The Mama Sisterhood Heather Evans

I can't think of a better motherhood story to begin Season 3 than Ina's story today. Ina shares with us what it was like having a daughter, Kirstin, who had a chronic kidney disease, including what it was like to donate her own kidney to her daughter when Kirstin was 5 years old. This episode includes:

- Mom to daughter kidney transplant

- Caring for a child with a chronic illness, attempting to make appointments fun, and including her other children in medical life

- The importance of family and taking care of each other

- Laughter, knitting, finding one's passions, and the importance of being kind and being a friend to those who need it most

It's the Season 2 Finale!



I can't think of a better way to end Season 2 than with the interview I did with Amanda Gurman. You might know Amanda from her podcast Honest as a Mother or from her Honest as a Mother books, where she is the lead author and each chapter is written by a different mom. Amanda shares with us about her struggles as a new mom, including her diagnosis of post-partum rage after the birth of her second child. When Amanda realized there wasn't really a safe place to discuss her real motherhood experience, she created that space with her books, podcast, and community. This interview will have you nodding along and will help you realize that you are not alone.

Amanda's Podcast: Honest as a Mother

Books:

- Honest as a Mother: Personal Essays That Will Make You Feel Like You're Not Alone in Motherhood

- Honest as a Mother - Book 2: Personal Essays That Will Make You Feel Like You're Not Alone in Motherhood Paperback

Today, I have the honor of talking with Heather Avis (author, podcaster, and speaker) about her unique and heart-warming family journey. Heather and her husband have adopted three children, two of which have Down Syndrome. Heather shares honestly about what it was like to have a plan and then to bravely say yes to a path that was definitely not part of this plan. She shares about open heart surgeries, birth family relationships, having a family with people of different races and cultures, and what makes each of her children unique and special.



Heather's books:

- The Lucky Few: Finding God's Best in the Most Unlikely Places

- Scoot Over and Make Some Room: Creating a Space Where Everyone Belongs

- Everyone Belongs (children's book)

- Different - A Great Thing to Be (children's book)



Heather's podcast: www.theluckyfewpodcast.com

Today, I am so excited to bring you my interview with Trina Shockey. Trina had her first son ten years ago, prematurely and through a dramatic delivery. Following her first birth and learning more about what brought on her pre-term delivery, Trina and her husband chose to grow their family further through adoption. Four years into her adoption journey, Trina was able to welcome baby Oscar into her family. She shares all about their adoption process - the good, the challenging, and the surprising. Trina's story demonstrates the uniqueness of each mother's journey and once again, that there are so many ways to make a family.

To learn more about the non-profit company Trina used for her adoption, check out:
www.ccnks.org



You can find my book, Learning to Breathe, at:

https://www.amazon.com/Learning-Breathe-story-micropreemies-defied-ebook/dp/B083S6R3CN/ref=sr_1_1?crid=RUDD8XIP3YUT&keywords=learning+to+breathe+heather+evans&qid=1675870004&sprefix=learning+to+breathe+heather+evans%2Caps%2C101&sr=8-1

You can find my book, The NICU Mama Survival Guide, at:

https://www.amazon.com/NICU-Mama-Survival-Guide-Post-Partum/dp/B09MGJ7RSX/ref=sr_1_1?crid=24Q2C9CKTALJ2&keywords=the+nicu+mama+survival+guide&qid=1675870037&sprefix=the+nicu+mama+survival+guide%2Caps%2C113&sr=8-1

Have a great week!

Heather

Today, I had the honor to chat with Sarah Hartenberger, IBCLC. Sarah was working in the corporate world in marketing when she had her first child, Calvin, and struggled with breast feeding. After her journey with lactation, Sarah felt called to learn more, pursue her IBCLC certification, leave the corporate world, and start her own business so she could help other moms feed their babies. Since then, her company (Nurture Lactation) has grown exponentially, and Sarah and her clinicians help moms in-person and virtually. During this interview, Sarah tells us what it was like to pursue her passion, how she balances owning a business and having kids, and also some tips/myths about lactation!

Find Sarah online at www.nurturelactationkc.com

IG @nurturelactationkc

FB - Nurture Lactation


You can find my book, Learning to Breathe, at:

https://www.amazon.com/Learning-Breathe-story-micropreemies-defied-ebook/dp/B083S6R3CN/ref=sr_1_1?crid=RUDD8XIP3YUT&keywords=learning+to+breathe+heather+evans&qid=1675870004&sprefix=learning+to+breathe+heather+evans%2Caps%2C101&sr=8-1

You can find my book, The NICU Mama Survival Guide, at:

https://www.amazon.com/NICU-Mama-Survival-Guide-Post-Partum/dp/B09MGJ7RSX/ref=sr_1_1?crid=24Q2C9CKTALJ2&keywords=the+nicu+mama+survival+guide&qid=1675870037&sprefix=the+nicu+mama+survival+guide%2Caps%2C113&sr=8-1

Have a great week!

Heather

Today's guest is Annie Highwater: Author, Recovery Writer, Podcast Host, Speaker, Family Advocate and Recovery Enthusiast. Her story began with extreme challenges during childhood, ending in pregnancy at age 17. Despite her young age, Annie was mature enough to realize that she wanted a better life for her son. Through hard work, she was able to create a better path for herself and her son however challenges continued to follow her family. When her son was in high school, he was prescribed pain medication for a football injury, and within six weeks, he was battling an addiction which would last for many years. Annie has done so much research and self-work to heal herself, help support her son, and now work to help others in the recovery world. She is currently writing her 3rd book and running a podcast, while working full-time helping families support their loved ones on the recovery journey. I was on the edge of my seat the whole time - Annie's story has inspired me to make changes in my own life, and I'm excited for you to hear it!

Annie's book Unhooked:

https://www.amazon.com/Unhooked-Mothers-Unhitching-Coaster-Addiction/dp/1942497210

Annie's book Unbroken:

https://www.amazon.com/Unbroken-Navigating-Dysfunction-Addiction-Alcoholism/dp/1939844525/ref=pd_bxgy_14_img_2/157-0550715-2961527?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=1939844525&pd_rd_r=a8000c37-3636-11e9-baf7-ef6914df907a&pd_rd_w=UJMFw&pd_rd_wg=JI64s&pf_rd_p=6725dbd6-9917-451d-beba-16af7874e407&pf_rd_r=JK78ZM7HDS5SZX5KVF5C&psc=1&refRID=JK78ZM7HDS5SZX5KVF5C

Find Annie on Facebook at
Annie Highwater - Recovery Writer, Author of Unhooked and Unbroken

"The Unhooked Podcast:" https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/annie-highwater