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. 4D AGO

    146. If Your Days Feel Chaotic, You Need to Hear This... with Tanya Valentine

    If you’ve ever created a routine on Sunday night only to abandon it by Wednesday morning, this episode is for you. 🙋‍♀️ We’re talking all about routines and why they matter, why they’re so hard to keep, and how to finally create systems that support you instead of stress you out. Because let’s be honest, most moms aren’t lacking motivation… they’re lacking routines that actually work for real life. I’m joined again by mom of three and life coach Tanya Valentine, and she’s breaking down the biggest reasons routines fail and what moms can do differently.  We also talk about what life looks like when routines aren’t in place, why so many moms feel overwhelmed and behind, and how small, realistic changes can make a big difference in your daily life. Tanya shares her practical approach to building routines that stick, including her DAD Method, designed to simplify your day and reduce the mental load that so many moms carry. And if you’re the mom who feels like you’ve tried every planner, checklist, and schedule out there—she has encouragement and actionable steps just for you. Connect with Tanya: IG and FB: @tanyavalentinecoaching. Website: tanyavalentinecoaching.com Sign Up for Tanya's upcoming workshop here: https://www.tanyavalentinecoaching.com/routines 📺 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.

    33 min

  2. APR 24

    145. The Things Moms Do That Go Unnoticed

    With Mother’s Day around the corner, this episode is a heartfelt celebration of moms in every stage of motherhood. After spending weeks watching a mama bird in my front yard tirelessly care for her baby birds, I couldn’t help but see the connection to motherhood. She worked all day, flying back and forth to feed her babies, staying close when one of them wandered too far, and constantly watching over them without recognition or applause. It made me reflect on the quiet, often unnoticed work that moms do every single day to care for their families. The meals made, the rides given, the worries carried, the lessons taught, and the love poured out. Much of it happens behind the scenes, but all of it matters. In this episode, I walk through the stages of motherhood—from newborns to grown children—and highlight the small but powerful ways moms show up in each season. This is not an episode about complaining or venting. It’s about celebrating, honoring, and recognizing the steady, faithful work of motherhood. Whether you are rocking a newborn in the middle of the night, chasing a toddler, managing busy school schedules, supporting a teenager, or loving your adult children from afar, this episode is a reminder that your work is meaningful and your presence matters more than you may realize. In This Episode, We Talk About: The mama bird in my yard and what she taught me about motherhoodWhy so much of motherhood happens behind the scenesThe unseen work moms do in the newborn and infant stageThe patience and emotional energy required during the toddler yearsThe mental load of the “middle mom” schedulesThe emotional support moms provide during the teenage yearsHow motherhood continues even when kids are grown 📺 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.

    23 min

  3. APR 17

    144. Parenting Moments That Make You Say “I Told You So”

    Have you ever warned your kids about something… watched them ignore you… and then found yourself dealing with the exact disaster you predicted? Welcome to motherhood. In this episode of Burnt Pancakes: Momversations, I’m sharing a few classic “I told you so” moments from my own house, including the time Jett put putty in his hair after I specifically told him not to, and the time my boys decided to go ding dong ditching and ended up in trouble with the neighbors. At the time, I was furious. Embarrassed. Exhausted. Wondering why I even bother giving warnings in the first place. But now? I can laugh about it. This episode is about those moments when our kids don’t listen, when consequences become the teacher, and when motherhood reminds us that sometimes lessons have to be lived, not explained. We’ll talk about why kids ignore us, why those moments feel so personal as moms, and how we can move from anger to humor once the chaos settles. If you’ve ever thought, Why do I even talk? — this one is for you. In This Episode, We Talk About: The infamous putty-in-the-hair incidentThe ding dong ditch disaster and the dreaded neighbor apologyWhy kids don’t listen even when we’re clearly rightWhy “I told you so” moments hit us emotionally as momsThe difference between warnings and real-life consequencesHow time turns frustrating parenting moments into funny family storiesGiving ourselves grace when parenting doesn’t go perfectlyThe Big Takeaway Kids aren’t ignoring you because you’re failing.  They’re learning. Testing boundaries. Figuring things out the messy way. And sometimes, motherhood looks like being really mad in the moment… and laughing about it later. Let’s Keep the Momversation Going I would love to hear your own “I told you so” moments. Send me a message or share this episode with a friend who is currently living through her own parenting prediction gone wrong. 📺 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.

    22 min

  4. APR 10

    143: Why I'm Calling This Stage "The Sweet Spot"

    We are in the sweet spot of motherhood, that middle stage where the diapers are gone, the sleep is better, and the kids are becoming more independent… but they still think you’re cool and want you at their school performances. In this solo episode, I’m talking about life as a “middle mom” to kids who are 6, 8, and almost 12, the stage where motherhood feels a little lighter, a little freer, and honestly, a lot more fun. It’s the season where they can buckle themselves into the car, tell actual funny jokes, and carry on real conversations… yet you still get the magic of kindergarten crafts and sweet snuggles. I share the bittersweet feelings of leaving the baby and toddler years behind, the unexpected perks of this stage, and why I truly believe this season of motherhood deserves to be celebrated. If you’re in the thick of toddlers or staring down the teenage years, this episode will remind you that every phase has its beauty, but this one? This one feels like the sweet spot. In this episode, we talk about: Why the “middle mom” stage feels like newfound freedomThe surprising joy of kids becoming more independentHow better sleep changes everythingThe shift from survival mode to actually enjoying motherhoodThe fun of real conversations and hearing your kids’ personalities shineStill getting the magic of school performances and childhood milestonesThe bittersweet reality of no longer having babies or toddlersWhy this season of motherhood is worth soaking up 📺 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.

    25 min

  5. APR 3

    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

  6. 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

  7. 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

  8. 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
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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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