Motherhood and Ambition: Finding Balance and Thriving with Susan Hart

In this empowering episode, Jen Banks sits down with Susan Hart to explore the intricate dance between motherhood and personal ambition. Susan opens up about her journey from being a mother of four, including a daughter with special needs, to realizing the importance of pursuing her own dreams and passions. She candidly shares the highs and lows of parenting, the pressure of living through her children's achievements, and the pivotal moments that led her to reclaim her own identity.

Together, Jen and Susan discuss the significance of self-care, not just as a fleeting indulgence but as a vital component of personal growth and fulfillment. They delve into the challenges of setting boundaries, the importance of delegating responsibilities within the family, and the transformative power of allowing oneself to bloom.

Susan's story is a testament to the fact that it's possible to be a dedicated mother and still nurture your own aspirations. Her insights and experiences offer valuable lessons for any mom striving to find balance and thrive in every season of life. Tune in to be inspired and remember that you are worthy of the same love and care you give to others.

Chapters:

(00:00) Introduction to Let Yourself Bloom

(04:15) Jen Banks introduces Susan Hart

(06:30) Susan's early motherhood journey and infertility struggles

(10:45) Raising a child with special needs

(14:30) The pressure of living through children's achievements

(20:15) Realizing the need for personal goals

(25:00) The turning point: Son's college rejection and youngest child's burnout

(30:45) Embracing personal ambitions and setting boundaries

(35:00) The impact of self-care on family dynamics

(40:15) Susan's advice for other moms

(45:00) Jen's reflections and takeaways

(50:15) Mom Squad Secret: Delegating responsibilities to children

(55:00) Closing thoughts and staying connected

#Podcast #Motherhood #PersonalGrowth #SelfCare #Ambition #ParentingJourney #SpecialNeedsParenting #LifeBalance #RideTheWaveMedia

Keywords: Motherhood, Ambition, Personal Growth, Self-Care, Parenting, Special Needs, Life Balance, Susan Hart, Jen Banks, Let Yourself Bloom, Ride The Wave Media, Podcast Episode

Welcome to the very first episode of Let Yourself Bloom, the podcast where motherhood and ambition coexist beautifully. I'm your host, Jen Banks, and in each episode, we'll dive deep into the journey of being more than a mom. Here, we believe that you can love your children deeply and still have room to nurture your own dreams.

Picture this: a life where you don't have to choose between career and family, where you can be inspired by stories of women who have boldly stepped into their dual roles. Together, we'll explore how to balance, grow, and thrive in every season of life. Our guests will share their personal stories of finding identity beyond motherhood, proving that you can hold both your family and your ambitions in your heart.

In this first episode, we introduce the concept of Let Yourself Bloom and what you can expect from our podcast. We also share exciting news about the upcoming release of my book, Let Yourself Bloom, on August 23. Join us for the book launch party in Draper, where we'll celebrate this milestone with a poppy-themed party and signed copies of the book.

We'll also discuss the inspiration behind our monthly feature, Let Yourself Bloom Stories, where we'll hear from women balancing motherhood and ambition. I'll read a chapter from my book, touching on the themes of guilt and self-care, and share practical tools to help you create the life you want.

To wrap up, we'll introduce a new segment featuring inspiring quotes and questions from the Table Topics deck, perfect for sparking meaningful conversations. Today's quote by Helen Keller reminds us that the best and most beautiful things must be felt with the heart.

Thank you for joining us on this journey. Remember, it's not just about finding balance; it's about thriving in all aspects of your life. Stay tuned for our next episode, where we'll talk to Susan Hard about balancing personal aspirations with motherhood. Until next time, keep dreaming, keep growing, and let yourself bloom.

#letyourselfbloom 🌱

Links:

Toastmasters https://www.toastmasters.org/

The Five Love Languages by Gary Chapman https://www.5lovelanguages.com/

Amazon (for book purchase) https://www.amazon.com/

Barnes & Noble (for book purchase) https://www.barnesandnoble.com/

Stay in Bloom (book launch location) https://www.stayinbloomutah.com/

Ride the Wave Media https://www.ridethewavemedia.com/

Keywords: Motherhood, Ambition, Work-Life Balance, Entrepreneurship, Personal Growth, Self-Care, Identity Beyond Motherhood, Guilt Management, Love Languages, Relationship Advice, Storytelling, Public Speaking, Book Launch, Memoir, Self-Help, Community Support, Multidimensional Life, Thriving, Personal Aspirations, Family Dynamics