Burnt Pancakes: Momversations | Conversations for Imperfect Moms, Chats About Mom Life & Interviews with Real Mamas

Katie Fenske - Mom of 3 | Potty Training Coach | Former Teacher | Mama Mentor | Boy Mom | Imperfect Mom | Lover of Mom Chats
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The Burnt Pancakes Podcast is here to remind you that in motherhood, EVERYONE BURNS THEIR FIRST PANCAKE. I’m Katie Fenske, a (not so perfect) mom of 3, and I’m inviting you to join in on my conversations with other moms as we talk about all things motherhood; the good, the bad and everything in between. We're flipping our motherhood mistakes into successes and learning how to just keep flipping. MOTHERHOOD TOPICS I DISCUSS:Child Birth and Postpartum RecoveryAdjusting to MotherhoodRaising BoysToddler Mom TipsBeing a Teen MomSelf Care in MotherhoodManaging Kid Sports and a Busy Family ScheduleEpic Mom FailsPotty Training WoesSurviving Summer VacationAND SO MUCH MORE!To see more of Katie, you can find her... Instagram @burntpancakeswithkatieYouTube: @burnt-pancakesWebsite: burntpancakes.comemail: katie@burntpancakes.com

  1. 2D AGO

    142: Mom Guilt, Perfectionism, and the Pressure to Get It Right with Jennifer Teplin

    Motherhood changes everything — not just our schedules and responsibilities, but also how we see ourselves. In this episode, I’m joined by psychotherapist Jennifer Teplin, LCSW, founder of Manhattan Wellness and mom of three. Jennifer spends her days working with women who are navigating the emotional side of motherhood; the identity shifts, the overwhelm, the guilt, and the pressure so many moms feel to “do it right.” In our conversation, we talk about the internal experience of motherhood and why so many moms struggle silently with feelings they think they’re not supposed to have. Jennifer shares insight from both her professional background and her personal experience as a mom, helping normalize the complicated emotions that often come with raising kids. We talk about why motherhood can bring both joy and grief as women adjust to their new identity, why perfectionism and mom guilt are so common, and how moms can begin to quiet the harsh inner voice that tells them they’re not doing enough. Jennifer also shares practical ideas for supporting your nervous system when you feel overstimulated, exhausted, or touched-out.  In this episode we talk about: • The emotional identity shift that happens when women become mothers  • Why it’s normal to grieve parts of your pre-mom self  • Where perfectionism and mom guilt come from  • How to soften self-criticism and show yourself more compassion  • Nervous-system support for moms who feel overstimulated or touched-out  • Why moms experience big emotions like rage, sadness, and anxiety  • How relationships can change after kids and ways couples can reconnect  • Why imperfect motherhood is still meaningful and good motherhood Connect with Jennifer: Website: www.manhattanwellness.org Free 15 minute consultation call for therapist matching: https://calendly.com/team-manhattan-wellness instagram @manhattan.wellness tiktok @manhattan.wellness 📺 Watch the episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLOpw5ui4uxJHx0tLFVtpnfSkpObfc4d-K You can find Katie at: website: burntpancakes.com YouTube: @burnt.pancakes Instagram: @burntpancakeswithkatie Email: katie@burntpancakes.com 🚽 Did you know Katie is also a Certified Potty Trainer? 🚽 ☎️ Schedule a 1:1 chat today: Schedule Here 💻 Digital Potty Training Course HERE 📖  Potty Training E-Book HERE 🆓  FREE potty training resources HERE Instagram: @itspottytime Tiktok: @itspottytime_ Some episodes include affiliate links at no cost to you.

    44 min

  2. MAR 27

    141: Honest Conversation about Stay-at-Home Mom Life and Working Mom Life

    In this episode I'm having a real and honest conversation about something that often gets quietly debated in motherhood: the pros and cons of being a stay-at-home mom versus being a working mom. So many moms feel pressure to defend their choice or explain why their path is the “right” one. But the truth is, there isn’t one right way to do motherhood. Every family is different, every season looks different, and every decision comes with both beautiful rewards and real challenges. I shares my own experience of working outside the home before transitioning into stay-at-home motherhood and the surprising identity shift that came with it. From the flexibility and presence that staying home can provide to the isolation and loss of professional identity that can sometimes follow, I talk openly about the parts people don’t always say out loud. I also dive into the realities of working motherhood. While maintaining a career can bring financial independence, personal fulfillment, and adult connection, it can also come with constant mental juggling, logistical stress, and the familiar feeling of mom guilt. This episode isn’t about deciding which path is better. It’s about recognizing the trade-offs, extending empathy to one another, and letting go of the comparison trap that so many moms fall into. Because whether you stay home, work outside the home, or find yourself somewhere in between, motherhood is full of complex emotions that deserve honest conversations. In this episode, we talk about: • Katie’s transition from working outside the home to becoming a stay-at-home mom  • The emotional and identity shifts that can happen when leaving a career  • The biggest benefits of being a stay-at-home mom, including flexibility and presence  • The hidden challenges of staying home, such as isolation and lack of recognition  • The empowering aspects of working motherhood  • The realities and pressures working moms often face  • The comparison trap between stay-at-home moms and working moms  • Why every choice in motherhood comes with trade-offs  • How seasons of motherhood can change over time If you’ve ever wondered whether you made the “right” choice for your family, or if you’ve felt the quiet pressure of comparison, this episode is a reminder that there is no one-size-fits-all version of motherhood. 📺 Watch the episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLOpw5ui4uxJHx0tLFVtpnfSkpObfc4d-K You can find Katie at: website: burntpancakes.com YouTube: @burnt.pancakes Instagram: @burntpancakeswithkatie Email: katie@burntpancakes.com 🚽 Did you know Katie is also a Certified Potty Trainer? 🚽 ☎️ Schedule a 1:1 chat today: Schedule Here 💻 Digital Potty Training Course HERE 📖  Potty Training E-Book HERE 🆓  FREE potty training resources HERE Instagram: @itspottytime Tiktok: @itspottytime_ Some episodes include affiliate links at no cost to you.

    30 min

  3. MAR 20

    140: Raising Kids Without Losing Your Marriage with Jodie Howard

    What does lasting love actually look like after decades together? In this episode, I sit down with Jodie Howard to talk about what it really takes to build a relationship that lasts through life’s hardest seasons. Jodie shares the story of her 30+ year marriage and how she and her husband have navigated military deployments, parenting four children, raising a daughter with cerebral palsy, and growing as individuals while staying deeply connected as partners. Jodie brings such an honest and refreshing perspective to marriage. Instead of pretending long relationships are easy, she talks about the intentional choices that keep love alive. From learning how to reconnect during stressful seasons to protecting emotional intimacy while raising kids, this conversation is full of wisdom for anyone who wants a relationship that grows stronger over time. Jodie is also the co-host of Higher Love: The Podcast, where she and her husband share real conversations about relationships, parenting, and choosing love every day. Whether you’ve been married for years, are in the thick of parenting, or simply hope to build a lasting relationship one day, this episode will leave you encouraged. In This Episode We Talk About • What it really means to “choose each other” every day in a long-term marriage  • Navigating military life and deployments while staying emotionally connected  • How parenting a child with special needs shaped their relationship and perspective on love  • The importance of personal growth inside a relationship  • How couples can avoid drifting into roommate mode  • Raising children with large age gaps and the different seasons of parenting  • What has helped their marriage stay strong after more than three decades together  • Why intentional connection matters more than perfection in a relationship Connect with Jodie Howard: FB: Jodie Howard IG: Essentiallyjodie Amazon Bestselling Book: Choosing Each Other EveryDay- Heartfelt and Humorous Conversations on the Art of Marriage Listen to Jodie on Higher Love Podcast where she shares deeper conversations about marriage, parenting, and long-term love. 📺 Watch the episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLOpw5ui4uxJHx0tLFVtpnfSkpObfc4d-K You can find Katie at: website: burntpancakes.com YouTube: @burnt.pancakes Instagram: @burntpancakeswithkatie Email: katie@burntpancakes.com 🚽 Did you know Katie is also a Certified Potty Trainer? 🚽 ☎️ Schedule a 1:1 chat today: Schedule Here 💻 Digital Potty Training Course HERE 📖  Potty Training E-Book HERE 🆓  FREE potty training resources HERE Instagram: @itspottytime Tiktok: @itspottytime_ Some episodes include affiliate links at no cost to you.

    49 min

  4. MAR 13

    139: Parenting Without Power Struggles: The Advice You Haven’t Heard Yet with Naomi Aldort

    Are you parenting… or just Googling your way through parenting? A recent national poll found that 80% of parents with children ages 0–4 are turning to social media for advice on things like toilet training, sleep struggles, discipline, and nutrition. But instead of feeling more confident, many parents say they feel more confused. In this episode of Burnt Pancakes: Momversations, I sit down with internationally respected parenting expert and bestselling author Naomi Aldort to talk about what it looks like to parent without all the digital noise. Naomi is the author of Listen to Your Baby, a reassuring guide that helps parents build trust, reduce stress, and respond to their child’s cues with confidence instead of fear or reactivity. And let me tell you — this conversation was not your typical parenting advice. Instead of quick fixes or discipline scripts, Naomi shares a different approach rooted in connection, leadership, and trusting your instincts. In this episode, we talk about: Why so many parents feel overwhelmed by social media adviceHow to rebuild confidence in your own parenting instincts3 things to do when a toddler bites or hitsA fresh perspective on teaching “good” behavior without shaming or labelingWhat’s really happening when your child won’t listen — and how to respond differentlyUnique techniques for handling sibling fighting that move beyond punishment or forced apologiesOne of the most powerful parts of this conversation was Naomi’s perspective on sibling conflict and those “in one ear and out the other” moments. Instead of escalating or repeating ourselves endlessly, she shares alternative strategies that focus on emotional regulation and respectful leadership — techniques that may feel different from what many of us grew up with. Connect with Naomi:  Website: naomialdort.com Facebook: www.facebook.com/naomi.aldort YouTube: www.youtube.com/channel/UCiLySbWwzwoeNzBg8ZhdPew Books: Listen to your Baby -  📺 Watch the episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLOpw5ui4uxJHx0tLFVtpnfSkpObfc4d-K You can find Katie at: website: burntpancakes.com YouTube: @burnt.pancakes Instagram: @burntpancakeswithkatie Email: katie@burntpancakes.com 🚽 Did you know Katie is also a Certified Potty Trainer? 🚽 ☎️ Schedule a 1:1 chat today: Schedule Here 💻 Digital Potty Training Course HERE 📖  Potty Training E-Book HERE 🆓  FREE potty training resources HERE Instagram: @itspottytime Tiktok: @itspottytime_ Some episodes include affiliate links at no cost to you.

    1h 10m

  5. MAR 6

    138. Why 2% of Your Day Is Enough with Sarah Parise

    Two years ago, Sarah Parise joined me to talk about postpartum depression, mom guilt, anxiety, and the messy transition into motherhood. And today? She’s back. In this episode, we catch up on what’s changed in her motherhood journey, what self-care looks like in this season of life, and why so many moms are still running on empty. Sarah is an ACE Certified Personal Trainer, wellness specialist, yoga instructor, business owner, and mom who is passionate about helping women take care of themselves in a way that actually fits into real life. No overhauls. No extremes. No guilt. She’s launching something new called The 2% Club — a completely free beta wellness space for moms who want to prioritize their health without giving up the things they love or spending hours in the gym. We talk about: Why “all or nothing” thinking keeps moms stuckThe real reason self-care feels so hardHow just 2% of your day can change your mindsetWhat quick 10 to 15 minute workouts actually do for your energyA realistic approach to meal planning and prepHow to stay consistent when life feels chaoticWhat moms can expect inside The 2% ClubIf you’ve ever felt like you’ve failed at every wellness routine you’ve tried… this conversation will feel like a breath of fresh air. Because taking care of yourself should not require sacrificing yourself. Connect with Sarah Parise: The 2% Club: Sign-Up for FREE Today:  https://greatdaysbysarah.com/theclub Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/greatdaysbysarah/ 📺 Watch the episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLOpw5ui4uxJHx0tLFVtpnfSkpObfc4d-K You can find Katie at: website: burntpancakes.com YouTube: @burnt.pancakes Instagram: @burntpancakeswithkatie Email: katie@burntpancakes.com 🚽 Did you know Katie is also a Certified Potty Trainer? 🚽 ☎️ Schedule a 1:1 chat today: Schedule Here 💻 Digital Potty Training Course HERE 📖  Potty Training E-Book HERE 🆓  FREE potty training resources HERE Instagram: @itspottytime Tiktok: @itspottytime_ Some episodes include affiliate links at no cost to you.

    35 min

  6. FEB 27

    137. Boy Mom Life: What's That Smell?

    If you are raising boys, you already know life is never boring. It is loud, messy, chaotic, and somehow always sticky. In today’s episode, Katie shares the hilarious story of the mystery smell that took over her house and how it all led back to one very suspicious backpack. From fermented milk cartons to random pocket treasures, we are talking about the everyday chaos that comes with raising boys. This episode is full of funny boy mom moments, relatable parenting struggles, and the sweet reminders that even in the madness, these boys are pure joy. Katie also shares a Listener Mail segment featuring real boy mom stories submitted by listeners, proving once again that we are all living the same life. In This Episode, We Talk About: The mystery smell in the house and the backpack discoveryWhy boy backpacks should come with warning labelsThe strange things boys collect and carry aroundThe nonstop noise and why silence is terrifyingBoy humor and why they think everything is hilariousHow boys can be both indestructible and dramaticListener Mail boy mom stories that will make you laugh out loudThe sweet side of raising boys and why it is worth every messy moment 📺 Watch the episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLOpw5ui4uxJHx0tLFVtpnfSkpObfc4d-K You can find Katie at: website: burntpancakes.com YouTube: @burnt.pancakes Instagram: @burntpancakeswithkatie Email: katie@burntpancakes.com 🚽 Did you know Katie is also a Certified Potty Trainer? 🚽 ☎️ Schedule a 1:1 chat today: Schedule Here 💻 Digital Potty Training Course HERE 📖  Potty Training E-Book HERE 🆓  FREE potty training resources HERE Instagram: @itspottytime Tiktok: @itspottytime_ Some episodes include affiliate links at no cost to you.

    19 min

  7. FEB 20

    136. Postpartum Truths: What New Moms Really Need with Courtney Boylan

    Postpartum is one of the most life-altering seasons of motherhood, and yet it is often one of the most overlooked. In today’s episode I’m joined by Courtney Boylan, mom of three and founder of Le Lolo, a brand created from her own postpartum experience and the deep realization that so many moms are left feeling unseen, unsupported, and treated more like a checklist than a human being. Courtney and I talk about the emotional reality of postpartum, the identity shift that happens after birth, and why moms need more than clinical advice. They need reassurance, community, and reminders that they still matter. This conversation is honest, validating, and full of the kind of support every mom deserves in the early days. In this episode, we talk about: What postpartum really feels like and why it can be so isolatingThe identity shift that happens after becoming a momWhy postpartum support often feels too clinical and not personal enoughThe emotional and mental load moms carry in the early daysHow we can better support moms beyond asking “How’s the baby?”Encouragement for the mom who feels lost, invisible, or overwhelmedWhat Courtney wishes someone had told her during postpartumHow Courtney’s experience led her to create Le LoloIf you’re in postpartum right now This episode is your reminder that you are not alone, you are not failing, and you still matter. Connect with Courtney website: Click HERE - Use Code "BurntPancakes" for 20% off Instagram: Click HERE 📺 Watch the episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLOpw5ui4uxJHx0tLFVtpnfSkpObfc4d-K You can find Katie at: website: burntpancakes.com YouTube: @burnt.pancakes Instagram: @burntpancakeswithkatie Email: katie@burntpancakes.com 🚽 Did you know Katie is also a Certified Potty Trainer? 🚽 ☎️ Schedule a 1:1 chat today: Schedule Here 💻 Digital Potty Training Course HERE 📖  Potty Training E-Book HERE 🆓  FREE potty training resources HERE Instagram: @itspottytime Tiktok: @itspottytime_ Some episodes include affiliate links at no cost to you.

    29 min

  8. FEB 13

    135: The Thoughts We Never Say Out Loud (But Every Mom Has)

    Have you ever had a random, scary thought pop into your head and immediately wondered, What is wrong with me? You’re not alone — and you’re not a bad mom. In this episode I break down intrusive thoughts in motherhood: why they happen, what they actually mean (and don’t mean), and how they show up in different stages — from brand-new moms to moms of teens. We’re talking about the thoughts no one wants to admit out loud, why our brains create them, and what to do when one sneaks in and sends your anxiety spiraling. This is a reassuring, judgment-free conversation meant to help you breathe a little easier and feel less alone. In This Episode, We Cover: What intrusive thoughts are — and why they feel so alarmingWhy motherhood puts our brains into overprotective modeIntrusive thought examples from different stages of motherhood:New moms & babiesToddlers and little kidsSchool-age kidsTeensThe biggest mistakes moms make when intrusive thoughts show upWhat actually helps when a scary thought pops into your headWhen intrusive thoughts are a sign to seek extra supportKey Takeaway Intrusive thoughts are not intuition, desires, or predictions. They’re a misfiring protection system — and the fact that they bother you is actually a sign of how much you care. 📺 Watch the episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLOpw5ui4uxJHx0tLFVtpnfSkpObfc4d-K You can find Katie at: website: burntpancakes.com YouTube: @burnt.pancakes Instagram: @burntpancakeswithkatie Email: katie@burntpancakes.com 🚽 Did you know Katie is also a Certified Potty Trainer? 🚽 ☎️ Schedule a 1:1 chat today: Schedule Here 💻 Digital Potty Training Course HERE 📖  Potty Training E-Book HERE 🆓  FREE potty training resources HERE Instagram: @itspottytime Tiktok: @itspottytime_ Some episodes include affiliate links at no cost to you.

    14 min
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5
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32 Ratings

About

The Burnt Pancakes Podcast is here to remind you that in motherhood, EVERYONE BURNS THEIR FIRST PANCAKE. I’m Katie Fenske, a (not so perfect) mom of 3, and I’m inviting you to join in on my conversations with other moms as we talk about all things motherhood; the good, the bad and everything in between. We're flipping our motherhood mistakes into successes and learning how to just keep flipping. MOTHERHOOD TOPICS I DISCUSS:Child Birth and Postpartum RecoveryAdjusting to MotherhoodRaising BoysToddler Mom TipsBeing a Teen MomSelf Care in MotherhoodManaging Kid Sports and a Busy Family ScheduleEpic Mom FailsPotty Training WoesSurviving Summer VacationAND SO MUCH MORE!To see more of Katie, you can find her... Instagram @burntpancakeswithkatieYouTube: @burnt-pancakesWebsite: burntpancakes.comemail: katie@burntpancakes.com

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