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. 2d ago

    Picky Eating: How to Raise Healthy Eaters Without Driving Yourself Crazy (with Katie Kimball)

    Send us Fan Mail Feeding kids is expensive, time consuming, and more often than not they don’t want to eat what you worked so hard to make. In this episode, I sit down with Katie Kimball of Raising Healthy Families to get her best advice for making meals and cooking with kids way less stressful. Especially if you’ve got a picky eater, you can’t afford to miss this!   BY THE TIME YOU FINISH LISTENING, YOU'LL DISCOVER: How busy, cash-strapped moms can feed their family in a more healthy and connected way while minimizing stress Practical ways to end mealtime battles and picky eater problemsHow to get kids not just involved but LOVING to cook—and to choose healthy, nutritious food over junk “snakes”What to do when you & your spouse disagree about kids’ diet and eating habitsEasy things to feed your family, even when you don’t have much brain space, let alone physical energy, to plan aheadAnd more!  AS MENTIONED: Take the Picky Eating Challenge: https://sl290.isrefer.com/go/nomore/dramber/ Preorder The Picky Eater Playbook: Stress-Free Strategies to Jumpstart Healthy Eating in Kids: https://amzn.to/4h4CAb7  Check out Katie’s website: https://sl290.isrefer.com/go/RHF/dramber/ Listen to Katie’s Healthy Parenting Handbook Podcast: https://sl290.isrefer.com/go/podcast/dramber/ Follow Katie on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/raisinghealthyfamilies/   FOR SO MUCH MORE: Sign up for my powerful new masterclass, "Finally Understanding Yourself: The Missing Manual for Your Brain & Body," to learn how your nervous system secretly shapes EVERYTHING about your life: https://solutionsforsimplicity.thrivecart.com/ns101/Find out your default stress response with my FREE quiz: https://solutionsforsimplicity.myflodesk.com/stress-response-podcastJoin the next round of Moms Made NewTM so stress no longer sabotages you—or your relationships: https://momsmadenew.com Book a free consult with Dr. Amber 1:1: https://tidycal.com/solutionsforsimplicity/free-consult   HOMEWORK: Reach out to me via email or on Instagram @solutionsforsimplicity and let me know  the biggest tip or takeaway that you learned from Katie's great advice around kids, cooking, healthy eating, and calm living. And don’t forget to share this episode with another mama who needs to hear it.   COMING UP NEXT: Join me back next Tuesday at 5am Eastern to keep unpacking the hidden sources of stress stealing your time and joy. Did you know your nervous system secretly shapes your thoughts, emotions, choices, relationships, and life? My 1-hour masterclass, "Finally Understanding Yourself, The Missing Manual for Your Brain and Body," gives you foundational wisdom and practical tools to feel calmer, more connected, and more in control no matter how chaotic things are around you: https://solutionsforsimplicity.thrivecart.com/ns101/ 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.

  2. Jul 21

    4 Things Moms Get WRONG About Stress

    Send us Fan Mail What if the problem isn't your schedule or to-do list, but what you believe about stress? In this episode, I share an interview where I explain the four biggest misconceptions moms have about stress and why understanding your nervous system is the missing piece other personal development advice overlooks. You'll learn why stress isn't actually the enemy, how childhood experiences shape your automatic reactions today, how your emotional regulation impacts your entire family, and how to stop waiting for your circumstances to change before you can finally feel calm. If you're a high-achieving, perfectionist, people-pleasing mom who feels like she's carrying the weight of everyone else's needs, this conversation will completely change how you think about stress—and yourself.   BY THE TIME YOU FINISH LISTENING, YOU'LL DISCOVER: Why stress is a normal, protective function of your brain—not a sign that something is wrong with youProcrastination and overwhelm are an emotional regulation problem, not a time-management problemHow to stop making stress mean you're failingYou don't need to eliminate stress; you need to understand how your brain and body respond to itPractical first steps to becoming calmer, more resilient, and more emotionally connected  AS MENTIONED: FREE Quiz to find out your default stress response: https://solutionsforsimplicity.myflodesk.com/stress-response-podcastThe Happy Mom ProtocolTM: why moms’ happiness is non-negotiable and 6 simple habits proven to make you happier FAST: https://solutionsforsimplicity.thrivecart.com/happy/    FOR SO MUCH MORE: Join the next round of Moms Made NewTM so stress no longer sabotages you—or your relationships: https://momsmadenew.com    Book a free consult with Dr. Amber 1:1: https://tidycal.com/solutionsforsimplicity/free-consult   HOMEWORK: Take a current stressful situation and brain dump the thoughts you’re having about it. How does it make you feel in your body? How are you naturally inclined to handle this kind of moment? Has that approach helped you in the past, or just made everything worse? Reach out to me via email or on Instagram @solutionsforsimplicity to share your thoughts.    COMING UP NEXT: Join me back next Tuesday at 5am Eastern to keep unpacking the hidden sources of stress stealing your time and joy. Did you know your nervous system secretly shapes your thoughts, emotions, choices, relationships, and life? My 1-hour masterclass, "Finally Understanding Yourself, The Missing Manual for Your Brain and Body," gives you foundational wisdom and practical tools to feel calmer, more connected, and more in control no matter how chaotic things are around you: https://solutionsforsimplicity.thrivecart.com/ns101/ 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.

  3. Jul 14

    The Words That Are Secretly Sabotaging Your Goals

    Send us Fan Mail What if the way you phrase your goals and intentions is precisely what makes them feel farther away than ever? In this episode, I unpack how the typical words you use around your goals end up keeping you stuck and frustrated. Drawing on neuroscience, psychology, and nervous system research, I share one of the simplest yet most powerful brain hacks you can use to stop self-sabotage and finally start achieving the life you want. If you've been feeling frustrated by your lack of progress, discouraged at your lack of motivation, and overwhelmed by the gap between where you are and where you want to be, then implement this simple science-backed strategy immediately for an instant mindset shift. This episode will fundamentally change the way you think about goals—and yourself!   BY THE TIME YOU FINISH LISTENING, YOU'LL DISCOVER: How your nervous system responds to the language you useWhy “I’m going to…” reinforces procrastinationHow confirmation and disconfirmation bias shape your brain’s decisionsThe difference between future-focused and identity-focused goalsA simple mindset shift that makes taking action feel easierThe easiest way to build momentum starting today  OTHER MUST-LISTEN EPISODES: Where Your Inner Critic Really Came From (Ep. 63): https://www.buzzsprout.com/2471152/episodes/1926920511 Things Not to Say to Your Kids (and Why) (Ep. 65): https://www.buzzsprout.com/2471152/episodes/19376456 Your Body Will Never Change from a Place of Shame: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2471152/episodes/18653954The Neuroscience of Staying Stuck (Ep. 44): https://www.buzzsprout.com/2471152/episodes/18459613   FOR SO MUCH MORE: Join the next round of Moms Made NewTM so stress no longer sabotages you—or your relationships: https://momsmadenew.com Book a free consult with Dr. Amber 1:1: https://tidycal.com/solutionsforsimplicity/free-consult  HOMEWORK: Reach out to me via email or on Instagram @solutionsforsimplicity to let me know how you’re going to use this advice to reframe one of your goals.    COMING UP NEXT: Join me back next Tuesday at 5am Eastern to keep unpacking the hidden sources of stress stealing your time and joy. Did you know your nervous system secretly shapes your thoughts, emotions, choices, relationships, and life? My 1-hour masterclass, "Finally Understanding Yourself, The Missing Manual for Your Brain and Body," gives you foundational wisdom and practical tools to feel calmer, more connected, and more in control no matter how chaotic things are around you: https://solutionsforsimplicity.thrivecart.com/ns101/ 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.

  4. Jul 7

    10 Things EVERY Mom Needs to Know About Stress

    Send us Fan Mail Stress isn't your enemy, but misunderstanding it might be. If you've ever wondered why you overreact, shut down, snap at your kids, struggle to relax, or feel like you're constantly living in survival mode, this episode is for you. I share 10 life-changing truths about stress that EVERY mom needs to understand. Drawing from neuroscience, psychology, attachment theory, and trauma-informed coaching, I explain why stress doesn’t mean anything is wrong; it means you need better tools to work with (instead of against) your nervous system. Whether you're navigating burnout, parenting challenges, marriage struggles, anxiety, or simply feeling overwhelmed by everyday life, this episode will completely change the way you think about stress. Be sure to share it with every mom you know!   BY THE TIME YOU FINISH LISTENING, YOU'LL DISCOVER: What’s really happening when something triggers a stress responseWhy traditional stress-management techniques and even therapy don't address the root problemThe three different kinds of stress affecting your nervous systemWhy you cannot think your way out of stressHow chronic cortisol changes your brain and bodyAnd SO MUCH MORE  AS MENTIONED: DON’T MISS my “13 Things NOBODY Is Telling You About Your Nervous System” masterclass: https://solutionsforsimplicity.thrivecart.com/13things/  (after July 9, 2026? Email me to buy the recording)FREE QUIZ to find out your default stress response: https://solutionsforsimplicity.myflodesk.com/stress-response-podcast  OTHER MUST-LISTEN EPISODES: Why You Can’t Relax (Ep. 66)4 Attachment Styles Every Mom Must Know (Ep. 47)The 5 “F” Responses, Part I (Ep. 53)The 5 “F” Responses, Part II (Ep. 54)   FOR SO MUCH MORE: Join the next round of Moms Made NewTM so stress no longer sabotages you—or your relationships: https://momsmadenew.com    Book a free consult with Dr. Amber 1:1: https://tidycal.com/solutionsforsimplicity/free-consult    HOMEWORK: Reach out to me via email or on Instagram @solutionsforsimplicity to tell me which of these 11 things spoke to you the most.    COMING UP NEXT: Join me back next Tuesday at 5am Eastern to keep unpacking the hidden sources of stress stealing your time and joy. Did you know your nervous system secretly shapes your thoughts, emotions, choices, relationships, and life? My 1-hour masterclass, "Finally Understanding Yourself, The Missing Manual for Your Brain and Body," gives you foundational wisdom and practical tools to feel calmer, more connected, and more in control no matter how chaotic things are around you: https://solutionsforsimplicity.thrivecart.com/ns101/ 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.

  5. Jun 30

    Why You Can’t Relax (Even When You Have Time) & How to Rest Without Guilt

    Send us Fan Mail If you've ever sat down to relax only to feel guilty, restless, anxious, or immediately overwhelmed by everything you "should" be doing instead, this episode explains why. In this powerful masterclass, I reveal the latest neuroscience behind why so many ambitious, perfectionistic women struggle to rest. You'll discover how childhood experiences, cultural conditioning, high-functioning anxiety, and nervous system patterning can actually make rest feel unsafe—even when your body desperately needs it. You'll also learn practical, research-backed strategies for calming your nervous system, overcoming guilt, creating healthy boundaries, and finally experiencing the kind of deep, restorative rest that improves your relationships, productivity, emotional regulation, and overall wellbeing. If you've ever thought, "I don't know how to relax," "I can't sit still," or "I'll rest when everything is done," this episode will completely change the way you think about rest.   BY THE TIME YOU FINISH LISTENING, YOU'LL DISCOVER: Rest isn't difficult because you're lazy, but because your nervous system learned that slowing down isn't safeWhy so many high-achieving women become physiologically addicted to stress, making calm feel uncomfortable—or even threatening—instead of peacefulHow toxic productivity culture glorifies hustle and makes rest feel selfish instead of necessaryHow rest is what gives you capacity to be productive in the first place11 practical ways to build more rest into your lifeAnd so much more  AS MENTIONED: Register for my “13 Things NOBODY Is Telling You About Your Nervous System” masterclass: https://solutionsforsimplicity.thrivecart.com/13things/Dr. Saundra Dalton-Smith: Sacred Rest   FOR SO MUCH MORE: Join the next round of Moms Made NewTM so stress no longer sabotages you—or your relationships: https://momsmadenew.com    Book a free consult with Dr. Amber 1:1: https://tidycal.com/solutionsforsimplicity/free-consult    HOMEWORK: Which of the reasons why rest feels impossible applies to you? Reach out to me via email or on Instagram @solutionsforsimplicity to share your thoughts on this episode.     COMING UP NEXT: Join me back next Tuesday at 5am Eastern to keep unpacking the hidden sources of stress stealing your time and joy. Did you know your nervous system secretly shapes your thoughts, emotions, choices, relationships, and life? My 1-hour masterclass, "Finally Understanding Yourself, The Missing Manual for Your Brain and Body," gives you foundational wisdom and practical tools to feel calmer, more connected, and more in control no matter how chaotic things are around you: https://solutionsforsimplicity.thrivecart.com/ns101/ 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.

  6. Jun 23

    11 Things NOT to Say to Your Kids (and Why)

    Send us Fan Mail What you say to your kids matters—way more than you might realize. Several seemingly harmless words have the potential to do a LOT of damage under the surface. In fact, some of the most common parenting phrases quietly wound a child in ways you probably never intended. (Even if you’ve never said these things to your kids, there’s a good chance you’ve suffered the invisible effects of your parents saying them to you.) In this eye-opening episode, I share 11 things I never say to my kids, the neuroscience-backed reasons why, and what to say instead. I reveal how everyday language can either strengthen a child’s self-worth, or unintentionally reinforce shame, people-pleasing, perfectionism, and emotional suppression. This isn’t about perfect parenting; it’s about consciously understanding that your words and tone become the foundation of their entire future. If you've ever wondered how to raise emotionally healthy, confident, and resilient kids without passing on your own wounds, this episode is for you.   BY THE TIME YOU FINISH LISTENING, YOU'LL DISCOVER: How your voice becomes your child’s inner voiceWhy shame is soooo damaging to identityWhy children should never feel responsible for adult emotionsWhich phrases teach a child to suppress their emotions, mask their true selves, and equate their worth with their achievementsAll kinds of better ways to respond to your kids to help them cultivate the critical emotional skills they need for life    AS MENTIONED: Brene Brown: The Gifts of Imperfect ParentingDr. Becky Kennedy: Good Inside FOR SO MUCH MORE: Join the next round of Moms Made NewTM so stress no longer sabotages you—or your relationships: https://momsmadenew.com    Book a free consult with Dr. Amber 1:1: https://tidycal.com/solutionsforsimplicity/free-consult    HOMEWORK: Reach out to me via email to share your thoughts on this episode.     COMING UP NEXT: Join me back next Tuesday at 5am Eastern to keep unpacking the hidden sources of stress stealing your time and joy. Did you know your nervous system secretly shapes your thoughts, emotions, choices, relationships, and life? My 1-hour masterclass, "Finally Understanding Yourself, The Missing Manual for Your Brain and Body," gives you foundational wisdom and practical tools to feel calmer, more connected, and more in control no matter how chaotic things are around you: https://solutionsforsimplicity.thrivecart.com/ns101/ 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.

  7. Jun 2

    Who Taught You to Talk to Yourself Like That? Where Your Inner Critic REALLY Comes From

    Send us Fan Mail If you constantly overthink, criticize yourself, replay conversations in your head, or have a harsh inner critic that won’t quit…this episode is for you. In today’s powerful conversation, I dive into the psychology and neuroscience of the inner critic — including where negative self-talk comes from, why high-achieving perfectionist women struggle with it so intensely, and how your childhood experiences shaped the way you speak to yourself today. The great news? Thanks to neuroplasticity, you can change! Words are SO powerful so we’ve got to be careful what we think and say. It’s never too late to harness the power of positive words, speak more kindly to yourself, and silence your inner critic for good. Note: This is an especially important conversation for moms who want to break generational cycles and raise emotionally healthy kids!   BY THE TIME YOU FINISH LISTENING, YOU'LL DISCOVER: Why perfectionists and people-pleasers often have harsher self-talk.Your inner critic isn’t random. It’s the voice that was drilled into you by the way others spoke to you.Negative self-talk is a protective adaptation—not a flaw, and definitely not the truth.Watch your mouth: Your children are constantly absorbing not only what you say to them, but what you say about yourself. The hidden impact of tone, silence, and emotional invalidation.  FOR SO MUCH MORE: Join the next round of Moms Made NewTM so stress no longer sabotages you—or your relationships: https://momsmadenew.com    Book a free consult with Dr. Amber 1:1: https://tidycal.com/solutionsforsimplicity/free-consult    HOMEWORK: Observe your thoughts throughout the day to assess whether they tend to be more positive or negative. See if you can identify whose voice your inner critic sounds like. Reach out to me via email to share your thoughts on this episode.     COMING UP NEXT: Join me back next Tuesday at 5am Eastern to hear the 10 things I never say to my kids (and, knowing the power of words, highly recommend you don’t either). Did you know your nervous system secretly shapes your thoughts, emotions, choices, relationships, and life? My 1-hour masterclass, "Finally Understanding Yourself, The Missing Manual for Your Brain and Body," gives you foundational wisdom and practical tools to feel calmer, more connected, and more in control no matter how chaotic things are around you: https://solutionsforsimplicity.thrivecart.com/ns101/ 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.

5
out of 5
35 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.