Episode 2 - Moms Supporting Moms with Mariela Desantiago
By Jessica Garrison
Surprise! Two episodes in one week! We have so many amazing guests to share with you this season, which means double the episodes and double the resources. Our second guest of opening week, Mariela Desantiago, has been on an amazing journey as a first time mom, and there’s nothing like motherhood to really make you need F.E.E.L. Mariela is creative, particular, type A organized, flexible, and a learner. She is using her new experiences and knowledge to help mothers find that much-needed balance.
Since this was a new experience, there was a lot that Mariela wasn’t sure about when it came to motherhood. There may be books on what to expect when you’re expecting, but every pregnancy and child is different, so you never truly know what you may come up against. There isn’t a set manual on how to parent, so Mariela still needed guidance in terms of advice and knowledge. She’s a frequent podcast listener, but she still wasn’t finding the topic she was looking for. A lightbulb went off in Mariela’s head, and she decided to create a podcast of her own that would give people advice and share the truth of what it’s like being a parent. I’ve heard the phrase before that if you can’t find a book you want to read, you should write it. Mariela didn’t find the right podcast, so she created it, and that is quite commendable.
This idea came to her as she was on a walk, which is connected to her self care routine. For Mariela, self care needs to be nonnegotiable so she can reset after giving so much of herself to her family. We’ve heard from prior guests that self care doesn’t have to be a major thing you do each day, but even doing something small can change the way you experience the rest of the day.
In addition to keeping up with everyone else, it can be overwhelming to keep up with your own well being. It’s crucial to point out, as Mariela recognized, there’s no need to take everything on yourself. There are people around you—a community, friends, family, loved ones—who are willing and wanting to help. As an “independent woman who can do it all by herself,” I am no stranger to attempting to do everything solo. However, it’s important to take a look around at the people in your life who are willing to help but maybe don’t know where to begin. Just ask. You’ll be thanking yourself later for sharing the load rather than breaking your back trying to carry it all yourself.
Mariela’s podcast, New Mom Talk, is a great resource for anyone who is looking for the truth about parenthood. These conversations are so special and allow us to help those who may not even realize yet that they need help. It takes a village—don’t be afraid to lean on them.
Ways to Engage: If you’re a young/new mom, think of some things you could use help with and share them with a friend or loved one who is willing to take some of the load off. Do you know a young/new mom who could use a hand? Offer ways to help or be supportive during this transitional time in their lives.
Episode 1 - Fueled with Passion & Nutrition with Laura Tolosi
By Jessica Garrison
Welcome to the 8th season of the F.E.E.L Podcast! It’s hard to believe there’s already 7 seasons behind us, but we have some extraordinary guests lined up for season 8, along with some exciting new events coming up. We kick off the newest season with Laura Tolosi, who is no stranger to the Embracing Layers Network. She was featured on the Embracing Layers Radio Show, giving to great conversations such as the role of pets in our wellness, navigating mental health diagnoses, and connecting physical health to emotional health. Now, we get to dive deeper with Laura into all of our talking points. She is a passionate, nurturing, chill, and heart-centered woman who lives in her integrity.
Laura’s work is directly involved in all aspects of F.E.E.L, but the connection between our physical health and mental/emotional health is one of the most valuable connections you can recognize. I loved hearing Laura say what an integral part food plays in our health, including the mental aspect, which I think gets lost in translation sometimes. What you eat not only affects your physical state, but it also affects your mood. What you eat and when you eat are important factors to pay attention to. Laura will ask her clients questions to better understand why someone may be eating when they’re not hungry. How is the food making you feel? Does it make you feel more energized when you’re done eating or do you feel like you have to go lie down? These are some key questions to think about next time you catch yourself repeating an action without thought.
Laura also promotes rest for your mental and physical wellbeing, which seems self-explanatory, but there is a lot of guilt surrounded by the idea of rest. Laura advises how a quick power nap can be useful, but we tend to beat ourselves up when we take a rest in the middle of the day (I know I do). Honestly, pushing yourself through the day when you’re exhausted is not going to give you the progress you may be looking for. On paper, it looks like you’re energized because of all the things you’re doing, but they probably aren’t being done to the caliber you want them to be. If you’re tired, you’re not giving your best self to the world, and we have to learn to allow ourselves to rest when we need it. Trust and listen to what your body is telling you, and do what makes you feel good from the inside out.
If you want to hear more from Laura, you can check out our past radio show episodes on Substack as a paid subscriber, and there’s so much coming up you won’t want to miss! Laura has so much knowledge on this topic, and it’s relevant to everyone. Remember to trust yourself and fuel your body the way you feel is best. At the end of the day, it’s your body and no one knows it better than you do.
Ways to Engage: Think about the purpose of the food you’re eating and the reason behind it. Are you actually hungry or are you trying to fill a void? Are these nutritious calories you’re eating or empty ones that make you feel tired rather than energized? Be mindful of the things you’re putting into your body and how it makes you feel.