Electric Ideas with Whitney Baker: Motherhood, Self-Connection, Joyful Living & Self-Care

Whitney Baker
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Welcome. If you're a woman who has a sense there's more out there for you in your life, I've got you. You're in the right place. I'm Whitney Baker, host of Electric Ideas. Somewhere along the line with work and kids, life carried on, but I lost track of my truth. I felt like something was missing. Like my energy was splintered and I was trapped reacting to a flurry of outside demands. I'm on a reflective journey and that's what this podcast is about. We talk about ideas, practices, and habits that help women get back to their heart center and live more fulfilling lives. Each week, I interview a woman who is lighting her own path. Before our conversation ends, we'll share a reflective question for you to ponder, chat with your gal pals about, or even journal about if you're so inclined. I started this podcast because I know when women step into their fullest selves, the whole world benefits. Sometimes all we need is a jolt, a laugh, a fresh idea…an aha moment that connects us back to ourselves and our buried truths. This my friends, is what I call an Electric Idea.

  1. 6D AGO · BONUS

    [REPLAY] The Mental Side of Women's Sexual Challenges—And How Mindfulness Can Help with Dr. Lori Brotto

    Have you ever felt like intimacy takes a backseat in your busy life? Between endless to-do lists, financial stress, and the mental load of daily responsibilities, it's no surprise that desire often fades into the background. But what if mindfulness could help rekindle connection and deepen intimacy?   In this episode, Whitney sits down with Dr. Lori Brotto, a leading researcher in sexual health and mindfulness and author of Better Sex Through Mindfulness. Dr. Brotto shares fascinating insights into the powerful connection between the mind and sexual well-being, shedding light on how emotional and psychological factors shape women's experiences in the bedroom.   Together, they explore why spontaneous desire is rare—especially in long-term relationships—and how cultivating awareness and intention can reignite passion. By letting go of outdated beliefs around female sexuality and embracing mindfulness, women can foster a more fulfilling relationship with both their bodies and their partners.   Dr. Brotto also shares research-backed, practical strategies to boost desire, confidence, and pleasure—without pressure or perfection.   Tune in for an insightful and empowering conversation that just might shift the way you think about intimacy.   Here's what you can look forward to in this episode: The prevalence of sexual dysfunction How stress impacts intimacy and sexual desire Why Lori advocates for planning time for sex Mindfulness practices to help rebuild being present with sexual desire Advice for those whose self-judgment is getting in the way of enjoying sex How moms can talk to their daughters to help them have a good relationship with sex Erotica vs. porn Reflection question to ponder: Do I really want this?   Connect with Whitney: Instagram l Website l 5 Days to Less Stress, More Satisfaction l Tend to Your Soul Toolkit l 10 Soulful Journaling Prompts | Electric Ideas Podcast Connect with Dr. Brotto: Instagram | Website | Book: Better Sex Through Mindfulness | Become a research participant

    39 min

  2. FEB 5

    Why Motherhood Creates Distance in Marriages and How to Reconnect with Michelle Purta

    Have you ever looked at your partner and thought, "How did we get here?" Somewhere between kids, schedules, groceries, and keeping the household running, many moms begin to feel more like roommates or co-managers than romantic partners.   In this episode, Whitney sits down with marriage coach Michelle Purta to explore why this shift is so common in motherhood, and why it is not a sign that a marriage is broken, but a signal that mental and emotional load has quietly taken over.   They talk honestly about how resentment builds when needs go unspoken, why hard conversations often come out sharper than we intend, and how mental load plays a bigger role in disconnection than we realize. Michelle shares simple, grounded ways to approach conversations differently, from pausing to regulate yourself first, to asking for support clearly and naming why it matters, to creating small moments of connection that do not feel like another item on the to-do list.   If you are feeling stretched thin, disconnected, or longing to feel like a team again, this episode meets you right where you are. Tune in for practical, doable practices that support reconnection with yourself and with your partner.   Here's what you can look forward to in this episode: Why motherhood naturally creates distance in romantic relationships How to set up consensual conversations instead of ambushing your partner A surprising thing you may not know about even the healthiest couples Examples of micro-connections: intentional check-ins, longer hugs, non-logistics conversations, small acts of support How having a clear vision for your life and relationship guides healthier choices now Reflection question to ponder:  How do I want my life to be like?   Learn more about 1:1 coaching with Whitney - book a 15-minute Spark Session   Connect with Whitney: Instagram l Website l 5 Days to Less Stress, More Satisfaction l Tend to Your Soul Toolkit l 10 Soulful Journaling Prompts | Electric Ideas Podcast   Connect with Michelle: Instagram | Website | Marriage and Motherhood Podcast

    41 min

  3. JAN 29

    The Mental Load in Motherhood: Why It Feels So Overwhelming with Leah Ruppanner

    Many moms already wake up feeling tired, and it's not because they're doing too much, but because they're carrying too much. In this episode of Electric Ideas, Whitney sits down with Leah Ruppanner, professor of sociology, to talk about the mental load of motherhood and why it's so often invisible, brushed off, or just accepted as "part of being a mom."   They talk about the constant background thinking moms do all day long, including keeping track of schedules, anticipating needs, managing emotions, making decisions, and holding everything together in ways no one really sees. Leah breaks down the 8 categories of mental load, helping put language to the many different ways this shows up in daily life. From emotional labor to future planning and decision fatigue, this conversation helps explain why so many moms feel overwhelmed even when they can't point to one specific thing.   Whitney and Leah also dig into why the mental load builds quietly over time, why it's so hard to hand off to someone else, and how cultural expectations keep moms taking on more than their fair share, often without realizing it. Leah shares her mental load assessment, a simple but eye-opening tool that helps moms see where their energy is actually going and which areas are asking for more support.   If you've ever felt exhausted, resentful, or on edge and wondering why everything feels so hard, this episode will help you make sense of it and give you a place to start naming what you're really carrying.   Here's what you can look forward to in this episode: The many mental loads moms take on and how deep the mental load actually goes The 8 different mental load types moms experience Where to start when we want to be aware of our mental load capacity Reflection question to ponder:  Am I spending my mental load aligned with my purpose?   Learn more about 1:1 coaching with Whitney - book a 15-minute Spark Session   Connect with Whitney: Instagram l Website l 5 Days to Less Stress, More Satisfaction l Tend to Your Soul Toolkit l 10 Soulful Journaling Prompts | Electric Ideas Podcast   Connect with Leah: Instagram | Website | Book: Drained | Free Mental Load Assessment

    41 min

  4. JAN 22

    Mindfulness Practices Overwhelmed Moms Can Use in Minutes

    Have you ever looked up from your day and realized you've been moving on autopilot, rushing from one demand to the next without fully landing anywhere?   In this mini jolt episode of Electric Ideas, Whitney offers a grounded, thoughtful conversation for mothers who want to feel more present and more connected in the middle of real life.   Whitney explores why modern motherhood can feel so fragmented, from constant digital interruption to the unrelenting mental and emotional load many women carry. She reflects on how chronic overstimulation pulls us into urgency and reactivity, even when our deepest intention is to show up with care, steadiness, and joy.   She then shares simple mindfulness tools that can be used in minutes and woven into everyday moments. These include brief check-ins with the body and breath, gentle awareness practices, and walking with intention, all designed to support presence without adding another task to your day.   This episode is an invitation to relate to motherhood with more awareness and self-trust, to slow down without falling behind, and to bring more choice into how you move through your days. If you are craving a steadier inner pace and a more connected way of living, this mini jolt meets you right where you are.   Here's what you can look forward to in this episode: Why many moms crave presence but feel constantly pulled, distracted, and fragmented How mindfulness can help moms reconnect without adding another thing to the to-do list The distinction between meditation and mindfulness and why both matter Why mindfulness isn't about fixing yourself, but about noticing without judgment Two accessible mindfulness practices moms can use immediately: Reflection question to ponder:  Where in my days can I build in intentional pauses?   Learn more about 1:1 coaching with Whitney - book a 15-minute Spark Session   Connect with Whitney: Instagram l Website l 5 Days to Less Stress, More Satisfaction l Tend to Your Soul Toolkit l 10 Soulful Journaling Prompts | Electric Ideas Podcast

    17 min

  5. JAN 15

    Why Motherhood Feels So Triggering and What Your Inner Child Has to Do With It with Lavinia Brown

    Register today for The FREE Busy Working Mom's Blueprint Summit** - January 19th-26th** Some of the hardest moments in motherhood aren't about our children at all. They're about parts of us that never felt fully safe, seen, or supported, and get awakened by the intensity of caregiving.   In this episode of Electric Ideas, Whitney sits down with inner child healing expert Lavinia Brown to explore why motherhood can stir up so much guilt, overwhelm, and reactivity, and why those responses often have roots far deeper than the present moment. What looks like irritation over a spilled drink or a standoff about screen time may actually reflect an old emotional pattern surfacing in a nervous system that's already stretched thin.   Together, Whitney and Lavinia examine how unhealed parts of ourselves can quietly shape our parenting, why adding more strategies without tending to our inner world often keeps us stuck in the same cycles, and what it means to meet ourselves with compassion instead of defaulting to self-criticism. They unpack how many of the behaviors that drain mothers today were once effective survival strategies in childhood, and how becoming a parent can reactivate them if we're not aware.   Lavinia explains why you don't need a single, obvious trauma for inner child work to matter, how triggers often signal unmet needs or unprocessed experiences, and why moments of rupture with our children don't define us. What matters most is repair: honest, regulated repair that teaches children big feelings don't break relationships and that connection can be restored.   The conversation also names the double standard many mothers carry around anger and emotional expression, explores why pushback from children isn't inherently a problem to fix, and offers grounded guidance for caring for yourself after a moment you wish had gone differently. It's a conversation about breaking cycles, nervous system awareness, and reclaiming motherhood as a space for growth rather than constant self-judgment.   Press play if you're ready to stop blaming yourself for the hard moments and start understanding what they're really pointing to.   In this episode, we explore: How inner child work shapes the way we show up as mothers Why you don't need a capital T trauma for this work to be meaningful Seeing our reactions as information rather than personal failure What to do after you react in a way you regret How to have a repair conversation that builds trust instead of shame The double standard around anger for moms versus dads Why pushback and defiance from kids can actually be healthy Reflection question to ponder: How old is the part of me that's feeling this way?   Learn more about 1:1 coaching with Whitney - book a 15-minute Spark Session   Connect with Whitney: Instagram l Website l 5 Days to Less Stress, More Satisfaction l Tend to Your Soul Toolkit l 10 Soulful Journaling Prompts | Electric Ideas Podcast   Connect with Lavinia: Instagram | Website | Facebook | Podcast: Becoming Untriggered

    45 min

  6. JAN 8

    Work-Life Balance for Working Moms Seeking More Ease with Rebecca Olson

    Register today for The FREE Busy Working Mom's Blueprint Summit - January 19th-26th   Returning to work after having kids is a huge transition, one that can be much harder than one may think. In this episode, Whitney connects with Rebecca Olson, a coach for working moms, to talk about the emotional toll so many women experience when returning to work after motherhood. What once felt meaningful can suddenly feel misaligned, and that identity shift can leave even the most driven women questioning themselves. Rebecca shares her own experience navigating this season and what she's learned from supporting countless working moms through the same transition.   Together, they unpack what Rebecca calls the "motherhood identity crisis" and the failure stories so many women silently carry. The belief that you are falling short at work and at home, that balance is impossible, or that you are somehow doing it wrong. Rebecca explains why these thoughts are so common, how cultural expectations reinforce them, and how to start loosening their grip. This conversation helps normalize the struggle while also offering a way forward that is rooted in clarity, self-trust, and redefining success on your own terms.   Rebecca also shares practical tools to help moms reclaim their time and energy, including how to set real boundaries around work and home, and her simple daily kickstart mindset practice. If you are navigating the return to work and craving more confidence, clarity, and ease, this episode will help you feel less alone and more grounded. Tune in and listen now.   Here's what you can look forward to in this episode: Navigating being a new mom and going back to work The common "failure story" women tell themselves and how our brains focus on perceived shortcomings How to recognize and reframe the belief that work and family are in conflict Strategies for feeling empowered at work without immediately changing jobs How Rebecca's definition of success has shifted Advice on drawing clear boundaries around work hours and real-life examples A daily morning mindset practice to cultivate empowering beliefs and set the tone for the day Reflection question to ponder: How do I know I'm already good enough?   Learn more about 1:1 coaching with Whitney - book a 15-minute Spark Session   Connect with Whitney: Instagram l Website l 5 Days to Less Stress, More Satisfaction l Tend to Your Soul Toolkit l 10 Soulful Journaling Prompts | Electric Ideas Podcast   Connect with Rebecca: Instagram | Website | Podcast | The Daily Kickstart Freebie

    41 min

  7. JAN 1 · BONUS

    [REPLAY] The Connection Between Stress, Hormones, and Weight Gain Explained with Danielle Pashko

    Are you longing to feel physically lighter while staying true to a wellness journey that's about more than just weight loss? In this episode, functional nutritionist and chronic illness coach Danielle Pashko reveals the impact of stress on women's health and weight gain.   During the conversation, Danielle explores how intense workouts and elevated stress levels can negatively affect hormonal balance and women's ability to release weight. She emphasizes the importance of nourishing habits like a proper diet, sleep, hydration and stress management.   Danielle shares how embracing softer, ancient practices like Tai Chi and Qigong can better your overall emotional, mental and physical wellness.   Here's what you can look forward to in today's episode: The risk of following every wellness trend The importance of self-love and self-respect How stress can impact weight loss Lessons about true health and happiness Embracing softer wellness practices The power of Tai Chi and Kung Fu Reflection question to ponder: Who do you want to be in 2025?    Join Back to Bright, a 1:1 personalized, four-week coaching experience where I'll guide you in creating sustainable rhythms of rest, joy, and self-connection.   Learn more about 1:1 coaching with Whitney - book a 15-minute Spark Session   Connect with Whitney: Instagram l Website l 5 Days to Less Stress, More Satisfaction l Tend to Your Soul Toolkit l 10 Soulful Journaling Prompts | Electric Ideas Podcast   Connect with Danielle: Instagram | Website

    34 min

  8. 12/25/2025 · BONUS

    [REPLAY] Managing the Mental Load of Motherhood with Amelia Pleasant Kennedy

    Feeling overwhelmed by the juggling act of keeping all the trains running as a mom? You're not alone. But guess what? There's a way to lighten that mental load.   Today on the podcast, Whitney connects with Amelia Pleasant Kennedy, a certified life coach, Fair Play facilitator, professional organizer, and the brains behind A Pleasant Solution. She's all about helping busy women reclaim control over their chaotic lives.   During their conversation, Whitney and Amelia discuss the mental load women often bear in managing their families and households, and the transformative power of decluttering both their physical and mental space. They cover a clutter-free mindset, which involves being intentional about how one's day is spent and making conscious choices about prioritizing tasks.   Amelia also explains what the Fair Play Method is and how to use it to distribute responsibilities and have open conversations about household tasks. It's a powerful system that helps moms prioritize self-care and set boundaries.   By addressing this invisible load many of us hold and engaging in Fair Play at home, we can create a more balanced and fulfilling life that supports us and ripples out to those we love.   Here's what to look forward to in today's episode: What it means to cultivate a clutter-free mindset Understanding the invisible load of mental labor The Fair Play Method: delegation vs. ownership Examples of Fair Play in the home and how to implement it The importance of women prioritizing themselves Reflection question to ponder: What do I want?   Join Back to Bright, a 1:1 personalized, four-week coaching experience where I'll guide you in creating sustainable rhythms of rest, joy, and self-connection.   Learn more about 1:1 coaching with Whitney - book a 15-minute Spark Session   Connect with Whitney: Instagram l Website l 5 Days to Less Stress, More Satisfaction l Tend to Your Soul Toolkit l 10 Soulful Journaling Prompts | Electric Ideas Podcast   Connect with Amelia: Instagram | Website | Podcast: A Pleasant Solution: Embracing an Organized Life

    40 min
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About

Welcome. If you're a woman who has a sense there's more out there for you in your life, I've got you. You're in the right place. I'm Whitney Baker, host of Electric Ideas. Somewhere along the line with work and kids, life carried on, but I lost track of my truth. I felt like something was missing. Like my energy was splintered and I was trapped reacting to a flurry of outside demands. I'm on a reflective journey and that's what this podcast is about. We talk about ideas, practices, and habits that help women get back to their heart center and live more fulfilling lives. Each week, I interview a woman who is lighting her own path. Before our conversation ends, we'll share a reflective question for you to ponder, chat with your gal pals about, or even journal about if you're so inclined. I started this podcast because I know when women step into their fullest selves, the whole world benefits. Sometimes all we need is a jolt, a laugh, a fresh idea…an aha moment that connects us back to ourselves and our buried truths. This my friends, is what I call an Electric Idea.

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