197: Breaking Norms in Motherhood and Entrepreneurship with Bethany Silva

Do you often experience mom guilt? What if you can't take the kids trick-or-treating? How can we redefine guilt? In this candid conversation between two NYC moms who are deep in the trenches, you'll discover what it truly takes to juggle it all and maintain your sanity as a working mom who adores her kids but also recognizes the importance of self-care.

Be ready to reinvent motherhood and entrepreneurship and buckle up for a whirlwind chat with the phenomenal Bethany Braun Silva, a celebrated on-air parenting, entertainment, and lifestyle expert. As we juggle the challenges of raising kids and businesses, we dive into poignant discussions about Halloween guilt, how to maximize newfound mom capabilities, and the gems within Bethany's enlightening book, "Like a Mother: Banished Guilt, Blaze Your Trail and Break the Rules to Create a Life You Love".

This episode is proudly sponsored by Fertile Imagination: A Guide For Harnessing Every Mom's Superpower For Maximum Impact – My forthcoming book, slated for release in October 2023. I wholeheartedly believe that every mom possesses a fertile imagination, which is her ultimate superpower. Once you tap into it, you'll unlock the potential to make the impact and income you deserve! 

Sign up on www.fertileideas.com today to join my virtual launch party and snag the Kindle version of the book for only 99 cents on Halloween - yes, October 31 at 10 am EST! You’ll find the answers you seek if you’ve ever asked yourself any of these questions:

Why do I want more? What about my big ideas? When do I get to play? Where can I find the energy? Who else is going for it and getting it done? How can I stay relevant and keep growing? What if I don’t want to wait until my kids are grown?

It’s filled with self-reflected questions, hilarious stories, and podcast examples of the use of a fertile imagination.

Get on the waitlist – www.fertileideas.com today. Side note: if you do want a great sofrito recipe DM me on Instagram @melissallarena just try the word FERTILE and I’ll respond.

About Bethany

Bethany Braun-Silva is an on-air parenting, entertainment, and lifestyle expert and the host of "The Breakdown With Bethany" podcast and web show on Mom.com. She is the former editor of Parenting.com and frequently writes about the latest and greatest gear for parents and kids as well as health, women's lifestyle, pop culture, home, and food topics. Her work has also appeared in People, Real Simple, Shape, and Parents. She is the author of the book, "Like a Mother: Banish Guilt, Blaze Your Trail, and Break the Rules to Create a Life You Love." 

In a world obsessed with traditional definitions of success, Bethany challenges us to redefine what achievement looks like in our personal lives and careers. That’s why it's essential to challenge societal norms and carve our own path. It’s time to tap into the power of community, let go of mom guilt, and use it as a tool for empowerment.

In this episode, you will hear these ideas expressed:

What’s the backstory to writing the Like a Mother book as a busy working mom? How can we rethink mom guilt?  Motherhood expectations and rewriting the rules to reduce our mental bandwidth concerns How to let go of mom guilt around not doing Halloween or the holidays like other moms – what if you can’t take the kids trick-or-treating or what if creating magic during the holidays is a tall order? Ways to bubble wrap your sanity over the weekend and all those school breaks – what does Bethany do as a mom to two young kids?  How specifically to create boundaries with your kid(s) and why that’s important; hear for the Mission Impossible strategy Looking for your own village? Where is it for us moms and our own needs? Are there ways to duplicate yourself as a mom and not feel guilty about it? Maximizing newfound mom capabilities to create a fulfilling life Addressing the impact of imposter syndrome on personal and professional growth The importance of amplifying women's voices and questioning societal norms How to use guilt as a tool for empowerment  The necessity of creating a village or support system for raising children Exploring the mental burden of motherhood and the importance of self-love Juggling the demands of raising a family and running a business The importance of being present in your children's lives and creating special moments The importance of writing your own rules in motherhood and career How to manage a busy weekend while staying sane as a mompreneur The significance of being accountable and seeking help when needed The value of using and stretching our imaginations to create a life that works for us

SHARE this episode with a mom founder, entrepreneur, or creator who can relate to mom guilt and wants to erase it or address it.

Similar episodes:

https://www.melissallarena.com/the-backstory-to-being-published-in-fast-fall-women-edited-by-gina-barreca-my-book-preface-episode-195/ 

https://www.melissallarena.com/you-can-learn-how-to-play-again-try-this-moms-episode-147/

Supporting Resources:

https://www.bethanybraunsilva.com/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t1p8j6lZjDE&list=PLrZBkgyeo01t5EJWfyEX3obcs4UgzmME6

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100078858338595

https://www.linkedin.com/in/bethany-braun-silva/

https://www.instagram.com/bethanybraunsilva/

Subscribe and Review

Have you subscribed to my podcast for new moms who are entrepreneurs, founders, and creators? I’d love for you to subscribe if you haven’t yet. 

I’d love it even more if you could drop a review or 5-star rating over on Apple Podcasts. Simply select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” then a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a second and it helps spread the word about the podcast for writer moms. 

About Fertile Imagination – www.fertileideas.com

Being a great mom doesn't mean giving up, shrinking, or hiding your dreams. There's flexibility in how you pursue everything – your role, lifestyle, and personal and professional goals. The limitations on your dreams are meant to be shattered. It's time to broaden your horizons and embrace the possibilities beyond what you can currently see. Let's merge your childhood daydreams with your present reality. Picture yourself skipping happily with your kids, each of you surpassing milestones together. And the key to unlocking your untapped potential? A Fertile Imagination. It's like kryptonite for impostor syndrome and feeling stuck. In Fertile Imagination, we will rejuvenate your dormant wellspring of creative solutions. Just as you can wake up a tired toddler or a groggy middle schooler, together with the stories from my podcast Unimaginable Wellness, proven tools, and personal anecdotes, we will awaken your inner playmate: your imagination!

Advance Praise

“You’ll find reality-based strategies for imagining your own imperfect, fulfilling life in this book!” — MARTHA HENNESSEY, former NH State Senator

“Melissa invites the reader into a personal and deep journey about topics that are crucially important to uncover what would make a mom (and dad, too) truly happy to work on...even after the kids are in bed.” — KEN HONDA, best-selling author of Happy Money

“This book is a great purchase for moms in every stage of life. Melissa is like a great friend, honest and wise and funny, telling you about her life and asking you to reflect on yours.” — MAUREEN TURNER CAREY, librarian in Austin, TX