How much can ten minutes of intentional play change your relationship with your child? In this episode of Your Cup of Joy, I sit down with Chris Mannino, parenting coach and author of Making It Up: A Revolutionary Way to Bond with Kids Through Play. Chris brings such a refreshing perspective on parenting, one that moves away from rigid rules and behaviour strategies and instead focuses on connection, imagination, and joy. With a background in theatre and years of experience as both a teacher and stay-at-home dad, Chris has discovered how simple shifts in play can transform relationships between parents and their children.

We talk about the power of saying “yes” to our kids’ ideas, the magic of improv in everyday parenting, and how even a few minutes of intentional play can build memories that last for years. Chris also opens up about his own journey of navigating disconnection, burnout, and the pressures of parenthood, and how his “anchor technique” helps parents find calm in the middle of the chaos.

If this conversation filled your cup, please leave a review and pass this conversation along to the fellow parents in your life. Don’t forget to connect with Chris and support his work using the links below. Now go out and play with your kids!

Connect with Chris:
Website: https://www.christophermannino.com/
More on Chris’ new book, Making it Up: https://www.christophermannino.com/miu.html
Instagram: @christophermannino
TikTok: @parentingandbooks

Ariana's Links:
Website
Instagram: @‌ArianaJoyChristie
@YourCupofJoyPodcast
TikTok: @‌ArianaChristie

Today on Your Cup of Joy, I’m welcoming back my dear friend, Marissa Teeter, executive coach, business advisor, and former senior wealth executive, for her second time on the show. Our last conversation was so rich that I knew we had to do it again, and this time we’re diving deep into a topic that so many of us avoid: money.

I’ll be the first to admit that finances have always felt a little uncomfortable for me, and maybe you feel the same way. But in this episode, Marissa makes the topic approachable, empowering, and inspiring. We talk about why money is still such a taboo subject, how women can start building healthier relationships with it, and why open conversations are the key to creating more freedom and opportunity in our lives. Marissa shares practical advice on budgeting, saving, and negotiating, and she reminds us that financial well-being isn’t just about investing, it’s about aligning money with your values, relationships, and goals. We also dive into how we can model better money habits for our kids, the importance of generosity, and the power of women supporting women by sharing their financial experiences openly.

Money touches every part of our lives and the more we talk about it, the more confident we all become. Please leave a review and pass this episode along to someone in your circle so we can keep building a community of women who lead with openness and confidence.

Connect with Marissa:
Website: https://www.marissateeter.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/marissa.m.teeter
Podcast: https://www.instagram.com/teetertalks
Check out Marissa’s previous episode on the podcast: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2363173/episodes/16032671

Ariana's Links:
Website
Instagram: @‌ArianaJoyChristie
@YourCupofJoyPodcast
TikTok: @‌ArianaChristie

The start of September always feels like a shift, and this year it’s marked by big changes as I notice my kids step into new stages of independence. It’s a mix of emotions, and today I’m reflecting on the start of this new season, from back-to-school routines, the surprising ways community has been showing up in my life, and the little rituals that remind me to keep filling my own cup, too.

I share stories of our first real bus rides, the little but impactful ways neighbours have become friends, and how something as simple as baking with another mom turned into a joyful new ritual. I also dive into the gentle balance of routines, why they matter, how they’ve reshaped my days, and how they’ve given me space to rediscover the things I love doing and want to do more of.

Think of this episode as your seasonal check-in, a reminder to slow down and notice the small, precious moments that often get lost in the chaos. Like me, you might find yourself needing the permission to step back and ask: what truly brings me joy and how can I choose more of it?

Thank you so much for tuning in today. If this episode encouraged you, it would mean so much if you rated, reviewed, and subscribed to Your Cup of Joy. Share it with someone who’s also in the back-to-school season, and come connect with me on Instagram. I would love to hear how you’re filling your cup right now. Until next time!

Ariana's Links:
Website
Instagram: @‌ArianaJoyChristie
@YourCupofJoyPodcast
TikTok: @‌ArianaChristie

Motherhood, career, and life often come with a thousand ‘shoulds.’ But beneath all those layers of expectation is the quiet truth of what really drives us, and when we honour it, everything begins to change. On today’s episode of Your Cup of Joy, I’m sitting down with the incredible Ali Dunn: leadership coach, writer, and Enneagram expert. Ali’s journey from a high-powered career in sales to becoming a coach is full of truth, vulnerability, and wisdom, and the insights she shares about motivation, values, and self-awareness will leave you questioning how you show up in your own life.

We explore the world of the Enneagram, not just as a personality test, but as a lens to understand what drives us beneath the surface. Ali unpacks how discovering our type can transform the way we lead, parent, and even love. We also talk openly about the realities of motherhood, the tension between expectations and personal truth, and how easy it is to lose ourselves in the “shoulds” of life.

Through the lens of the Enneagram and her own lived experience, Ali shows us what it looks like to question the roles we’ve been handed, honour the values that really matter, and build a life that feels true.

If this conversation touched your heart the way it touched mine, I’d love for you to share it with a friend who needs to hear it today. And if you haven’t already, please take a moment to rate, review, and subscribe to Your Cup of Joy, it means the world and helps this podcast reach more people who need these stories. Until next time, keep filling your own cup with joy so you can pour into those you love.

Connect with Ali:
Ali Dunn - https://www.instagram.com/enneagrambyali/
Website: https://www.alidunn.com/
Substack: https://alidunn.substack.com/

Ariana's Links:
Website
Instagram: @‌ArianaJoyChristie
@YourCupofJoyPodcast
TikTok: @‌ArianaChristie

Clutter isn’t just physical, it’s emotional. In today’s episode of Your Cup of Joy, I’m joined by Britt Gaudio, professional organizer, decluttering coach, and the heart behind Well Nested Living, to explore what it really means to create a home that supports your nervous system, not just your to-do list. Get ready for a chat that goes far beyond tidying up. If your home has been feeling more overwhelming than grounding, this conversation will ease the pressure and remind you that the goal isn’t perfection, it’s creating a space that feels safe and supportive.

Britt shares how burnout led her from the corporate world to entrepreneurship, and why supporting busy parents through clutter is about so much more than organization: it’s about reclaiming peace, energy, and presence in your life. We talked about what clutter actually costs us, how overstimulation shows up in motherhood, and why a “perfectly tidy” home might not be the goal we truly need.

Together, we explore how to let go of the emotional baggage tied to our belongings, the magic of 15-minute resets, and why it’s okay, and even beautiful, to ask for help. Britt reminds me (and I hope she reminds you, too) that our homes are meant to be lived in, that we don’t have to chase someone else’s aesthetic to feel good in our space, and that letting go of the physical often helps us begin a new emotional chapter, too.

This episode is your gentle permission slip to slow down, declutter with love, and consider that calling in support is one of the most powerful acts of self-care we can offer ourselves.

As always, if this conversation resonated with you, please share it with someone who you think needs it. I’d also love to connect and hear your thoughts over on Instagram @yourcupofjoypodcast. Let’s keep rewriting the story of what motherhood, home, and support can look like!

Connect with Britt:
Book a FREE consultation with Britt (click here!) and if you work with her, be sure to use my code ARIANA to save $$!
Instagram: @well.nested.living
Website: https://www.wellnestedliving.ca

Ariana's Links:
Website
Instagram: @‌ArianaJoyChristie
@YourCupofJoyPodcast
TikTok: @‌ArianaChristie

In this episode of Your Cup of Joy, I’m joined by the incredible Abby McKenzie: lactation consultant, doula, childbirth educator, and sleep specialist. Abby was one of my own supporters during my postpartum journey, and I couldn’t be more thrilled to bring her wisdom to this space. Together, we dive into the messy, beautiful, and often misunderstood world of breastfeeding, from the unseen layers of postpartum support to the emotional load that comes with it all.

Abby shares how her early work as a lactation consultant revealed the deep need for holistic care, that breastfeeding isn’t just about latch and supply, but about mental health, sleep, support systems, and personal values. We talk about what no one tells you about extended feeding, how breast milk adapts to your baby’s changing needs, and why listening to your intuition matters more than any online advice or cultural expectation. She also opens up about her own recent experience becoming a mom, and how it's transformed the way she supports other mothers through simplifying plans, embracing rest, and trusting that growth (in babies and in life) is never linear.

This conversation is for every mama who’s ever felt overwhelmed by conflicting advice, doubted her decisions, or just needed to be reminded that she is doing enough. Abby’s grounded, compassionate insights and belief in mother-led care will leave you feeling empowered and affirmed in your journey.

If this episode spoke to you, I’d be so grateful if you shared it with another mom or mama-to-be in your life. And remember: your intuition is powerful, your experience is valid, and you were never meant to do this alone. Keep filling your cup, and I’ll see you back here soon.

Connect with Abby:
Website: https://www.babyglo.ca/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/babyglo.lactation/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/abby-mckenzie-966b64128/?originalSubdomain=ca

Ariana's Links:
Website
Instagram: @‌ArianaJoyChristie
@YourCupofJoyPodcast
TikTok: @‌ArianaChristie

This week, I’m joined by Dr. Margo Lowy: psychotherapist, maternal mental health expert, and author of Maternal Ambivalence: The Loving Moments and Bitter Truths of Motherhood. Our conversation dives deep into the emotional duality of motherhood, the fierce love and joy, alongside resentment, guilt, rage, and the quiet grief we often feel but rarely speak about.

Dr. Lowy beautifully introduces the concept of maternal ambivalence: the ability to hold both light and dark feelings in motherhood without shame. Together, we unpack how motherhood is messy, interrupted, and imperfect, and how in that mess, there’s profound beauty. We talk about societal pressure, the curated perfection of social media, and how to begin offering ourselves the grace and permission we extend so easily to others.

As a mom of three, I found so much comfort and clarity in this reminder: we don’t have to love every moment to love our children deeply. The meltdowns, the guilt, and the need for space are all part of the story.

If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by the contradiction of motherhood or questioned your enoughness, you’re not alone in this. I hope this episode reminds you that your feelings are valid, and that there’s room for all of them. Don’t forget to share your reflections with me on Instagram or leave a review so other moms know they’re not alone in what they’re feeling too.

Connect with Dr. Margo Lowy
Website: https://drmargolowy.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drmargolowy

Ariana's Links:
Website
Instagram: @‌ArianaJoyChristie
@YourCupofJoyPodcast
TikTok: @‌ArianaChristie

On this episode of Your Cup of Joy, I’m joined by my friend Alex Cunningham, content creator and the voice behind This Family Tree. Today, we’re sitting down to have the kind of conversation that usually stays between close friends, but we’re bringing it here, raw and unfiltered!

Alex opens up about one of the most emotionally layered decisions a mother can face: whether or not to grow her family. We talk about what it’s like when your heart says one thing, your body says another, and your relationships add even more voices to the conversation. Alex vulnerably shares her experience with the unspoken tensions of family planning including pregnancy complications, the mental gymnastics of reconciling dreams with reality, and how sometimes, no choice feels 100% right.

We also talk about the evolution of adult friendships and how our circles have shifted over time. What make a friendship truly resilient? What happens when convenience fades and real life takes over? Alex shares what she values most now in her relationships, why she’s no longer performing to keep connections alive, and how we both find comfort in the friends who can hold space, not keep score.

This conversation with Alex is full of the things we don’t say out loud often enough. It’s a reminder that joy isn’t a luxury, it’s a lifeline. It’s okay to change your mind, to take up space, and to honour what’s true for you, even when it’s complicated.If this episode filled your cup, I’d love for you to share it, leave a review, or send it to a friend who might need it. Until next time!

Connect with Alex:
Instagram: @thisfamilytree
Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/this-family-tree-podcast/id1460690037
TikTok: @thisfamilytree

Ariana's Links:
Website
Instagram: @‌ArianaJoyChristie
@YourCupofJoyPodcast
TikTok: @‌ArianaChristie