On this episode of Let's Be Real Mama Journeys, Nikki sits down with psychologist, author, and motherhood researcher Dr. Erika Horwitz for a heartfelt conversation about the beauty, complexity, and lifelong impact of motherhood. Drawing from decades of clinical experience, her doctoral research, and her own journey as a mother, Dr. Horwitz shares powerful insights into what it truly means to support moms through every season of parenting.

Together, Nikki and Dr. Horwitz discuss the realities of raising children through both joyful and incredibly difficult seasons, including parenting a child with severe anxiety and depression, navigating the uncertainty of mental health diagnoses, and finding the strength to keep showing up even when the path feels overwhelming. They explore the importance of treating children with respect, creating relationships built on trust instead of judgment, and how those intentional choices can shape family connections for a lifetime.

The conversation also celebrates the often unseen work of motherhood, the power of peer support, and why mothers deserve more recognition, compassion, and community than society often provides. Whether you're parenting little ones, raising teenagers, supporting adult children, or simply reflecting on your own relationship with your mom, this episode is filled with wisdom, hope, and heartfelt reminders that motherhood isn't about perfection. It's about love, resilience, and continuing to show up for the people who matter most.

On this episode of Let's Be Real Mama Journeys, Nikki sits down with JoAnne Chitwood for an honest and heartfelt conversation about motherhood, caregiving, and the lessons that come from walking alongside families during life's hardest moments. With more than 40 years of experience as a hospice nurse, JoAnne brings a unique perspective on love, resilience, grief, and what truly matters in life.

JoAnne shares her journey of becoming a mom at just 19 years old, raising three children through the many beautiful and challenging stages of parenthood, and navigating what she lovingly calls those "face down in the carpet" motherhood moments. Together, Nikki and JoAnne talk about the realities of raising children before you feel fully prepared, the evolving relationship between mothers and their adult children, and how every season of motherhood brings both struggle and joy.

This episode is full of wisdom, warmth, and reassurance for moms in every stage of the journey. Whether you are deep in the trenches of parenting little ones, raising teenagers, or watching your children become adults themselves, this conversation is a reminder that motherhood is never about perfection. It is about showing up, loving deeply, and learning as you go.

On this episode of Let's Be Real Mama Journeys, Nikki sits down with Paola Brown for an honest conversation about motherhood, chronic illness, and the journey toward finding true health for both herself and her family. Living in rural Idaho with her husband and three children, Paola shares how her experiences with autoimmune struggles and severe food intolerances while raising young children completely changed the way she approached health, healing, and motherhood.

Together, Nikki and Paola talk about the reality of parenting while battling illness, the emotional and physical exhaustion that can come from trying to care for everyone else while feeling unwell yourself, and the pressure many moms feel to "push through" even when their bodies are struggling. Paola opens up about the desperation she felt during some of her hardest seasons and how those experiences ultimately led her to pursue a more intentional, holistic lifestyle focused on wellness, nourishment, and sustainable family health.

This episode is full of vulnerability, encouragement, and practical insight for moms navigating health challenges of their own while raising children. Whether you are dealing with chronic illness, burnout, or simply trying to create a healthier life for your family, this conversation is a reminder that healing is not always linear and that you are not alone in the process.

On this episode of Let's Be Real Mama Journeys, Nikki sits down with Kristen Jenson for a courageous and incredibly important conversation about protecting children in today's digital world. As the author of the internationally recognized book Good Pictures Bad Pictures, Kristen has spent years helping parents navigate conversations around pornography exposure, internet safety, and raising kids with confidence and resilience in a technology driven culture.

Together, Nikki and Kristen talk openly about the reality that many children are exposed to explicit content far earlier than most parents expect and how silence and shame often make these conversations even harder. Kristen shares practical tools parents can use to begin age appropriate conversations with their children, create safer digital environments, and build trust so kids feel comfortable asking questions and seeking support.

This episode is not about fear. It is about empowerment. Nikki and Kristen discuss the importance of proactive parenting, emotional connection, and helping children develop healthy coping skills and critical thinking in a world where online exposure is almost impossible to avoid completely.

Whether you are parenting toddlers, tweens, or teenagers, this conversation offers insight, reassurance, and practical guidance to help families navigate one of the most challenging topics facing parents today.

On this episode of Let's Be Real Mama Journeys, Nikki sits down with Shauna Hull for a deeply honest conversation about motherhood, identity, and navigating life through unexpected challenges and transitions. Shauna opens up about the realities of balancing family, personal growth, and the emotional weight that so many mothers quietly carry while trying to show up for everyone around them.

Together, Nikki and Shauna talk about resilience, mental health, and the importance of authentic connection in a world where many moms feel pressure to hold everything together perfectly. Shauna shares personal stories about overcoming difficult seasons, learning to ask for support, and discovering strength in vulnerability instead of hiding behind perfection.

This episode explores the beauty and complexity of motherhood through real conversation, laughter, reflection, and truth. Nikki and Shauna discuss how healing often begins when women feel safe enough to share their stories openly and how community can make all the difference during life's hardest moments.

Whether you are walking through a season of transition, burnout, grief, or simply trying to rediscover yourself beyond motherhood, this conversation will remind you that you are not alone and that there is strength in being real about the journey.

Anette DeMattio

In this episode of Let's Be Real Mama Journeys, Nikki sits down with Anette DeMattio for a deeply moving conversation about motherhood, trauma, resilience, and the hidden emotional cost of always being "the strong one." A six time cancer survivor, wellness coach, and author of Too Strong for Your Own Good, Anette shares how surviving childhood cancer shaped her life, identity, relationships, and journey into motherhood.

Together, Nikki and Anette talk about the pressure so many women feel to constantly give, carry, achieve, and care for everyone else while quietly neglecting themselves in the process. Anette opens up about surviving repeated cancer diagnoses, pregnancy loss, infertility struggles, and the emotional toll of living in survival mode for years. She shares how motherhood ultimately became one of the experiences that helped her reconnect with herself and begin healing emotionally, not just physically.

This episode is a powerful reminder that strength is not about carrying everything alone. Nikki and Anette explore the importance of slowing down, listening to your body, processing trauma, and allowing yourself to receive support instead of always being the supporter.

Whether you are navigating motherhood, burnout, chronic stress, grief, or your own healing journey, this conversation offers honesty, hope, and encouragement for anyone who feels exhausted from trying to hold it all together.

Brian Dixon, a Colorado-based adventurer, author, and speaker, joined us to talk about something many women feel but can't always name: when something is "off" with the man they love.

For 20 years, Dixon lived a successful life on paper, but underneath, he had drifted out of alignment. After a painful divorce and a life-changing wake-up call, he faced a truth many men avoid: he hadn't failed, he had drifted.

At 50, he chose a different path. He reconnected with himself, chased a dream, and flew a paraglider solo off Lookout Mountain at 52, proving the fire wasn't gone, just buried.

Today, Dixon speaks openly about what happens when men realign: more presence, more honesty, and deeper connection.

His message is simple: Wake up. Realign. Move forward. You can find him at GoWithDixon.com.

In this episode of Let's Be Real: Mama Journeys, Nikki sits down with Marybeth Brush for a raw and relatable conversation about motherhood later in life, the pressure to "do it all," and the reality of building a career while raising a toddler.

Marybeth shares her journey to becoming a mom at 42, including pregnancy after loss, navigating motherhood as an entrepreneur, and the constant balancing act between business, family, and self. From returning to work just weeks after a C-section to the ongoing challenges of daycare, patience, and letting go of control, this episode is filled with honesty, humor, and moment.ts every mom will recognize.

Together, Nikki and Marybeth dive into the guilt, the expectations, and the truth that none of us really know what we're doing and that's okay. This conversation is a powerful reminder that motherhood isn't about perfection, it's about connection, support, and learning as you go. You can find her at marybethbrush.exprealty.com

If you've ever questioned whether you're doing it "right," this episode is for you.