Episode 37: Paid Ads, ADHD & Wanting It to Feel Easy with Britt Holmes
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Episode 37: Paid Ads, ADHD & Wanting It to Feel Easy with Britt Holmes

This week’s episode blends business strategy with real life — the kind where ambition meets motherhood, ADHD shapes how work actually gets done, and “success” starts to look very different than it used to. Krista and Samantha are joined by Britt Holmes, founder of Merit Media, for a conversation that moves easily between paid ads, parenting realities, and the systems that make both possible.

Britt shares how becoming a mom — and better understanding her ADHD — changed how she runs her business, who she works with, and why she wants her work to feel easier. Together, they unpack the realities of paid advertising, including why ads can quickly turn into a money pit when the foundation isn’t there first, and why free and organic marketing deserve far more respect than they usually get.

What begins as a conversation about marketing slowly widens into something more reflective — a discussion about ambition, boundaries, and designing a business that supports your life instead of competing with it. It’s honest, practical, and grounding, especially for anyone questioning whether growth really has to feel this hard.

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Episode 36: Minisode - Hello 2026 — Fresh Starts, Real Life Pace
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Episode 36: Minisode - Hello 2026 — Fresh Starts, Real Life Pace

This mini episode marks the real beginning of the year — the moment when the decorations are down, routines are wobbling back into place, and everyone is asking, okay… now what?

Krista and Samantha reflect on the transition out of the holidays and into January, sharing how they’re approaching planning, goal-setting, and health in a way that doesn’t immediately tip into overwhelm. They talk about easing back into routines, choosing a word for the year, and setting intentions that support real life — not an idealized version of it.

This episode is about starting 2026 with steadiness instead of urgency, and building momentum without burning yourself out before February.

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Episode 35: Minisode - Done Is Better Than Perfect — New Year Reflections & Letting It Be Simple
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Episode 35: Minisode - Done Is Better Than Perfect — New Year Reflections & Letting It Be Simple

This New Year’s mini episode is a pause button — a moment to look back before rushing forward.

Krista and Samantha reflect on the whirlwind of December, name the wins they’re proud of from the past year, and talk honestly about what they’re leaving behind as they head into a new one. From clutter (physical and mental) to unrealistic expectations, this conversation centres on simplicity, self-care, and choosing what actually matters.

They share how taking time off created clarity, why themes can be more useful than resolutions, and how cherishing small, ordinary moments with family often ends up being the most meaningful part of the year.

It’s a gentle reset — no pressure, no grand declarations — just an invitation to move into the next season with a little more ease.

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Episode 34: Minisode - Crafts, Chaos & the Magic We Keep
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Episode 34: Minisode - Crafts, Chaos & the Magic We Keep

This week kicks off our pre-recorded holiday mini-episode series, airing through Christmas, New Year’s, and the first week of 2026 — short, honest conversations designed to meet you right where you are during the festive blur.

In this episode, Krista and Samantha talk about the joy and the chaos of December. From evolving traditions and abandoned expectations to crafts that look better in theory than practice, they reflect on what Christmas really looks like as moms — messy, meaningful, and rarely Pinterest-perfect.

They share what they’ve let go of over the years, what still matters, and why moms deserve space to name the stress instead of silently carrying it. It’s a reminder that the magic of the season isn’t in the wrapping paper — it’s in the kids’ excitement, the shared moments, and giving yourself permission to make things easier.

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Episode 33: Minisode - Burnout Isn’t a Badge & Other Truths
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Episode 33: Minisode - Burnout Isn’t a Badge & Other Truths

This week, it’s Krista’s turn in the hot seat as we continue our mini-episode series with a rapid fire round of the same questions we ask all of our guests.

Krista reflects on what self-care really looks like in a season that feels loud, busy, and unfinished. From wanting her roots done to needing accountability, emotional support beverages, and permission to coast, this episode is a candid look at navigating motherhood, motivation, and personal growth without pretending everything is under control.

It’s a gentle reminder that there’s no prize for burnout — and that choosing yourself, even in small ways, still counts.

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Episode 32: Minisode - Systems, Style & Staying Sane (?)
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Episode 32: Minisode - Systems, Style & Staying Sane (?)

This week’s episode flips the script — it’s Samantha’s turn in the hot seat for a rapid fire round of the questions usually reserved for guests. In this shorter, behind-the-scenes conversation, she reflects on how motherhood and ambition coexist, what efficiency really looks like in this season, and why she’ll always choose quality over quantity in both life and work.

From ClickUp hacks and clutter tolerance to evolving personal style and the myth of balance, this episode offers a candid look at what it takes to build a business and a home without losing your sense of self. It’s equal parts reflection and reality — a reminder that sometimes, ambition looks like choosing what matters most today.

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Episode 31: Toddlers, Tickets & The Art of Letting Go
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Episode 31: Toddlers, Tickets & The Art of Letting Go

This week’s episode has it all — choir recitals, broken wrists, parenting chaos, and The Sims 2. Krista and Samantha are in full December mode, juggling end-of-year work, family schedules, and a few laughable detours along the way (including Sam’s speeding ticket while wearing a hat that said slow down).

Samantha shares the joy and chaos of completing her choir recital — from nearly crying mid-performance to the family cheering section that took up half the crowd — while Krista navigates life with a husband with a wrist injury, Wed Well registration deadlines, and a craving for control (and Pepsi).

What starts as a catch-up turns into a conversation about self-doubt, delegation, and the emotional side of scaling a business, before spiralling into nostalgia for The Sims and an impromptu debate over whether a toddler counts for the carpool lane. It’s cozy chaos — part therapy, part comedy, part strategy.

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Episode 30: Black Friday, Budgets & the Business of Gift-Giving
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Episode 30: Black Friday, Budgets & the Business of Gift-Giving

This week, Krista and Samantha cover a little bit of everything — from birthdays and fashion to ADHD, business strategy, and holiday prep. It’s a full-circle conversation about personal growth, clarity, and how both hosts are navigating a busy season while trying to stay present (and maybe look good doing it).

Samantha shares reflections from her birthday week — new outfits, intentional business planning, and what’s next for client engagement and growth. Krista opens up about ADHD and self-acceptance, and how she’s learning to work with her brain instead of against it. Together, they unpack everything from time management and consumerism to the evolving art of holiday gift-giving — debating online shopping, supporting local businesses, and whether experience gifts really are the new standard.

It’s equal parts introspection and shopping list — a mix of clarity, humour, and real talk about the pressure to “do it all” before December hits.

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Episode 29: Showing Up As You Are with Puja Malhotra
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Episode 29: Showing Up As You Are with Puja Malhotra

This week, Krista and Samantha sit down with Puja Malhotra, founder of ROOP Creative Agency, for a conversation that gets real about the intersection of motherhood and entrepreneurship.

Puja opens up about the messy middle of trying to balance personal growth, family life, and the demands of running a business — and how the glossy narratives of “doing it all” rarely match reality. She shares how she’s learning to rewrite her story, show up as she is, and find meaning in the work that actually lights her up.

This episode is an honest reflection on resilience, identity, and the evolving definition of success for women who are both building and becoming at the same time.

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Episode 28: Community, Clarity & the Courage to Pivot with Luz Perez Brown
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Episode 28: Community, Clarity & the Courage to Pivot with Luz Perez Brown

This week, Krista and Samantha sit down with Luz Perez Brown, a multi-passionate entrepreneur, community builder, and military spouse, for a conversation about what it really means to build a life-first business in the middle of constant change.

Luz shares how frequent relocations, motherhood, and entrepreneurship have shaped her approach to ambition and growth—and why reflection has become her favourite business strategy. From creating community wherever she lands to redefining success on her own terms, she offers tangible insights for anyone balancing purpose, parenting, and pivoting.

The episode explores clarity, connection, and the courage to evolve, reminding us that freedom often comes from building a business that fits the life you actually want to live.

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Episode 27: Whimsy, Work, and the Weight of the Holidays
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Episode 27: Whimsy, Work, and the Weight of the Holidays

This week, Krista and Samantha unpack the mental load of the holiday season — from Halloween hangovers and early gift planning to the nostalgia and chaos that make this time of year both magical and maddening.

They share personal updates on parenting through October (the unofficial hardest month for families), the joy and exhaustion of community events, and the ever-present pressure to create “whimsy” while holding everything else together. The conversation weaves between family traditions, marketing strategies, and the business of being human during the holidays — because running a household and a company in Q4 is no small feat.

Whether you’re deep in decor mode, hiding in your car before pickup, or rethinking how to make the holidays feel lighter this year, this episode is a reminder that the best kind of magic is the kind you don’t have to manufacture.

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Episode 26: Betting On Yourself with Janelle Nelissen
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Episode 26: Betting On Yourself with Janelle Nelissen

This week, Krista and Samantha sit down with Janelle Nelissen, brand strategist and founder of Sage Creatives, for an honest and expansive conversation about what it means to be ambitious after motherhood—and how the journey doesn’t always look like the plan.

Janelle became a mother just weeks before the COVID lockdown, and what followed was a deep reckoning with identity, postpartum depression, and the pressure to perform. They talk about how success shifts in the wake of major life changes, how creativity can become a tether back to self, and why building something meaningful doesn’t have to mean building it fast.

This episode is for anyone who’s ever felt the tug between ambition and presence—and needed the reminder that you can create something you’re proud of, even in the mess. Especially in the mess.

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Episode 25: One and Done, On Purpose with Maddy Aucoin
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Episode 25: One and Done, On Purpose with Maddy Aucoin

This week, Samantha and Krista are joined by writer and messaging strategist Maddy Aucoin for a wide-ranging conversation about ambition, burnout, and choosing a life that feels good—not just productive.

Maddy shares her experience finishing her Master’s degree at 37 weeks pregnant, launching her business in a pandemic, and intentionally deciding to be one and done when it comes to kids. They talk about the lack of support for student parents, navigating social media as a creative business owner, and the recovery required after girlboss culture nearly broke us all.

She also gives us a behind-the-scenes look at her signature micro workshop model—offering a fresh take on selling with heart, not hustle.

This one is honest, hilarious, and refreshingly human. Whether you're rethinking your ambition or just trying to finish your coffee while it’s still hot—you’ll feel seen here.

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Episode 24: Sleep-Deprived and Still Building — BTS of Business Growth
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Episode 24: Sleep-Deprived and Still Building — BTS of Business Growth

This week, Krista and Samantha are deep in the thick of it—sleep regressions, toddler chaos, and the kind of parenting fatigue that makes you forget what day it is. They share real-time reflections on what it means to grow a business when you’re already maxed out, and how clarity can come even in the messiest seasons.

In the midst of it all, Krista offers a behind-the-scenes look at her group program, Design Your Dream Wedding Business—a space built for wedding pros who want to feel more confident, focused, and ready for inquiry season. They also chat about ideal clients, personal growth, and how implementing even simple systems can make business feel a little less heavy.

This episode is equal parts survival mode and strategy—and a reminder that you don’t need a perfect season to build something great.

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Episode 23: From Cancer to Clarity — Emily Anderson on Motherhood, Business & Becoming Herself
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Episode 23: From Cancer to Clarity — Emily Anderson on Motherhood, Business & Becoming Herself

This week, Krista and Samantha sit down with Emily Anderson—a photographer, mother of three, and cancer survivor—for a powerful conversation about vulnerability, identity, and trusting yourself through life’s hardest seasons.

Emily shares how her cancer diagnosis changed everything—from how she sees motherhood and ambition to how she shows up in her business and her art. She opens up about the realities of treatment, grief, family dynamics, and the deeply human experience of not knowing what comes next. Through it all, she brings humour, depth, and an open heart.

This is a conversation about more than survival—it’s about integration, self-acceptance, and what happens when you stop waiting for the perfect time to start living as your full self.

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Episode 22: Friendship, Fatigue & the Social Life We Miss
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Episode 22: Friendship, Fatigue & the Social Life We Miss

This week, Krista and Samantha unpack the tangled web of parenting, social life, and adult friendship—and how those things rarely play nicely together in the same season. They talk about the pressure of social obligations, the real mental load of making and keeping friends post-kids, and how Lucky Girl Syndrome shows up in both motherhood and mindset.

There’s reflection on parenting fatigue, post-COVID social anxiety, and the nostalgia for a time when making plans didn’t involve three calendars and two rounds of childcare coordination. Through it all, they explore what intentional connection can look like in this season—because sometimes having friends and feeling connected aren’t the same thing.

Whether you’re missing your people, feeling spread thin, or wondering how to model healthy friendships for your kids—this episode is equal parts relatable, reflective, and a reminder that you're not the only one feeling it.

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Episode 21: Sick Days, Snack NOODS & the Mental Load (As Ever)
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Episode 21: Sick Days, Snack NOODS & the Mental Load (As Ever)

In this week’s episode, Krista and Samantha are knee-deep in the realities of parenting while sick—and trying to hold it together when everyone in the house is under the weather. They talk through the mental load, the flexibility of running their own businesses, and the quiet craving for a day where no one needs anything from them.

There’s also conversation around community building, client engagement, and why a thriving space doesn’t have to mean doing the most. Plus, they sprinkle in some book recs, TV talk, and a reminder that sometimes, the best thing you can do is nothing at all.

If you’re parenting through sniffles, burnout, or back-to-school chaos—this one’s for you.

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Episode 20: Adulting Is Hard, Parenting Is Wild & Everyone’s Lying
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Episode 20: Adulting Is Hard, Parenting Is Wild & Everyone’s Lying

This week, Krista and Samantha are in the thick of it—navigating the chaotic trifecta of adulting, parenting, and trying to have a social life. They swap stories about managing health appointments, sleep-deprived parenting, and the wild world of raising kids who lie with confidence.

There’s honest talk about discipline vs. values, family routines, and the tension of balancing what you believe with what actually happens in your home. They also touch on marketing strategies, social media messiness, and the real impact of showing up online while parenting in real life.

If you’ve ever postponed a doctor’s appointment for six months, been gaslit by a four-year-old, or tried to write Instagram captions while folding laundry—this one’s for you.

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Episode 19: September Chaos, Hormones & Hot Takes on Taylor Swift
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Episode 19: September Chaos, Hormones & Hot Takes on Taylor Swift

We’re back! In the Season 2 premiere, Krista and Samantha dive into the full-body shift that is back-to-school season—where to-do lists get longer, routines get tighter, and life admin takes centre stage.

They talk through the tension of transitioning out of summer, the mental and hormonal chaos of September, and the constant juggle of parenting, business, and health. There’s reflection on parenting milestones, evolving business offers, and the pressure to be “productive”—plus a little escapism via book recs, bingeable shows, and a hot take on Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce.

Whether you're crying at drop-off or thriving in a freshly organized Google Calendar, this episode is a deep breath and a reality check for anyone navigating this messy, meaningful season.

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Episode 18: Summer Rhythms & Sabbatical Dreams
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Episode 18: Summer Rhythms & Sabbatical Dreams

In the Season One finale, Krista and Samantha dive into the layered realities of summer—from the literal heat to the shifting dynamics of parenting, work, and personal growth that come with the season.

They reflect on seasonal preferences, family routines, and the joy (and anxiety) of gaining independence as a parent when your kids start spending more time away. There’s also conversation around shopping habits, travel hiccups, summer camps, and what it actually looks like to take a sabbatical when you’re an ambitious person who doesn’t unplug easily.

With a few tangents into writing projects, business systems, and why the podcast isn’t a job—it’s a joy—this episode is a love letter to the in-between season of trying to do it all, and the grace it takes to do just enough.

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