Welcome to The Positively Healthy Mom Podcast! I'm Laura Ollinger and today I’m excited to share the latest episode of The Positively Healthy Mom podcast—this one’s a bit different. For the first time, it’s just me! No guest, no script—just an honest conversation straight from my heart to yours.

In this solo episode, I dive into a topic close to every parent's heart: Do you really know your child’s heart? I explore:

• The logistical grind that can prevent deeper connections with our kids
• How self-awareness and emotional regulation can help us become better listeners
• Six key reasons kids, especially teenagers, struggle to open up
• Why it’s crucial to teach resilience and help our children process pain without passing it on

Whether your child is struggling with mean comments from peers, wrestling with their identity, or simply navigating everyday challenges, this episode offers insights on how we, as parents, can become their emotional anchor—without rushing to fix things or judge.

I hope you’ll tune in, reflect, and feel inspired to create those meaningful, heart-centered moments with your child.

If this resonates with you, I'd love to hear your thoughts. And as always, thank you for being a part of this journey with me!

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Welcome to The Positively Healthy Mom Podcast! I'm Laura Ollinger, and today, I’m thrilled to welcome Shannon Sauer-Zavala, a licensed clinical psychologist, and expert in the emerging field of Personality Change Science. Shannon is dedicated to helping people from all walks of life—whether they’re teenagers, parents, or college students—transform their mental health through her research-backed insights.

In this enlightening episode, Shannon delves into the fascinating world of Personality Change Science—exploring how we can reshape our personalities in ways that lead to healthier, more fulfilling lives. With her background as both a private practitioner and an academic researcher at the University of Kentucky, Shannon’s expertise offers a unique blend of hands-on experience and cutting-edge science. Her research is funded by the National Institute of Mental Health, ensuring that her strategies are grounded in the latest psychological advancements.

Shannon guides us through practical steps to apply Personality Change Science in our everyday lives. She’ll share how understanding the malleable aspects of our personalities can help us overcome mental health challenges and lead to meaningful personal growth. Whether you're a busy mom, a student, or a parent, Shannon’s tips will show you how to harness your potential for change and live more authentically.

Throughout the episode, Shannon also discusses the critical role personality plays in our emotional well-being and how intentional change can be the key to breaking negative patterns and fostering positive ones.

Key takeaways from this episode include:

• The science behind personality changes and how it can lead to better mental health and life satisfaction.
• How to incorporate small, actionable steps into your routine that align with your desired personality shifts.
• How Shannon’s work as a clinical psychologist and researcher offers groundbreaking insights that can support your journey toward personal growth.

Join us for this insightful conversation and discover how Shannon’s passion for Personality Change Science can inspire and guide you toward living a more balanced, empowered, and fulfilling life.

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Welcome to The Positively Healthy Mom Podcast! I’m Laura Ollinger, and today, I’m thrilled to welcome Dominiece Clifton, a passionate entrepreneur and business coach dedicated to helping individuals create sustainable careers while prioritizing their health and well-being. In this episode titled "Escape the 9-5," Dominiece’s mission is clear: to empower people to break free from the limiting belief that they must choose between career success and personal fulfillment. Instead, she teaches us that it is entirely possible—and essential—to thrive in both areas of our lives.

• The Concept of Soul Care: Dominiece introduces her unique approach to self-care, which she refers to as “soul care.” Unlike traditional self-care that often focuses on superficial activities, soul care dives deeper into nurturing the mind, body, and spirit. She shares her personal journey of developing a soul care practice and how it has significantly enhanced her ability to juggle multiple roles as a mom and business owner.
• Practical Strategies for Balance: Throughout our conversation, Dominiece provides actionable strategies for creating a sustainable work-life balance. She discusses how to intentionally prioritize different aspects of your life, ensuring that you’re not just surviving but thriving. Her tips will help you identify what truly matters and how to align your daily actions with your core values.
• Finding Your Unique Calling: Many of us feel a pull toward something more, but often, we’re unsure of what that “more” entails. Dominiece shares insightful methods for exploring your passions and interests, helping you uncover your unique calling. She encourages listeners to embrace the uncertainty of this journey and trust that clarity will emerge over time.
• Building a Supportive Community: Dominiece stresses the importance of surrounding ourselves with a community that encourages growth and accountability. Whether it’s friends, family, or mentors, having a supportive network can make all the difference in navigating the challenges of career and personal well-being.

As we delve deeper into the conversation, Dominiece’s enthusiasm for her work is palpable. She provides encouragement and inspiration for busy professionals, reminding us that achieving a fulfilling career and a vibrant personal life is not just a dream—it’s attainable. Her wisdom serves as a powerful reminder that nurturing ourselves holistically allows us to bring our best selves to every role we play.

Tune in to this transformative episode and learn how to embrace both ambition and well-being in your life! If you’re a busy professional feeling the tug for more from life, Dominiece’s insights will inspire you to take the next step toward creating the life you desire—a life where career ambitions and personal health coexist harmoniously.

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Welcome to The Positively Healthy Mom Podcast! I'm Laura Ollinger, and today, I’m excited to welcome Sherry Shaban, an Osteopath, Health and Life Coach with a wealth of experience in helping individuals heal their relationship with food and achieve a balanced lifestyle. Sherry is passionate about empowering people to listen to their bodies and develop healthy habits that serve them for life. Today, she’s here to talk about "Stress Eating Explained," a topic that resonates with so many moms and parents.

In this episode, Sherry dives deep into the emotional triggers behind stress eating, providing us with insights on how to foster a healthier relationship with food. Her own story of overcoming physical and emotional challenges shaped her holistic approach to health and nutrition, making her advice practical and relatable for those struggling with stress-related eating habits.

Sherry walks us through her personal journey of recovery from disordered eating, touching on her experiences as a former athlete, her battle with injury, and how she transformed her approach to food and fitness. She emphasizes that our relationship with food goes beyond just following a diet—it’s about recognizing and managing the emotions tied to our eating habits.

For parents, this conversation is especially valuable as Sherry shares strategies for modeling healthy relationships with food for our kids. She talks about how to help teens and younger children avoid common pitfalls like emotional eating, and how parents can guide their families toward mindful, intuitive eating practices.

Sherry also highlights the importance of understanding how food affects the body and how we often associate certain foods with guilt or reward. Her approach focuses on de-polarizing food and removing the "good vs. bad" mindset that many diets impose. This mindset shift allows us to release emotional attachments to food and prevent stress eating from becoming a coping mechanism.

A key theme of this episode is self-awareness. Sherry encourages listeners to tune into their body’s signals and to understand that there’s no one-size-fits-all approach to eating. She offers practical tips on how to incorporate this intuitive eating philosophy into everyday life, making it accessible for busy moms and families alike.

Key takeaways from this episode include:

• Understanding the link between stress and emotional eating and how it impacts overall health.
• How to develop a positive relationship with food that helps eliminate guilt and emotional attachments.
• Practical strategies for mindful eating that can help reduce stress eating habits.
• How to model healthy eating behaviors for teens and foster open discussions about food.
• Building routines around food that promote long-term wellness for both parents and children.

Join us for this enlightening conversation with Sherry Shaban as she breaks down the complexities of stress eating and shares empowering ways to transform your relationship with food. Her insights will inspire you to take control of your health and well-being, one mindful bite at a time.

Don’t forget to subscribe to our YouTube channel for expert advice on holistic health and wellness, stress management, parenting, and building healthy relationships for both moms and teens. Hit the notification bell to stay updated!

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Welcome to The Positively Healthy Mom Podcast! I'm Laura Ollinger, and today, I’m excited to welcome Lidia Molinara, a Pharmacist, Certified Geriatric Practitioner, and Patient Safety Officer with extensive experience in healthcare and medicine safety advocacy. Lidia has dedicated her career to empowering individuals to take control of their health, and today, she’s here to share her insights on managing "Teen Rx Meds"—a topic that many parents find both challenging and crucial.

In this insightful episode, Lidia dives into the complexities of managing prescription medications for teens, helping us see it not just as a necessity, but as a powerful opportunity to teach responsibility and health advocacy. Lidia’s passion for healthcare began with a desire to ensure patients make informed decisions about their medications. Over the years, her work has expanded into guiding families through the often-overwhelming landscape of medication management, herbal remedies, and effective communication with healthcare providers.

Lidia walks us through practical strategies for safely managing teen medications, making her guidance invaluable for busy moms who want to ensure their teens are taking medications correctly. From understanding potential side effects and interactions to establishing medication routines, Lidia’s advice is rooted in creating an open and supportive environment. She also offers tips on how to involve teens in these discussions, ensuring they take ownership of their health decisions.

For our listeners, Lidia emphasizes the importance of education and communication. She explains why teens should be informed about their medications and how parents can empower them to ask the right questions, helping reduce the likelihood of medical errors. Her expert advice fosters trust, giving parents peace of mind as they guide their teens through the often confusing world of healthcare.

Lidia also shares insights on how to make medication management a stress-free part of daily life. She emphasizes the importance of creating a routine that incorporates medication use seamlessly, allowing teens to take an active role in their healthcare without feeling overwhelmed.

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Welcome to The Positively Healthy Mom Podcast! I'm Laura Ollinger, and today, I’m thrilled to welcome Amy Thompson Martin, a Pediatric Occupational Therapist, Feeding Specialist, and founder of Little Table of Grace Coaching. With over 17 years of experience, Amy has dedicated her career to helping families navigate the challenges of feeding and nutrition, and today, she’s here to share her insights on managing "Teen Picky Eaters"—a topic that resonates with many parents!

In this enlightening episode, Amy explores the complexities of teen picky eating habits, not just as a phase, but as an opportunity to develop healthier, more balanced eating patterns. Amy’s journey into pediatric occupational therapy and feeding specialization began with a passion for helping children and families establish positive relationships with food. Now, she’s made it her mission to provide practical solutions for teens struggling with picky eating behaviors.

Amy guides us through effective strategies for addressing picky eating, perfect for busy moms seeking ways to improve their teens' nutrition. She covers everything from understanding the root causes of picky eating to introducing new foods in a way that is stress-free and manageable for both parents and teens. Amy’s advice includes how to create a positive environment during mealtimes, starting with small, approachable changes that support healthy eating habits.

For our listeners, Amy emphasizes the importance of patience and understanding. She highlights the significance of involving teens in discussions about food preferences to reduce resistance and encourage a more cooperative atmosphere at the dinner table. Her expert tips aim to foster trust and open communication, making it easier to introduce new foods gradually without pressure.

Amy also provides valuable guidance on making family mealtimes enjoyable, turning them into moments of connection rather than conflict. She shares how these mindful strategies can reduce stress, improve nutrition, and create a harmonious eating experience for both teens and parents.

Amy’s journey is one of dedication, compassion, and empowerment.

Throughout her career, Amy has worked with countless families to overcome feeding challenges and build a foundation of healthy eating. Today, she offers workshops and personalized guidance, helping others enhance their children's eating habits and overall well-being.

Key takeaways from this episode include:

• Understanding the impact of picky eating on teens’ nutrition and overall health.
• How to incorporate new foods into your teen's diet gradually and without pressure.
• Practical tips for fostering a positive and calm mealtime environment.
• Empowering your teen to take an active role in their nutrition while respecting their preferences.
• Building a sustainable approach to healthy eating through patience, consistency, and open communication.

Join us for this insightful conversation and discover how Amy’s expertise and passion for pediatric feeding therapy can inspire and guide you toward a more peaceful and enjoyable mealtime experience for your family.

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Welcome to The Positively Healthy Mom Podcast! I'm Laura Ollinger, and today, I’m thrilled to welcome Laura Jennings, an expert in mindfulness and well-being, dedicated to helping people live their best lives through the practice of Cultivating "The Pause". Laura is here to share her insights on how incorporating moments of pause into your routine can enhance your overall well-being and bring balance to your life.

In this enlightening episode, Laura explores the transformative power of "The Pause"—not just as a brief break, but as a tool for creating a healthier, more mindful lifestyle. Laura’s journey into mindfulness began with a passion for personal growth and wellness, and she’s made it her mission to help individuals of all ages and backgrounds experience the benefits of intentional pauses in their day.

Laura guides us through practical techniques for cultivating "The Pause," perfect for busy moms looking to integrate mindfulness into their daily routines. She covers everything from simple breathing exercises and mindfulness practices to creating a consistent habit of pausing that fits seamlessly into your schedule. Laura’s advice includes how to start with brief moments of stillness and gradually build a practice that supports your emotional and mental well-being.

For our listeners, Laura also emphasizes that "The Pause" includes making time for yourself, whether it’s for your workout or personal self-care, without interruptions—even from your family. This intentional space becomes sacred, as your loved ones understand that it's your time to recharge, focus, and strengthen your body and mind.

Laura provides valuable tips on how to incorporate "The Pause" into family life, turning it into a calming and grounding activity for everyone. She shares how these mindful moments can help you reduce stress, improve focus, and enhance your overall quality of life.

Laura’s journey is one of dedication and empowerment.

She and her family have embraced "The Pause" as a core component of their lifestyle, finding peace and fulfillment through this practice. Today, Laura offers workshops and guidance, helping others to experience the same benefits and enhance their lives through mindful stillness and reflection.

Key takeaways from this episode include:

The impact of "The Pause" on mental and emotional well-being, and how it supports a balanced lifestyle.

How to integrate mindful pauses into your daily routine and make it a family-friendly activity.

Practical tips for staying consistent with your mindfulness practice, even on busy days, and making it enjoyable.

How "The Pause" can empower you to have uninterrupted time for your workout, allowing you to prioritize your fitness and well-being without guilt.

Building a sustainable wellness routine through "The Pause" and creating lasting habits for long-term mental and physical health.

Join us for this insightful conversation and discover how Laura’s expertise and passion for mindfulness can inspire and guide you toward a more balanced and fulfilling life.

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Welcome to The Positively Healthy Mom Podcast! I'm Laura Ollinger, and today, I’m thrilled to welcome Beth Sandlin, a Pilates expert dedicated to helping people live their best lives through Pilates. Beth is here to share her insights on how incorporating Pilates into your routine can enhance your overall well-being and bring balance to your life.

In this enlightening episode, Beth explores the transformative power of Pilates—not just as a workout, but as a tool for creating a healthier, more balanced lifestyle. Beth’s journey into Pilates began with a passion for fitness and wellness, and she’s made it her mission to help individuals of all ages and fitness levels experience the benefits of Pilates.

Beth guides us through practical Pilates techniques that are perfect for busy moms looking to integrate effective exercise into their daily routines. She covers everything from foundational exercises and proper form to creating a consistent practice that fits seamlessly into your schedule. Beth’s advice includes how to start with simple, accessible exercises and gradually build a routine that supports your fitness goals and personal needs.

For our listeners, Beth provides valuable tips on how to incorporate Pilates into family life, turning it into a fun and engaging activity for everyone. She shares how Pilates can help you build strength, flexibility, and resilience, all while reducing stress and improving your overall quality of life.

Beth’s journey is one of dedication and empowerment.

She and her family have embraced Pilates as a core component of their lifestyle, finding balance and fulfillment through this practice. Today, Beth offers Pilates classes and workshops, helping others to experience the same benefits and enhance their lives through mindful movement and exercise.

Key takeaways from this episode include:

• The impact of Pilates on physical and mental well-being and how it supports a balanced lifestyle.
• How to integrate Pilates into your daily routine and make it a family-friendly activity.
• Practical tips for staying consistent with your Pilates practice, even on busy days, and making it enjoyable.
• Building a sustainable fitness routine through Pilates and creating lasting habits for long-term health.

Join us for this insightful conversation and discover how Beth’s expertise and passion for Pilates can inspire and guide you toward a more balanced and fulfilling life.

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