re exhausted, the structure needs attention. 📣 Authentic marketing connects faster than perfectly polished messaging. 🪜 Free and organic strategies deserve a real, honest effort before spending money. 👥 Running ads well is rarely a solo sport — experience matters. ⏳ Time freedom comes from structure, not hustle. 🧭 Success can evolve without disappearing altogether. 💭 Wanting things to feel easier isn’t giving up — it’s clarity. If Britt’s perspective on paid ads, systems, and redefining success resonated, you can learn more about her work at meritmedia.com, and follow along on Instagram at @brittholmeslive and @meritmediainc. And as always —💌 Follow us on Instagram: @MamaMeritBadge⭐ If this episode felt familiar, thoughtful, or helpful, sharing it with a friend or leaving a review helps more moms find these conversations.

    51 min

  4. JAN 7

    Hello 2026 — Fresh Starts, Real Life Pace

    This mini episode marks the real beginning of the year — the moment when the decorations are down, routines are wobbling back into place, and everyone is asking, okay… now what? Krista and Samantha reflect on the transition out of the holidays and into January, sharing how they’re approaching planning, goal-setting, and health in a way that doesn’t immediately tip into overwhelm. They talk about easing back into routines, choosing a word for the year, and setting intentions that support real life — not an idealized version of it. This episode is about starting 2026 with steadiness instead of urgency, and building momentum without burning yourself out before February. Takeaways & Merit Badges Earned: 🧠 The post-holiday re-entry period deserves patience. 🌱 A fresh year doesn’t require a total overhaul. 🗺️ Thoughtful planning can reduce anxiety and decision fatigue. 🐢 Slow, intentional routines are more sustainable than rigid resets. 🧭 Choosing a word for the year can help guide daily decisions. ❤️ Health priorities work best when integrated into everyday life. 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Family rhythms evolve — flexibility is part of the plan. ✨ Progress often comes from consistency, not intensity. 📅 Accountability can support follow-through without pressure. 💭 Clear intentions paired with optimism create forward motion. 💌 Follow us on Instagram: @MamaMeritBadge ⭐️ If this episode helped you re-enter January with a little more calm, share it with a friend who’s also easing back in.

    16 min

  5. 2025-12-31

    Done Is Better Than Perfect — New Year Reflections & Letting It Be Simple

    This New Year’s mini episode is a pause button — a moment to look back before rushing forward. Krista and Samantha reflect on the whirlwind of December, name the wins they’re proud of from the past year, and talk honestly about what they’re leaving behind as they head into a new one. From clutter (physical and mental) to unrealistic expectations, this conversation centres on simplicity, self-care, and choosing what actually matters. They share how taking time off created clarity, why themes can be more useful than resolutions, and how cherishing small, ordinary moments with family often ends up being the most meaningful part of the year. It’s a gentle reset — no pressure, no grand declarations — just an invitation to move into the next season with a little more ease. Takeaways & Merit Badges Earned: 🌀 December can be a lot — even when it’s joyful. ⏸️ Stepping back creates space for reflection and growth. 🧹 Letting go of clutter clears mental bandwidth. 🧭 A simple theme can guide the year better than rigid goals. 🍽️ Simpler meals = less daily stress. 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Family moments matter more than doing everything “right.” 🍼 Perfection isn’t required in parenting — done really is better. 🏆 Naming personal wins builds confidence. ❤️ Quality time is the real luxury. 🌱 Growth often looks quieter than we expect. 💌 Follow us on Instagram: @MamaMeritBadge ⭐️ If this episode felt grounding, share it with a friend who’s entering the new year craving simplicity over pressure.

    19 min

  6. 2025-12-24

    Crafts, Chaos & the Magic We Keep

    This week kicks off our pre-recorded holiday mini-episode series, airing through Christmas, New Year’s, and the first week of 2026 — short, honest conversations designed to meet you right where you are during the festive blur. In this episode, Krista and Samantha talk about the joy and the chaos of December. From evolving traditions and abandoned expectations to crafts that look better in theory than practice, they reflect on what Christmas really looks like as moms — messy, meaningful, and rarely Pinterest-perfect. They share what they’ve let go of over the years, what still matters, and why moms deserve space to name the stress instead of silently carrying it. It’s a reminder that the magic of the season isn’t in the wrapping paper — it’s in the kids’ excitement, the shared moments, and giving yourself permission to make things easier. Takeaways & Merit Badges Earned: 🎄 December can feel like a lot — and that’s not a personal failure. 🔄 Traditions change, and that doesn’t mean they’re less meaningful. 🎁 Gifts don’t need perfect wrapping to count. 🎨 Crafts are fun… and also complete chaos. 🗣️ Moms are allowed to say the holidays feel heavy. 🎅 Santa photos can be stressful and sentimental. ❤️ Kids’ joy often carries the season. 🧠 Balance matters — especially during busy, emotional months. 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Quality time beats perfection every time. ✨ New traditions can be just as special as old ones. 💌 Follow us on Instagram: @MamaMeritBadge ⭐️ If this episode felt like a deep exhale, share it with a friend who’s doing their best to make Christmas feel good — not flawless.

    22 min

  7. 2025-12-17

    Burnout Isn’t a Badge & Other Truths

    This week, it’s Krista’s turn in the hot seat as we continue our mini-episode series with a rapid fire round of the same questions we ask all of our guests. Krista reflects on what self-care really looks like in a season that feels loud, busy, and unfinished. From wanting her roots done to needing accountability, emotional support beverages, and permission to coast, this episode is a candid look at navigating motherhood, motivation, and personal growth without pretending everything is under control. It’s a gentle reminder that there’s no prize for burnout — and that choosing yourself, even in small ways, still counts. Takeaways & Merit Badges Earned: 🌀 Life can feel chaotic — and that doesn’t mean you’re failing. 🧴 Small acts of self-care (yes, including hair appointments) matter. 🤝 Accountability can be motivating when willpower runs out. 🚫 There is no merit badge for burnout. 💬 Everyone has “their thing” that helps them feel more like themselves. 🍷 Emotional support beverages are sometimes exactly what’s needed. 👯 Social connection can ease the mental load at home. 🧠 Support systems help release shame, not add to it. 😌 Coasting is allowed — not every season requires pushing. ❤️ Balance starts with kindness toward yourself. 💌 Follow us on Instagram: @MamaMeritBadge ⭐️ Loved this episode? Share it with a friend who needs permission to rest, reset, or just get their roots done.

    20 min

  8. 2025-12-10

    Systems, Style and Staying Sane (?)

    This week’s episode flips the script — it’s Samantha’s turn in the hot seat for a rapid fire round of the questions usually reserved for guests. In this shorter, behind-the-scenes conversation, she reflects on how motherhood and ambition coexist, what efficiency really looks like in this season, and why she’ll always choose quality over quantity in both life and work. From ClickUp hacks and clutter tolerance to evolving personal style and the myth of balance, this episode offers a candid look at what it takes to build a business and a home without losing your sense of self. It’s equal parts reflection and reality — a reminder that sometimes, ambition looks like choosing what matters most today. Takeaways & Merit Badges Earned: 💼 Ambition shifts with capacity and life stage — and that’s okay. ✨ Quality over quantity wins every time. 🧺 A little clutter is fine if you can still find your keys. ⚙️ Tools like ClickUp make the mental load easier to carry. 🧠 Systems are shortcuts for sanity. 👗 Personal style evolves alongside identity. 🌿 Growth doesn’t always mean doing more. 💬 Support systems keep everything standing. 🎯 Efficiency is less about speed, more about clarity. 🏡 Managing the chaos is a skill — not a failing. 💌 Follow us on Instagram: @MamaMeritBadge ⭐️ Loved the episode? Share it with a fellow multitasking mom or business owner who’s redefining ambition — one organized ClickUp board at a time.

    24 min
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
3 Ratings

About

Yapping at the intersection of motherhood and ambition. A podcast for moms doing their best (and sometimes their worst) while juggling kids, careers, businesses, and the chaos of family life. Hosts Samantha and Krista—two black SUV moms from Southern Ontario—hand out imaginary badges for the messy, hilarious, and wildly human moments of modern motherhood. Expect real talk, zero judgment, and the occasional snack hidden in the pantry. New episodes every Wednesday.

Information

  • Creator
    Krista Olynyk and Samantha MacKinnon
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    39
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Krista Olynyk and Samantha MacKinnon
  • Show Website
    Mama Merit Badge