We talk a lot about how changing or opening up your perspective and mindset is one of the keys to this journey. And I'll admit it... sometimes we get so caught up in the what that we forget to talk about the how.That's why we decided to make today's episode all about the How!One of the tools we found especially useful was learning about the common negative thinking patterns that we can get caught in as humans. Once we were aware of these "mind traps", we started to look at which ones popped up the most for us, when we fell into these patterns, and - most importantly - why.So, join us today as we go over 10 of the most common negative thinking patterns, give some real-life and rhetorical examples, as well as share steps on how to recognize and shift these patterns in your own thinking!All or Nothing Thinking Overgeneralization Mental Filter (what you focus on expands) Discounting the Positive ~ Jumping to ConclusionsMagnification/MinimizationEmotional Reasoning"Should"ing YourselfLabeling Personalization/Blame

***If you haven't listened to our last episode - "Looking at High School through a Neurodivergent Lens" - we recommend checking that out first!***It's SO easy to get caught up in the "what ifs" of life. As parents, we can easily fall into this trap not just with ourselves, but with our children as well. ~ What if they don't pass that class? ~ What if they don't get into a good college? ~ What if they don't get a well-paying job and struggle to make ends meet?As common and valid as these fears are, focusing on the negative "What Ifs" adds an extra layer of pressure and stress. For some of us, it can even send us into a spiral of anxiety and depression. It can easily happen to us and our teens.So, how do we shift this focus? By following up your "What Ifs" with "Why?"~ Why am I afraid of them not passing that class?~ Why do I believe getting into a good college is the only/correct path?~ Why do I feel like a well-paying job will = success/happiness for my child?Then, once you've come up with answers, ask yourself "Why?" again. And again. And again. Channel your inner toddler and keep asking yourself the same question. The answers you come to will start to shift your focus from What Ifs to What Is.Once you move away from the 'what ifs' and focus on the 'what is', that's when shift happens! Tune into this week's episode to learn more about what we mean.If your teenage daughter is struggling with achieving all the "normal" high school things, this is an episode for you!Music composed and produced by: Ben Tackett https://www.upwork.com/freelancers/~0155f8866a94fb9405

High school.It's a term that can bring to the surface a plethora of emotions and thoughts - some good, some bad, and some in between. Navigating this intricate web of emotions, relationships, academic pressures, and self-discovery in high school can feel like a rollercoaster with exhilarating highs and daunting lows. Basically, high school is A LOT for anyone.Next, let's look at the how most high schools are structured. They cater to the "normal" route that leads towards a single definition of "success" - a definition created by our society that is becoming increasingly difficult to obtain (which is a whole different can of worms!). In this fashion, we are almost setting our youths up for failure.Then, let's add in powerful tools that can be used for great evil: Social Media and the Internet. High schoolers today have no way of turning down the noise. To some degree, you could relate these teens' lives being on constant display to the pressures of fame.Finally, we mix in a little neurodivergence. As if the "normal" path wasn't difficult enough, now we are asking someone to follow it when it doesn't suit them or is even detrimental to their overall well-being. But, it's what is expected so we ask them to push on.I don't know about you, but when I look at it all like this, it looks like a recipe for disaster. At least I know it was for me (Abigail), and I know it is and has been for others.So, that's what our conversation today is all about! We dive into these subjects and share more about my own high school experience. We discuss what we would have done differently knowing what we know now. If your teenage daughter is struggling with achieving all the "normal" high school things, this is an episode for you!Music composed and produced by: Ben Tackett https://www.upwork.com/freelancers/~0155f8866a94fb9405

Okay everyone... this is a MUST listen!I mean if you were to ask us they are all "must listens", but if you are picking and choosing, CHOOSE THIS ONE!Today's episode is extra special for a few reasons:We introduce The ParenT(w)een Connection for this first time on The Mother Daughter Journey!It's our first time having 2 amazing guests at once!Our guests - Clarissa and Joe Constantine - are hilarious, a blast to be with, down to earth, and doing incredibly important work. We are SO lucky to have had this conversation with them! When we first started this podcast, a big reason behind this creation was to provide a space where mothers and daughters going through the tough transitions of a maturing relationship can just listen, be, and learn. Especially, though, we were hoping to provide comfort for those going through this transition while also learning to love all of themselves no matter what their brain chemistry is. This is the beauty of Clarissa and Joe and what they've created with The ParenT(w)een Connection. Thanks to them and all the professionals they are working with, we now have a judgment-free zone where parents and other members of 'the village' can connect with each other & with pros to support each other and your t(w)eens. I mean, how awesome is that???!!! The ParenT(w)een Connection is something we wish we had at the time, and we are so excited to be a part of something that can help others that are going through similar situations.So, with all that being said, join us! Not only do we dive more into what The ParenT(w)een Connection is and how it can help, but you also get a sneak peek inside the brilliant and beautiful minds and lives of the people who have created it.Of course this wouldn't be The Mother Daughter Journey if we didn't talk about Clarissa's: Relationship with her mother as a childHow it did and didn't shift as they grewHow her relationship with her mother impacted who and where she is todayPLUS! We get to hear from Joe and his observations on the effect Clarissa's relationship with her mother had on their relationship and others.Seriously. We know this is a longer than usual episode, but it is SO WORTH IT!Where to find more information on The ParenT(w)een Connection and learn more about Joe and Clarissa:The ParenT(w)een Connection WebsiteTheir Facebook GroupOn InstagramMusic composed and produced by: Ben Tackett https://www.upwork.com/freelancers/~0155f8866a94fb9405

Words matter.For most of us (hopefully), this isn't an entirely new concept. We've all heard the saying, "If you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything at all", right? Choosing kind and thoughtful words over hurtful ones are, of course, a huge piece to compassionate and productive conversations.But, words can hold SO much more power than we realize. Sometimes even the most innocuous and well-intentioned words can carry a negativity around with them and we don't even realize it.So, that's what today's episode is all about! Join us as we dive more into the concept of words matter. We talk about the nuances of certain words and the underlying meanings they can hold with real-life examples. We talk about how we've been there - how we didn't realize the words we were using held so much weight. We also discuss how, with time, we've been able to shift the way we speak to ourselves and each other. So, join us to learn how you can do the same!Music composed and produced by: Ben Tackett https://www.upwork.com/freelancers/~0155f8866a94fb9405

Abigail and I have been talking about conversational baggage so much lately that we thought we would revisit one of our first episodes from season 1. The title of the original episode is perceived expectations. When we listened to it again we decided this new title fit just a little bit better. During this episode we share a story that illustrates the potential impact bringing conversational baggage to a discussion can have on relationships perfectly. What is conversational baggage and where does it come from? Conversational baggage is our biases, blind spots, beliefs, trauma, generational influences, societal influences, and possibly even genetic influences. The majority of us are unaware of the baggage we bring to a conversation because it likes to hang out in our subconscious. It comes from our upbringing and lived experiences, which means there is a good chance that no two peoples baggage is the same. They are all custom made. In this episode we also share some tips for when a conversation starts going off the rails. Music composed and produced by: Ben Tackett https://www.upwork.com/freelancers/~0155f8866a94fb9405

You hear us say it all the time - the mother & daughter relationship is SO complex. But within that complexity is beauty, friendship, love, and an opportunity for growth. And we are so excited because our guest today shares with us experiences that perfectly exemplify this fact. Chris Dyer is the Most Valuable Partner (MVP) for Women 40+ and shows them how to create greater vitality, visibility and success in life and business. She is absolutely one of the best models for resilience, growth, and living in your integrity - we just had to have her on!Join us today as Chris shares more about her relationship with her mother and her grown daughter. Together, we dive into discussions around:What we inherit from our mothers - both the amazing and the not-so-amazing.How we can unpack that inherited trauma and learn to see our mothers as individuals with their own struggles and joysReleasing expectations for our mothers and our daughters to be or act a certain wayHow leadership plays a role in the mother & daughter relationshipHow to lead by example and be a model for change in our relationshipsAnd SO much more!Seriously friends, this episode is chock-full of goodies to take home with you. I'm sure you'll walk away with many tidbits to digest, but my favorite is:Expectations are just future resentments. Were you blown away by Chris' wisdom like we were? Then you definitely need to hear more of what she talks about. To learn more about Chris Dyer, you can:Visit her website: https://www.chrisdyerconsulting.com/Follow her on Facebook or Instagram ORConnect with her on LinkdIn

The holiday season is over, and we are back, baby!We are beyond thrilled to be kicking off 2024 with another awe-inspiring and all around amazing guest. Join us as we interview the very wise Lisa Condon!Lisa is a lover of life, adventurer of spirit, and cultivator of collaboration. She thrives on helping businesses find their heart and people discover their passion, which she does by helping you find your value-aligned purpose. Not only that, but Kelly and I consider her an expert in the art and practice of gratitude. In today's episode, we get to hear Lisa's wisdom as she shares with us the nuances of her relationship with her mom. We find out things from her such as:What does the mother-daughter relationship mean to you?How has your relationship ebbed and flowed during major life transitions (childhood to adolescence to adulthood, etc.)How did your relationship change when you stopped viewing her as just "a mom" and started looking at her as an individual?How can your expertise help mothers and daughters who are looking for a deeper connection?And so much more!Tune in to soak in Lisa's wisdom - you definitely won't regret it!If you want to learn more about Lisa Condon and how she can help you on your journey, you can find her:On her website: https://lisacondon.com/On her Facebook PageOn Her Instagram PageOn Her LinkdIn

Something we talk about often as one of the many, many things that make the Mother-Daughter relationship so complex is its innate codependent nature. As both parties grow, a degree of separation is need to maintain individuality. Why? Because Mom isn't just Mom, and a daughter is more than just a daughter. You're each people, and it can be really hard to shift that lens. This is such a sticky but important topic, which is why we are SO excited about today's episode!Joining us in our discussion is someone we both really look up to, and another good friend of ours: Alicia Mastrangelo - Founder of Live It Love It Wellness.Alicia helps women with high-functioning anxiety who are ready to give up people-pleasing and self-sacrificing, tap into their intuition, prioritize themselves, and live life on their terms with more joy, ease and flow. I do this through energy work, intuitive guidance, and handmade reiki-infused jewelry and art.Trust us. She is an expert at what she does. So, make sure to tune in to today's insightful conversation to learn things from Alicia such as: How her MD relationship transitioned from childhood into adulthood How her MD relationship shifted once mother passed How people pleasing plays a role in the MD relationship How the MD relationship ripples out to all others and first forms your identity.And so much more! There are many good tidbits to nibble on, so dive on in!If you want to learn more about Alicia Mastrangelo, you can follow her on social media or check out her website:https://www.liveitloveitwellness.com/Alicia's Facebook PageAlicia's Instagram PageMake sure to follow our latest episodes and share the episode link below with anyone you know who needs to hear it!https://player.captivate.fm/episode/fe9e999f-025b-4e5e-b697-75fcd5ac93ecYou can get more tips and goodies if you follow us on social media:FacebookInstagramTikTokMusic composed and produced by:Ben Tackett https://www.upwork.com/freelancers/~0155f8866a94fb9405

In our last episode, we had an eye-opening and awe-inspiring conversation with our good friend and role model: Gaelen Abt. It was such a thought-provoking discussion that we decided we needed to expand on it even more! Being aware and mindful of the energy you are bringing to a room is something we talk about often here at The Mother Daughter Journey. It's important to know what kind of baggage (i.e. triggers, beliefs, biases, etc.) you are bringing to a conversation. We talk about how crucial it is to know how you want to show up in any relationship, but especially so with the mother & daughter relationship. Daughters are constantly observing and learning from their mothers; being aware of that with each interaction is the key.Even with knowing all that, we never really put a name to it. But, thanks to Gaelen, we now have one! So, join us today as we discuss more about conscious parenting and our experiences with (or without) it.Make sure to follow our latest episodes and share the episode link below with anyone you know who needs to hear it!https://player.captivate.fm/episode/fe9e999f-025b-4e5e-b697-75fcd5ac93ecYou can get more tips and goodies if you follow us on social media:FacebookInstagramTikTokMusic composed and produced by:Ben Tackett https://www.upwork.com/freelancers/~0155f8866a94fb9405

This week's episode is something really special to us. Not only did we get the pleasure of speaking with the AMAZING Gaelen Abt, but we got to celebrate her the very first guest on The Mother Daughter Journey Podcast!Children come through you. They are not for you; they come through you. ~Gaelen AbtThese are just a few of the many words of wisdom we received from the Intuitive Transformation Guide and founder of Venture Into Change. Seriously, this woman is brilliant! Plus she has been such an inspiration to both of us on our individual journeys and the one we've been taking together.Not only that, but Gaelen so bravely shares some of her own story and struggles with motherhood. So, you'll definitely want to tune in to this week's episode for so many more nuggets of wisdom. You'll get to hear her take on questions such as:What does the mother-daughter relationship mean to you, and how has that changed over time?How was your relationship with your mother growing up different from how your relationship with your daughter has been?What does it mean to 'Consciously Create' your relationships?What is an Intuitive Transformation Guide, and what lead you to becoming one?How has stepping into yourself affected your relationships?What is your favorite modality that you use with clients to help them fully step into their true selves?As you know, we are HUGE proponents of taking the time to discover, honor, and love yourself in your entirety. It's the individual journey that will allow your relationships (particularly your mother-daughter ones!) to flourish.So, if you loved what Gaelen had to say and want to hear more, you can find her:On her website: ventureintochange.comOn FacebookOn InstagramMention in this episode: How To Talk To Kids Will Listen...And Listen So Kids Will TalkMake sure to follow our latest episodes and share the episode link below with anyone you know who needs to hear it!https://player.captivate.fm/episode/db343bf0-266e-4c63-a1d3-c9c0db4d6598You can get more tips and goodies if you follow us on social media:FacebookInstagramTikTokMusic composed and produced by:Ben Tackett https://www.upwork.com/freelancers/~0155f8866a94fb9405

***WARNING! TANGENT ALERT!***Not that anybody is surprised really 😜In this week's episode, we (attempted) to interview Kelly. But, true to The Mother Daughter Journey fashion, we went a little off the rails. So, what we got instead was a deep dive into how Kelly's relationship with her mother:Helped to create her worldviewHelped to shape the way she viewed herselfShifted over the yearsBrought her (and me) to where we are today Even though things didn't go exactly as planned, I'd argue this episode turned out better than we intended! There are so.many.goodies to nibble on here. K-Dog's openness and vulnerability shine a light on the amazing (and not-so-amazing) pieces of her journey that created who she is now. I know many of you will be able to relate, and I hope those of you who do find comfort in knowing you aren't alone.As we reviewed this episode, though, we realized there was still so much left unsaid. Make sure to keep an eye out for a follow-up to this tangent later on this season! Make sure to follow our latest episodes and share the episode link below with anyone you know who needs to hear it!https://player.captivate.fm/episode/76fdd82d-b536-4993-92e4-c08a24123956You can get more tips and goodies if you follow us on social media:FacebookInstagramTikTokMusic composed and produced by:Ben Tackett https://www.upwork.com/freelancers/~0155f8866a94fb9405

Seriously ~ this season is going to be awesome! We're diving back in head first with some #realtalk, but this season is going to be a little different: Friends, get ready for some AMAZING guests!"The mother-daughter relationship is the key to everything"It's so true! And in today's episode, Abigail - our first "guest" - shares more about what the mother-daughter relationship means to her personally and what exactly she means by it being, "the key to everything".Not only that, but you'll get to hear more of Abigail's insight as Kelly asks her questions such as:What have you gained from the journey of creating this podcast?What have you gained since our relationship began to shift and mature?What have you gained since you began to accept and embrace your mental illness?What is your favorite tool that we mentioned in season 1?How has life changed since creating the podcast and everything that has come with it?PLUS, a Super-Secret-All-Important question that has Abigail baring her soul!Make sure to follow our latest episodes and share the episode link below with anyone you know who needs to hear it!https://player.captivate.fm/episode/aea16c12-c232-4ab2-9dd6-fd0e703d5f38You can get more tips and goodies if you follow us on social media:FacebookInstagramTikTokMusic composed and produced by:Ben Tackett https://www.upwork.com/freelancers/~0155f8866a94fb9405

This week, Abigail and I explore two major components of our mother-daughter journey. The impact they have on the mother-daughter relationship is significant. I would venture to say on any relationship, but here we talk about the mother-daughter one. Join us as we jump into healing and ego. We peel back the layers of pain, scars, and learned behavior that have impacted our relationship. It hasn’t been easy, but we’ve realized that healing is crucial to our journey. Get ready for some “real talk”, personal stories, and how we embraced the healing process together. We also dive headfirst into ego and how it affects the way we connect. It brings defensiveness, judgment, and the constant struggle to be right. Don’t worry, ego can be tamed. It’s all about embracing imperfections and finding common ground. So, we do our best to check our ego at the door when navigating our relationship.Guess what? Our journey is far from over, healing and ego work are ongoing processes, and so are we! Mentioned in this episode: I’m Sensitive by JewelMake sure to follow our latest episodes and share the episode link below with anyone you know who needs to hear it!https://player.captivate.fm/episode/570cf5dd-bf1b-4755-b466-f33b4b4d312cYou can get more tips and goodies if you follow us on social media:FacebookInstagramTikTokMusic composed and produced by:Ben Tackett https://www.upwork.com/freelancers/~0155f8866a94fb9405

Siblings 😫 🤦‍♀️...... am I right??I'm only half-kidding. Sibling relationships have so many wonderful and amazing aspects to them, but they can also be really difficult. I mean when we think about it, ALL relationships are difficult, right? Now we are throwing a few children together under one roof and are expecting them to be best friends; or at the very least to get along!And that's natural. That desire for our children to love each other and get along is 100% normal! As parents, we love them individually and equally so gosh darn much. We can see all the fantastic things about them, and we want for them to see that in each other too.But we can't expect it. And that's the big difference. It's also what today's episode is all about! Make sure to follow our latest episodes and share the episode link below with anyone you know who needs to hear it!https://player.captivate.fm/episode/570cf5dd-bf1b-4755-b466-f33b4b4d312cYou can get more tips and goodies if you follow us on social media:FacebookInstagramTikTokMusic composed and produced by:Ben Tackett https://www.upwork.com/freelancers/~0155f8866a94fb9405

We've all been there. We've all been hurt by another, or even by ourselves, and have found ourselves in a position where we need to forgive. And it's hard.The mother-daughter relationship is no exception. With a bond like no other and so much emotion, it makes sense that there will be moments of mistakes, misunderstandings, and hurt feelings. It's inevitable! This also makes it the perfect opportunity to practice forgiveness. And that's what today's episode is all about! Join us as we share some of our own experiences where forgiveness was necessary, and dive into why we believe it is so important (hint: it's not for the other person; it's important for your own well-being!).All in all, forgiveness is hard. It's messy. It's heavy, but it is so necessary and so powerful.Mentioned in this episode:"Shining a Light on Grief" Volume II - compiled by Susan Lataille Make sure to follow our latest episodes and share the episode link below with anyone you know who needs to hear it!https://player.captivate.fm/episode/3dd58d91-aa15-4fdd-90ad-65a69e4d6758You can get more tips and goodies if you follow us on social media:FacebookInstagramTikTokMusic composed and produced by:Ben Tackett https://www.upwork.com/freelancers/~0155f8866a94fb9405

May was a big month over here at The Mother Daughter Journey! In today's more relaxed episode, join us as we reflect on what we've been up to this past month, our super awesome Mother's Day we spent all together, and the big (and WONDERFUL) changes that took place. Plus, we look back on Mental Health Awareness Month and what it means to us. Make sure to tune in to learn more about one of our favorite nonprofit organizations that takes the lead in mental health awareness all-year-round! Mentioned in this episode:The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention - a nonprofit organization Make sure to follow our latest episodes and share the episode link below with anyone you know who needs to hear it!https://player.captivate.fm/episode/2ce782c8-2424-4c04-87a1-ba4e40d2e615You can get more tips and goodies if you follow us on social media:FacebookInstagramTikTokMusic composed and produced by:Ben Tackett https://www.upwork.com/freelancers/~0155f8866a94fb9405

Grief.It makes sense that such a heavy word would be used to define such an overwhelmingly weighty emotion. With that being said, I guess it also makes sense that no one wants to talk about it - at least not for very long.Well, per usual we are here to talk about the things no one else wants to! 🤪Join us today as we discuss the grief cycle and how it plays a role in the maturing mother daughter relationship. We'll also share some of our own experiences with grief in our ever-shifting and ever-growing relationship.What we most hope for you to get out of this episode? The process is your own; don't let anyone else define it.Make sure to follow our latest episodes and share the episode link below with anyone you know who needs to hear it!https://player.captivate.fm/episode/76e5a125-7aec-445d-8e0d-63c2ed8d2376You can get more tips and goodies if you follow us on social media:FacebookInstagramTikTokMusic composed and produced by:Ben Tackett https://www.upwork.com/freelancers/~0155f8866a94fb9405

Happy Tuesday, Friends!Seriously, this s*** really works.In today's episode, we actually decided to share with you an amazing conversation we recently had about our feelings and our needs. We put into practice all the tools we've been talking about here, and Bam! Success. Was it comfortable? Heck, no. Was it productive and compassionate? Abso-freaking-lutely!Today's episode is a must-listen if you want to hear how we applied all these tools to a real-world situation!Make sure to follow our latest episodes and share the episode link below with anyone you know who needs to hear it!https://player.captivate.fm/episode/a77287ae-4f65-4bdf-b5ec-4668cb8d6e5cYou can get more tips and goodies if you follow us on social media:FacebookInstagramTikTokMusic composed and produced by:Ben Tackett https://www.upwork.com/freelancers/~0155f8866a94fb9405

The tools just don't stop coming!You'll often hear us say things like, "Every relationship is a snowflake", or "We all have different lenses" - and that's all fine and dandy. But how do we share those lenses with others if we don't really know what they are made of ourselves?Well, we don't! Instead, we end up feeling alone, or we put on a mask that we think will help us to be understood. The connection we long for as humans, especially with our mothers and/or daughters, will always be out of reach.So, our answer? Knowledge is power! With that in mind, today's episode is all about different personality assessments, and how we've used them as a tool in strengthening our relationship. No one system is better than the other; in fact, we recommend taking as many as you can! Some will resonate with you more than others, and that's okay! The more you know about yourself, the more genuinely you can connect with others.Mentioned in this episode:"Shining a Light on Grief" Volume 2 - edited by Susan Lataille Make sure to follow for the latest episodes and share the episode link below with anyone you know needs to hear it!https://player.captivate.fm/episode/8f53c448-3277-42de-80e3-0340ff998090You can get more tips and goodies if you follow us on social media:FacebookInstagramTikTokMusic composed and produced by:Ben Tackett https://www.upwork.com/freelancers/~0155f8866a94fb9405