Sass & Small TALK Deb Balino

S2 EPISODE 012 :: It's VDay - celebrate the beautiful concept of loving ourselves as women and mamas!
In this episode, there's NO. HOLDING. BACK.
 
Jannine Mackinnon, a community builder and advocate for all women, specializes in Women’s empowerment and female sexuality. She offers a safe space to challenge the social norms that we, as women and mothers, have been conditioned to accept as our reality. 
But it doesn't have to be.
Did you know that women's empowerment goes beyond equal access, breaking gender bias, and feminism? It's all encompassing and it STARTS AT HOME with the decision ultimately being... our own. So let's talk about it!
9:24 - Let's Talk MAMA MARTYRDOM - understanding ourselves as women, resisting the temptation to fall into martyrdom. 
22:55 - Let's Talk FEMINISM  - challenging the "anything you can do, I can do better" approach celebrating where women differ.  
26:13 - Let's Talk HORMONES - did you know we have superpowers that come alive at different points in our cycle?
32:19 - Let's talk RELATIONSHIPS - how the "transactional" approach to relationships, promotes disconnection. 
And the part where your host talks a mile a minute, to offset her flushed cheeks. (you will LOVE this part mamas)
37:50 - Let's talk "ABOUT SEX, baby"- You will soon see (Youtube version), just how your favourite "PRUDE" (yours truly) is literally transformed in one sitting, as we "go there" in the world of self love, and tapping into our own needs.
Give yourselves the ultimate day of self-love, and a much deserved reset. Sit back, and be enlightened by a candid conversation that will blow your mind, open your eyes, and relieve all that pressure (heh, heh).
READ MORE HERE!
WATCH THIS EPI HERE!
LINKS
Let’s Talk :: JANNINE
https://unapologeticmotherhood.com/
IG - @jannine.mackinnon
TikTok - @unapologeticmotherhood
Podcast - @UnapologeticMomsClub / @UnapologeticMomsClub
FB - @unapologeticmotherhood
PIN - @Janninemackinnon
Let's Talk SASS & SMALLS
IG - @sassandsmalls (Main) @sassandsmalltalkpodcast
FB/TW/PIN/TIKTOK
WEBSITE
SUBSCRIBE on YOUTUBE
Listen on any platform HERE!
Send comments, questions, topic requests, or guests requests to: https://bit.ly/ContactSassandSmalls

S2 EPISODE 011 :: Chatting about all things Motherhood - the good, the bad, and the exhausting. Lacey shares her insight on how the Millennial Mom is torn between the allure of the internet as a source of information, inspiration, community, as well as a creative space to share and connect, and its addictive appeal leading to the inevitable pressures of having to "keep up". Fostering a culture of perfectionism, it's no wonder Mamas are left to feel inadequate, resentful, and burnt out.

From online Sisterhood (which brought us two mamas together in the first place), to the toxic nature of comparison, to the testing of boundaries in the latest phenomenon, "Sharenthood", Lacey and I speak candidly about what a mom really NEEDSto survive and thrive in motherhood. Including, navigating a love-hate relationship with the very tool that feeds our creative souls with a platform to express ourselves creatively. But at what cost?

Does more necessarily mean better?
How do we navigate a barrage of parenting information we are faced with as we scroll through the interwebs?
And would reading the captions before judging an IG Mama on her pretty aesthetics, worth the extra time we don't have in the first place?

And like clockwork, the cutest little guest makes a surprise appearance at the end - You may want to make your way to our Youtube version of this episode!

READ MORE HERE!
WATCH THIS EPISODE HERE!

LINKS
Let’s Talk :: LACEY
IG - @lifeoflaceyjanette
TikTok - @lifeoflaceyjanette
Facebook - @lifeoflaceyjanette
Let's Talk SASS & SMALLS
IG - @sassandsmalls (Main) @sassandsmalltalkpodcast
FB/TW/PIN/TIKTOK
WEBSITE
SUBSCRIBE on YOUTUBE
Listen on any platform HERE!
Send comments, questions, topic requests, or guests requests to: https://bit.ly/ContactSassandSmalls

S2 EPISODE 010 :: (Trigger Warning) Part of getting our "sass" back as a mom, is finding that inner part of ourselves that drives, inspires, and reignites that creative part of our brain. As to be expected, once kids and responsibilities enter the picture, we often push our dreams aside with the intention of revisiting said dreams at a later time when life gives us the opportunity to do so.

Enter... Andrew Velázquez.

Cosmetics Brand CEO
Author (Love is Art, Art is Love, Amor es Arte, Arte es Amor)
Educator
Cosmetologist
Reality TV star and finalist (American Beauty Star)
Celebrity Hair & Makeup Artist

With his star studded career touching the faces of some of Hollywood’s brightest stars including Lady Gaga, Demi Levato, Carmen Electra, as well as being part of the Makeup Artistry team on Keeping Up with the Kardashians - Andrew had his share of life and work and experience in the world of beauty.
 
Why is Andrew on Sass & Small Talk, you ask?

Listen to the episode to see why he is a self-proclaimed Mama in his own right. Between caregiving for his younger siblings in his preteen years, to teaching his students and mentoring aspiring Artists (my daughter is eagerly waiting in line for her turn), to loving on his fur kids - it comes as no surprise that Andrew has quite a soft spot for all mamas, especially his own. 

His journey of self discovery, following a history of trauma navigating life as a young, gay, Mexican American, in the heart of East LA, eventually led him down a path of self destruction. He shares how, along with the encouragement of his Mom (his first love, and the original beauty inspiration in his life), he used these trial moments to help fuel his drive to realize his dreams. Andrew attributes these first critical steps in his young life - to being the very decisions that saved his life and led him to where he was destined to be. 
From fighting the inner saboteur, to setting healthy boundaries, integrating mindfulness practice in his day to day life, while being of service to others - Andrew allows us to dig deep into his history that brought him to this exciting phase in his life of becoming an Author and CEO of his own Cosmetics Brand.
Disclaimer (Trigger Warning) : There will be a brief mention of self harm and suicidal ideation as Andrew opens up about his Mental Health journey, battling the inner struggles of finding his place within his faith and LGBTQ community.


READ MORE HERE!
WATCH THIS EPISODE HERE!

LINKS
Let’s Talk :: ANDREW
IG - @andrewvelazquez_
TikTok - @andrewvelazquez_
Facebook - @Andrewvelazquezcom
MERCHANDI
Let's Talk SASS & SMALLS
IG - @sassandsmalls (Main) @sassandsmalltalkpodcast
FB/TW/PIN/TIKTOK
WEBSITE
SUBSCRIBE on YOUTUBE
Listen on any platform HERE!
Send comments, questions, topic requests, or guests requests to: https://bit.ly/ContactSassandSmalls

S2 EPISODE 009 :: (Trigger Warning) What happens when you get two diagnosed-as-adults ADHD Mamas on a Podcast Episode??
2 Hours (don't worry, it's been cut to at least half) of boisterous bursts of laughterCollective tears (thanks for making me cry, Claire)Oversharing (or what social media refers to as just plain ol' sharing & storytelling)a whole lotta banter, with a sprinkle of cooperative overlap (interruptive podcast host shamefully raises hand...)Not a dull moment in this conversation, let me tell you!

It has been MONTHS that we have been awaiting the airing of this much anticipated episode - but fittingly, this ADHD Mama (yours truly) went through all the motions of delaying the process. From technical delays (see below) to a healthy dose of imposter syndrome - getting this episode to air, was like pulling teeth (of a person with ADHD, no less... yikes). 

... all the things this amazing guest, speaks on candidly - as she takes us through her mental health journey and self advocacy, which finally led her to her diagnosis of ADHD. 
You may know Claire Bowman, the very relatable "mom friend with ADHD" with a loyal following on TIKTOK and Instagram, where she shares anecdotes on Motherhood, ADHD, Self Advocacy, & Mental Health - many of them in real time.  
Disclaimer (Trigger Warning) : There will be a brief mention of self-harm as Claire opens up about her Mental Health struggles, due to years of misdiagnosis and undetected ADHD.

SIDE NOTE: Due to some technical difficulties (and let's be honest, zoom couldn't handle the likes of these two ADHD Mamas) we experienced some audio challenges. Please bear with us in the last few minutes of the episode - I promise it will be worth it!

READ MORE HERE!
WATCH THIS EPISODE HERE!

LINKS
Let’s Talk :: CLAIRE
IG - @clairebowman._
TikTok - @clairebowman._
PODCAST TO BE LAUNCHED SOON! Host :: Claire Bowman (previously known as "Claire-i-tea" Podcast)
Let's Talk SASS & SMALLS
IG - @sassandsmalls (Main) @sassandsmalltalkpodcast
FB/TW/PIN/TIKTOK
WEBSITE
SUBSCRIBE on YOUTUBE
Listen on any platform HERE!
Send comments, questions, topic requests, or guests requests to: https://bit.ly/ContactSassandSmalls

S2 EPISODE 008 :: If you are on a health journey that could benefit from healing your relationship with food - you've come to the right place! In fact, if you're anything like me, and you have experienced:
struggling with diet restriction and deprivationfood guilt, fear of food, or body shameyo-yo dietingignoring your hunger cuesbinging on foods restricted before and after following the latest diet fadsor you simply aim to live a healthier lifestyle where your relationship with food is as sound as your relationship with yourself, loved ones, and everything/everyone else in your life - this episode is for you.

I have been anxiously waiting to have Randa Derkson of Randa Nutrition, on the show well before Sass & Small Talk was even on air! This fabulous force-to-be-reckoned-with, mama of 2, wears many hats. She is the Host on her own Podcast, Realistic Nutrition Podcast, and the founder of her website, Randa Nutrition, where she shares an abundance of nutritional tips, food strategies, and delicious recipes.

Aside from her long list of nutritional credentials (and it is definitely a mouthful - pun intended...) Randa also prides herself in being that relatable reformed fad dieter that so many of us know oh-so-well. But unlike many of us, she chose to change the trajectory of her health journey, by ditching the fad diet lifestyle and learn more about our body's nutritional needs. She takes a strong stand against deprivation and restriction and encourages her clients to dispel food myths and to stop fearing food.  She offers strategies that allow busy moms to enjoy the food they love, while adding MORE of what's good for them.

Randa Nutrition recently launched the life-changing program "Food Freedom, Your Way" - the complete system to help you lose weight without sacrificing your favourite foods.

READ MORE HERE!
WATCH THIS EPISODE HERE!

LINKS
Let’s Talk :: FOOD FREEDOM, YOUR WAY
Join this this amazing program HERE
20% off all Digital Products (not including coaching)
Promo Code :: "SASSANDSMALLS"
Let’s Talk :: RANDA
IG - @randanutrition
TikTok - @randaderkson
YouTube - @RandaNutrition
Let's Talk SASS & SMALLS
IG - @sassandsmalls (Main) @sassandsmalltalkpodcast
FB/TW/PIN/TIKTOK
WEBSITE
SUBSCRIBE on YOUTUBE
Listen on any platform HERE!
Send comments, questions, topic requests, or guests requests to: https://bit.ly/ContactSassandSmalls

S2 EPISODE 007 :: I am so thrilled to introduce our very first guest on Sass & Small Talk. Knowledgeable, creative, and driven by passion, Renée Jordan of Early Bird, is my absolute go-to when it comes to all things early childhood.
Early Bird is a platform subscription, that takes the burden off parents when it comes to activity planning for our tiny humans, and putting an end to the endless scouring of Pinterest. The goal of Early Bird is to use a blended approach to develop the whole child through purposeful play, in preparation for the years ahead. Renée will show you how, in as little as 10 minutes, this platform can set your smallies up for success, while YOU find your way back to that coffee while it's still hot!

Just CLICK... and GO. 

READ MORE HERE!
WATCH THIS EPISODE HERE!

LINKS
Let’s Talk EARLYBIRD
Subscribe HERE
Let’s Talk RENÉE
IG - @learnwithearlybird
TikTok - @learnwithearlybird
Earlybird Website
Let’s Talk TASK BINS
Live Stream with @lifeoflaceyjanette HERE 
Let's Talk SASS & SMALLS
IG - @sassandsmalls (Main) @sassandsmalltalkpodcast
FB/TW/PIN/TIKTOK
WEBSITE
SUBSCRIBE on YOUTUBE
Listen on any platform HERE!
Send comments, questions, topic requests, or guests requests to: https://bit.ly/ContactSassandSmalls