Mom Camp: Around the Campfire Gillian Behnke

This episode isn't like anything I have shared before.

Just over two weeks ago I had the honour of speaking at a new event, called the IGNITE Motherhood Wellness Summit. There was a lineup of incredible moms speaking, and I honestly couldn't believe I was included. I love speaking, but I always have major imposter syndrome!

The topic I was asked to speak on was connection and community, and the importance of finding your village.

I thought it might be cool to share the talk with you here, in case you weren't in the room. I recorded it separately so it doesn't have all the audience reactions, but I hope this version resonates with you.

In today's episode you get...me. It's a solo episode, because I wanted to share a lesson that I keep re-learning, and that has become a helpful mantra for me over the years. I learned it from Roni Noone many years ago - what you can, when you can (#WYCWYC).

In this solo "chat" I am sharing how and when I use this phrase in my life, and how it can be so helpful to reframe a situation or how you might be feeling.

I am also giving you an update on how I am managing my own time and energy these days, which includes an update on this podcast.

I hope this WYCWYC phrase supports you and can become something that you can keep in your back pocket for those times when you're feeling overwhelmed. You've got this.

Episode webpage: www.momcamplife.com/WYCWYC

In this episode I am chatting with Jennifer Kolbuc and Kate Le Souef, co-hosts of the podcast Get Outside with Kids. As their show name implies, they are very passionate about sharing tips and tricks on how to get outside with your kids - in any mood, in any weather, whenever you can. They chat about the science behind outside time, the benefits of making it a priority, and how it has impacted their own lives. My favourite part is that they also share the funny fails they've experienced while trying to spend time with their kids outside. It's all about real life and how you can make it part of your routine, even on those days where it feels impossible. (Spoiler alert: sometimes those are they days where outside time can make the biggest difference.)

You can find the full show notes, their bio, and contact details at www.momcamplife.com/podcast. Enjoy!

In today's episode I am chatting with Dr. Ally Power, Naturopathic doctor and motherhood coach. We are talking about how motherhood doesn't have to equal fatigue and low energy, or forgetting about you as a human. It's about finding ways to to make time for yourself, set boundaries, and prioritize your health. It's not just about health care or medicine, it's also about behavioural changes you can make to go with the health care changes. Ally is an expert in this area and has a lot of great info to share. This is a very informative and helpful conversation for moms at any stage.

You can find the full show notes, Ally's bio and contact info at www.momcamplife.com/podcast.

In today's episode I am chatting with Stephanie Rosenfield. A former speech pathologist, Stephanie is now a life coach who works with overwhelmed moms to help them navigate the internal and external chaos that can creep up during motherhood. Stephanie shares how you can reframe the moments when you feel like you're going to lose your cool - it's about releasing "a little bit of air out of the balloon," taking some of the pressure off in those moments.

This chat is full of moments of wisdom that you will be able to take away and put into action in your own life. Enjoy!

You can find the full show notes, Stephanie's bio and contact info at www.momcamplife.com/podcast.

In this episode I am chatting with motherhood coach Cayley Benjamin. This is a pretty profound conversation. Cayley's research is on the subject of "matrescence," which she defines and explains throughout the chat. It will likely shift how you think about motherhood and your own experiences. Matrescence is the transformation - physical, psychological, social, economic, and spiritual - that a person experiences as they journey into and through motherhood. Cayley takes us through these "domains," and how this is truly a lifelong transformation that continues to evolve.

This is a powerful talk, and a powerful reminder that we are not alone on this journey.

You can find the show notes, Cayley's bio, and contact info at www.momcamplife.com/podcast.