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Mom brain isn’t just in your head—it’s real.

If you’ve ever put your keys in the fridge, forgotten why you walked into a room, or felt like your mind just can’t keep up since becoming a mom, you are not alone. I’ve been there, and I know how frustrating it can feel.

That’s why in this episode, I sat down with licensed marriage and family therapist Atara Parkinson to unpack what’s really happening when “mom brain” shows up.

We talk about:

• What mom brain actually is
• How hormonal shifts, stress, and the never-ending mental load affect your brain and memory
• The role minerals like magnesium, potassium, sodium, and calcium play in reducing brain fog
• Simple, practical ways you can support yourself through nutrition, nervous system care, and self-care that goes deeper than spa days

By the end of this conversation, you’ll feel reassured that mom brain doesn’t mean you’re broken—it’s your body asking for support. And when you give it what it needs, you can feel more grounded, focused, and present again.

Connect with Atara!

IG: @atara.parkinson

Website: www.ataraparkinson.com

Thanks for listening!

If you're ready to break the cycles you've noticed in your marriage, reach out by booking a clarity call to become a client! https://michellepurta.as.me/clarity

Connect and send a message letting me know what you took away from this episode: @michellepurtacoaching and follow me on threads @michellepurtacoaching!

If you would like to support this show, please rate and review the show, and share it with people you know would love this show too!

Additional Resources:

• Ready to put a stop to the arguments in your marriage? Watch this free masterclass - The #1 Conversation Married Couples Need To Have (But Aren't)
• Want to handle conflict with more confidence? Download this free workbook!
• Wanna make communication feel easy and stop feeling like roommates so you can bring back the romance and excitement into your marriage? Learn more about how coaching here!
  
  

Let us know how you enjoyed this episode!

Tough conversations are not the same as confrontations and knowing the difference could change your marriage.

In this episode, I'm unpacking a common misconception that keeps couples stuck: the belief that speaking up about challenges is automatically “confrontational.”

Tune in to hear me share:

• The real definition of confrontation (and why it doesn’t belong in a healthy marriage)
• How to reframe conflict so it feels like teamwork, not a battle
• Why avoiding hard conversations creates bigger problems over time
• How to see conflict as “maintenance” for your relationship

If you’ve been avoiding hard topics because you don’t want to rock the boat, this episode will give you the clarity and courage to start communicating in a way that builds closeness instead of distance.

Download the Conflict To Connection Guide here!

Thanks for listening!

Connect and send a message letting me know what you took away from this episode: @michellepurtacoaching and follow me on threads @michellepurtacoaching!

If you would like to support this show, please rate and review the show, and share it with people you know would love this show too!

Additional Resources:

• Ready to put a stop to the arguments in your marriage? Watch this free masterclass - The #1 Conversation Married Couples Need To Have (But Aren't)
• Want to handle conflict with more confidence? Download this free workbook!
• Wanna make communication feel easy and stop feeling like roommates so you can bring back the romance and excitement into your marriage? Learn more about how coaching here!

Let us know how you enjoyed this episode!

Mom guilt and anxiety often show up hand in hand—and for many moms, it feels impossible to shake.

In this episode of The Marriage & Motherhood Podcast, I’m joined by psychotherapist Patrice Payment to talk about why anxiety can hit hard after becoming a mom, even if you never struggled with it before. We unpack the most common triggers, the thought patterns that keep you stuck, and the link between guilt and the pressure to “do it all.”

You’ll learn how to identify unhelpful thinking patterns like black-and-white thinking, catastrophizing, and “should” statements—and how to replace them with more compassionate, flexible perspectives. We also share practical tools to shift from feeling powerless to feeling in control of your choices, reduce burnout, and prioritize your own needs without guilt.

Whether you’re a new mom or years into motherhood, these strategies will help you navigate anxiety with confidence, protect your mental health, and enjoy motherhood without losing yourself.

What you’ll hear in this episode:

• Why anxiety often starts after kids, even if you were fine before
• Common ways mom guilt and anxiety show up in daily life
• How “should” statements fuel guilt and burnout
• Strategies for challenging unhelpful thought patterns
• Practical tools to respond to anxiety instead of spiraling
• The surprising link between saying “no” and feeling calmer

Connect with Patrice!

Website: www.momlifewithp.com

IG: @momlifecounseling

Thanks for listening!

If you're ready to break the cycles you've noticed in your marriage, reach out by booking a clarity call to become a client! https://michellepurta.as.me/clarity

Connect and send a message letting me know what you took away from this episode: @michellepurtacoaching and follow me on threads @michellepurtacoaching!

If you would like to support this show, please rate and review the show, and share it with people you know would love this show too!

Additional Resources:

• Ready to put a stop to the arguments in your marriage? Watch this free masterclass - The #1 Conversation Married Couples Need To Have (But Aren't)
• Want to handle conflict with more confidence? Download this free workbook!
• Wanna make communication feel easy and stop feeling like roommates so you can bring back the romance and excitement into your marriage? Learn more about how coaching here!

Let us know how you enjoyed this episode!

Resentment doesn’t mean your marriage is broken, it means something needs to change.

It’s not just frustration. It’s a signal. A buildup of unmet needs and silence that, left unaddressed, can lead to emotional disconnection, bitterness, and burnout.

In this episode, we’re unpacking what resentment really is and why it shows up so often in marriages, especially after kids. You’ll learn how to use it as a tool for reconnection.

In this episode, I share:

• What resentment really means (and what it’s not)
• How to recognize the signs early
• Everyday ways resentment builds in parenting and partnership
• How to use resentment to strengthen your marriage

Resources mentioned:

• Marriage 360 Review – Identify where resentment is hiding and what your marriage needs most
• Book a Clarity Call to explore how coaching can help your marriage grow stronger

Thanks for listening!

Connect and send a message letting me know what you took away from this episode: @michellepurtacoaching and follow me on threads @michellepurtacoaching!

If you would like to support this show, please rate and review the show, and share it with people you know would love this show too!

Additional Resources:

• Ready to put a stop to the arguments in your marriage? Watch this free masterclass - The #1 Conversation Married Couples Need To Have (But Aren't)
• Want to handle conflict with more confidence? Download this free workbook!
• Wanna make communication feel easy and stop feeling like roommates so you can bring back the romance and excitement into your marriage? Learn more about how coaching here!

Let us know how you enjoyed this episode!

Chores are more than just about getting the house clean. In this episode, I'm joined by Family Coach Lori Sugarman-Li and she shares how chores are opportunities to teach your kids life skills and build a stronger family dynamic.

In this episode, we dig into how involving kids in the work of running a household is about so much more than ticking off tasks on a to-do list. It’s about instilling responsibility, empowering them to contribute meaningfully, and fostering resilience they’ll carry into adulthood.

You’ll learn why reframing chores as "family contributions" can transform the way your kids see them (and how you feel about enforcing them). This isn’t about nagging or micromanaging—it’s about helping kids understand the scope of work that keeps a family functioning and giving them a sense of pride in being part of that.

Here’s what we cover in this episode:

• Why chores aren’t just chores—they’re opportunities for growth and empowerment
• How involving kids in household work builds self-esteem, accountability, and communication skills
• Simple strategies to make chores feel like meaningful contributions instead of punishments
• How to model the value of teamwork so your kids learn to carry their weight in the family
• Ways to handle pushback and frustration without creating power struggles

If you’re tired of the endless battle over chores and want a fresh, more collaborative way to approach them, this episode will help you reimagine what shared responsibility looks like in your home.

Connect with Lori!

Website: https://ourhomeourpride.com

IG: @ourhomeourpride

Buy her book here!

Thank you for listening!

If you're ready to break the cycles you've noticed in your marriage, reach out by booking a clarity call to become a client! https://michellepurta.as.me/clarity

Connect and send a message letting me know what you took away from this episode: @michellepurtacoaching and follow me on threads @michellepurtacoaching!

If you would like to support this show, please rate and review the show, and share it with people you know would love this show too!

Additional Resources:

• Ready to put a stop to the arguments in your marriage? Watch this free masterclass - The #1 Conversation Married Couples Need To Have (But Aren't)
• Want to handle conflict with more confidence? Download this free workbook!
• Wanna make communication feel easy and stop feeling like roommates so you can bring back the romance and excitement into your marriage? Learn more about how coaching here!

Let us know how you enjoyed this episode!

Do you ever find yourself thinking, “I love my husband, but I feel so alone”?

After kids, so many moms quietly carry the weight of loneliness in their marriage. Feeling like everything falls on them, like they’ve lost themselves, and like they’re more roommates than romantic partners.

In this episode, we’re diving into why so many moms feel alone in marriage after having kids and how you can start turning things around.

Here’s what I cover in this episode:

• Why loneliness happens in marriage after kids
• Signs you’re experiencing disconnection
• How to rebuild connection without needing a perfect date night

If you’re ready to feel reconnected in your marriage, I invite you to schedule a free clarity call with me. We’ll get to the root of what’s going on and map out your next steps towards a more connected marriage.

Connect and send a message letting me know what you took away from this episode: @michellepurtacoaching and follow me on threads @michellepurtacoaching!

If you would like to support this show, please rate and review the show, and share it with people you know would love this show too!

Additional Resources:

• Ready to put a stop to the arguments in your marriage? Watch this free masterclass - The #1 Conversation Married Couples Need To Have (But Aren't)
• Want to handle conflict with more confidence? Download this free workbook!
• Wanna make communication feel easy and stop feeling like roommates so you can bring back the romance and excitement into your marriage? Learn more about how coaching here!

Let us know how you enjoyed this episode!

Do you feel like your life falls apart every time your routine gets disrupted?

Many moms experience burnout trying to stick to rigid routines that just don’t work for real-life motherhood. In this empowering episode, I sat down with Siobhan Bingham, motherhood coach and host of the Everwell Mama Podcast, to explore the powerful shift from routines to rhythms.

In this episode, we cover:

• The difference between routines and rhythms — and why rhythms are more sustainable for moms
• How rigid routines can fuel guilt and burnout
• How shifting your mindset around structure helps you and your kids thrive
• Simple, real-life examples of what following a rhythm looks like
• Why honoring your energy is a skill worth modeling for your children
• Small changes that make a big difference in your day-to-day experience

If you’ve been craving more peace, presence, and permission to do things differently as a mom, this episode is for you!

Connect with Siobhan!

IG: @everwellcoaching

Podcast: Everwell Mama Podcast

Download Siobhan’s FREE Tired Moms Reset Kit here!

Thank you for listening!

If you're ready to break the cycles you've noticed in your marriage, reach out by booking a clarity call to become a client! https://michellepurta.as.me/clarity

Connect and send a message letting me know what you took away from this episode: @michellepurtacoaching and follow me on threads @michellepurtacoaching!

If you would like to support this show, please rate and review the show, and share it with people you know would love this show too!

Additional Resources:

• Ready to put a stop to the arguments in your marriage? Watch this free masterclass - The #1 Conversation Married Couples Need To Have (But Aren't)
• Want to handle conflict with more confidence? Download this free workbook!
• Wanna make communication feel easy and stop feeling like roommates so you can bring back the romance and excitement into your marriage? Learn more about how coaching here!

Let us know how you enjoyed this episode!

Do you keep having the same fight in your marriage?

You’re not alone. Repetitive arguments can feel like emotional déjà vu—same topic, same tone, same result. Eventually, you start to wonder if things will ever actually change.

In this episode, I’m diving into why these same fights happen over and over again, what deeper emotional needs are often hiding beneath the surface, and what it really takes to break the cycle for good.

This conversation is for you if:

• You feel emotionally drained after every argument
• You’re stuck in the same dynamic, hoping it’ll magically change
• You’re ready to try something different—because trying harder isn’t working

If you’re feeling stuck or exhausted by the same arguments, I invite you to schedule a free clarity call with me. We’ll get to the root of what’s going on and map out your next steps toward a more connected marriage.

Connect and send a message letting me know what you took away from this episode: @michellepurtacoaching and follow me on threads @michellepurtacoaching!

If you would like to support this show, please rate and review the show, and share it with people you know would love this show too!

Additional Resources:

• Ready to put a stop to the arguments in your marriage? Watch this free masterclass - The #1 Conversation Married Couples Need To Have (But Aren't)
• Want to handle conflict with more confidence? Download this free workbook!
• Wanna make communication feel easy and stop feeling like roommates so you can bring back the romance and excitement into your marriage? Learn more about how coaching here!