The Lavender Hour Podcast

Ayla & Whit

A space for honest conversations, reflection and meaningful stories. Our goal is to make you feel like you’re sitting down with a friend over coffee to discuss life’s transitions, lived experiences and lean into the beauty and challenges of womanhood and motherhood. From identity and growth to the unspoken parts of our everyday lives, here we will share stories, wisdom, and encouragement that you're not alone.  From the lavender hour we want you to take what you need, and leave what you don't... this is your hour to reflect, reset, and feel a little lighter when you leave. So, pour yourself a glass, and settle in, we can't wait for you to join us. With love, your co-hosts, Ayla & Whit 💜

  1. 3d ago

    [Ep. 47] Surviving the Chaos: Our Do's and Don'ts with Parenting

    Let’s be honest: trying to figure out what you 'should' and 'shouldn't' do as a parent is exhausting. In this episode, Ayla and Whit are pulling back the curtain on their own households to talk real parenting do’s and don’ts—everything from navigating screen time and food to handling big emotions during a timeout and ditching body-shaming language. No judgment, no perfectionism, and definitely no outside noise—just two friends figuring it out and reminding you that whatever works for your family is the right way to do it. Favourite Products/Mentions No Knead Bread Grainy Seed Mix (for the bread recipe) Watkins Dye Free Sprinkles PureFood Naturally Coloured Sprinkles Watkins Dye Free Food Dye Chapters 00:00 Ayla and Whit introduce their parenting do's and don'ts 02:26 Screen time, social-media pressure, and what works at home 07:13 Timeouts without leaving kids alone with big feelings 10:01 Making childhood magic without overwhelming yourself 14:06 Body talk, food rules, and listening to fullness 19:31 How to challenge appearance-based comments 23:20 Saying yes to the playground, with realistic limits 30:24 Why parents don't have to play every time 32:30 Holding boundaries through meltdowns and frustration 41:18 Easy homemade bread and dye-free baking favorites 47:01 Take what you need and leave what you don't Keywords parenting, parenting do's and don'ts, screen time, body image, gentle parenting, boundaries with kids, play, family routines Music: "LoFi Piano Beat Intro 0127" by TuesdayNight — sourced from Pixabay (https://pixabay.com/music/) Follow us on Instagram @lavenderhourpodcast

  2. Oct 27

    [Ep. 46] From Teacher to Creator: Choosing Motherhood on Your Own Terms with Lindsay B.

    In this conversation, Ayla, Whitney, and Lindsay discuss the journey of motherhood, the challenges of balancing work and family life, and the evolution of Lindsay's social media presence as a creative outlet. They explore themes of identity, community, and the importance of finding joy in both motherhood and personal passions. The conversation explores the challenges and joys of parenting twins, focusing on the unique experiences and traditions that emerge from raising multiples. The speakers discuss practical parenting strategies, the importance of creating joyful memories, and the balance between meeting children's needs and managing parental expectations. Follow Lindsay Life with Lindsay B Favorite Products Robo Vac Light Up Bath Toys Takeaways Balancing motherhood and personal identityThe importance of community support Parenting twins requires unique strategiesCreating joyful memories is essentialChapters 00:00 Introduction to Lindsay and Her Journey02:55 Transitioning from Teaching to Influencing06:02 The Emotional Toll of Motherhood09:01 Support Systems and Personal Choices12:02 Finding Balance in Motherhood14:48 The Role of Social Media in Connection18:06 Creative Outlets and Professional Growth21:02 The Joy of Being Present with Kids23:54 Navigating the Challenges of Twin Parenting31:16 Navigating Life with Twins32:34 Family Traditions and Celebrations35:03 Individuality in Shared Experiences38:34 Creating Joyful Memories44:00 Favorite Parenting Products

  3. Oct 20

    [Ep. 45] Upgrade Culture, Consumer Pressure, and Learning to Be Content

    Whit and Ayla unpack the pressure to constantly upgrade, whether that means phones, home appliances, kids' clothes, water bottles or even houses. They also dig into how delayed gratification, functional living, and family proximity can push back against the "newest and biggest" mindset. In this episode, Ayla and Whit share where upgrade cultures shows up in everyday life and why it can feel so hard to resist. They compare consumer pressure with practical needs, and they land on a simple idea: sometimes what you already have is enough. Episode Favourites/Links: Ceramic Diffuser Yoga - Saje Diffuser Blend Quince Cropped Wide Leg Pant Quince Supersoft Fleece Half Zip Key topics The definition of upgrade culture and its societal impactPersonal stories about technology upgrades and their necessityThe influence of influencer culture and social media on consumer habitsThe environmental and financial costs of constant upgradingThe importance of mindful consumption and delayed gratificationThe role of housing size and location in upgrade cultureStrategies for living intentionally and reducing consumerismThe impact of culture on our perception of needs versus wantsNotable Quotes “Sometimes what you already have is more than enough.” “I want a house where I bump into my children.” “We don’t always need to get new cars, new phones, new things.” Chapters 00:41 - Keeping up with the Joneses and everyday pressure to buy more 03:11 - The yearly phone upgrade cycle and why it feels unnecessary 04:25 - Old devices, software updates, and planned obsolescence 06:14 - Home appliances that used to last forevert 08:42 - Influencer culture and the obsession with trendy water bottles 11:00 - Whit’s 24-hour rule for big purchases 12:27 - Why delayed gratification feels harder in an instant culture 16:43 - Shopping basics versus buying trendy kids’ clothes 20:11 - When “upgrade culture” becomes house-size pressure 23:19 - How a small house can still work if every room is used well 27:14 - Why Whit values a home that keeps the family close 33:25 - Wanting a house where kids cannot easily avoid you 38:49 - Working with less and focusing on function over excess 41:10 - Cars, depreciation, and the pain of constant upkeep 43:30 - Recommendation: a diffuser for the main living area 46:43 - Whit’s splurge: a new loungewear set from Quince 51:51 - Closing thoughts on not following every trend Music: "LoFi Piano Beat Intro 0127" by TuesdayNight — sourced from Pixabay (https://pixabay.com/music/)

  4. Oct 6

    [Ep. 43] Actually, We're Doing Pretty Good: Things We're Doing Well

    This week, Ayla and Whit are switching things up and giving themselves a little credit. Instead of talking about what they could be doing better, they're sharing the things that actually feel good right now - from being more present with their families and finding little pockets of joy, to getting their homes organized and finally spending a little time (and money) on themselves without feeling guilty about it. A reminder that sometimes it's worth stopping to notice what you're already doing right. Products and Recommendations Skullcandy Headphones Chapters 00:00 Introduction and episode overview 00:38 Sharing recent successes and positive shifts 01:00 Whit discusses being present and enjoying small moments 02:44 Ayla shares her focus on prioritizing family and home organization 04:20 The satisfaction of completing small tasks like cleaning the freezer 06:31 Gardening and seasonal prepping for winter 08:21 Refining daily joy through small routines and moments 09:31 Creating cozy spaces and investing in comfort 12:17 Skincare journey and investing in self-care treatments 16:34 Seeking professional guidance for skincare and skincare products 20:00 The importance of gradual investment in skincare products 23:03 Retinol and skincare product recommendations 24:13 Favorite products and small joys like fresh flowers 25:51 Whit’s favorite headphones for comfort and quality 27:10 Closing remarks and social media encouragement Key Topics Practicing presence and mindfulness Celebrating small wins and successes Seasonal reset and organization strategies Self-care investments and skincare routines Finding joy in everyday moments Keywords self-care, mindfulness, home organization, joy, personal growth, parenting, seasonal reset, skincare, investing in oneself Music: "LoFi Piano Beat Intro 0127" by TuesdayNight — sourced from Pixabay (https://pixabay.com/music/)

  5. Sep 29

    [Ep. 42] Keeping it Real with What We're Struggling With Today

    In this episode of The Lavender Hour, Ayla and Whit get real about what they’re struggling with personally. They talk about overloaded schedules, career changes, parenting, shift work, and the pressure to keep up with it all. Ayla opens up about feeling scattered, a difficult recovery after surgery, and friendships that have started to feel one-sided. Whit shares her own challenges with work, finances, family responsibilities, and finding time to rest.Together, they reflect on learning to say no, making room for downtime, and putting energy into relationships that give back. It’s an honest conversation about the messy parts of adulthood—and a reminder that you may be doing better than you think, so give yourself some grace. Products and RecommendationsGourmet Inspirations Coffee Syrups (salted caramel is my fav!) Owala Water Bottles Chapters00:00 Opening up about what feels hard right now 00:52 Ayla on taking on too much 13:01 Whit’s career change and financial pressures 20:54 Ayla on friendships that feel one-sided 28:31 Ayla reflects on comparison and competitiveness 35:46 Product favorites Key TopicsTaking on too much and feeling scatteredBalancing work, school, parenting, and family lifeCareer changes and financial pressureShift work, exhaustion, and household responsibilitiesRecovery, rest, and mental wellbeingSaying no and giving yourself graceAdult friendships and one-sided relationshipsPouring energy into reciprocal friendshipsComparison, competitiveness, and self-awarenessMaking downtime a priorityKeywordswork-life balance, career change, parenting, shift work, adult friendship, burnout, downtime, self-care, comparison, personal growth, giving yourself grace

  6. Sep 22

    [Ep. 41] Sit-down with Jess from Shore Peddlin. Behind the Scenes of her Vintage Ice Cream Bike

    Pedals, Purpose, and Resilience: Behind the Business 'Shore Peddlin' with Owner Jess 🚲🍦 What does it really take to start a business from scratch and navigate the unexpected turns along the way? In this episode, we sit down with Jessica, founder of @shorepeddlin, for a deeply personal conversation about her entrepreneurial journey. From the motivation behind launching her business and the evolution of her iconic vintage ice cream bike to the daily realities of balancing work, family, and personal growth, Jess shares it all. We dive into the honest challenges of small business ownership—including the power of community support, leaning into uncertainty, and navigating profound personal grief and loss while keeping a dream alive. It’s a raw, inspiring look at resilience, womanhood, and where @shorepeddlin is headed next. Products and Recommendations The Pink Stuff Zara Kids Jean Overalls Chapters 00:00 Introduction and guest background 01:32 Jessica's journey from Nova Scotia to entrepreneurship 02:33 The story behind the vintage ice cream bike 04:42 Business growth and pivoting to corporate events 07:12 First-year experiences and lessons learned 12:04 Overcoming rejection and building confidence 16:14 Including her son in her entrepreneurial journey 22:28 Dealing with personal loss and grief 28:35 Finding hope and motivation in challenging times 36:59 Future plans and aspirations for the business Key Topics -Jessica's background and motivation for starting her business -The story behind the vintage ice cream bike and its evolution -Challenges faced in entrepreneurship and how to overcome them -The importance of community support and authentic relationships -Balancing work, family, and personal growth as a small business owner -Dealing with personal loss and grief while running a business -The mindset of taking risks and embracing uncertainty -Future plans and aspirations for the business Keywords entrepreneurship, small business, ice cream bike, personal growth, work-life balance, resilience, community support, women in business Music: "LoFi Piano Beat Intro 0127" by TuesdayNight — sourced from Pixabay (https://pixabay.com/music/) Follow us on Instagram @lavenderhourpodcast and Jess @shorepeddlin

About

A space for honest conversations, reflection and meaningful stories. Our goal is to make you feel like you’re sitting down with a friend over coffee to discuss life’s transitions, lived experiences and lean into the beauty and challenges of womanhood and motherhood. From identity and growth to the unspoken parts of our everyday lives, here we will share stories, wisdom, and encouragement that you're not alone.  From the lavender hour we want you to take what you need, and leave what you don't... this is your hour to reflect, reset, and feel a little lighter when you leave. So, pour yourself a glass, and settle in, we can't wait for you to join us. With love, your co-hosts, Ayla & Whit 💜