More Time for Mom

Dr. Amber Curtis

Are you a worn-out mom who used to be the star of the office, spend 45 minutes doing your hair and makeup, and take romantic getaways before you had kids…but now you’re constantly behind and out of PTO at work, there are three days’ worth of dishes piled in the sink, the kids scream when tablet time is over, and you’re so touched out by 8pm that you scroll Instagram instead of spending time with your husband?   Welcome to the club. If you’re paralyzed by what to do first whenever you miraculously find 15 free minutes and fall asleep in tears because you’ve always tried to do everything right but now it feels so wrong, you are NOT alone. I went crazy trying to “balance” it all and believing other experts who tell you to just wake up earlier or manage your time better. Turns out you’re not the problem; toxic productivity culture has led you to equate your self-worth with what you have to show for your time.   I’ve spent years applying my PhD research skills to find scientifically proven strategies for keeping up without burning out—then tailoring them for busy mamas whose hands, hearts, and schedules are fuller than they ever imagined. Now I’ve helped dozens of other women discover the hidden causes behind your stress so you can reclaim your time, restore your energy, rediscover your identity, and look back in 20 years with pride instead of regret.    Join me, Dr. Amber Curtis—certified life coach, behavioral science professor, public speaker, devoted wife, and mom of four—every Tuesday for real, raw stories and actionable advice on productivity, organization, time management, and that elusive thing we call work-life “balance” so you can be the happy, present wife and mom you dream of without sacrificing the talents you’re meant to share with the world.   Ready to make more time for YOU? Hit play and make sure to tune in for new episodes every Tuesday. It's time to take back your life for who and what you love. You’ll soon realize “time” was never the problem after all.

  1. 3D AGO

    The Dopamine Trap of Christmas: Why You're Likely to Feel Disappointed

    Send us a text Christmas is supposed to feel magical… so why are so many moms disappointed once it finally arrives?If you find yourself feeling let down, overstimulated, exhausted, or even sad on/after Christmas, you didn’t do anything wrong. Your brain did exactly what it’s wired to do. In this episode, I unpack the dopamine trap of Christmas—a powerful neuroscientific reality for why the anticipation of the holidays feels better than the holiday itself, especially for moms.    BY THE TIME YOU FINISH LISTENING, YOU'LL DISCOVER:  Why moms are likely to feel more joy leading up to Christmas than during itThe neuroscience of dopamine, anticipation, and emotional letdownWhy feeling underwhelmed after Christmas does NOT mean you did anything “wrong”What to do when the holiday high fades and reality hits hardHow all this is happening for your sweet kids as well (cue the meltdowns!)   FOR SO MUCH MORE: When you start healing at the level of your nervous system, your whole home feels the difference. Sign up for a free consult (https://tidycal.com/solutionsforsimplicity/free-consult) and/or join my new 6-week program, Moms Made NewTM (https://momsmadenew.com), to learn the six most fundamental life coaching skills EVERY mom needs to flourish.     HOMEWORK: Did this episode resonate? Email me or DM me on Instagram @solutionsforsimplicity to share your thoughts.   COMING UP NEXT: Join me back next Tuesday at 5am Eastern to keep unpacking the hidden causes of stress keeping you overwhelmed and stealing your time and joy. CONNECT WITH AMBER: Website | Instagram | YouTube | LinkedIn Ready to finally get to the root of your problems and change your life FOR GOOD? Book your free 60-minute consult to learn more about working 1:1 with Dr. Amber.

    11 min
  2. Why Losing Control Feels Like Losing Yourself: The Survival Response That’s COSTING You Connection

    DEC 16

    Why Losing Control Feels Like Losing Yourself: The Survival Response That’s COSTING You Connection

    Send us a text If you’re the kind of mom who only feels okay when everything is under control (the house, your to-do list, the kids’ moods, even your own emotions), you can’t afford to miss this powerful interview with Dr. Hayden Finch on “control mode”: that subtle and often socially rewarded way high-achievers seek control to feel safe. Few, if any, moms realize their desire for control is actually a protective survival strategy your nervous system took on from a young age that’s now COSTING you connection. The more you need things “in order”, the more rigid, exhausted, and disconnected you become—especially in marriage and motherhood where control is basically impossible. In this episode, we explore the real difference between healthy discipline and threat-driven control, how control sabotages connection with your kids and husband, how to start relaxing your grip without spiraling, and so much more.     BY THE TIME YOU FINISH LISTENING, YOU'LL DISCOVER: What “control mode” really is—yet why it actually doesn’t feel controlling at allWhere control seeking comes from (hint: BOTH chaotic childhoods and perfectionistic childhoods can create the same compulsion)What really happens in your brain and nervous system when life feels out of control—and why rigidity increases under stressHow trying to control or fix emotions (whether yours or others’) only blocks connection and authenticityHow real change comes not from relinquishing the control mode mindset but from experiencing that you survive life without total control  AS MENTIONED: Prior episode with Dr. Finch on procrastination and high functioning anxiety Get more of Dr. Hayden Finch, a licensed clinical psychologist, behavior change expert, author, and founder of the Finch Center for High Functioning Anxiety: WebsiteBook: The Psychology of Procrastination  When you start healing at the level of your nervous system, your whole home feels the difference. Sign up for a free consult and/or join my new 6-week program, Moms Made NewTM, to learn the six most fundamental life coaching skills EVERY mom needs to flourish.   HOMEWORK: Reflect on which path led you to strive to control things: a messy, chaotic childhood? A rigid, super strict childhood? Or a different experience later in life? Observe how it feels in your body when things feel OUT of control Loving this podcast? Please help it get found by more listeners by taking quick minute to leave a rating & review in Apple Podcasts. Take a screenshot of your text review before you submit it, then email that to help@solutionsforsimplicity.com and I'll send you my powerful Happy Mom Protocol™ (a $297 value) FOR FREE! CONNECT WITH AMBER: Website | Instagram | YouTube | LinkedIn Ready to finally get to the root of your problems and change your life FOR GOOD? Book your free 60-minute consult to learn more about working 1:1 with Dr. Amber.

    38 min
  3. DEC 10

    Your Childhood Shapes Your Motherhood: The Neuroscience Behind Why You Feel SO Triggered as a Mom

    Send us a text In this deeply honest conversation, I unpack how your childhood, nervous system, & subconscious wiring shape the way you show up as a wife & mom today. I delve into why you feel so triggered by “small” things, why mindset work & productivity hacks DON’T work, & what it actually takes to become a calmer, happier, more grounded mother from the inside out. You’ll hear pieces of my own story: growing up as a high-achieving, people-pleasing “good girl”; struggling with postpartum depression; chasing the perfect planner & systems; “balancing” it all yet still feeling like it was never enough. It’s taken me years of struggle & study to realize our present-day triggers actually stem from DEEP childhood wounds & it’s so important to do the inner work of healing to ensure we don’t pass those wounds on to our kids. My great mission is to equip every mom with proven tools to rewire things at their root.     BY THE TIME YOU FINISH LISTENING, YOU'LL DISCOVER:  Why your kids’ meltdowns, messes, & big emotions trigger you so intensely—& what your nervous system is trying to protect you fromWhy positive thinking & mindset work alone will NEVER be enough to change how you respond when triggeredHow “little-t” & “complex” trauma programmed your beliefs about worth, safety, & belonging—even if you had a “good” childhoodWhy you HAVE to heal your nervous system so you can break these vicious generational cycles & become the mom your kids deserve…the parent you deserved when you were a kidPractical first steps to start gently exploring your own triggers, patterns, & protective adaptations  AS MENTIONED: If this resonates, snag my FREE 10-minute training on “Why Moms’ Happiness is Non-Negotiable”. For so much more, join my new 6-week program, Moms Made NewTM, to learn the six most fundamental life coaching skills EVERY mom needs to flourish.     HOMEWORK: Your homework is to think of a recent time you got frustrated with your child. What was going on in that moment? What did you feel, both physically & emotionally? What emotion or emotions do you think your CHILD was feeling when they engaged in the behavior that triggered you? Now think back to when you were little. How was that emotion handled by your caregivers? Email me or DM me on Instagram @solutionsforsimplicity to share your thoughts. I sincerely invite you to schedule a free co Loving this podcast? Please help it get found by more listeners by taking quick minute to leave a rating & review in Apple Podcasts. Take a screenshot of your text review before you submit it, then email that to help@solutionsforsimplicity.com and I'll send you my powerful Happy Mom Protocol™ (a $297 value) FOR FREE! CONNECT WITH AMBER: Website | Instagram | YouTube | LinkedIn Ready to finally get to the root of your problems and change your life FOR GOOD? Book your free 60-minute consult to learn more about working 1:1 with Dr. Amber.

    46 min
  4. DEC 2

    When You Hate Your Body but Don’t Want to Work Out: Reversing ‘Mom Bod’ FAST with Tiffany Wickes

    Send us a text No one prepares you for the way motherhood changes your body, and then it’s all too easy to put your health last because you’re so busy and tired. That was me for a LONG time—until I met health & fitness coach Tiffany Wickes. In this episode, you’ll not only learn more about my health journey and see why I’m obsessed with Tiffany’s simple, no-BS approach; you’ll also be inspired to start putting your own health first and get tons of cheap, feasible ways to do that.    BY THE TIME YOU FINISH LISTENING, YOU'LL DISCOVER:  The difference between reasons and excuses—and how you can acknowledge your very real circumstances without letting them become a permanent permission slip to stay stuckWhy nutrition has to come first, before workouts (especially for exhausted moms) and how fueling your body well naturally creates the desire and energy to move moreHow diet culture has done moms SUCH a disservice and is only wrecking your hormones and healthThe BEST way to support moms’ health & fitness (especially in perimenopause)Why becoming “stress resilient” is key for happiness and longevityPlus simple mindset shifts and all kinds of easy, practical health & fitness ideas that DON’T require a gym  AS MENTIONED: Connect with my amazing coach, Tiffany WebsiteInstagramStrong Like A Mother podcast Check out the health & fitness program that helped me lose 25# in 5 months!!!   Join my new 6-week program, Moms Made New, to learn the six most fundamental life coaching skills EVERY mom needs to flourish.     HOMEWORK: Your homework is to reach out to Tiffany if you're ready to reclaim your body and health so you can finally feel good and strong again—or maybe for the first time ever! It is never too late, and I especially love how her program helps women like me going through hormonal fluctuations in perimenopause. If this episode resonates with you, email me or DM me on Instagram @solutionsforsimplicity to share your thoughts!   COMING UP NEXT: Join me back next episode to learn how your present-day triggers actually stem from childhood wounds and why it’s so important to do the inner work of healing to ensure you don’t pass th Loving this podcast? Please help it get found by more listeners by taking quick minute to leave a rating & review in Apple Podcasts. Take a screenshot of your text review before you submit it, then email that to help@solutionsforsimplicity.com and I'll send you my powerful Happy Mom Protocol™ (a $297 value) FOR FREE! CONNECT WITH AMBER: Website | Instagram | YouTube | LinkedIn Ready to finally get to the root of your problems and change your life FOR GOOD? Book your free 60-minute consult to learn more about working 1:1 with Dr. Amber.

    54 min
  5. NOV 25

    Setting & Holding Boundaries: The Neuroscience of Saying NO

    Send us a text Why are boundaries SO hard? Because they force your brain to choose between listening to yourself and keeping others happy. You want to honor your own needs but if your nervous system thinks doing so will have negative social or relational consequences, it’ll always default to connection over self-trust and prioritize attachment over authenticity.  This episode goes deep into what boundaries really are (so not what you think), why they’re not just essential but good, and the neuroscience behind why they are so inherently difficult to set and hold.    BY THE TIME YOU FINISH LISTENING, YOU'LL DISCOVER: Boundaries aren’t threats, punishment, or control-seeking. They also have nothing to do with other people!Why the holidays are a perfect storm for boundary violationsWhy it’s essential to clarify your boundaries ahead of time and long before your nervous system gets stressed out by a violationBoundaries are how you rebuild self-trust, which is crucial for emotional health and physical wellbeing.And most importantly, that if boundaries feel terrifying, you’re doing it RIGHT!   AS MENTIONED: Join my new 6-week program, Moms Made NewTM, to learn the six most fundamental life coaching skills EVERY mom needs to know.  Want more in-depth, neuroscience-backed personal development trainings like this every month? Join my Moms Making TimeTM Society for that and so much more.   HOMEWORK: Your homework for this episode is to identify one boundary that you have (or want to have). Determine now what you will do if and when someone crosses that boundary. How can you avoid getting triggered, and instead calmly but firmly prove to yourself that you can trust yourself to honor your own needs and keep you safe? Email me or DM me on Instagram @solutionsforsimplicity to share your thoughts! If this episode was helpful, remember you are always welcome to book a free 60 minute consult with me if you want to talk more about your personal situation.     COMING UP NEXT: Join me back next episode to hear a kick-in-the-pants interview I did with my personal health and fitness coach. We go deep into why it's so hard for moms to prioritize their physical health and some really simple, powerful ways to change that for good. I’ll also share more about my incredible health journey this year—don’t miss it!   Loving this podcast? Please help it get found by more listeners by taking quick minute to leave a rating & review in Apple Podcasts. Take a screenshot of your text review before you submit it, then email that to help@solutionsforsimplicity.com and I'll send you my powerful Happy Mom Protocol™ (a $297 value) FOR FREE! CONNECT WITH AMBER: Website | Instagram | YouTube | LinkedIn Ready to finally get to the root of your problems and change your life FOR GOOD? Book your free 60-minute consult to learn more about working 1:1 with Dr. Amber.

    51 min
  6. NOV 18

    Are You 'The Little Red Hen'? The Story EVERY High-Functioning Mom Can Relate To

    Send us a text Whether you’ve heard the story of The Little Red Hen or not, you know what it’s like to feel like you’re doing everything and everyone else gets to enjoy the fruits of your labor. This classic children’s story epitomizes the struggle of the high-functioning mom who always does it all without any help or appreciation. In this episode, I offer a few of my own personal impressions and insights into what The Little Red Hen can teach overwhelmed moms who feel tired and resentful of carrying the huge invisible load of motherhood.    BY THE TIME YOU FINISH LISTENING, YOU'LL DISCOVER:  How common and normal it is to get frustrated by how much you feel like you have to do compared to othersWhy wallowing in pity because you’re the little red hen of your family hurts everyoneWhy speaking up and asking for help isn’t just hard; it’s threatening to your very identity What happens on a nervous-system level when you start to hold boundaries or “impose” on others   HOMEWORK: Your homework for this episode is to think about whether you feel like The Little Red Hen. If so, what are two ways you could do a little less or delegate a little more? Email me or DM me on Instagram @solutionsforsimplicity to share your thoughts!   COMING UP NEXT: Join me back next episode to learn how your present-day triggers actually stem from childhood wounds and why it’s so important to do the inner work of healing to ensure you don’t pass those wounds on to your kids. Loving this podcast? Please help it get found by more listeners by taking quick minute to leave a rating & review in Apple Podcasts. Take a screenshot of your text review before you submit it, then email that to help@solutionsforsimplicity.com and I'll send you my powerful Happy Mom Protocol™ (a $297 value) FOR FREE! CONNECT WITH AMBER: Website | Instagram | YouTube | LinkedIn Ready to finally get to the root of your problems and change your life FOR GOOD? Book your free 60-minute consult to learn more about working 1:1 with Dr. Amber.

    20 min
  7. NOV 11

    How High-Functioning Anxiety Shows Up In Mom Life: What Drives All Your Doing

    Send us a text If you had it all together before kids but now feel like everything’s constantly falling apart, this episode is for you. I break down how high-functioning anxiety deviously shows up in mom life and why so many driven, capable women mistake it for a good thing even though it leaves you chronically overwhelmed and feeling like a failure. High-functioning anxiety in moms is real—and exhausting. I offer a litany of emotional, behavioral, relational, and physical ways it pervades motherhood and how important it is to learn to rewire your nervous system for safety and capacity so you’re no longer on “high alert”. You’ll leave with clarity, self-compassion, and practical insights to help you be the calm, connected mom you want to be.   BY THE TIME YOU FINISH LISTENING, YOU'LL DISCOVER: How high-functioning anxiety isn’t your personality; it’s your nervous system’s protective wiringWhy becoming a mom amplifies high-functioning anxiety (even if you weren’t previously aware you had it)How guilt and control become two sides of the same anxious coin, dictating your responses and ruining your relationshipsHow “doing it all” can actually be a form of insecurity and avoidanceThe many ways your body tries to warn you it’s overwhelmed before your mind catches up (yet few women listen)And so much more  FOR MORE: Download my FREE checklist of “30 Signs You Might Have High-Functioning Anxiety”    HOMEWORK: Your homework for this episode is to reflect on the extent to which these signs do or don’t match you. Which category(ies)of signs best depict your default tendencies? Have you tended to think of these as “good” or “bad”? How do you feel about yourself now that you know high-functioning anxiety is a thing? Email me or DM me on Instagram @solutionsforsimplicity to share your thoughts!   COMING UP NEXT: Join me back next episode for a powerful story that’ll really resonate if you are a responsible, Type A, people-pleaser with high functioning anxiety like me.  Loving this podcast? Please help it get found by more listeners by taking quick minute to leave a rating & review in Apple Podcasts. Take a screenshot of your text review before you submit it, then email that to help@solutionsforsimplicity.com and I'll send you my powerful Happy Mom Protocol™ (a $297 value) FOR FREE! CONNECT WITH AMBER: Website | Instagram | YouTube | LinkedIn Ready to finally get to the root of your problems and change your life FOR GOOD? Book your free 60-minute consult to learn more about working 1:1 with Dr. Amber.

    27 min
  8. NOV 4

    Is It Ambition or Anxiety? 30 Signs You Might Have High-Functioning Anxiety

    Send us a text If you look calm and capable on the outside but constantly feel like a wreck inside, you’re not alone. This episode dives into the hidden world of high-functioning anxiety—the stress that hides beneath productivity, perfectionism, and people-pleasing. I review 30 signs you might have high-functioning anxiety. You’ll learn how this type of anxiety can disguise itself as motivation and achievement, where it comes from, how it differs from classical anxiety, why it’s so hard for high-achieving moms to rest, and everyday warning signals that your nervous system is in unhealthy overdrive.   BY THE TIME YOU FINISH LISTENING, YOU'LL DISCOVER: Why I was furious when I first learned high-functioning anxiety was a thingThe emotional, physical, and signs of high-functioning anxiety so you can recognize it for yourselfThe difference between drive and dysregulation, and where the need to perform actually comes fromWhy rest feels unsafe for ambitious momsWhy you can’t out-organize or out-achieve your anxiety until you address the real, root cause  FOR MORE: Download my FREE checklist of “30 Signs You Might Have High-Functioning Anxiety”   HOMEWORK: Email me or DM me on Instagram @solutionsforsimplicity to let me know which, if any, of these signs surprised you and what you felt in your body hearing all these “symptoms” for perhaps the first time. Your homework for today is to gently reflect on whether any of this hit home for you and, if so, which parts and why.   COMING UP NEXT: Join me back next episode to delve into the vicious ways high-functioning anxiety gets worse with motherhood and the many tell-tale ways it shows up in mom life. Loving this podcast? Please help it get found by more listeners by taking quick minute to leave a rating & review in Apple Podcasts. Take a screenshot of your text review before you submit it, then email that to help@solutionsforsimplicity.com and I'll send you my powerful Happy Mom Protocol™ (a $297 value) FOR FREE! CONNECT WITH AMBER: Website | Instagram | YouTube | LinkedIn Ready to finally get to the root of your problems and change your life FOR GOOD? Book your free 60-minute consult to learn more about working 1:1 with Dr. Amber.

    26 min
5
out of 5
31 Ratings

About

Are you a worn-out mom who used to be the star of the office, spend 45 minutes doing your hair and makeup, and take romantic getaways before you had kids…but now you’re constantly behind and out of PTO at work, there are three days’ worth of dishes piled in the sink, the kids scream when tablet time is over, and you’re so touched out by 8pm that you scroll Instagram instead of spending time with your husband?   Welcome to the club. If you’re paralyzed by what to do first whenever you miraculously find 15 free minutes and fall asleep in tears because you’ve always tried to do everything right but now it feels so wrong, you are NOT alone. I went crazy trying to “balance” it all and believing other experts who tell you to just wake up earlier or manage your time better. Turns out you’re not the problem; toxic productivity culture has led you to equate your self-worth with what you have to show for your time.   I’ve spent years applying my PhD research skills to find scientifically proven strategies for keeping up without burning out—then tailoring them for busy mamas whose hands, hearts, and schedules are fuller than they ever imagined. Now I’ve helped dozens of other women discover the hidden causes behind your stress so you can reclaim your time, restore your energy, rediscover your identity, and look back in 20 years with pride instead of regret.    Join me, Dr. Amber Curtis—certified life coach, behavioral science professor, public speaker, devoted wife, and mom of four—every Tuesday for real, raw stories and actionable advice on productivity, organization, time management, and that elusive thing we call work-life “balance” so you can be the happy, present wife and mom you dream of without sacrificing the talents you’re meant to share with the world.   Ready to make more time for YOU? Hit play and make sure to tune in for new episodes every Tuesday. It's time to take back your life for who and what you love. You’ll soon realize “time” was never the problem after all.

You Might Also Like