The Momentum Podcast

BONUS: Trying to Do It All This Summer? Here's The Support You Didn't Know You Needed. PLUS: A Special Announcement

School’s out and the chaos has officially begun.
 
If you’re already hearing “I’m bored” on repeat and wondering how you’re going to make it through the next couple of months without losing your mind—this episode is for you.
 
I’m joined by my hilarious and honest friend (and fellow mom/podcaster) Katie Fenske, and we’re keeping it real about what summer break actually looks like in our homes.
 
We’re talking snacks, screen time, mom guilt, and why we’re done trying to be cruise directors for our kids every day.
 
We’re also sharing the little mindset shifts that are helping us lower the bar in the best way—and why it’s okay if your big summer plan is just “keep everyone alive and fed.”
 
✨PLUS—we have a fun new announcement! We’ve created something called Mom Camp: Your Summer Survival Guide—and you’re invited!
It’s totally free, and it’s our way of helping you feel more supported, less alone, and way more sane this summer.
 
In this episode:
Real talk about the highs and lows of summer break
Why “fun mom” energy is overrated
What we’re letting go of (and what’s actually working)
A rapid-fire “Would You Rather: Summer Mom Edition”
The scoop on our new project: Mom Camp!
📩 Want in on Mom Camp?
Join us for a weekly newsletter full of encouragement, practical tips, and the kind of honesty you only get from fellow moms in the trenches.
Bonus: you’ll get an invite to our live virtual hangouts every Thursday.
 
👉 Sign up here: https://mailchi.mp/burntpancakes/mom-camp
 
Show Notes: tanyavalentinecoaching.com/post/_ep84
 
Watch on Youtube: https://youtu.be/25uR032rDFA
 
Follow Katie on Instagram: @burntpancakeswithkatie
 
Follow Tanya on Instagram: @tanyavalentinecoaching

How One Mom Doubled Her Time with Her Kids and Her Income by Redefining Success with Melissa Hampton

What happens when the hustle grinds to a halt—and you’re forced to reevaluate everything?
In this powerful and deeply personal episode, I sit down with Melissa Hampton, a certified financial advisor, single mom of two, and the founder of Hampton Wealth Management. Melissa isn’t just a savvy businesswoman—she’s a survivor, a truth-teller, and someone who’s had her life turned completely upside down…and lived to tell the story with more purpose than ever before.
In 2022, Melissa’s 7-year-old son fell critically ill, and what started as a tummy ache quickly turned into a nightmare. Four months in the ICU, no medical answers, and a moment where she was told to say goodbye. But she didn’t. Instead, she surrendered—fully, painfully, and faithfully. That moment shifted everything.
We talk about:
What it really means to live with intention (and how Melissa doubled her time with her kids and her income)
Forgiving the seemingly unforgivable—including exes, and even ourselves
Why success isn’t about the hustle, but about having the freedom to show up for what matters most
The question Melissa poses that just might change your life: What would quality over quantity look like in your world?
This episode is equal parts heart-wrenching and hope-filled. Whether you’re in a season of survival or seeking a slower, more intentional pace of life, Melissa’s story will speak to your soul. It’s a beautiful reminder that even in our darkest valleys, there’s light ahead—and we get to choose how we walk toward it.
Don’t forget to check out the show notes page for resources and links mentioned in today’s episode!  And leave me a comment while your over there! I’d love hearing from you! TanyaValentineCoaching.com/post/_ep83
Info About Guest:
Melissa Hampton
Website: www.hamptonwm.com
Facebook: Hampton Wealth Management

The Tiny-but-Powerful Secret to Finding Peace in Motherhood That No One Told You About with Ginny Bracht

Ever feel like you’re stuck in survival mode, just trying to make it through the day without losing your mind? Same, mama. That’s why this episode is a breath of fresh air.
 
I’m joined by Ginny Bracht—artist, geologist, and fellow mom navigating a beautifully neurodiverse family—who discovered a totally unexpected, totally doable way to calm her mind and reconnect with herself during one of the hardest seasons of her life. Spoiler alert: it involves zero art skills and takes just five minutes a day.
 
We’re talking about tiny art practices—yes, even doodling on the back of a cereal box counts. In this conversation, Ginny shares how this simple habit helped regulate her nervous system, shift her mood, and bring a little beauty into the chaos of motherhood. You’ll also hear how to get your kids involved, what to do when your brain tells you “you’re not creative,” and why the process matters way more than the product.
 
Whether you’re deep in the trenches or just craving a new way to reset, this episode is packed with practical tips, gentle encouragement, and a reminder that you can feel better—starting now.
 
✨ Ready to learn the tiny (but mighty!) secret to calming your mind?
Head to the show notes for links and resources:
👉 tanyavalentinecoaching.com/post/_ep82

Perimenopause, Weight Loss, and the Secret to Simplifying Mealtime with Ashley Malik

Are you in your 30s or 40s feeling like your body is suddenly working against you?
 
You’re not alone—and you’re definitely not crazy. In this episode, I chat with women’s weight loss coach, mom of two, and grandmother of one,Ashley Malik, about what’s really going on during perimenopause—and how to eat in a way that actually works with your hormones, not against them.
 
Ashley shares how she lost 65 pounds in her late 40s, how she healed her body through food after years of health struggles, and how you can simplify healthy eating even with a house full of picky eaters.
We talk about:
•What anti-inflammatory nutrition really looks like (and how it impacts hormones)
•The sneaky signs of perimenopause 
•How to stop “starting over” with your health goals
•Ashley’s game-changing “3-nights-a-week” cooking strategy
•Why mindset is the missing piece for so many moms
 
Whether you’re exhausted, frustrated, or just trying to feel like yourself again, this episode is packed with encouragement, doable tips, and the reminder that you’re not alone.
 
I’d love to hear from you! Click here to leave me a comment in the show notes and tell me: what’s been your biggest struggle lately? Your latest win? Or just say hi—I want to know who’s listening!
 
For more information about today’s guest and links to helpful resources visit the show notes page at tanyavalentinecoaching.com/post/_ep81

Flexible, Profitable, and Mom-Friendly: The Career You Didn't Know You Needed with Laura Nicole

Ever wish you could earn real income without missing the moments that matter most?
In this episode, I sit down with Laura Nicole—a former college professor turned Virtual Assistant and coach—who shares how she went from living paycheck to paycheck in her mom’s basement to building a thriving VA business that gives her both time freedom and financial security.
Laura’s helped over 800 busy moms turn their existing skills into flexible, profitable VA businesses—and she’s here to show you how it’s possible for you, too.
If you’ve ever dreamed of a job that fits into the nooks and crannies of your day, allows you to be there for school drop-offs, sick days, and bedtime stories, while still bringing in real income… this one’s for you.
We cover:
•What a Virtual Assistant actually does (and how little tech know-how you really need)
•What it looks like to work part-time from home while raising little ones
•How much you can realistically earn (and how to scale)
•The exact first steps to get started—even if you have no idea where to begin
Whether you’re craving more freedom, needing extra income, or just curious—this episode will light a fire in you.
Spoiler: You don’t need to wait until you’re “ready.” You just need to start.
For links to resources mentioned in today's show visit the show notes page here.
Guest Info:
Laura Nicole
IG: hey.lauranicole
Get her Career Switch Cheat Sheet here.
Claim your 50% off the Superstar Assistant Academy by clicking here.

Rewire Your Mind: A Practical Approach to Beating Anxiety with Danita Young

What if your anxiety isn’t something broken that needs fixing—but something trying to protect you? In this episode, I sit down with Cognitive Performance Expert Danita Young, and let me just say… her story is wild. She went from being homeless to building a multimillion-dollar business and helping her clients overcome anxiety, stress, and procrastination—without medication or reliving their trauma.
We talk about how anxiety shows up in the body, why so many of us are stuck in survival mode, and the powerful mindset shifts that can literally change your life. Danita walks us through her 4-step process to rewire limiting beliefs and shares practical tools to create calm, clarity, and confidence—starting today.
If you’ve ever felt like you’re just trying to survive the day, or like no matter how hard you try, you’re always behind—this one is for you.
Want to go deeper?
Danita is offering a free consult at callwithdanita.com. Let her know you heard her on The Mom-entum Podcast for a special bonus!
For show notes and resources mentioned in todays episode click here.

When Life Shakes You- Holding On to What Matters Most

This episode is a gentle, emotional reminder to pause, breathe, and refocus on what really matters in motherhood and life. I’m sharing a heartbreaking story that hit close to home—a tragedy that shook our school community—and the reflections and spiritual encouragement that followed.
Sometimes, life gives us unexpected reminders to stop sweating the small stuff and start soaking in the precious, everyday moments. I’m hoping this episode helps you do just that.
I also share a couple of powerful podcast episodes that brought me comfort this week, including an interview about near-death experiences and one on rebuilding life after loss—both of which helped shift my perspective and reminded me to focus on love, faith, and gratitude.
And real quick—if you caught last week’s episode with Kelsey Cook from Learning with Kelsey, I wanted to correct something:
I said to use the code MOMENTUM at checkout for 15% off, but the actual way to claim your discount is to CLICK THIS LINK.
Once you click it, your 15% off will be automatically applied at checkout—no code needed. Sorry for the confusion, mama—that was totally my bad!
You can find the full show notes (and leave a comment or share your thoughts with me) over in the blog section of my site:
tanyavalentinecoaching.com/post/_ep78
Sending you all my love today. Squeeze your people. Focus on the good. And remember—you’re doing better than you think.

Simplifying Learning at Home with Kelsey Cook

If you’ve ever wanted to create more meaningful learning moments with your little ones—but felt overwhelmed trying to figure out where to start—this episode is for you!
Today I’m joined by the amazing Kelsey Cook, founder of Learning with Kelsey, a subscription box company that’s making early learning simple, fun, and doable for busy moms like us.
Kelsey shares her inspiring journey from being a teacher and running a preschool out of her home to pivoting during the pandemic and building a thriving business that now serves families nationwide. We talk about how her activity boxes take the guesswork out of planning activities (no more endless Pinterest scrolling!), reduce decision fatigue, and most importantly, help you create intentional connection time with your kids—all without adding stress to your day.
In this episode, we cover:
How Kelsey pivoted during the pandemic and turned a passion project into a full-time business
What’s inside her educational subscription boxes and why they’re perfect for toddlers through early elementary
Why connection matters more than academics in the early years
How she balances motherhood and business (hint: intentionality, boundaries, and building a great team!)
Encouragement for moms who dream of starting something of their own
Plus, Kelsey is sharing an exclusive 15% off discount just for my listeners—use the code MOMENTUM at checkout at learningwithkelsey.com.
Whether you’re looking for a simple way to add more fun and connection into your days or you’re dreaming of starting your own business one day, Kelsey’s story will leave you feeling inspired and empowered. You’re going to love her!
Resources mentioned:
Learning with Kelsey Website
Follow Kelsey on Instagram and TikTok: @learningwithkelsey
Use code MOMENTUM for 15% off your first order!
PS: I’m trying something new! Be sure to check out the comments section on the show notes page (tanyavalentinecoaching.com/post/_ep77) where you can leave your thoughts or share anything your struggling with that you would like coaching on—I’d love to hear from you and offer support!

Flipping the Script on Anxiety: How to Make it Work For You

Anxiety isn’t the enemy—it’s actually a built-in survival tool that’s just been misfiring in our modern lives. In this powerful episode, I’m sharing a totally different way to look at anxiety that will shift everything for you. If you’ve ever felt like anxiety is running your life, this one’s for you.
You’ll learn:
Why anxiety isn’t “bad”—and how it actually helped our ancestors survive
The 3 common ways we respond to anxiety (and why they’re not helping)
How to actually allow anxiety to pass through you so it stops hijacking your mind and body
A game-changing sentence you can say in the moment to calm your nervous system
The real story of how I had a panic attack in the middle of a strength training class—and what I did that changed everything
This episode is full of real talk and actionable tools to help you take back your power and stop letting anxiety call the shots.
Don’t miss this episode I mentioned in today’s show:
Episode 58: Are You Addicted to Stress Hormones? — where I introduce my SNAP Method for calming your nervous system on demand
Grab my free 5-Minute Reset for busy moms at tanyavalentinecoaching.com/reset — it’s the perfect mini-tool to regulate stress and reclaim your peace, even on your busiest days.
Check out the full show notes at tanyavalentinecoaching.com/76

The DIY Mindset: Rebekah Higgs on Creating the Life You Want

What if no one’s coming to save you—because you were always meant to save yourself?
In this empowering episode of The Mom-entum Podcast, I’m joined by the unstoppable Rebekah Higgs—better known as DIY MOM. She’s a single mom, designer, renovator, and founder of the hit show DIY MOM, and she’s here to remind you that with a little grit, creativity, and determination, you can absolutely build the life (and home) of your dreams.
Rebekah shares her inspiring journey from struggling musician and new mom to successful entrepreneur and design queen. We talk about how she learned to “make it happen”—a mantra passed down from her father—and how it’s become the driving force behind everything she’s built. You’ll hear how she’s faced doubt, rejection, and tough circumstances, and still pushed forward—sometimes juggling parenting, production, and power tools all in the same day.
Whether you’re dreaming of starting something new, craving creative inspiration, or just need that reminder that you’re capable of so much more than you think—this episode will light a fire in you.
Plus, you’ll get Rebekah’s top tips for tackling your first DIY project (like reupholstering dining chairs… ahem, stay tuned for my update on that one!), and learn how to support her beautiful You Grow Girl gardening box initiative that gives back to women and children in need.
This is a conversation about resilience, resourcefulness, and reclaiming your power—don’t miss it.
For resources mentioned in today's show visit TanyaValentineCoaching.com/75
To snag your FREE 5-Minute Reset go to TanyaValentineCoaching.com/reset
Connect with Rebekah:
instagram.com/diymom.ca
facebook.com/diymom.ca
Website: https://diymom.ca/