HERself

We’ve had Eli Weinstein on the podcast before (episode 182), where we focused on the postpartum period. Today, we’re talking about the next phase of parenthood—one that brings its own growing pains, relationship shifts, and a whole new set of expectations. In his new book, Eli introduces the “holy trinity” of relationships: expectations, perception, and reality. He walks us through how easy it is for these three to get misaligned. One example almost every parent can relate to: when one partne...

Transcribed - Published: 8 December 2025

Friendship is one of the topics we get asked about most, so we brought back Dr. Marisa Franco, one of the world’s leading voices on human connection. We dive straight into the heart of modern friendship and start with something that influences every relationship we have: attachment styles. Marisa explains how these patterns begin in childhood, how they show up differently in adulthood, and why none of us fit neatly into one category. We explore one of the biggest questions we hear from ...

Transcribed - Published: 1 December 2025

The holidays are here, and before the chaos kicks in, we wanted to sit down for a cozy reset with you. Think of this as the pep talk we all need—the kind you can take with you on a walk, a drive, or while you hide in the pantry for a minute of quiet. Today we’re sharing the mindset shifts and simple strategies that help us move through the holidays with more ease, compassion, and actual enjoyment. We talk about why we both love one big open-invite approach to Thanksgiving, what it’s like host...

Transcribed - Published: 24 November 2025

Let’s be real — when it comes to chores, our kids could definitely be doing more. We’ve mentioned this topic before, but today we’re finally diving in headfirst: what are age-appropriate chores and responsibilities for kids? Inside the Kiefer and Green homes, things look a little different — and there’s room for improvement in both. In a world where everyone shows their highlight reels, we want to keep it honest. Yes, we have strengths, but we also have areas where we’re still figuring it out...

Transcribed - Published: 17 November 2025

Today we’re welcoming Claire Lerner back to the podcast! Claire specializes in helping parents understand and support big reactors—kids whose emotions and reactions tend to run higher and deeper than most. Our first episode with Claire was one of our most popular, so we knew we had to bring her back for round two. If you’re parenting a child with a sensitive temperament, this episode will leave you feeling seen and equipped with real strategies to help your family thrive. In this conversation...

Transcribed - Published: 10 November 2025

Today’s episode looks a little different—Abby is solo behind the mic to share something that’s been weighing on her heart: the tug-of-war between loving motherhood and missing freedom. Freedom has always been one of Abby’s top core values, but motherhood changes everything. Overnight, the spontaneity disappears, replaced by structure, schedules, and responsibility. As much as we love our children, there’s this deep ache for autonomy—time to just be without worrying about what someone else nee...

Transcribed - Published: 3 November 2025

You already know we’re open books around here, so when we sat down to record an episode of things you might not know about us, we quickly realized… this was harder than it sounded! We share so much on this podcast, but we did manage to find a few fun and unexpected things that even our most loyal listeners may not have heard before. Amy kicks things off by sharing one about Abby—let’s just say Abby sometimes thinks the rules don’t apply to her. If she doesn’t agree with a rule, she’s not like...

Transcribed - Published: 27 October 2025

In a world of all kinds of parenting information Abby and Amy have really honed in on what their true core values are when it comes to raising their kids. In today’s episode they dive into their core parenting pillars. In this episode, you’ll hear heartfelt stories and practical parenting tips centered around defining family values, embracing differences, and fostering inclusion. The conversation covers how both families value the importance of safety measures like wearing helmets, promoting ...

Transcribed - Published: 20 October 2025

The subject of in-laws is one that hits home for many of us—and today’s conversation with Dr. Tracy D goes deep. One of our most downloaded episodes ever featured her, and we knew we had to bring her back to talk about what’s changed, what hasn’t, and how to navigate these tricky family patterns in new seasons of life. You didn’t just marry your partner—you married into their family’s patterns. Where’s the line between accepting those patterns and creating healthy boundaries? Dr. Tracy helps ...

Transcribed - Published: 13 October 2025

Aging has been on our minds a lot lately. At 39, we’re standing on the edge of a new decade, and with that, we continue to have more conversations around perimenopause, energy levels, and taking care of our bodies. In this episode, we’re opening up about what aging looks and feels like for us right now—the struggles, the science, accepting it, and the ways we’re finding strength in this next chapter. Abby shares her personal journey with hormone replacement therapy (HRT) after her docto...

Transcribed - Published: 6 October 2025

Parenting school-age kids comes with a unique set of challenges—from overflowing backpacks and sports schedules to snacks, lunches, uniforms, and the endless drop-offs and pick-ups. It’s a lot to manage, and the truth is: no one can do it all alone. We open up about what it looks like in our households to share the parenting load and how we’ve learned to find balance with our partners over the last 10 years. You’ll hear the different ways our families divide responsibilities—whether it’s one ...

Transcribed - Published: 29 September 2025

Have you ever caught yourself sounding just like your parents? Today we reflect on the lessons—both spoken and unspoken—that our parents, coaches, and role models left with us, and how they’ve shaped the women and moms we are today. From confidence and community to money and independence, these life lessons are now the ones we’re passing down to our own kids. Amy shares how her mom’s approach to appearance built her confidence from the inside out, while Abby opens up about her mom’s influence...

Transcribed - Published: 22 September 2025

Marriage is a constant journey of learning, growth, and reminding ourselves of the basics—especially during stressful seasons. In this week’s episode, we’re taking you behind the scenes of our own marriages to share the top three lessons we’ve each learned with our spouses over the years. We kick things off with a little chit chat (thanks to Colin for the idea!) about what we’ve been reading and watching lately before diving into the heart of the episode: the relationship lessons that continu...

Transcribed - Published: 15 September 2025

Conflict is a natural part of every relationship—whether it’s in marriage, friendship, family, or work. In this week’s episode, we’re diving into the 5 different conflict styles (the accommodator, the avoider, the compromiser, the competitor, and the collaborator) and exploring how they show up in our lives. We share personal stories and examples of how conflict plays out differently in our marriages versus our friendships. Abby opens up about realizing her conflict style might not be what sh...

Transcribed - Published: 8 September 2025

Since it’s a holiday here in the U.S., we’re bringing back one of our most downloaded and loved episodes of all time—with none other than the incredible Shrink Chicks, Emmalee and Jennifer, co-founders of The Therapy Group. These two women are experts in relationships, and in this conversation, we dig deep into what happens after kids enter the picture. From navigating conflict and working through small disagreements to building healthier communication patterns, this episode is packed with st...

Transcribed - Published: 1 September 2025

As moms, we know every season brings new challenges, and summer can be one of the hardest to navigate. In this week’s episode, we share an honest summer recap—the wins, the struggles, and the lessons we’re carrying into fall and beyond. From childcare challenges to balancing marriage and motherhood, we open up about the good, the bad, and the messy parts of parenting during the summer months. Childcare struggles & solutions: Amy shares what she learned when their nanny left for college in...

Transcribed - Published: 25 August 2025

Happiness. For some, the word sparks joy. For others, it feels complicated. In this episode, we’re unpacking what happiness truly means — and why our own perspectives on the word itself are surprisingly different. Inspired by research from a UC Berkeley professor who studies happiness, we explore three key factors proven to boost your well-being: Human connection — why in-person connection is essential for joy. Expressing gratitude — how appreciation shifts your mindset. Volunteering — th...

Transcribed - Published: 18 August 2025

In this episode, we're answering your questions—everything from serious parenting dilemmas to fun, rapid-fire get-to-know-you questions. We kick things off by digging into thoughtful, vulnerable topics like: How to help kids develop a tolerance for discomfort. What to do when someone you care about is in a toxic relationship. How to respond when family members ignore birthday invitations. Parenting children with developmental delays. When to let go of a long-term friendship. How to ...

Transcribed - Published: 11 August 2025

If you're raising a child who feels everything deeply and expresses it loudly, this episode is for you. Today, we’re diving into a topic that sparked our biggest listener response ever—first explored in Episode 157 with Claire Lerner—and it’s all about parenting children with big reactions. Both of us are moms to what we lovingly call “big reactors.” These are the kids whose emotional outbursts and transitions hit differently. They're intense. They're spirited. And traditional parenting advic...

Transcribed - Published: 4 August 2025

Is sibling fighting driving you up the wall lately? You’re not alone—and this episode is straight from the heart of our community’s requests. In this conversation, we're diving into real-life strategies to help parents navigate sibling conflicts with more confidence and less chaos. First things first: sibling fighting is normal! In fact, sibling relationships are the training ground for learning how to navigate friendships, handle conflict, and set boundaries. The goal isn’t to eliminate figh...

Transcribed - Published: 28 July 2025

Are youth sports taking over your calendar? You’re not alone. In this episode, we—two moms raising three kids each in a sports-loving community—open up about the challenges and joys of navigating youth sports with kids aged 9, 7, 6, and 4.5. We get real about what it means to be a sports family, how our own upbringings shape our decisions, and why it’s okay to press pause and ask: “Is this still working for our family?” You’ll hear: Why your childhood experience with sports might be influenc...

Transcribed - Published: 21 July 2025

Heads up: This episode contains adult content—pop in your earbuds if the kids are around! We are excited to dive into a topic we haven’t discussed in a while: intimacy. Whether you're newly postpartum or deep in the trenches of parenting, we know that maintaining a healthy sex life with your partner can feel complicated—and sometimes like just another thing on your to-do list. We’re sharing what has worked for us personally, how our sex lives have shifted through different seasons of motherho...

Transcribed - Published: 14 July 2025

If you’re parenting little ones now, the idea of raising pre-teens or teenagers might feel far off—or a little intimidating. These years often come with a tough reputation, but what if they didn’t have to? In this insightful episode, we’re joined by pediatrician Dr. Hina Talib to talk about how we can start preparing now to enter the teen years with more confidence, connection, and compassion. Too often, teens get labeled as the problem, when in reality, it's our job as parents to prepare and...

Transcribed - Published: 7 July 2025

In this heartfelt Amy and Abby episode, we’re diving into a topic that’s close to both of our hearts: our health and our relationship with our bodies. If you’ve been a long-time listener, you know how important this conversation is to us — and how complex it can be. We begin by sharing pivotal moments from our high school years—each involving a coach’s comment that stuck with us for decades. One of those memories was encouraging, while the other left a lasting wound. These stories opened the ...

Transcribed - Published: 30 June 2025

Last week, our partners Drew and Colin joined us to talk all things partnerships—and they’re back today, but this time we’re diving into the world of parenting. We know many of you love hearing a father’s perspective, and in this episode, Drew and Colin share candid insights, relatable struggles, and plenty of wisdom from their own parenting journeys. We talk about what’s going well for us as parents right now and the areas where we’re still learning. If you’re parenting multiple kids with di...

Transcribed - Published: 23 June 2025

We are excited to have our husbands back on the podcast today. If you are new to the show, Drew is Amy’s husband and Colin is married to Abby. We have both been married for 11 years and the guys tend to be a crowd favorite around here. Today we are focusing on our partnerships. The men truly have no problem getting deep with their answers and hold nothing back! They share what’s working well, what’s NOT going well and some self-reflection/areas for improvement. They also share the way...

Transcribed - Published: 16 June 2025

Summer takes on a whole new feeling when your kids are school aged, and today we’re breaking down our tips and lessons learned. We honestly didn’t understand why summer felt so stressful for parents until we entered this phase of life, and so we are talking about what this transition has looked and felt like. As we emphasize the importance of being present in the moment, setting realistic expectations for summer activities, and the role of community & support systems. Our conversation cov...

Transcribed - Published: 9 June 2025

We are so excited to tell you about the direction we are taking the HERself podcast for the summer! If you like this new format, be sure and let us know. You, the listeners, are such an integral part of what we do here at the HERself podcast and we want to make sure we are creating content that resonates with you. In this episode we delve into the complexities of relationships, particularly focusing on the challenges women face in expressing their wants and needs. We discuss the dynamics of...

Transcribed - Published: 2 June 2025

With this being a holiday weekend, we invite you to relisten to one of our most listened to episodes! We had so much positive feedback when this episode went live since it was one of the first times we had a male perspective on the podcast. If you haven’t listened yet, it’s a great alternate perspective and a great one to pass along to your male partners! Our guest, Eli Weinstein, is a dad of two and a psychotherapist that isn’t afraid to give it to people straight. He has an honest, blunt, b...

Transcribed - Published: 26 May 2025

*trigger warning, abusive relationships* We feel it’s important to have open and honest discussions about heavy topics in this safe space that is the HERself podcast. In today’s episode, we will be asking the hard questions about narcissism with Dr. Jaime Zuckerman, licensed clinical psychologist and expert in narcissistic abuse. Dr. Jaime will help us understand the difference between a person with Narcissistic Personality Disorder, narcissistic tendencies, or defensiveness. If you think you...

Transcribed - Published: 19 May 2025

Modern day friendships - why do they feel so hard? Did you know each of your friendships have an “about” section for your origin story? Why do I still feel lonely even though I have close friends? Friendships enrich our lives so much, but we understand that it can be hard to maintain old friendships and find the time to make meaningful new ones as busy moms! We are so pleased to have author, speaker, and seasoned journalist Anna Goldfarb on today’s episode to share her perspective on modern d...

Transcribed - Published: 12 May 2025

As our kids continue to age, the topic of bullying is becoming more front and center. Especially with our pre-teens as they enter what our guest refers to as, “the crucial years”, ages 5-12, where they are rapidly developing into complex people. The conversation today with Dr. Sheryl Ziegler, Licensed Clinical Psychologist and author of the book titled, “The Crucial Years” provides an honest conversation for how we can raise empathetic and kind children who understand the implications of bull...

Transcribed - Published: 5 May 2025

Whether you stay home with your family, work at home with kiddos, or are out in the workplace, we strive to bring guests that cover all lifestyles. That’s why we are so excited to have Dr. Anne Welsh on today’s episode to focus on the working parent. As a mother of 4, Dr. Anne is an expert on transitioning from working person to working parent. She is also a psychologist who started her career at Harvard, now working as an executive coach and consultant with a deep passion for empowering wome...

Transcribed - Published: 28 April 2025

We know our community has been asking for more Amy and Abby episodes lately so we hope this one hits home. We are both sharing our top three lessons that we’ve learned over time. We cover avoidance and how it’s rarely the answer, the importance of getting the basics down when it comes to your health, and how self-awareness is the number one step for positive change. You know that friendship is an important topic around here and we share the lessons that we’ve learned around that, explain how ...

Transcribed - Published: 21 April 2025

Do you find yourself feeling dysregulated more often than you’d like? Dr. Amber Thornton, licensed Clinical Psychologist, is on the show today to talk with us about how we can recognize and work with the different triggers that can set us off. If you are someone who tends to stress about worst case scenarios that “might” happen, she has some tips for you. Or maybe you dread the infamous 2nd shift of parenthood; that time between school/daycare and bedtime? Dr. Thornton shares some strategies ...

Transcribed - Published: 14 April 2025

Dr. Morgan Cutlip, relationship expert, is no stranger to the HERself Podcast and we are so excited to have her back for another episode! Together we will be tackling “mental load” with tangible strategies that can actually work for you, your relationship, and your home. We talked with Dr. Morgan in episode 162, and in episode 163 we shared how we implemented her wisdom. But today, we’ll be diving deeper into our relationships to understand why sharing the mental load can prevent burnout and ...

Transcribed - Published: 7 April 2025

Today on the podcast, we are talking about a vulnerable topic and human experience: shame. While we know it’s not always comfortable to talk about, we also know we aren't alone in our experiences and that sharing is how we all learn and grow. To help us walk through the topic of shame, we have invited Dr. Zoe Shaw on to today’s episode. Dr. Zoe is a psychotherapist, author, podcast host, and speaker who is passionate about helping women through difficult relationships and helping them overcom...

Transcribed - Published: 31 March 2025

Relationships are at the foundation of our everyday connections. Friendship, family, and romantic relationships take dedication for both sides to feel validated and loved. We know relationships are hard, which is why we invited Dr. Thema Bryant to share with us her incredible knowledge and expertise. Dr. Thema is a psychologist, author, professor, and President of the American Psychological Association. Through her work as an educator, podcast host, and her newly released book, “Matters of th...

Transcribed - Published: 24 March 2025

Today’s episode was inspired by our personal experiences and a blog post from The Gottman Institute all about perpetual versus solvable problems in long-relationships. As close friends, we’ve had a front seat to the common disagreements and issues that we each have in our 10-year long marriages. We often will talk through something and try to see the other partner’s side, while also working towards solutions - which is what you’ll get to hear in today’s episode. The Gottman blog post was so i...

Transcribed - Published: 17 March 2025

We know a lot of listeners in our HERself community are busy moms, including us! We've got households to run, kids to take care of, careers to advance, spouses to love, and friends to support. Today on the podcast Dr. Carolyn Rubenstein, licensed clinical psychologist and mom of two, is here to deep dive into stress and burnout, something that is unfortunately common amongst moms. Dr. Carolyn is passionate about supporting moms in finding their worth, helping them embrace the human experience...

Transcribed - Published: 10 March 2025

Today’s conversation is all about…conversation! We are happy to have Dr. Alison Wood Brooks joining us on the podcast. Alison is a behavioral scientist as well as a professor and Faculty Fellow at Harvard Business School. She created and teaches a course called “TALK” and has now taken her research and published it in her new book also titled TALK! Many of us as parents want our kids to grow and learn in the area of communication - communicating with us, with their friends, with teachers or c...

Transcribed - Published: 3 March 2025

We all have twenty four hours in a day. And when your plate is full with things like a romantic relationship, kids, a career, keeping up your home and taking care of pets, friends, and other obligations, every piece on that plate gets a designated amount of your time. Some seasons of life, the time you have for friends is plentiful - thinking back to our youth with school friends, college friends, and friends at your first job. Friendships came easily then because you had the time to pour int...

Transcribed - Published: 24 February 2025

The winter season can feel long for a number of reasons, especially if you live in a cold climate like us! Illnesses going around at school or daycare seem to be constant and our kids are always catching something. That’s why we are so excited to have Dr. Kelly Fradin on the podcast today to talk with us about how to keep our kiddos healthy during this season, when to seek additional help for issues such as tonsils and sleep problems, and we even touch on our children’s mental health too. As ...

Transcribed - Published: 17 February 2025

The winter season can feel long for a number of reasons, especially if you live in a cold climate like us! Illnesses going around at school or daycare seem to be constant and our kids are always catching something. That’s why we are so excited to have Dr. Kelly Fradin on the podcast today to talk with us about how to keep our kiddos healthy during this season, when to seek additional help for issues such as tonsils and sleep problems, and we even touch on our children’s mental health too. As ...

Transcribed - Published: 17 February 2025

Here at HERself, we love wellness in all aspects of life whether it’s your sleep, relationships, parenting, self-care, even digital wellness. Today on the podcast, Amy Blankson is joining to help us discern what digital balance can look like in our everyday lives. Amy is the Co-founder of the Digital Wellness Institute and author of “The Future of Happiness” and she shares how to cultivate happiness and well-being in a hyperconnected world. We know there is lots of talk about our children and...

Transcribed - Published: 10 February 2025

Dr. Kelly Vincent, a Licensed Clinical Psychologist, and founder of the holistic mental health practice Nourished Wellness Group, helps women in all walks of life with their mental health journey. She is most passionate about caring for the mental health of mothers, female entrepreneurs, and other young professionals, which we know describes a lot of our listeners! Keeping you all in mind, we thought Dr. Kelly would be an excellent expert to bring on the show to share her knowledge on the bod...

Transcribed - Published: 3 February 2025

HERself turned 5 years old this month! Join us, Abby and Amy, today to hear the HERself Podcast inception story, the bumps and growth that happened along the way, and some of our all-time favorite guests and moments from the last 5 years. We know none of this could be possible without our incredible listeners, so truly, from the bottom of our hearts, thank you for being a part of it! It started with an idea and has grown into this beautiful, supportive community where women can come together ...

Transcribed - Published: 27 January 2025

You all know by now that here at the HERself podcast, we love and prioritize our sleep - our guest even deemed us sleep advocates! Which is why we are beyond excited to bring you today’s episode with Dr. Fiona Baker, Director of SRI International’s Human Sleep Research Program. She is a leading sleep expert who graciously joins us for today’s interview where we ask her questions we received straight from you all, our HERself community! Today we will discuss aspects of sleep like the differenc...

Transcribed - Published: 20 January 2025

You all know by now that here at the HERself podcast, we love and prioritize our sleep - our guest even deemed us sleep advocates! Which is why we are beyond excited to bring you today’s episode with Dr. Fiona Baker, Director of SRI International’s Human Sleep Research Program. She is a leading sleep expert who graciously joins us for today’s interview where we ask her questions we received straight from you all, our HERself community! Today we will discuss aspects of sleep like the differenc...

Transcribed - Published: 20 January 2025

We are so pleased to have Dr. Tammy Schamuhn on the podcast today! Tammy started her professional career in the classroom as a teacher in inner-city schools in Canada. While she enjoyed teaching, it was clear to her that teaching was not her passion. What she DID love was caring for her students with behavioral issues like anxiety. Tammy went back to school to earn her Master’s Degree in Psychology and now combines her love of teaching with her love of being a therapist on a daily basis by he...

Transcribed - Published: 13 January 2025