This episode is a raw conversation about parenting the kind of children you'd be proud to have as a friend when they're grown and how to parent a teenager in the age of social media. Cathy Pereira-Sanders was a joy to talk to. Cathy is a top level executive with a successful career and shares she never imagined herself as a mom, but God blessed with a beautiful daughter who she's raised to be a kind, loving soul. We talked about how a dude ranch family vacation opened the door for them to the horse world. I loved unpacking what it's like to parent not just a teen in today's social climate, but a teenage girl who's under tremendous pressure as a young athlete with corporate sponsors and a TON of social media and barrel horse media attention. Cathy's talented daughter, Ava Grayce, is a NBHA 1D Youth World Champion and holds a laundry list of 1D titles on board her phenomenal gelding Tampa Bay Rey Deal at just 15 years old that's longer than we have room for on the show notes and has remained a humble, kind loving, normal kid. I had to talk to Cathy about how she finds balance in parenting and what she feels she gets right - and Cathy openly shares what she feels she gets wrong. Cathy and her husband also recently became foster parents to their two young nephews and I loved our conversation about building yourself into an advocate for your children.  Thanks for tuning into The Every Way Mama. Please rate, review, and subscribe as it greatly helps our show.  You can follow Cathy on instagram at www.instagram.com/catpereira123.   Follow along with us at www.facebook.com/theeverywaymama and www.instagram.com/shastaar Visit us at www.theeverywaymama.com  

Kaley is a pilot's wife and the mama of four! I called her the miracle mama because the only explanation for how each of her children came into her family is just that: miraculous. Kaley share how infertility led she and her husband to consider international adoption and how a drop in the lap private domestic adoption opportunity changed everything. She shares how she and her husband stepped out in faith and adopted again unexpectedly during one of the hardest years of their lives as it was a year they made a cross country move, her husband was horrifically injured, and her mother's battle with terminal cancer all hit their family at once. Kaley and I also talked about her surprise pregnancy with her daughter and pushing through the pandemic. Kaley's faith is truly awe inspiring and this episode is a can't miss. 

Clarissa's story is an amazing example of just how strong we as women and mothers are. She shares how finding out she was unexpectedly pregnant gave her the courage to leave an abusive relationship. She talks about her amazing support system during her pregnancy and her difficult labor and delivery as well as her bout with post partum depression. When her son Augie was just a year old, Clarissa decided not to settle and left a job she was ambivalent about to pursue a career as an esthetician and put herself through school while raising a toddler as a single mom.  Clarissa and I also dove into what it's REALLY like dating as a single mom and her stories had me laughing out loud. Clarissa is frank, true to herself, and an amazing mama.  You can follow along with Clarissa at www.instagram.com/clarissa_duhhh It would mean so much if you could rate and review the podcast as well as subscribe.  Be sure to visit us at www.theeverywaymama.com and Follow the Every Way Mama at www.instagram.com/shastaar and at www.facebook.com/theeverywaymama

Two moms-to-be meet on an app while trying to conceive. They become best friends, have their babies, and find baby wearing, only to find the market really had some missing pieces. And so Hope & Plum was born, with a mission to make ring slings and baby wearing attainable, accessible, and easily usable for everyone. Mallory & Skye from Hope & Plum were dream interview for me as anyone who follows me on social knows I LOVE baby wearing. We talked trying to conceive, motherhood and the differences between expectations and reality. We dove into owning a small business and the process that goes into designing these beautiful textiles that allow us to hold our babies close. We talk about the Hope & Plum difference. This conversation was frank, hilarious, and so informative.  We would love to have you rate and subscribe as well as leave a review of the episode on your streaming platform.  You can shop Hope and Plum at www.hopeandplum.co and follow them on instagram at www.instagram.com/hopeandplum. Join their VIP Facebook group for all the inside scoop and give their Facebook Page a follow.  Follow the Every Way Mama on instagram, Facebook and check out the website for new merch! A portion of all proceeds in November goes to the Lifetime Adoption Foundation. 

This is a  must listen episode for any mom who has struggled with insecurity in her mothering and lets be honest - that's all of us. Julie Bender is a boy mom and a young widow, remarried. Julie and I have a breathtakingly honest conversation about how motherhood changes your ideals, the beauty of it, the heartbreak of it, and how to navigate motherhood insecurities. Julie shares how the loss of her first husband, Paul, impacted her parenting and how she navigated dating as a single mom. She shares her experience dating, marrying and parenting with her new husband, Donny. Julie's is REAL and honest and this episode will have you laughing and crying with us.  Julie Bender is the co-host of the This Grit and Grace Life Podcast. She has a heart for ministering to wives and you can catch her Praying for Your Husband Daily series on Facebook Live. Follow along with her on instagram at www.instagram.com/thejuliebender  We would love you to rate and subscribe to The Every Way Mama Podcast. You can find us at www.theeverywaymama.com or on Instagram or Facebook.

Lindsey Blum is a nurse, an entrepreneur AND a single mama to a beautiful first grader and her story is one that will leave you in awe of just how brave she is. Lindsey shares about the emotional ups and downs of her unexpected pregnancy with her little girl and how she found her support system without a partner. Lindsey's birth story itself had me crying in laughter and our chat about the post partum realities are a first time mom can't miss. We also talk about how Lindsey found her passion in photography and how she balances being a mama, wife, nurse, and business mama.  Follow Lindsey on instagram at www.instagram.com/soulandgracephotography and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/soulandgracephoto

(Trigger Warning: This Episode discusses miscarriage.) The Every Way Mama herself, Shasta Reeves, takes the mic solo today to share her miscarriages in honor of Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness month. She openly shares the details of finding out her pregnancy was not viable, her D & C, why she chose to have a D & C, her recovery, and her following chemical pregnancy. Since 1 in 4 women will experience pregancy or infant loss, Shasta takes the time at the end of the podcast to unpack the things NOT to say to a loved one who has suffered a miscarriage or loss and she also gives advice as to what TO say. 

Anna Price is the mama of two, including brand new baby girl, Nova. Anna and her husband, John, hold degrees in Biblical Counseling and Anna shares what led them to create content centered around relationships on their social media channels. Anna takes us through her surprise pregnancy with her son, Titan, her undiagnosed perinatal depression, and talks about how covid affected her pregnancy with her newborn. We also dig into the TV Show Dexter, keeping things genuine, and the differences between birth and recovery with and without an epidural.  Follow them on Youtube, Facebook, and Instagram.  Please rate and subscribe. We would love to have you follow us on our social channels - Instagram and Facebook as well as at www.theeverywaymama.com

Maggie Krichbaum joins us on the podcast to talk motherhood to two under three. Maggie joined me to talk about how she balances her career as a realtor with being that mama to two little guys. We unpacked how adding a second child affects the first, what it was like to push through the pandemic and a few of the things you don't expect about motherhood. Maggie herself is one of six kids and she shares how that influenced her outlook on motherhood.  You can follow Maggie on social at www.instagram.com/_mrs.krich_ We would love to have you follow us as well! Keep up with the blog at www.theeverywaymama.com and follow us on social at www.instagram.com/shastaar and at www.facebook.com/theeverywaymama and as always we would love for you to rate the podcast and subscribe. 

This mama's motherhood journey is incredibly powerful. Abbey shares her daughter's Leyla's single ventricle story with us from diagnosis through several open heart surgeries up to current day. She unpacks her subsequent pregnancy with her son Kyler, her role as special needs teacher, and what it was like caring for two toddlers, one medically fragile, when covid hit. Abbey shares what it's like parenting a heart warrior and how to be a warrior for your child.    Follow Abbey on instagram at www.instagram.com/abbeyhafer and you can follow Leyla's story on Facebook at www.facebook.com/leylasbrokenheart   Follow along with The Every Way Mama at www.theeverywaymama.com - We would also love to have you follow us on social at www.instagram.com/shastaar and www.facebook.com/theeverywaymama    To checkout WonderFold Wagon head here. You can use code shasta15 to save 15% off an accessory with the purchase of a wonderful wagon.