Jenna Hua is the founder and CEO of Million Maker. A company dedicated to educating about and reducing, if not eliminating harmful toxins from our lives. Jenna is on the show today with Laci and Ellen to discuss the uses of toxins and plastics in our lives and healthcare and how it affects us, especially those trying to conceive. She is also giving us tools and resources that we can use today to reduce our toxin exposure. This is such an important topic because we all know someone with autism, ADHD, infertility, testicular cancer, breast cancer, and/or diabetes. All of these conditions have been linked to environmental toxins. This episode is packed with so much valuable information!    Jenna started in healthcare as a dietician. She grew frustrated that no one would listen to her about how these toxins we are exposed to every day affect us. She states that toxin exposure results in 70% of chronic disease risk vs 30% by genetics alone. Unfortunately, the healthcare and research world does not have a test to determine which environmental toxins could be impacting an individual’s health. Jenna suffered miscarriages, and her frustrations with not knowing how to deal with and fix any issues she had led her to found her company Million Maker that strives to help others with just that. Environmental toxins and endocrine disruptors are significant issues that must be discussed for the sake of our health, and Jenna is here today to get the word out!   Main products and chemicals discussed in this episode that are known hormone disruptors:    Top endocrine disrupters that impact fertility and what you can do about it. BPA: mimics estrogen, where your body will recognize and treat it as if it were estrogen. Plastic is the major culprit of BPA. Also, BPA-free does not mean it’s safe. Often manufacturers create a slight structure change, like BPF, and it is approved for sale. Avoid plastics and receipts altogether. BPA is known to cause infertility, child development issues, and decreases in-vitro fertilization (IVF) success. Phalates: a chemical that blocks testosterone. Mainly effects males. Decreases male sperm count and quality.  Paraben: a preservative in beauty care products. It can be found in packaged foods and is not labeled as such.  Oxybenzone is in sunscreen and can also be in food. Heavy metal- wash and soak your rice. Fish can be high in mercury and is greater in fatty fish.    Baby rice and cereal.   PFAS (Teflon)- a “forever chemical.” Not just in cookware but also in any weatherproofing materials and products. Green Policy Institute lists safe outdoor gear.  Household and personal care items: shampoo, conditioner, detergent, and perfumes are the top disruptors.  Water: a reverse osmosis system is best at filtering out toxins. Look for the NSF symbol. Please refer to Jenna’s site - www.millionmaker.com for a list of approved water filters.    Jenna’s product is a mail-in urine test. That’s it! Just fill out an exposure survey and mail that in with your urine sample, and in two weeks, you will get a personalized toxin report. Her company looks at every product you use, combines it with your urine sample of toxins to give you recommendations for a change you can make immediately.     Other resources to use to avoid toxins: EWG  Made Safe Midori Earth chrome extension.  Jenna has a list of curated products on her site (Million Maker) to help you get started.   About Jenna Hua: An environmental health scientist and dietitian by training, Jenna is passionate about the environment, public health, and everything food. Frustrated by the lack of data for how harmful chemicals (like BPA, phthalates, and parabens) from plastics and everyday products affect our health and clinical outcomes, and the absence of a personalized approach to mitigate harmful chemical exposures, Jenna set out on a mission to change these.   She founded Million Marker, a health-tech startup dedicated to empower everyone with the data and tools to determine how the products they use, the food they eat, the water they drink negatively or positively influence their health. Million Marker helps people understand what chemicals are inside of them—and then provides simple solutions for quickly reducing harmful chemicals through mail-in test kits, lifestyle audits, product recommendations, and counseling.    Dr. Hua is a US Fulbright Fellow and completed a Postdoctoral Fellowship with Stanford University’s School of Medicine.   Follow Jenna: www.twitter.com/million_marker https://www.facebook.com/MillionMarker https://www.linkedin.com/company/million-marker/   Follow the hosts on Instagram - @mslacilea @ellenlauletta @stl_injector Email: scrubcapsandsippycups@gmail.com Or you can leave us an audio message that could air on a future podcast episode! https://www.speakpipe.com/Scrubcapsandsippycups Facebook: Scrub Caps and Sippy Cups Instagram: @heysmartmommas Twitter: @heysmartmommas If you loved this episode, found value, or just loved hanging out with us, please head over to Apple Podcasts and leave us a review! 

Scrub Caps & Sippy Cups

Endocrine Disruptors, Environmental Toxins and the Link to Infertility and Chronic Disease with Dr. Jenna Hua

Laci and Ellen welcome Tina Kloepping to the show this week to discuss mental health needs in young children. A topic she knows all too well as her daughter attempted suicide at 8 years old. We are very passionate about this topic, and we want to reach as many parents as possible. The information in this episode is relevant and actionable to identify, seek help and provide ongoing support to children with mental health needs.  Tina is a nurse anesthetist and previously held positions as an ICU nurse and paramedic. She lives in Minnesota with her husband and three daughters, two of which are twins. Tina shares her family’s story about mental health needs, care, and ongoing management of her daughters. She wants to get the message out about awareness and help normalize the discussion to save and support children and families in need.   Tina shares her story about her then 7 year old being anxious and how she was referred to a therapist at the pediatric office. She explains their struggles navigating care when the office discontinued seeing her daughter after her suicide attempt.  In this episode, you will hear: The struggles of navigating mental health care for a young child What is suicidal ideation, and can a child fully comprehend what it means to end life? What do you do if your child said they wish they weren’t alive anymore? What do you do if your child has a plan for ending their life? How can parents connect with siblings and address their needs too? How a culmination of events lead to Tina’s daughter attempting suicide Questions for the practitioner in an inpatient setting Tina’s resources, coping strategies for children, and the use of open-ended questions when speaking to your child  About Tina: I am a CRNA mom who has navigated mental health issues, including suicide attempts with my young girls. I want to talk about mental health and how to advocate for your kid’s wellbeing in a system that wants to ignore mental health needs. Connect with Tina on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tina.kloepping Tina’s Resources: Mayo Clinic video on asking the hard questions - https://youtu.be/3BByqa7bhto National and Local Hotlines/Resources: https://www.thetrevorproject.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/services-one-pager-2019.pdf  https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/  https://www.veteranscrisisline.net/  https://translifeline.org/ Local to MN - https://www.horizonhomes.org/south-central-mobile-crisis-team/ https://store.samhsa.gov/sites/default/files/SAMHSA_Digital_Download/PEP20-01-03-001.pdf Dr. Ross Greene: Books: The Explosive Child  Lost at School Lost and Found  Raising Human Beings https://livesinthebalance.org/our-solution/  https://drrossgreene.com/the-explosive-child.htm   Follow the hosts on Instagram - @mslacilea @ellenlauletta @stl_injector Email: scrubcapsandsippycups@gmail.com  Or you can leave us an audio message that could air on a future podcast episode! https://www.speakpipe.com/Scrubcapsandsippycups  Facebook: Scrub Caps and Sippy Cups Instagram: @heysmartmommas  Twitter: @heysmartmommas If you loved this episode, found value, or just loved hanging out with us, please head over to Apple Podcasts and leave us a review! 

Loving the Last Kid in Line with Tina Kloepping

One year since Crystal started cancer treatment, she sits down with Laci and brings us up to date on what she has been experiencing and what’s to come. She has been undergoing radiation treatment and walks us through what it’s like. Unfortunately, during her treatment, she developed a complication related to the radiation that sent her to surgery again.  Crystal tells about what the future brings as far as cancer treatment. She feels getting cancer has changed her. Despite the hardships cancer has put on her and her family, she tells about how she is grateful and sees the world differently now. Crystal hates to see her family affected, and this has definitely been the lowest part of her journey. However, she plans to continue her effort in helping other women navigate their breast cancer diagnoses! Crystal was recently featured in Entrepreneurs Herald and had her story featured in the July issue, “Top 21 Inspiring Women to Look Out for in 2021.” She had the chance to tell her story about starting her aesthetics business and how she got her cancer diagnosis just three weeks later. Crystal has grown a successful business while juggling everything. She tells about how owning a business has kept her both focused and distracted while staying positive.  Laci talks about getting the kids ready to go back to school, going school shopping, and visiting the state parks in Minnesota. They plan on visiting all 75! Laci fills us in on what it’s like to go camping with a baby and no bathroom.  The previous episode with the Dr. Nurse Podcast mentioned during this episode: The Nursing Journey  Follow the hosts on Instagram - @mslacilea @ellenlauletta @stl_injector Email: scrubcapsandsippycups@gmail.com Or you can leave us an audio message that could air on a future podcast episode! https://www.speakpipe.com/Scrubcapsandsippycups Facebook: Scrub Caps and Sippy Cups Instagram: @heysmartmommas Twitter: @heysmartmommas If you loved this episode, found value, or just loved hanging out with us, please head over to Apple Podcasts and leave us a review! 

A Year In the Life With Crystal Alber

Beth Wilmes was 35 years old with a successful career and in the midst of motherhood when she discovered a lump in her breast. She requested a mammogram and biopsy and found out she indeed had breast cancer. Beth shares her incredible story with Crystal, Ellen, and Laci on this week’s episode of the Scrub Caps and Sippy Cups podcast. Listen as Beth tells about her journey and the inspiration behind the nonprofit she created called Faith Through Fire. A nonprofit organization devoted to mentoring women in their breast cancer journey.    Topics Discussed:   When you are told you have breast cancer. Crystal (diagnosed with breast cancer one year ago) and Beth discussed their experiences when they were told they had breast cancer for the first time.   Do you discuss your diagnosis with your kids or not? Beth chose not to tell her kids and Crystal did. Listen to their points of view and why they chose to tell or not to tell.  Beth and her friend Sarah started a podcast called Besties with Breasties to help support other women facing a breast cancer diagnosis.  Faith Through Fire - A mentorship program for the newly diagnosed to survivorship.  Build A Bear Workshop - Providing a tangible thing to help children get through the really tough times. Navigating a cancer diagnosis with nurses and doctors and how nurses play a vital role in giving patients a plan for support. How to get involved to help those diagnosed with breast cancer.  Seeing life differently as a cancer survivor.    Learn more about Beth’s organization, Faith Through Fire at www.faiththroughfire.org. Here you can learn more, get involved, and have a source to point others to. You can help keep this mentorship program alive through donations and by purchasing exclusive podcast content through Patreon. Visit the Faith Through Fire website for more information.  IG faiththroughfire FB Faith Through Fire Podcast - Besties with Breasties  Website - www.faiththroughfire.org   Beth Wilmes is a nonprofit founder, author, podcaster, and speaker. Her nonprofit for breast cancer patients is called Faith Through Fire (faiththroughfire.org) and its mission is to reduce the fear and anxiety that breast cancer patients feel and replace it with hope and a path toward thriving. She lives in St. Louis with her husband Gary, three children, and her dog Buddy.   Follow the hosts on Instagram - @mslacilea @ellenlauletta @stl_injector Email: scrubcapsandsippycups@gmail.com Or you can leave us an audio message that could air on a future podcast episode! https://www.speakpipe.com/Scrubcapsandsippycups Facebook: Scrub Caps and Sippy Cups Instagram: @heysmartmommas If you loved this episode, found value, or just loved hanging out with us, please head over to Apple Podcasts and leave us a review! 

Get Busy Living

Theresa Mitchell, a producer, mother, and survivor, is joined by Laci and Ellen this week discussing the black and brown community’s struggles regarding obstetric care in the United States. We want to bring awareness to infertility, infant loss, and miscarriages and that the U.S. has the highest maternal mortality rate globally. Theresa is bringing hope and a clear mind to women in this struggle through her documentary.  When you suffer the loss of a baby, there is no formula or checklist to grieve and heal. Grief is such a unique journey that presents itself differently in each individual.  Life After Loss can be a roller coaster of emotions filled with anxiety, anger, sadness, and frustration. Life After Loss is a documentary to bring light and truth to the struggles faced by black and brown women as they quietly struggle through miscarriage, infant loss, and infertility.  Theresa Mitchell uses her story to create a documentary called Life After Loss. Theresa shares how she suffered three miscarriages and had her rainbow baby.  She discusses the struggles, complications, and inadequate care black and brown birthing people face in hospitals and wellness centers all over America and the world. Stay tuned for the news when Theresa’s documentary is released! We cannot wait for this to come out. Such an important issue that needs more awareness.  Follow Theresa’s journey: IG- https://www.instagram.com/jheneproductions/ Email address Jheneproductions@gmail.com FB- https://www.facebook.com/jheneproductions?ltclid= Twitter- https://twitter.com/JheneProduction?ltclid= LinkedIn- http://www.linkedin.com/in/jhene-productions?ltclid= Website- https://jheneproductions.wixsite.com/jheneproductions?ltclid=  Follow the hosts on Instagram - @mslacilea @ellenlauletta @stl_injector Email: scrubcapsandsippycups@gmail.com Or you can leave us an audio message that could air on a future podcast episode! https://www.speakpipe.com/Scrubcapsandsippycups Facebook: Scrub Caps and Sippy Cups Instagram: @heysmartmommas If you loved this episode, found value, or just loved hanging out with us, please head over to Apple Podcasts and leave us a review! 

Life After Loss in the Black and Brown Community with Theresa Mitchell

Dr. Sandra Pagenta is a nurse practitioner, urologic proceduralist, and the host of the Doctor Nurse Podcast. Sandra found that her experiences in her professional career are beneficial to other nurses. She knew a platform needed to be developed to help other nurses on their journeys. She has precepted and mentored nurses who asked questions about how she got to where she is now. Sandra continues to inspire and encourage other nurses on her podcast. She wants to provide a platform for other doctor nurses to share their journeys, inspire, and create change!    Key takeaways from this episode:    5:30- What is expected when nurses enter the profession vs. the current climate.    8:00 Scarcity mindset and how to break away from it.    10:00 What a new nurse needs to know.    Are you questioning the steps you’re taking as a nurse? Sandra discusses the struggle nurses have when they are presented with career choices. She teaches us the importance of processing our wishes and intuitions to find areas of nursing that relate more to our personalities.    16:00 Life outside of nursing.   The work-life balance changes as your career changes. Sandra gives tips that nurses could use and any mom who juggles working and being present for their families. Then, Ellen and Laci discuss their nursing journey and how that shifted.    23:20 Becoming a mother and shifting priorities.    Ellen opens up about how her nursing career shifted after having children and how she has redefined herself as a nurse.    25:58 Nursing is versatile.     29:45 Should nurses practice at the doctoral level?     There is a constant fight amongst nurses when it comes to education levels. Ellen, Laci, and Sandra debate this topic and give their perspectives. Laci feels nurses need experience as a bedside nurse, and Sandra feels that there are nurses that do not need the experience to be a good nurse practitioner. Ellen brings up the fact that there are avenues that matter when deciding to practice at the bedside vs advancing immediately. Do you feel that the bedside is the foundation of nursing?    About Dr. Sandra Pagenta  My name is Dr. Sandra Pagenta, DNP and I am a proceduralist nurse practitioner part-time in the field of Urology and the host of the Doctor Nurse Podcast. I have experience in neurosurgery, pre-op, oncology, urology, gastroenterology, ED, and med-surg nursing. I am passionate about nurses understanding their value and worth due to experiences that I went through in my career. I had no idea how valuable nurses are to the healthcare field. I created the podcast as a platform for nurses to share their journeys through their careers and provide advice they would've like to know before they would have started their jobs. The purpose of the podcast is to inspire mentorship and growth. I believe you've got to know what people went through to get where they are today in order to feel like you can make a change yourself. I really hope to inspire nurses to become entrepreneurs, desire more education, and step outside of their comfort zones on the podcast.   Connect with Sandra:  Doctor Nurse Podcast  https://www.instagram.com/doctornursepodcast/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/sandra-p-18420836/   Follow the hosts on Instagram - @mslacilea @ellenlauletta @stl_injector Email: scrubcapsandsippycups@gmail.com Or you can leave us an audio message that could air on a future podcast episode! https://www.speakpipe.com/Scrubcapsandsippycups Facebook: Scrub Caps and Sippy Cups Instagram: @heysmartmommas If you loved this episode, found value, or just loved hanging out with us, please head over to Apple Podcasts and leave us a review! 

The Nursing Journey | DNP | Nurse Entrepreneurship with Sandra Pagenta, DNP

Greta Wyeth from Still Point Movement joins the Scrub Caps and Sippy Cups on the show this week talking about the pelvic floor and how we can reeducate it. She discusses the fascia and finding the pelvic floor muscles. Greta runs a post-rehab pilates studio and for the past 10 years, she has worked with women on strengthening their pelvic floor. She also educates women on the importance of balance, stability, and movement.    Greta created a course to help women learn how to strengthen their pelvic floor from home. This course focuses on anatomy and physiology, the purpose of the pelvic floor, movement, women’s health advocacy, and tips on navigating the medical system to get needed care.   Greta discusses how to reeducate the pelvic floor after childbirth. She explains that re-educating is NOT restoring and that you will never go back to the pelvic floor you once had, but you can definitely do something about it!      Have you ever wondered what pregnancy, labor, and delivery do to your pelvic floor? Or maybe you are one of the ⅔ of women that experience pelvic floor dysfunction. Greta gives our listeners issues to look out for that may indicate you have a problem.     If you are preparing for childbirth, she teaches us exactly how to strengthen and prepare. Greta talks about muscles you never would have correlated to the pelvic floor.    How soon should someone start working on their pelvic floor? Greta suggests before, during, and after pregnancy. She reminds us to be careful of the pressure we put on the intrabdominal space during the second, third, and fourth trimesters.    What would you suggest for someone who is postpartum who wants to reeducate their pelvic floor? Greta shares that women can do this anytime after childbirth. Starting small and add more difficulty as you get stronger.    Greta answers so many questions for us in the episode including, what vaginal rejuvenation is, what our pelvic floor does for us when we have sex, how to strengthen our core, and so much more!    Where can we start? Greta gives step-by-step guidelines to get you started on improving your pelvic floor. BONUS! She even walks us through an exercise that engages our lower pelvic floor.   Follow Greta at still.movement on Instagram and check out her website and courses at www.stillpointmovement.com    Follow the hosts on Instagram - @mslacilea @ellenlauletta @stl_injector   Email: scrubcapsandsippycups@gmail.com Or you can leave us an audio message that could air on a future podcast episode! https://www.speakpipe.com/Scrubcapsandsippycups   Facebook: Scrub Caps and Sippy Cups Instagram: @heysmartmommas Twitter: @heysmartmommas   If you loved this episode, found value, or just loved hanging out with us, please head over to Apple Podcasts and leave us a review! 

Finding Your Pelvic Floor with Greta Wyeth

This episode was packed with so much goodness that we just had to share it again! The summer is upon us and maybe you need some parenting inspiration to tackle those tantrums or establish boundaries.  Chris Peterson, aka The Parenting Professor (http://theparentingprofessor.com), discusses the highly effective Love and Logic parenting technique and blows away the Smart Mommas with some easy to implement strategies! Don’t miss the discussions on how to stop a temper tantrum in its tracks and ending the “how long can we drag out bedtime” game. You’ll be able to implement these strategies as soon as the episode ends!  Uh-Oh Song for Toddlers: Dr. Charles Fay of the Love and Logic Institute shares the Uh-Oh song in this YouTube video. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=drh66-WUJCw)  More info on the Uh-Oh song and where you might be going wrong. (https://www.mynewsletterbuilder.com/email/newsletter/1412024797)  If you loved this episode, found value, or just loved hanging out with us, please head over to Apple Podcasts and leave us a review!  Let's connect! Follow the girls on Instagram - @mslacilea @ellenlauletta @stl_injector Email: scrubcapsandsippycups@gmail.com Or you can leave us an audio message that could air on a future podcast episode! https://www.speakpipe.com/Scrubcapsandsippycups Facebook: Scrub Caps and Sippy Cups Instagram: @heysmartmommas Twitter: @heysmartmommas

Love and Logic Re-Release

Mandy Hicks, a Licensed Professional Counselor, joins the ladies on this episode to discuss common issues couples face and actionable steps you can take today!   Do you think that putting your marriage first above anything else will benefit in the long term? Well, Mandy provides insight into why this will actually help your relationship and your kids.  Infidelity, married to a narcissist, co-parenting? Mandy Discusses her experiences as a therapist dealing with these issues. How would you deal with infidelity? Mandy tells of how a higher power is often utilized to get through this tough time.  How do you put your marriage first in your everyday life? Mandy urges us all to make it a deliberate practice. Plan your week out together and make time for each other. Ellen shares how she and her husband carve out time every day for one another and how to do that with kids to ensure that one on one attention. Crystal discusses the importance of a regular date night with her husband and modeling a good relationship for their daughter.  Mandy teaches us about issues separated parents face with raising their children in two homes. She gives powerful tips to combat some of the most common problems these parents face.  Do you ever wonder if you are married to a narcissist? Maybe you know someone who is? Well, Mandy breaks it down for us and describes what to look for.  Being new parents can be one of the most stressful times for a couple. You wonder how you are going adjust and if you and your partner will be the same people. Mandy urges us to set expectations and be honest and open. Crystal shares what it was like after having a baby and how the roles and expectations shifted, but this could not have happened without clear communication. Ellen talks about how men are wired differently, and they don’t necessarily see what needs to be done around the home. She tells of her experiences with her husband and how she feels the importance of not coming to the conversation hungry, angry, or tired as it will likely turn into an argument. Mandy reminds us that everyone is different, and in the circumstances like these, we need to give our partners some grace. Communication is key!  The ladies talk about common struggles related to in-laws. Mandy wants couples to have clear boundaries and to make sure they are putting their partners first.  Finally, a discussion on COVID and how to deal with the different views regarding a threat and whether or not to stay home or safely integrate back into society. Mandy provides actionable steps you can take in your marriage today to help ease your home's tensions when dealing with anxiety, either in you or your spouse.  Stick around for the end of the episode for some powerful insights and tips from Mandy that you can take home and use today!  Mentioned in this episode: Mandy Hicks Counseling on FB @mandyhickscounseling Let's connect! Follow the girls on Instagram - @mslacilynch @ellenlauletta @cmalber Email: scrubcapsandsippycups@gmail.com Or you can leave us an audio message that could air on a future podcast episode! https://www.speakpipe.com/Scrubcapsandsippycups Facebook: Scrub Caps and Sippy Cups Instagram: @heysmartmommas Twitter: @heysmartmommas  

Marriage Counseling Re-Release

Leisha is coming on the show this week to discuss hormones, cycles, and moods. Low energy does not have to be the norm with moms! As a functional medicine practitioner, she helps moms get back to feeling like themselves again. This episode is packed with so much information to get you back on track with your hormone health. Leisha lays out the foundation to get you started!    Leisha Drews is an RN with a background in critical care. She found her passion in holistic functional health and focuses on finding the root cause of women’s hormone issues. Leisha works with women dealing with abnormal periods, low energy, and mood swings. She has a big heart for moms and wants to help them to feel better and be present with their kids. Leisha is a mom herself and definitely understands their concerns!     Moms in their postpartum years come to Leisha tired and feeling awful. She reminds us that we don’t need to sacrifice everything in our lives to be a good mom. Eating well, self-care and sleep are vital to feeling well. There are a lot of changes in our hormones after having kids. Root causes may not be discussed at your postpartum visit and Leisha wants to help moms get back to feeling like themselves again.    What does a normal monthly cycle look like? Leisha tells us what to expect regarding hormone levels and how we feel during our cycle. Your cycle and your mood are connected and you can plan for when you know you will feel the best and have the most energy. Leisha explains what types of activities would be the best to implement and when based on your hormone cycle.    Where do we start when it comes to repairing our hormones? Step 1- figure out where you are in your cycle Step 2- plan for the first week of your cycle, ask yourself what you need before your cycle begins? Maybe you know you’ll feel blah a few days before and plan some self-care.    What can you do when your hormones are out of wack? Leisha explains that we want to get our bodies to a place of feeling safe. When we are stressed and in chaos, our bodies will protect us and hormone dysregulation occurs. First, look at nutrition. Are you eating whole foods? Are you eating consistently and a proper amount? Leisha gives her perspective on fasting. For young moms, she explains how they are putting out a lot of energy and if fasting, they cannot sustain it for a long period of time. This can cause secondary issues along with hormone imbalance.    Actionable self-care tips mentioned in this episode: 1 - Ask yourself what you need today 2 - Reading  3 - Going on a walk with a friend 4 - Sitting outside in the sun 5 - Scheduling monthly nights off to spend with a friend or your spouse    Leisha ends the show urging moms to stop and really think about what they need to feel fulfilled. Schedule in time every week for yourself, get to know yourself, and make yourself a priority!   Leisha Drews is an RN, FDN-P, and women’s health educator with a passion for holistic women’s healthcare. She believes that there is so much more to hormones health than just “getting by” or using band-aid solutions to cover up symptoms and loves to help her clients get to the root cause of their hormone and gut issues so they can have better energy, better periods, and feel like themselves again (even as a mom!) She uses functional lab testing and personalized health education and protocols to support her clients along their health journey and believes that support and accountability are key in truly making progress. When not talking about periods, Leisha can be found hanging out with her two kids outside, trying a new recipe, or planning an adventure.   Connect with Leisha on IG www.instagram.com/abundant.life.wellness   Follow the hosts on Instagram - @mslacilea @ellenlauletta @stl_injector   Email: scrubcapsandsippycups@gmail.com Or you can leave us an audio message that could air on a future podcast episode! https://www.speakpipe.com/Scrubcapsandsippycups   Facebook: Scrub Caps and Sippy Cups Instagram: @heysmartmommas Twitter: @heysmartmommas If you loved this episode, found value, or just loved hanging out with us, please head over to Apple Podcasts and leave us a review! 

Making Your Period Work for You

Are you interested in going to nurse anesthesia school (CRNA) or currently a student registered nurse anesthetist (SRNA) with children and wondering how you will ever juggle it all? Well, this episode is for you! Morgan Fitterer and Cynthia Shen are two SRNA moms spilling all of the secrets and discussing common struggles SRNAs face while in school. They sit down and discuss mom guilt, finding balance, the motivation to pursue this profession, handling tough rotations, and more!  Both Cynthia and Morgan became pregnant before being accepted to CRNA school. Despite their fears, this didn’t hold them back from pursuing their dream. The ladies contribute a lot of their success to the support of their husbands and family during this time. They are both set to graduate this spring! The ladies discuss having mom guilt. How leaving their child at daycare to study was oftentimes a struggle for them. Whether it was focusing on relationships, money, parenting, school work, or time for themselves, focusing on everything causes nothing to be done well.  19:40 How did you find balance?  Morgan knows this time in her life is temporary and breaks this large goal up week by week. She spent time figuring out how to achieve these large goals. One of the biggest things was working on time management and overcoming mom guilt.  Cynthia had a wake-up call at the beginning of the program. She started by modifying her study habits. She recognized she was an auditory learner, and she made sure she used her time wisely. She was always looking for smaller chunks of time to maximize her study time. Having clear communication with her spouse was another major factor in her success. They spent 30 minutes together on Sundays planning the week out.  27:40 What made you interested in CRNA school? Morgan found that she was most happy when she was being challenged, and CRNA school did this for her. One step pushed her to master the next, and having a mentor that encouraged her helped Morgan feel motivated. She had a fire inside her that pushed her to learn and grow. She was drawn to the autonomy that being a CRNA provided.  Cynthia's interest was originally in neuroscience. She was searching for something that overlapped her interest in neuroscience and nursing. Her desire to become a CRNA was solidified when she shadowed a CRNA and got to see her mentor put a “patient’s brain to sleep.” She was sold and has loved how her two interests have messed together to fuel a lifelong passion.  32:00 How did you handle your pediatric rotation as a mom? Cynthia says that her peds rotation was a struggle for her as a mom. She remembers crying on her way home from these cases as she thought about the mom in the hospital with her ill child as she gets to go home and be with hers. She became so appreciative of her healthy child. She salutes those moms who struggle with their sick kids. Morgan put things into a different perspective after having her own child. She never wanted to make a promise to a parent that she couldn’t keep. She has been vocal with her preceptors about what she is and is not comfortable with.  39:00 What advice would you give to the parent or soon-to-be parent thinking about going to CRNA school? Morgan states that “it's not about how smart you are, it's about how much dedication you put in. It takes time, dedication, and grace.” She encourages those interested in CRNA school to take one thing at a time, and anyone who has the motivation to continue can do this.  Cynthia feels that timing is never quite right. She never felt 100% ready to go. She encourages those on the fence to just do it. What is the worst that could happen? There is no downside to trying. Cynthia Shen: Hello! My name is Cynthia Shen; I’m currently an SRNA scheduled to graduate in May and am a mom to a 3-year-old and happily married to my husband. We are from Dallas, TX. I have a background in neuroscience and nursing and am very excited to join the anesthesia profession! Hobbies include traveling, reading for fun, and spending quality time with my family. You can connect with her here: Facebook: Cynthia Shen (Nguyen) Instagram: Furtail14005 Morgan Fitterer: Morgan is a 3rd-year SRNA, momma to a 3-year-old girl (Lennon), and wife of 7 years. You can connect with her here: @morgfittererererrrrrrr (Instagram) and https://www.facebook.com/morgan.e.mcintire If you loved this episode, found value, or just loved hanging out with us, please head over to Apple Podcasts and leave us a review!  Let's connect! Follow the girls on Instagram - @mslacilea @ellenlauletta @stl_injector Email: scrubcapsandsippycups@gmail.com Or you can leave us an audio message that could air on a future podcast episode! https://www.speakpipe.com/Scrubcapsandsippycups Facebook: Scrub Caps and Sippy Cups Instagram: @heysmartmommas Twitter: @heysmartmommas

Light at the End of the Tunnel | Two SRNA Moms Have Success in CRNA School

Laci and Ellen sit down together to discuss the latest updates in their lives and Rachel Hollis’ three-part social media disaster. You are going to hear about what went wrong with Rachel’s posts and if there is an impact on society as a result of this.  Laci opens up the show talking to us about her experience buying a camper. She decided she needed a camper when the campground only offered a ten-foot bottomless pit of wonder for her kids to use for a toilet. She found herself not being able to pull the trigger on buying it, pondered the thought for a while, bought it, and then cried all the way home because she just spent a crap ton of money on said camper! Although a truly funny story, Laci and Ellen discuss the money mindset that many moms can relate to. Laci tells us about her childhood and how that has affected her identity related to money.   Ellen discusses building a house and the stress related to it. Her baby flipped from head down and she blames the house stress. Would you stay with your in-laws with a newborn baby? Well, Ellen might have to… tune in to hear if her house will be done in time or not!  Did Rachel Hollis’ true colors come out in her latest social media disaster? Laci and Ellen discuss how Rachel is totally disconnected from reality when comparing herself with the likes of Oprah and Ruth Ginsburg. Ellen and Laci discuss how the publicity surrounding Rachel’s actions is creating publicity for her at this moment. Ellen reminds us that Rachel built her brand by empowering, inspiring, and being relatable and then wham, smacks us in the face when she cuts down the people that got her there and bought into her “relatable” brand. Laci struggles with the fact that Rachel doesn’t feel she is relatable. Rachel has now walked back her stance on serving the 1.7 million people in a positive and relatable way. What do you think and is there anyone out there that feels Rachel has a leg to stand on? So, the ladies want to know: do you think Laci is crazy for not wanting to spend money? Are you building a house right now? What do you feel about Rachel Hollis’ recent mess up and do you still follow her? Are you part of the loyal 1.7 million? Let's connect! Follow the girls on Instagram - @mslacilea @ellenlauletta @stl_injector Email: scrubcapsandsippycups@gmail.com Or you can leave us an audio message that could air on a future podcast episode! https://www.speakpipe.com/Scrubcapsandsippycups Facebook: Scrub Caps and Sippy Cups Instagram: @heysmartmommas Twitter: @heysmartmommas

Campers and Dumpster Fires

Lisa Keefauver joins the podcast this week sharing her experience with grief, both professional and personal. Lisa is a clinical social worker, owner of Reimagining Grief, and the host of the podcast, Grief is a Sneaky Bitch.” She takes her multiple years of grief experience to bring help to others and to change the grief culture in the US.  Lisa describes our struggles with grief as a culture. She states that control is an illusion because ultimately, we don’t know what will happen. COVID is a perfect example of this and has left many people feeling a loss of control. Lisa explains that we build our identities on the stories we tell of our past and future. A death, pandemic, etc. forces us to navigate without a script. It is disorienting and disrupting when the story we count on is no longer there for us.  Lisa describes her terminally ill husband dying in her arms. A close friend passing away and her own personal health scare. These experiences have pushed and inspired her to do this work. Lisa tells of her 7-year-old daughter keeping her grounded through it all.  Lisa wants to help change the culture surrounding grief and the grieving process in the US. She explains the difficulties with the workforce and how there is only three days for bereavement leave following the death of a loved one. She explains the grief is not over in that short amount of time. The type of person we are expected to grieve over is also misunderstood by most employers. Lisa explains that our communities and loved ones have changed over time and may not be limited to our immediate family. Lisa is on a mission to expand grief culture in the workforce.  Lisa reminds us that we cannot isolate the griever. We may think that grief is only an emotional state. Sometimes grief can be a relief. There is a spectrum of emotions related to grief and we need to expand on the emotions of grief. Grief can represent all emotions and it’s a normal response to loss. We live in a culture that says grief gets in the way of our productivity. Grief triggers a stress response in our bodies because our story gets disrupted. Our stress response is on high alert and it is a physical manifestation attacking our emotional state, cognitive state, financial, etc.  Lisa recommends a layers approach to grieving. Think about what has worked for you in the past and what you already know about yourself. Ditch every expectation you have of yourself and accept help. Don’t feel like you should be able to do something and let others help. It is not our job to fix anyone in grief. Others may be in the fix-it mode and the griever doesn’t need someone to fix them and tell them what they should do. Also, minimize your expectations of what your capacities are. Don’t feel the need to rush through grief. At some point, you will have to face it. Sleep, nutrition, and truly caring for yourself are imperative.  As healthcare workers, we want to fix it. We want to fix it as moms. Reframe this thinking by actually offering empathy. Sitting in silence with the griever is impactful. Instead of offering “if you ever need anything”, just do it! Crystal points out that the person going through a hard time is not going to reach out to you and that instead just doing it will be more helpful. You may be met with a no or pushback, but offering action vs lip service will have a lasting impact.  "Show up, shut up, and keep showing up."  About Lisa Keefauver: This social worker turned thought leader is using the power of narrative to create a Grief-Smart Culture. Lisa Keefauver’s wisdom as a grief and empathy thought leader runs deep and wide, rooted in her personal and professional experiences over the past 20+ years. Lisa has spent the past two decades as a clinical social worker, narrative therapist, and leader in various communities impacting diverse populations. She witnessed first-hand the unnecessary suffering of so many individuals because their families, communities, workplaces, and culture weren’t supporting them in their grief and suffering. Compassion and empathy are gained when we face our own pain, and in the midst of her career, Lisa found herself in need of the very services she was providing. In 2011 at age 40, Lisa became a widow when her husband Eric died in her arms after a long year of misdiagnosis and medical maltreatment. This left her a single mother to their 7 year-old daughter. Lisa’s expansive experiences, resilience, and storytelling skills allow audiences to connect, learn and be inspired. Called the “Brene Brown of Grief and Loss,” (Tracey Wallace, Eterneva), Lisa uses her warmth, vulnerability, humor and therapeutic skills to help us find language when we’re at a loss for words. Lisa is the Founder & CEO of Reimagining Grief and host of the podcast, Grief is a Sneaky Bitch. Links to socials (i.e., Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn, etc.) Instagram https://www.instagram.com/reimagininggrief/?hl=en Facebook https://www.facebook.com/ReimaginingG LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisakeefauvermsw/ Twitter https://twitter.com/ReimagineG Website - Reimagining Grief www.reimagininggrief.com Podcast - Grief is a Sneaky Bitch https://reimagininggrief.com/podcast-1

Reimagining Grief with Lisa Keefauver, MSW

The ladies of the Scrub Caps and Sippy Cups podcast are joined by fellow CRNA mom, Alex Pudwill as she shares her son’s journey with congenital Cytomegalovirus (CMV). Her son Sam was suspected to have been exposed to CMV in the third trimester of pregnancy. Alex explains the signs and symptoms of CMV at birth and how she and Sam’s medical providers came to realize he had congenital CMV. Alex shares her struggles with mom guilt and how their family focuses on Sam’s milestones to keep them going. Alex is here to spread awareness about congenital CMV and help prevent this from occurring.  There are two groups of people that are most at risk for contracting CMV, immunocompromised individuals and unborn babies. Alex and Sam’s medical providers did not have any reason to suspect Sam had CMV in utero. He was growing fine and there was not a cause for concern during prenatal exams. She was shocked when she first saw him and he was covered in petechiae and had a blueberry muffin rash. Sam was sent to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) where he was cared for in the coming days.  Alex shares the struggles ahead for Sam and what it is like to have a child with CMV. From making the decision to have Sam receive cochlear implants to a brain bleed that will cause long-term issues and how she and her family overcame these obstacles.  Laci asks if there is any treatment for moms in the event that they are found to be positive for CMV while pregnant. Alex explains that there are antivirals available, but the treatments are experimental at this time. Ellen discusses the concerns from a perspective of being pregnant and not knowing what she could come in contact with and if that would have an effect on her baby. For many parents, this is currently a COVID concern. What effects does this have on the baby?  Alex gives tips on how moms can help decrease their chances of getting CMV while pregnant and shares some statistics with our listeners.   “91% of women are unaware of congenital CMV. 1:200 children are born with CMV each year and 1:10 of those are born with a disability.” Alex wants to get the message out about congenital CMV and what we can do as moms and healthcare professionals to prevent this virus from spreading. Please share this episode with a friend who could benefit from this information!  Alex Pudwill is a CRNA mom from Sioux Falls, SD. Her son, Sam, was born with congenital CMV. Ever since then, she has been trying to educate as many moms and soon-to-be moms as possible to prevent this very preventable disease. You can follow Alex Pudwill @aapudwill on Instagram and on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/alex.hughes.1238 Let's connect! Follow the girls on Instagram - @mslacilea @ellenlauletta @stl_injector Email: scrubcapsandsippycups@gmail.com Or you can leave us an audio message that could air on a future podcast episode! https://www.speakpipe.com/Scrubcapsandsippycups Facebook: Scrub Caps and Sippy Cups Instagram: @heysmartmommas Twitter: @heysmartmommas

Life Doesn't Follow a Plan with Alex Pudwill, CRNA

Sandra Etherington brings Myers Briggs personality types to families in fun and unique ways. She used it in her own parenting and now helps others use it in their homes. Sandra started helping others for FREE. She discovered Myers Briggs when she was working in the corporate world and not loving her career. She started educating herself, helped others for free, and now runs a successful business helping families understand how to best work together utilizing Myers Briggs. Sandra gives an in-depth breakdown of each Myers-Briggs personality category, explaining what each letter means. You don’t want to miss this, it's solid gold!  How can we use these results to better understand our families? Do you have a child who resists the bedtime routine? Children who despise repetition? These questions and more are answered in this episode. The ladies asked how we can discipline when we know a child’s type? Sandra explains that compassion and understanding are key. Know what fills their bucket and take the time each day to address that. Also, know that one child will need more direction and step-by-step instruction vs another child. Sandra gives a great example of a sensing child and an intuition child and how to work with them to complete a task.  Sandra explains how Myers Briggs can often have a misconception surrounding it based on the idea that this is just another online test. She explains how Myers Briggs is backed by science and is a topic that is studied within the neuroscience field. Another common misconception is that the test results themselves can change. Sandra explains that your type never changes and that perhaps the questions were answered differently. How do you type outside the questionnaire? Sandra walks her clients through the types one by one; this combined with pulling from common behaviors of the person plus conversation helps Sandra to pinpoint the person's specific type.  Do you think knowing this information about ourselves and others can benefit how we interact? Perhaps you are one that jumps to judging others too quickly. Tune in to learn how we can interact better, grow and nurture existing relationships and work better with others we may not see eye to eye with.  About Sandra: Sandra is a mom of a 5 year old and an 8 year old. She is the owner of Family Personalities and the co-host of the Family Personalities podcast, a fun, and sometimes cheesy podcast, that uses personality type to help change the way you see your family. Sandra uses her experience and training in Myers-Briggs personality type, to work one on one with families, helping them parent more effectively and compassionately based on their children's unique wiring and needs. Head over to https://familypersonalities.com/ and snag some free resources Sandra has for you!   You can also catch her on social media: www.instagram.com/familypersonalities www.facebook.com/familypersonalities  Podcast-https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/family-personalities/id1507419439  Let's connect! Follow the girls on Instagram - @mslacilea @ellenlauletta @stl_injector Email: scrubcapsandsippycups@gmail.com Or you can leave us an audio message that could air on a future podcast episode! https://www.speakpipe.com/Scrubcapsandsippycups Facebook: Scrub Caps and Sippy Cups Instagram: @heysmartmommas Twitter: @heysmartmommas

Parenting with Personality Traits: Become a better parent by understanding personality traits with Sandra Etherington

Scrub Caps & Sippy Cups is a virtual moms club for all who are balancing motherhood, careers, finances, relationships, a social life, and remembering to breathe in between.

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