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Join host Elsa in this captivating episode of It's a Circus Podcast as she talks with Jessica Cummings, the founder of Augment Your Business and COO of Revel CPA. Jessica delves into her unique approach to parenting, balancing a high-powered career, and living through extraordinary experiences such as living abroad and navigating motherhood during the pandemic. Jessica shares invaluable insights on the importance of community, advocating for oneself, and making personal choices that benefit her family's well-being. Listen as she opens up about the trials of miscarriage, the joy of travel, and her commitment to creating a life filled with purpose and adventure.

00:00 Introduction and Host's Message

01:06 Guest Introduction: Meet Jessica Cummings

02:11 Jessica's Family and Parenting Journey

04:47 Deciding to Start a Family

05:58 Life in Mexico and the COVID-19 Pandemic

10:05 Moving to Boston and Adjusting to Parenthood

17:17 Finding Community and Moving to Baltimore

19:45 Birth Plans and Experiences

24:36 Balancing Career and Motherhood

29:17 Challenges of Finding Childcare

33:52 Deciding on a Second Child

38:25 Miscarriage and Coping with Loss

42:06 Pregnancy and Life in Mexico

56:58 Deciding on the Epidural

58:46 Unexpected Labor and Delivery

59:59 Reflecting on the Birth Experience

01:02:20 Plans for More Children?

01:03:49 Moving Back to Baltimore

01:08:09 Traveling with Kids

01:15:15 Balancing Career and Family

01:19:47 The Importance of Community

01:48:51 Therapy and Self-Care

01:52:02 Parenting Insights and Reflections

Find her on her LinkedIn:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessicacummingspmp/

And on Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/mindfuljesstravels/

🎪 It’s a Circus 🎙️

Step right up to the podcast that tells it like it really is—because parenting isn’t always picture-perfect, but it’s always worth the ride.

Hosted by entrepreneur and mom Elsa Marit, It’s a Circus brings you real, unfiltered conversations with parents who know what it’s like to balance the chaos of kids, careers, and everything in between. Through heartfelt interviews and personal storytelling, Elsa peels back the layers of parenting to reveal the messy, hilarious, and deeply human moments we all experience—but rarely talk about.

This isn’t a guide to having it all figured out. It’s a reminder that you don’t have to.

Tune in for laughs, confessions, and insights that will leave you feeling connected, comforted, and ready to take on the next act. Hit subscribe—because life in the circus is better when we’re in it together. 🎪✨

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In this heartfelt episode of 'It's a Circus,' host Elsa welcomes Kortnee, a 36-year-old Florida-based architect, entrepreneur, wife, and mother of two, to share her unique parenting journey. Kortnee opens up about raising her son William, who has a rare genetic condition leading to epilepsy, autism, and developmental delays, and her daughter Sophia, who is developmentally typical. Kortnee discusses the realities of balancing work, therapies, and family life, the emotional challenges of an unexpected diagnosis, and the misconceptions surrounding special needs parenting. She also emphasizes the importance of support systems and self-care. This episode offers invaluable insights and encourages parents to embrace their individual journeys with humor, grit, and faith.

00:00 Introduction: Embracing the Chaos of Parenting

00:39 Meet Kortnee: A Unique Family Dynamic

02:24 Kortnee's Parenting Journey: Challenges and Triumphs

03:30 Navigating Special Needs: William's Story

11:10 The Diagnosis Journey: Genetic Testing and Epilepsy

24:08 Balancing Parenthood: The Emotional Rollercoaster

35:40 Therapies and Treatments: Finding What Works

53:09 Common Misconceptions: Parenting a Special Needs Child

58:01 Navigating Public Perceptions

58:27 Special Needs Parenting Insights

01:02:36 Advice for Interacting with Special Needs Families

01:07:00 Personal Reflections and Parenting Advice

01:19:47 Balancing Family and Career

01:25:41 Support Systems and Asking for Help

01:29:30 Challenges and Acceptance

01:33:38 Coping with Emotional Struggles

01:36:55 Traveling with Special Needs

01:46:43 Final Thoughts and Advocacy

Visit Kortnee and Hector's Business sites:

https://echt-architects.com/

https://cayococolandscaping.com/

🎪 It’s a Circus 🎙️

Step right up to the podcast that tells it like it really is—because parenting isn’t always picture-perfect, but it’s always worth the ride.

Hosted by entrepreneur and mom Elsa Marit, It’s a Circus brings you real, unfiltered conversations with parents who know what it’s like to balance the chaos of kids, careers, and everything in between. Through heartfelt interviews and personal storytelling, Elsa peels back the layers of parenting to reveal the messy, hilarious, and deeply human moments we all experience—but rarely talk about.

This isn’t a guide to having it all figured out. It’s a reminder that you don’t have to.

Tune in for laughs, confessions, and insights that will leave you feeling connected, comforted, and ready to take on the next act. Hit subscribe—because life in the circus is better when we’re in it together. 🎪✨

Send us a text

In this episode, host Elsa sits down with Jaclyn Cowart, the inspiring voice behind the blog Family with a Gap. Jaclyn shares her deeply personal journey through secondary infertility, the challenges and triumphs of raising children with a 12-year age gap, and what it’s really like to become a mom again at 40.

✨ What you’ll hear in this episode:

• Jaclyn’s honest story of hope, heartache, and resilience
• The realities of navigating infertility and IVF
• How stress, lifestyle, and support systems impact the journey to parenthood
• The joys and surprises of parenting kids at very different stages
• Advice for moms, partners, and anyone feeling alone in their parenting struggles

Whether you’re a parent, hoping to be one, or just love real stories about family, this episode will make you laugh, cry, and feel seen.

🔗 Check out Jaclyn’s blog: familywithagap.com

📸 Visit her on her IG: https://www.instagram.com/familywithagap

💬 If this episode resonates, please like, comment, and share with a friend who might need it.

🎪 It’s a Circus 🎙️

Step right up to the podcast that tells it like it really is—because parenting isn’t always picture-perfect, but it’s always worth the ride.

Hosted by entrepreneur and mom Elsa Marit, It’s a Circus brings you real, unfiltered conversations with parents who know what it’s like to balance the chaos of kids, careers, and everything in between. Through heartfelt interviews and personal storytelling, Elsa peels back the layers of parenting to reveal the messy, hilarious, and deeply human moments we all experience—but rarely talk about.

This isn’t a guide to having it all figured out. It’s a reminder that you don’t have to.

Tune in for laughs, confessions, and insights that will leave you feeling connected, comforted, and ready to take on the next act. Hit subscribe—because life in the circus is better when we’re in it together. 🎪✨