Electric Ideas with Whitney Baker: Motherhood, Self-Connection, Joyful Living & Self-Care

178. How to Slow Down as a Mom: Trusting Cycles, Capacity & Fallow Seasons

Learn more about 1:1 coaching with Whitney - book a 15-minute Spark Session Have you ever felt behind before the day even really starts? Like, no matter how hard you try, you just can't catch up? In this Mini Jolt, Whitney talks honestly about what it looks like to stop fighting the pace of motherhood and actually let yourself slow down. When the kids are sick, work shifts, plans fall through, and the mental load keeps running in the background, it's so easy to go into survival mode, juggling everything, dropping nothing, and quietly exhausting yourself in the process. Whitney shares her own moments of feeling stretched thin and the pressure to "keep producing" even when life clearly has other plans. She talks about what she calls fallow seasons, those stretches where you're not operating at full capacity, and maybe you're not meant to be. Instead of seeing them as setbacks, she offers a different lens: maybe they're restorative. Maybe they're necessary. You'll hear practical ideas for building a little more white space into your days and giving yourself a buffer instead of burnout. If you've been feeling scattered, depleted, or like you're chasing life instead of living it, this conversation will meet you right where you are. Press play for a reset, a reframe, and a reminder that slowing down might be the most powerful thing you do this season. Here's what you can look forward to in this episode: The constant pressure to keep up in modern motherhood The idea of "fallow seasons" and why not every season is meant for output Letting go of productivity as your measure of worth Creating white space and a buffer in your daily life Small, practical ways to slow down without everything unraveling Reframing rest as responsible, not indulgent Reflection question to ponder: How can I more gently honor and inhabit the wave of life I'm in and how much capacity I have right now, in my season of caregiving? Take a Listen to Episode 35: Recovering The Lost Art of Rest with Dr. Saundra Dalton-Smith Connect with Whitney: Instagram l Website l 5 Days to Less Stress, More Satisfaction l Tend to Your Soul Toolkit l 10 Soulful Journaling Prompts | Electric Ideas Podcast

177. The Motherhood Wall: Why Modern Moms Feel Set Up to Fail with Dr. Andrea O'Reilly

Get access to 5 Days to Less Stress, More Satisfaction before it closes! Have you ever felt the quiet, constant pressure to be a "good mom"? The one who stays patient, selfless and grateful, even while running on fumes? In this episode, Whitney connects with Andrea O'Reilly to examine the expectations mothers carry and the invisible systems shaping their lives. From the concept of the "motherhood wall" to the cultural myths we absorb without realizing it, they explore why so many women feel stretched thin, unseen and perpetually behind, even when they are doing more than enough. Whitney reflects on how easily we internalize this strain as personal failure. Dr. O'Reilly reframes the story: what if the problem is not you, but the structure you are operating inside? Together, they challenge the myth of the endlessly self-sacrificing "Good Mother," unpack the false divide between working mothers and stay-at-home mothers, and argue for choice, agency and dignity without apology. This conversation moves beyond coping. It offers language, context and a wider lens. You will leave feeling validated, clearer about what you are carrying, and reminded that your exhaustion is not a character flaw. Press play and step into a more truthful, compassionate narrative. Here's what you can look forward to in this episode: What the motherhood wall is and how it impacts women beyond just career conversations How cultural norms and systemic structures shape the experience of modern motherhood Why so many moms internalize their struggles as personal failure The lasting impact of the "Good Mother" myth and unrealistic standards The importance of solidarity and community among mothers Reclaiming visibility and value for maternal labor and caregiving work An introduction to matricentric feminism and what it means for mothers today Reflection question to ponder: Is this necessary, and is this good for me and my family? Learn more about 1:1 coaching with Whitney - book a 15-minute Spark Session Connect with Whitney: Instagram l Website l 5 Days to Less Stress, More Satisfaction l Tend to Your Soul Toolkit l 10 Soulful Journaling Prompts | Electric Ideas Podcast Connect with Dr. O'Reilly: In (M)other Words: Writings on Mothering and Motherhood, 2009-2024 | York University

[REPLAY] The Mental Side of Women's Sexual Challenges—And How Mindfulness Can Help with Dr. Lori Brotto

Have you ever felt like intimacy takes a backseat in your busy life? Between endless to-do lists, financial stress, and the mental load of daily responsibilities, it's no surprise that desire often fades into the background. But what if mindfulness could help rekindle connection and deepen intimacy? In this episode, Whitney sits down with Dr. Lori Brotto, a leading researcher in sexual health and mindfulness and author of Better Sex Through Mindfulness. Dr. Brotto shares fascinating insights into the powerful connection between the mind and sexual well-being, shedding light on how emotional and psychological factors shape women's experiences in the bedroom. Together, they explore why spontaneous desire is rare—especially in long-term relationships—and how cultivating awareness and intention can reignite passion. By letting go of outdated beliefs around female sexuality and embracing mindfulness, women can foster a more fulfilling relationship with both their bodies and their partners. Dr. Brotto also shares research-backed, practical strategies to boost desire, confidence, and pleasure—without pressure or perfection. Tune in for an insightful and empowering conversation that just might shift the way you think about intimacy. Here's what you can look forward to in this episode: The prevalence of sexual dysfunction How stress impacts intimacy and sexual desire Why Lori advocates for planning time for sex Mindfulness practices to help rebuild being present with sexual desire Advice for those whose self-judgment is getting in the way of enjoying sex How moms can talk to their daughters to help them have a good relationship with sex Erotica vs. porn Reflection question to ponder: Do I really want this? Connect with Whitney: Instagram l Website l 5 Days to Less Stress, More Satisfaction l Tend to Your Soul Toolkit l 10 Soulful Journaling Prompts | Electric Ideas Podcast Connect with Dr. Brotto: Instagram | Website | Book: Better Sex Through Mindfulness | Become a research participant

176. Why Motherhood Creates Distance in Marriages and How to Reconnect with Michelle Purta

Have you ever looked at your partner and thought, "How did we get here?" Somewhere between kids, schedules, groceries, and keeping the household running, many moms begin to feel more like roommates or co-managers than romantic partners. In this episode, Whitney sits down with marriage coach Michelle Purta to explore why this shift is so common in motherhood, and why it is not a sign that a marriage is broken, but a signal that mental and emotional load has quietly taken over. They talk honestly about how resentment builds when needs go unspoken, why hard conversations often come out sharper than we intend, and how mental load plays a bigger role in disconnection than we realize. Michelle shares simple, grounded ways to approach conversations differently, from pausing to regulate yourself first, to asking for support clearly and naming why it matters, to creating small moments of connection that do not feel like another item on the to-do list. If you are feeling stretched thin, disconnected, or longing to feel like a team again, this episode meets you right where you are. Tune in for practical, doable practices that support reconnection with yourself and with your partner. Here's what you can look forward to in this episode: Why motherhood naturally creates distance in romantic relationships How to set up consensual conversations instead of ambushing your partner A surprising thing you may not know about even the healthiest couples Examples of micro-connections: intentional check-ins, longer hugs, non-logistics conversations, small acts of support How having a clear vision for your life and relationship guides healthier choices now Reflection question to ponder: How do I want my life to be like? Learn more about 1:1 coaching with Whitney - book a 15-minute Spark Session Connect with Whitney: Instagram l Website l 5 Days to Less Stress, More Satisfaction l Tend to Your Soul Toolkit l 10 Soulful Journaling Prompts | Electric Ideas Podcast Connect with Michelle: Instagram | Website | Marriage and Motherhood Podcast

175. The Mental Load in Motherhood: Why It Feels So Overwhelming with Leah Ruppanner

Many moms already wake up feeling tired, and it's not because they're doing too much, but because they're carrying too much. In this episode of Electric Ideas, Whitney sits down with Leah Ruppanner, professor of sociology, to talk about the mental load of motherhood and why it's so often invisible, brushed off, or just accepted as "part of being a mom." They talk about the constant background thinking moms do all day long, including keeping track of schedules, anticipating needs, managing emotions, making decisions, and holding everything together in ways no one really sees. Leah breaks down the 8 categories of mental load, helping put language to the many different ways this shows up in daily life. From emotional labor to future planning and decision fatigue, this conversation helps explain why so many moms feel overwhelmed even when they can't point to one specific thing. Whitney and Leah also dig into why the mental load builds quietly over time, why it's so hard to hand off to someone else, and how cultural expectations keep moms taking on more than their fair share, often without realizing it. Leah shares her mental load assessment, a simple but eye-opening tool that helps moms see where their energy is actually going and which areas are asking for more support. If you've ever felt exhausted, resentful, or on edge and wondering why everything feels so hard, this episode will help you make sense of it and give you a place to start naming what you're really carrying. Here's what you can look forward to in this episode: The many mental loads moms take on and how deep the mental load actually goes The 8 different mental load types moms experience Where to start when we want to be aware of our mental load capacity Reflection question to ponder: Am I spending my mental load aligned with my purpose? Learn more about 1:1 coaching with Whitney - book a 15-minute Spark Session Connect with Whitney: Instagram l Website l 5 Days to Less Stress, More Satisfaction l Tend to Your Soul Toolkit l 10 Soulful Journaling Prompts | Electric Ideas Podcast Connect with Leah: Instagram | Website | Book: Drained | Free Mental Load Assessment